From literacy instruction to battling book bans and censorship, the subjects of these titles will inform and inspire librarians and other educators.

Literature and Primary Sources: The Perfect Pairing for Student Learning by Tom Bober & Rebecca Newland. Bloomsbury. ISBN 9781440880414. 
A comprehensive guide for educators looking to integrate primary sources with various forms of literature to enrich students’ learning experiences. VERDICT A resourceful tool for educators seeking to create more engaging and informative lessons that connect literature with the rich tapestry of historical and cultural contexts.

Antiracist Reading Revolution [Grades K-8]: A Framework for Teaching Beyond Representation Toward Liberation by Sonja Cherry-Paul. Corwin. ISBN 9781071915356. 
The author addresses the historic lack of diverse characters in publishing, the “heroes and holidays” curriculum taught in schools, and the spread of the government’s critical race theory into learning institutions. VERDICT Recommended for reading instructors and librarians. Pair with Tricia Ebarvia’s Get Free: Antibias Literacy Instruction for Strong Readers, Writers, and Thinkers.

That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America by Amanda Jones. Bloomsbury. ISBN 9781639733538. 
Amanda Jones became a target after publicly speaking out against book banning in her town. In this memoir, she relates her experiences since then, including her decision to sue her harassers for defamation, and also offers advice for what readers can do in their communities. VERDICT A template for how to respond, react, and stand up for intellectual freedom.

Trouble in Censorville: The Far Right’s Assault on Public Education and the Teachers Who Are Fighting Back. Nadine M. Kalin & Rebekah Modrak, eds. Disobedience Pr. ISBN 9781964098005. 
Firsthand accounts from librarians and teachers who battled censorship. The final chapter is a “Call to Action,” in which the editors share what readers can do to resist attacks on public education and specific tips for various groups, including teachers, administrators, students, and parents. VERDICT Highly recommended for all public school librarians, teachers, and school administrators.

Nourishing Caregiver Collaborations: Elevating Home Experiences and Classroom Practices for Collective Care by Nawal Qarooni. Routledge. ISBN 9781625316196. 
Qarooni aims to strengthen the bonds between caregivers and teachers and acknowledge the literacy instruction that goes on intuitively in the home that often gets overlooked by schools. VERDICT This book doesn’t necessarily break new ground but it provides personal stories and resources to honor students and caregivers as well as the work that goes into everyday literacy.

Teaching Reading Across the Day, Grades K-8: Methods and Structures for Engaging, Explicit Instruction by Jennifer Serravallo. Corwin. ISBN 9781071924600. 
This timely, thorough text from educator and author Serravallo (The Reading Strategies Book) presents a convincing case for integrating reading throughout K-8 students’ school day, as well as concrete strategies and structures for making it happen. VERDICT Despite cluttered formatting, this book provides excellent resources for employing a variety of engaging reading strategies that have wide applicability across K-8 contexts. Purchase for libraries with a focus on reading, explicit instruction, or a new curriculum.

Dear Readers and Riders: The Beloved Books, Faithful Fans, and Hidden Private Life of Marguerite Henry by Lettie Teague. Trafalgar Square. ISBN 9781646011940. 
Relying on letters, articles, interviews with those who knew Henry well, and Henry’s own newsletter “Dear Readers and Riders,” Teague provides a well-researched and enlightening account of the author. VERDICT A thorough account of all that was involved in creating many of Marguerite Henry’s stories, along with a glimpse into the author’s personality; collections that focus on author biographies will do well to include this volume.

Strive-for-Five Conversations: A Framework That Gets Kids Talking to Accelerate Their Language Comprehension and Literacy by Tricia Zucker & Sonia Q. Cabell. Scholastic Professional. ISBN 9781546113881. 
Aimed at busy teachers, the text discusses steps to meaningful conversation—among them active listening, open-ended questions, and scaffolding strategies—as well as language comprehension goals, including literacy, vocabulary, and language structures. VERDICT A worthwhile title packed with useful information made accessible and convincing.