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Here’s a look at manga that feature short chapters, perfect for a quick, fun read—whether to dip in for just a few minutes or to get hooked and binge.

Check out these encyclopedias about useless facts, a compendium of curious contraptions, and a biography on Sally Ride. These ready reference titles will keep every fact nerd occupied and satisfied.

Chuseok is a Korean harvest festival on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. This year, it falls on October 6. Share these two books with little ones to teach them about Chuseok and celebrate the holiday.

Whether it’s ballet or the tinikling, dancing is fun for humans and animals alike!

From Boffone and Herrera's overview of queer identity in YA literature to Struckmeyer's title on young adult library programming, these books will inspire librarians, both new and experienced, to take a fresh look at their programs and collections.

This roundup of active nonfiction features forays into nature, hands-on science experiments, and SEL guidebooks.

Young chefs and bakers will gobble up these cookbooks that run the gamut from spooky sweets and fake cakes to activism-inspired family recipes!

School Library Journal and NCTE continue to champion works that have long been taught in classrooms, including YA classics like Caroline B. Cooney's The Face on the Milk Carton and Robert Cormier's We All Fall Down.

Here’s a look at seven graphic novels for a range of ages, in which monster tales are reimagined as stories of empathy, identity, and the unknown.

For more than 60% of children in the U.S., walking into a school or library represents their first encounter with books. If we make that experience as welcoming as possible, we're giving them fuel for success.

These four titles discuss women's equality in America, as well as women's suffrage worldwide. Hand them to young readers for Women's Equality Day and throughout the year.

This month brings starred titles in gaming books, professional reading, and more.

That rocks are born, not made, will have children sitting up with delight for these two fact-filled but funny origin stories.

In these five titles for new readers, pairs of friends share in adventures and have twice the fun.

From nursery rhymes that soothe to spooky verses that thrill, these titles share a variety of poems for young readers to experience.

The first Sunday in August is designated as National Sisters Day, a time to celebrate the bond between and with sisters. These selections offer something for children of all ages and might just inspire a deeper appreciation for the sisters in their own lives.

From silly snouts to social-emotional smarts, this season’s board books are big on charm, heart, and purpose. Along with ABCs and animal antics, these titles foster empathy, celebrate identity, and reflect a wide range of families, cultures, and abilities.

Why should Christmas in July get all the summer holiday glory? This list of Halloween board books and picture books is perfect for those who want to get into the spooky spirit despite the summer heat.

This month, a poetry collection by Margarita Engle, a new middle grade novel from Dan Gemeinhart, and a nonfiction title about the Erie Canal stand out, along with other great books.

With every book, Jashar Awan comes a little closer to establishing himself as the chronicler extraordinaire of what most people see as childhood's mundane moments, and it's magic.

Finding Spanish-language books for older readers continues to be a challenge, but we’ve curated this list that includes translations of Jason Reynolds and Raina Telgemeier’s popular titles and a Spanish-original YA about an undocumented teen.

These eight forthcoming board books and picture books will be available long before December. Turn on some Christmas tunes, grab a Santa hat, and peruse these holly, jolly offerings.

The July issue—“the stars so far”—is our halfway point on the path to Best Books in December. SLJ reviews editors stand back to take a look at a beautiful, blossoming list of notable books.

 AI-generated booklists are possible—and even published. So what is the value of human curation?

The accolades keep coming for nonfiction picture books that dare to offer facts and true stories to elementary-aged readers. We cannot wait for autumn, when it's time for a whole other harvest of titles that keep children reading and learning.

From picture book biographies to the Spanish-language edition of Jason Reynolds’s Lu, these picks are just-right for Spanish readers.

Whether they want to read one good poem or delight in a collection of good works, these titles offer something for all young readers.

In these two titles, librarians will be inspired by reading about the good work of colleagues and motivated to help young readers through the use of bibliotherapy.

Our starred middle and high school nonfiction offerings for the first half of 2025 are sure to keep readers engaged and informed. 

These six titles show that good things come in small sturdy packages. Board books, for the pre-literate and newest readers, continue to surprise and delight in equal measure, and fly off the shelves for story hours.

From Pakistan to Spain to ordinary neighborhoods, the power of books has never been more visible than in these 65 gems plucked from the mines of picture books published in the first half of 2025. 

New readers will feel proud of their ability to read these fun, outstanding stories on their own.

