SLJ Staff

Free story times, virtual classes, and more good stuff for educators and children to try from home in the month of May.

The Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Inc. (BCALA) will present, in partnership with School Library Journal, an inaugural set of awards honoring outstanding works of fiction and nonfiction for children and young adults by African American authors.

In honor of Eid, this Wednesday, May 12, SLJ rounds up several books that highlight both Ramadan, observed by Muslims as a month of fasting and reflection, and Eid, a holiday of celebration that marks the end of Ramadan.

The Jason Chin title earned the annual award for best STEM picture book.

The RISE annual list is out; Jacqueline Woodson adds Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence to her many honors; K.C. Boyd named winner of the EMIERT Distinguished Librarian Award; and two new lines of books will bring "Chicken Soup for the Soul" to kids in this edition of News Bites.

The free, virtual event features author conversations between Christina Soontornvat and Steve Sheinkin, James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein, and Malinda Lo and Daniel Nayeri, as well as creator panels and a closing keynote from Traci Sorell.

Banned Books Week has its first Honorary Chair; two titles created from The 1619 Project will be released in November; free webinars on teaching Juneteenth and reopening institutions after COVID vaccines; and more in this edition of News Bites.

Twenty-five libraries in Title I schools have been awarded the $700 grants, presented by the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, in partnership with SLJ.

Students can learn about the environment and conservation and celebrate Earth Week 2021 with these resources and educational opportunities.