Phoebe Zito has just started at a new school in a new state...after just starting her new life as a girl. She has to learn to balance fitting in and being herself in this fun but complex YA graphic novel by Magdalene Vissaggio and Paulina Ganucheau.
The best poems educate with their facts and inspire with their beautiful flow of words. These 11 titles contain poems that do both exceptionally for young readers of all ages.
The latest title in the Aven Green universe (The "Greeniverse"?) tackles Tourette's Syndrome and so much more. We reveal the cover and discuss the book with the author.
Shifa Saltagi Safadi's novel in verse about an immigrant family, the 2016 Muslim ban, and a boy trying to balance school and family earned the prestigious prize.
Cozy fantasies, immigration stories, and reimagined classics—2024’s Best Graphic Novels list isn’t just a collection of 25 unforgettable reads, it’s a showcase of comics that push storytelling to new heights.
A young swordsmith engages sorcerers and the Yakuza in this tale of revenge.
This week's "Wednesday Roundup" looks at the many excellent titles from this year that fall into the broad and often-recognized category of middle grade fiction.
The trick is to not give up while the slow burn runs its course.
I know it isn't even Thanksgiving yet, but we are friggin' talking about Santa today. Sleigh.
Gripping fantastical journeys, family secrets, unbridled joy, and inconceivable loss: in these pages, tweens are facing it all. These 26 middle grade titles are exemplars across genre of the power of truth telling and embracing one's authentic self, even when it seems impossible.
Mythology and animal stories compose a large part of this early reader and chapter book list, alongside contemporary tales of young protagonists staying true to themselves and the things they love while figuring out how to act among peers. These titles will help children learn how to read as well as model ideas for how they can be authentically themselves.
I hope after reading our novel, hearts can empathize better with refugees in the community and be spurned to action. Perhaps students will take greater interest in the new classmate that just arrived in the states.
Among this year’s outstanding listens—with publication dates from November 2023 to October 2024—are two picture books, two volumes of a graphic trilogy (they count as one entry), a head-smack must-read history, and several laugh-out-loud novels.
The curation of this list is evidence of the gigantic community working together, no questions asked, to campaign for literacy and an educated republic, by inviting young readers into the pages of a book. We’d love to know what you think of our 193 selections.
As the medium continues its meteoric rise, 2024 marked the debut of SLJ's first-ever Best Books committee dedicated exclusively to manga. From shock-charged action and celestial fantasy to eco-horror and edutainment, these 22 standout titles offer something for readers of all ages and interests, redefining what belongs on K–12 shelves—and why.
If you want to have a good time, invite a parasitologist onto your site. Chelsea Wood astounds and entrances, not simply in her new book, but in this interview as well (come for the tapeworms, stay for the lice video).
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Cat's Cradle Vol. 3: Suri's Dragon from First Second Books and Sonic the Hedgehog Knuckles 30th Anniversary Special from IDW Publishing.
With so many excellent books on our Mock Newbery list, we need to really look at what books stand out. Today we do an exercise called "Battle of the Books" where we pin two books against each other.
As it turns out, becoming a writer for teens—and teen Jan—is about the most thrilling and rewarding answer to the question: who am I?
This season's series cover favorite nonfiction topics from a variety of vantage points.
Refresh your shelves with books about beloved animals and lesser-known species.
New titles in the arts and activities category promote creativity and fun.
Unsung heroes from the past and today's most popular personalities populate this diverse collection of biographies.
For striving and thriving emerging readers, these titles offer a while range of skill levels and topics.
From the reaches of outer space to the tiny world of nanobots, these science series will spark student interest.
These collections will allow readers to travel the world without leaving the library.
These timely collections will help readers make sense of the ins and outs of the U.S. Government and the election process.
Responding to stress, illness, and difficult situations is a focus of this season's health series.
The titles in these series offer a range of topics and genres to support emerging readers.
A good story can make history come alive, and these true stories from the past will draw readers in.
The practical and realistic information in these titles will help readers clear a path to their futures.
Mythical heroes and spine-chilling creatures await readers in these fascinating series.
The science behind the marvels of the natural world are explored in these series.
Exploring topics like climate change, immigration, and disability rights, these series offer information about issues young readers hear about and experience every day.