From rollicking fantasy to heartbreaking realism, these excellent additions to the middle grade and hi-lo genres will have something for every tween to enjoy.

Spanning genres from fantasy to thriller to romance and everything in-between, these titles for teens are sure to delight.

Ranging from heartfelt to hilarious, these remarkable graphic novel and manga titles are sure to leave a lasting impression that will stay with readers long after the final page is turned.

This month includes transitional books, holiday titles, poetry reads, and more receiving special recognition.

These three titles feature tweens with parents navigating incarceration and detention in the United States.

From figure skating dreams to dungeon crawler adventures, these seven popular manga titles with recent anime adaptations offer something for every taste and age.

Margarita Engle’s collection of poetry heralds Latinx heroes and Juana Martinez-Neal’s latest celebrates a Peruvian scientist. A sprinkling of self-help titles round out the list.

In these stories, tween and teen protagonists with a range of abilities face real and fantastical challenges, from time loops to dust storms to going viral. Share these titles with readers in time for Disability Pride Month in July, and all throughout the year.

These Juneteenth offerings include various formats, ranging from cookbooks to early readers to audiobooks, so all your young readers can find their preferred way to learn more about this holiday.

These recent, incredible titles cover under-explored events, figures, regions, and even creative literary approaches that warrant a spotlight in the WWII literary canon.

What titles stand out as the greatest in literature for children and young adults? That’s the question School Library Journal has posed to readers.

From cheerful picture books to a thought-provoking YA novel, these titles about July 4th offer stories for children, tweens, and teens.

In the lead-up to July's Stars issue, June is bursting with top quality reads in holiday titles, Spanish books, cookbooks, anime, and more.

Whether they are going to school for the first time or facing the beginning of another academic year, the start of the school year can be a time of high emotions for little ones. Share these titles to help them prepare.

Just in time for Father's Day, we've rounded up a few of the latest board books that highlight the special bond between fathers and their children. Share these titles with your young readers before mid-June or all year long.

Seven recent graphic novels that feature family stories of love, loss, and lineage.

This month, readers will journey with a ghost looking for a new haunt, start a new school, listen to the stars, and go on many more adventures in these pages.

From romance to fantasy to graphic novel to poetry—there’s a book for every teen’s summer reading pile in this roundup of diverse titles.

These three novels explore the fun, freedom, and complications of life on vacation for tweens.

Authors and illustrators have become evermore adept at hooking readers with fantasy and humor while providing solid details like bait to hook their continuing curiosity. These five fishy tales prove it.

This diverse list of titles includes prose novels, novels in verse, and graphic novels. It has solid middle grade books as well as selections more suited for upper middle grade or younger YA tastes.

This list features two graphic novels about trying to find your place in the world, a tale centering a sweet friendship between a boy and his cat, a primer on Asian American history, and more.

For young listeners who need a reminder that kindness matters and resilience is powerful, share these audio titles to provide inspiration, comfort, and even temporary escape.

These reviews cover volumes in new and ongoing series for young people at every stage of their reading journey.

Rigorous, research-based phonics readers for librarians, educators, and families who are supporting readers at a variety of levels.

These bright additions to picture book series will allow children to go on new adventures with familiar characters.

Old friends and new skills take center stage in these silly and warm books that kids will be thrilled to encounter on the road to independent reading.

A robust collection of chapter books filled with gentle high jinks and diverse characters.

Whether it’s harrowing tales of survival, epic fantasy, spine-tingling horror, or silly derring-do, the name of the game in these series installments is adventure.

These slim, accessible series have all the drama, intrigue, and action older students are looking to read.

From The Smurfs to the Pizzaplex, these reviews will help librarians keep up with this high-demand format.

These reviews cover continuations of YA series or duologies, where young revolutionaries become queens, friends become enemies, and enemies become allies.

Romance, action, and incredible art take center stage in these new and continuing manga series.

Sibling drama, superpowers, and lemon cupcakes. There’s something here for every transitional and emerging reader looking for the just-right book during the summer months.

Grab your towel, sunscreen, and snacks, and head out in the sunshine to enjoy some summertime stories. These 16 YA romances celebrate love and everything summer, from camp and vacation drama to days spent at jobs and on creative pursuits.

