Amanda MacGregor

Top 2025 Printz Award contenders include poetry, stories featuring characters at both the younger and older ends of the age spectrum, graphic works, and an author who could get her fourth Printz recognition.

Explaining why they write about children who are grieving, authors describe experiences from the loss of a family member to concerns about gun violence.

Centering dignity and equity, authors strive to normalize the topic of menstruation and show how different people experience it.

In its nearly 25 year history, the Printz has recognized literature that pushes boundaries and showcases diverse voices. Here are some highlights.

In this overview of SLJ's 2023 starred titles to date, grief, intergenerational bonds, and other key topics are trending topics.

Themes in this year’s stellar works of fiction for children and teens.

The author of Home Home stresses the importance of openly discussing mental health issues and offering hope to young people experiencing anxiety and depression.

Pluto, the main character of Melleby's How I Became a Planet, just wants to love things again like she used to. Depression changes her, but with a support system and time, Pluto knows she will be okay. 

Middle grade and YA authors including  Joy McCullough, Reem Faruqi,  and others discuss the power of verse to address emotional topics and craft innovative narratives.