These books provide diverse perspectives, inviting curious minds to discover new ideas and broaden their understanding of the world.
This season's Spanish series include an exciting range of selections, with high-quality translations and striking artwork.
These colorful sports series are as packed with action as they are with information.
These titles promise to enrich library collections and inspire the next generation of innovators.
The Fall 2024 issue of Series Made Simple gives readers the opportunity to zoom in or pan out for unique views of the nonfiction topics they love.
As you keep faith as readers, I’ll keep faith as a writer to continue writing and showing the places where our stories interconnect. Not everyone is on the same page, but we all HAVE a page. Never forget: We are who makes the story worth reading.
Vigo County Public Library is joining the growing trend of libraries responding to climate change while at the same time, users are provided with information, materials, and communities in unique ways that remove barriers to success.
With so many excellent books on our Mock Newbery list, how do we separate the very good from the truly great? One exercise that might help: the "Fortunately/Unfortunately" game.
Will one of these take home the Newbery come January? And could one of them win a Newbery AND a Printz?!
SLJ will reveal the 193 titles selected for this year's Best Books list starting November 19 and culminating November 25 with a live webcast.
Author Terri Farley shares how series can be a comfort to middle grade readers seeking emotional shelter
In 2022, Ashley and Jeff Wall founded MamaBear Books, a Texas-based boutique children’s book publisher. MamaBear inspires imaginative play for young children with hilarious adventure books like The Day I Had a Bulldozer, The Day I Had a Dinosaur, and Lucy and Her Unicorn Get a Sparkle Puppy.
Check out This Week's List of new Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels for readers 12 and under, featuring The Girl in the Midnight Gown from Blue Fox Comics and Ribbon Skirt from Graphix.
Where are the covertly toxic families in children's books? Christina Wyman discusses how, for children who suffer difficult family dynamics, seeing their experiences reflected in books is few and far between.
Writing Lucy was our way of coping with the years Teghan lost: both the years trapped in self-denial about her identity and the years she spent in prison. The book is a badge of honor for those tough years we survived, and it’s a love letter to each other.
We've picked 6! The "Early 6" are titles that we've selected to be part of our Mock Newbery Book List. We'll eventually have about 15 titles on that list, but here's your chance to get started early with reading.
Let the Mock Caldecott begin!
These coauthored narratives offer readers the opportunity to experience a novel from multiple perspectives, expanding worldbuilding, character development, and plot lines, proving that there are always two (or sometimes three or four) sides to every story.
Today we talk with Ada Limón about her upcoming January release and reveal it cover while we're at it. We talk stichics and foxes.
The second volume of Lost in the Future sends the five time-displaced schoolkids to a different era of the future, one that's just as filled with danger as the first one they faced.
I discovered that if told with some heart and soul, history can be as compelling as fine fiction. And before long I found myself on a mission to make history come alive for young people.
You want a plot that’s tight? World-building that manages to be both comprehensible and succinct? And heart too, right? You want to actually feel something as a result of the hero’s journey? Welp, here you go.
The quest to find the 2025 Heavy Medal Mock Newbery winner continues as the second round of nominations closed last Saturday. Eleven new titles were nominated for a total of 45 Mock Newbery potentials.
Teen librarian Karen Jensen rounds up some news articles that discuss how the election results may impact libraries and shares ways to support your library today
Anthologies are the literary equivalent to a buffet dinner. They offer a wide selection of different perspectives (both in story telling and in personal background) and writing styles on the same theme.
You know what rules? Dogs. I sure do like them. Here are a few middle grade books featuring dogs, all approved by my rescue chiweenies, Charlie and Spot.
Critiquing how the military preys on low-income families with promises of education and employment does not sound like something that would be in a graphic novel targeted at children aged ten and up, but that is the message at the narrative’s core.
A hotel lobby, a marsh with hidden birds, and a midwestern farm are among the many evocative settings from this year's possible Newbery contenders. Will excellence in "delineation of setting" help to earn the 2025 Newbery Medal?
The warm camaraderie of these sisters will put a smile on readers’ faces as both siblings work together for the common good. A great addition to the series and to library collections.