Jamie Smart is the British author and illustrator of the bestselling children’s comic series “Bunny vs Monkey.” Max and Chaffy: Welcome to Animal Island is the first title in his new graphic novel series for kids ages 5–8. Smart talks about the creation of this delightful new series.

Celebrate mothers not just for one day but all year long with these selections.

A celebration of birding, making new friends, and the power of self-love make these picture books excellent choices for summer reading and all year round.

These nonfiction titles feature Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander politicians, restaurateurs, Nobel Peace Prize recipients, and more.

This month, an illustrated poem by Joy Harjo stands out, along with Spanish, Holidays, and Back-to-School titles, among others.

This month’s starred titles take readers to Turkey, walk them through the first day of school, and give the number zero its moment in the spotlight.

These books share tips on using AI, mini-lessons, manga, and more to engage and educate students and patrons.

Seven new graphic novels, both fiction and nonfiction, that depict the immigration experience. 

For collection development or year-around displays, this celebration of joy and all things Jewish takes readers around the world. There’s a Sukkot in Uganda, a seder in Depression-era Washington, DC, and another set in COVID-19-era Jerusalem. Family is the thing, and from the personal to the universal, the gamut of human experience runs through these picture books.

From a bilingual title about merengue dancing to a colorful volume on what you can find in the grocery store, these works are perfect for the smallest hands this summer break.

With these manga, choose the right format for the right story.

May is Zombie Awareness Month. Don't want your patrons and students to have their brains eaten by the undead? Sharing this list of picture books, early readers, middle grade, and YA titles just might save their lives. 

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Mahmoud v. Taylor, a legal dispute that started when a Maryland district added books with LGBTQIA+ characters and themes to its curriculum and did not allow parents to opt out of instruction. Here are SLJ's reviews of those books.

Readers responded to our coverage of a North Carolina bill, which could bring criminal charges against librarians over "material that is harmful to minors"—and much more. 

Cascarones are empty eggshells that are decorated, filled with confetti, and sealed. A Latinx Easter tradition involves breaking them over loved ones’ heads. Join in the fun with these two picture books.

Birding is a great way for students and teachers to connect with nature. From citizen science projects and live feeder stations—and books galore—the resources here will help kids learn about our avian friends.

From fish farts to how animal poop helps fight the climate crisis, these STEM books will inform and satisfy readers who enjoy supercool titles about the slimy and disgusting.

From a picture book about whales to middle grade books on rescuing red wolves and honeybees, these informational texts will encourage burgeoning environmentalists to take on a cause.

Books to help budding ornithologists explore the world of birds, along with aspects of SEL (social and emotional learning), from persistence to making friends.

In these three novels, the pace and proximity of small-town life play a vital role in characters’ disparate journeys that are ultimately bids for safety, recognition, and belonging.

Looking for bunnies? Looking for eggs? Whatever your young readers are looking for this Easter season, these tactile and interactive offerings will take them on a fun-filled journey.

As board books continue to evolve, they’re cleverly expanding to meet the needs of readers even as they approach early school age.

These three books poignantly explore characters whose relationships to the past heavily influence their present.

From conservation and recycling to a simple appreciation of nature, these books provide a greater understanding of the world and our place in it.

This month’s starred books include titles celebrating holidays and a collection of poetry.

Understanding the racist roots of nursery rhymes can help librarians and early childhood educators decide what is appropriate to share with children—and what should be left behind.

These excellent middle grade and YA titles use poetry to get at the heart of kids’ experiences. Share them for National Poetry Month and beyond.

As we mark five years since COVID-19 emerged in the United States and consider the lasting impacts of the global pandemic, this list of books for young readers of all ages features representations of anxiety, grief, coping techniques and, most of all, hope.

It is important to work to stay emotionally and physically strong during difficult times. This collection supports finding ways to recognize and celebrate the healing forces around us.

In these titles, young readers will attend Seder meals on the side of the road and Mount Everest, follow the Sarajevo Haggadah throughout history, search high and low for the afikoman, and more.

These starred YA debuts released during the first three months of 2025 feature propulsive, thought-provoking plots from authors we’re sure to see more of in the future.

Lifting up transgender voices in literature has always been important, but now it's more vital than ever. Share these 14 books by trans creators and/or about trans characters ahead of Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31 and all year round.

It’s romance! It’s fantasy! It’s romantasy: A fan favorite category for manga. Here are seven recent romantasy manga releases.