Editors' Picks

Here are SLJ's reviews of the books that made the longlist for the 2024 National Book Award for Young People's Literature, including six books with SLJ stars.

School Library Journal is now accepting applications for the 2025 School Librarian of the Year award, sponsored by Scholastic. Let us know what you are doing in your school library and join an exceptional group of honored peers, including K.C. Boyd, Amanda Jones, Cicely Lewis, and Amanda Chacon.

These titles with book banning and censorship themes are good to share with students and patrons of all ages during Banned Books Week and all year round.

While book bans and other efforts to curtail free expression in schools have made headlines, canceled visits have gone relatively unmarked. SLJ spoke with authors about their experiences. 

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

These excellent middle grade titles illustrate the significance and complexity of tween friendships.

Biographies for the picture-book set are in abundance, so we pulled out recent titles that got our reviewers' attentions and became stars in the first months of 2024. Use the link for the full review!

School librarians can be a vital resource, helping students and families research prospective schools, find financial aid and scholarship opportunities, and learn about possible future careers.

This month's starred titles include a first day of school story by June Sobel, biographies on Mae Jemison and Roberto Clemente, and a new picture book from Kyle Lukoff.

Get your purchase list out and make sure you include these picture books; we've found dozens of contenders for this year's Best Books collection.

This year has gone above and beyond with its middle grade offerings! From powerful historical fiction to hilarious magical mayhem, this list features our top titles so far.

School Library Journal editor in chief Kathy Ishizuka has announced significant changes in the reviews department. Shelley Diaz has been named reviews director and Kimberly Fakih, executive editor, reviews.