The writing is strong and the dog hotel premise can easily be expanded for an audience in the ever-growing early chapter book genre.
Recommended for general purchase.
An angst-fueled, twisted fairy tale wrapped tightly in dark academia, exploring the border between love and something more dangerous.
A comfy summer romance with STEM themes.
The main character’s arc from villain to antihero to lovestruck romantic makes this a worthwhile addition to YA collections.
Fans of King’s work and teens interested in music and social issues will be drawn to this work.
Mother-child love is abundant in this non-frightening monster story that reveals a beginning self-awareness and a nod to empathy. This recommended story is sure to capture the attention of the most rambunctious child.
A secular Easter-themed book perfect to read aloud to an active preschool group.
For middle grade readers who love complicated families, sports, and realistic fiction, this novel will be a strong fit.
An accessible introduction to social and political events in Germany during the time leading up to World War II.
A celebration of innovation, intellectual curiosity, and community that will undoubtedly inspire a new generation to read Frindle.
Tegan Quin, Sara Quin, and Tillie Walden return with the sequel to last year's Junior High, continuing the fictionalized story of Tegan and Sara's origin story.
There is a joy to asking questions and learning new things. It’s fun to explore, and to find the answer to a question. It’s exciting to learn that the world works in ways we did or did not expect.
Family members who collaborate talk about the dynamics (and ground rules) of their creative partnerships.
Today, we are premiering Aaron's book trailer for his upcoming board book Winter Light. Before we do, however, I felt inclined to hear from the man himself about why exactly, precisely, minutely, he likes board books as much as he does.
Let's think about our personal legacy, how we're living, and making decisions that affect others. What expectations do we have of our leaders in that regard?
In this week’s Wednesday roundup, we take a look at a tough topic with a tough Newbery crowd- poetry. Are there any major 2025 Newbery poetry contenders?
Shakespeare’s greatness can live on, but we can also give space to new voices - and both can happen at the exact same time with the power of a retelling.
In this Q&A series, SLJ poses five questions and a request for a book recommendation to a debut YA author. In the latest installment, Wen-yi Lee shares about The Dark We Know.
Take your mind off of politics with this utter ridiculous prediction post zeroing in on the potential ALA Youth Media Award winners.
The Donut Prince of New York isn't just about donuts or theater or football. It's about the revolutionary act of accepting yourself in a world that often suggests you shouldn't.
Author Gayle Forman is over on The Yarn podcast, taking us behind the scenes of her new middle grade novel NOT NOTHING
From puppy love to the latest collection from fan-favorite Junji Ito, these 10 new manga releases are bound to be a hit with readers of all ages.
We talk to today with two creators about their latest STEM-related picture book bio. Along the way I am literally gobsmacked by the author's explanation as to why she wrote this book. See what happens!
While we might not have the capacity right now to do the long-term work to relieve the sources of our current stress, we can do a few things to feel a little better in the short term, particularly at work, where we’ve been so careful about what we say.
Check out the list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Hilda and Twig Hide From the Rain from Nobrow - Flying Eye Books and Last Kids on Earth Volume 1 Graphic Novel from Viking Books for Young Readers.
It's time for the second round of nominations. Pick two titles you think are deserving of the 2025 Newbery. Medal.
Middle grade may not have been in my initial career plans as an author, but now I can’t imagine writing without it.
Families come in all sizes and shapes, warmly shown here; this book is recommended for libraries to add any shelves on ever-expanding inclusivity.
An excellent story about Indigenous culture, and how communities can support each other when things are tough. A strong choice for any elementary library.
For those needing a solid read-aloud for story times, consider this; despite some random elements, its message of love for nature is clear.
An excellent resource for those seeking an interactive story hour.
A fast-paced adventure that forces three children to make decisions about survival and come to terms with some grown-up issues.
A must-read for all upper elementary and middle school fantasy fans.
A must-read; Ponti has crafted a delightful tale that combines humor, history, and heart into one captivating adventure.
An uncomfortable, disquieting, and important examination of abusive friendships.
A dreamy and mysterious tale about taking chances and traveling through time for the people you love, this is an excellent blend of a tense, high-stakes mystery and a relationship-driven, coming-of-age story.
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