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Because I love imagery, developing an image system for a verse novel is one of my favorite challenges.
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A musician struggles with a creative block and self-doubt in this special one-shot manga.
Entering portals requires bravery and hope and the willingness to see what happens, which are generally good things to apply to living life in general.
How does what we put on our plate intersect with climate change? How can we think about our diet in a way that is kinder for the earth and ourselves?
The power of words can help save us---reading them, writing them, feeling them. They can help us find our way back to ourselves when it seems like everything was taken. A powerful look at trauma, bravery, and survival.
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.
Sometimes we are not okay. Sometimes we crave respite from the onward march. Sometimes we need the relief of being seen. And that, I believe, is okay.
The memory of a song helped inspire my latest nonfiction book, Many Voices, Building Erie, the Canal that Changed America.
As a writer, it’s been fascinating to watch the publishing team and artists add a visual layer to these books. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how and why they do it.
Kelley Armstrong talks with SLJ about danger, mystery, and romance in her upcoming book A Deadly Inheritance. Following the Q&A is an exclusive first look at the cover.
Contributor Riley Jensen shares a list of 5 YA books coming out September 2025.
PREMIUM
My Fair Monster
Rom-com fans will root for these two to win it all, and just give in to the chemistry. A good addition for libraries with readers who enjoy wickedly funny, realistic romance.
A powerful addition to the genre of teen fighting competition novels, and for fans of The Hunger Games.
This feel-good magical fetch-quest-style adventure will do well in libraries with diverse young fantasy readers who love a cozy tale.
PREMIUM
When Love Gives You Lemons
This love story is sure to please fans of Tobias Madden’s Wrong Answers Only and Loan Le’s A Pho Love Story.
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen walks you through a low-tech and a high-tech way to make personalized magnetic bookmarks, because librarian
For me, gardening is not only a way to neatly symbolize the writing journey—I feel that it’s also one of the best methods for gathering story ideas.
Stephenie Meyer’s phenom turns 20 years old this year. For its milestone birthday, we explore Twilight's impact.
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.
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen reviews April Henry's newest teen mystery/thriller, WHEN WE GO MISSING
In a deeply personal acceptance speech at ALA Annual in Philadelphia in June, the YA author discussed her life influences, racism in publishing, and professional uncertainty.
I always needed the girl I tried to leave. Every word we write shapes a chance to see the world and ourselves in new ways.
PREMIUM
Come As You Are
For fans of her other romances and those by Kasie West, Sophie Gonzales, and Emma Lord, this boarding school friends-to-lovers story is a delight.
PREMIUM
The Yomigaeri Tunnel
A surreal emotional journey for any teen seeking validation in shared experiences. Recommended for most collections.
PREMIUM
Two Truths and a Lionel
An optional purchase where teens are impatient to move into YA books.
PREMIUM
A First Time for Everything
Highly recommended for those seeking a story that is heartwarming and thought-provoking.
PREMIUM
The Whisperwood Legacy
A good blend of action, magic, and surprises will entertain readers despite some uneven plotting. A solid purchase.
PREMIUM
Love and Video Games
A secondary purchase for collections with fans of books with mythology and video game themes.
PREMIUM
Always Be My Bibi
With Clueless vibes for a new generation, this rom-com of disastrous meet-cute to happily ever after will brighten any reader’s day.
Contributor Riley Jensen shares some new YA coming out this August
With a compassionate tone, accurate information, and thoughtful design, this book is easily one of the best resources available for young people navigating adolescence.
A solid starting point for anyone interested in the psychological and physiological dimensions of anxiety, though it could benefit from smoother transitions between its main content and outside sources.
It offers valuable insights and strives to empower teens to embrace who they are. With its vibrant tone and focus on self-love, it’s a solid resource
PREMIUM
Nettle
An additional purchase for readers who have exhausted the back catalog of fairy-tale retellings.
PREMIUM
Falling Like Leaves
Romantic and fun, give this to Gilmore Girls fans and aficionados of autumn-spiced stories. Recommended for most middle and high school romance collections.
PREMIUM
The L.O.V.E. Club
This will capture readers not just with the fantasy video game aspect, but also with the friendship of the L.O.V.E. Club and the well-crafted world. A purchase for all.
PREMIUM
Girls of Dark Divine
A dark fantasy for fans of The Phantom of the Opera and Erin A. Craig’s House of Salt and Sorrows. Recommended for collections where this genre is popular.
PREMIUM
The Last Tiger
This star-crossed romance heavy with historical allegories is a secondary purchase for collections looking for diverse romantic fantasies.
PREMIUM
An Embroidery of Souls
The character development is noteworthy in this highly romantic fantasy, but the book’s structural problems are too big to ignore.
This fantastically thrilling ghost story will have readers flinching at all the little noises that go bump in the night. Selectors should pick up multiple copies, as this won’t stay on the shelves long.
PREMIUM
Roar of the Lambs
An interesting examination of racism, classism, and misogyny wrapped up in a supernatural mystery that spans generations. Purchase where supernatural horror and queer romances are popular.
PREMIUM
Watch Us Crack
A fast-paced thriller that will keep readers questioning who to trust right up to the very end.
PREMIUM
Through Our Teeth
Harris’s novel offers a modern take on the slasher setting, resulting in a quick, deliciously dramatic read for teens.
PREMIUM
Lemons and Lies
This book with a mostly Cuban cast of characters is about family and teenage problems, yet is still light and enjoyable and deserves a place in the young adult section of any library.
PREMIUM
Mistress of Bones
While it has faults, this start to a planned duology is an action-packed swords and sorcery adventure.
17 quick reviews of new and forthcoming books.
Contributor Riley Jensen shares a list of books and shows for those who enjoyed the show The Good Place.
I have compiled a handful of more-or-less tangible examples: what they did, the doors they opened, and the things they made possible.
Are we in the midst of a dystopian revival? It certainly seems like it, and I AM HERE FOR IT. Like, literally.
Contributor Riley Jensen gives some show and book recommendations similar Squid Game.
A young girl defends her kindergarten against evil spirits in this scary, yet adorable, manga.
PREMIUM
Very Dangerous Things
This is a satisfying whodunit for fans of Maureen Johnson, Karen M. McManus, or Jessica Goodman.
Full of constant twists and turns of love and terror, Alice/Belle’s life is made up of decisions big and small that shape her anger into action and ends on a very ambiguous note. A very strong first buy.
PREMIUM
Solving for the Unknown
For fans of A Pho Love Story, David Yoon’s Frankly in Love, and other slow-burn romances.
I'm reading as fast as I can, but the book mail is arriving faster than I can read! Scroll on through all these recent arrivals here at TLT to find some great things to add to your TBR!
I once heard an accomplished children’s author say, when asked what her new novel was about, “Oh, you know, growing up and stuff.”
For me libraries have been, quite literally, a place of adventure and magic. So I think it was only natural that when it came time to find a setting for my book idea about a family who collects magical objects, I would choose a library.
A middle-aged detective pairs up with a teenage apprentice in this screwball manga.
This is, truly, essential reading.
Authors Chris Baron, Jewell Parker Rhodes, Shana Youngdahl, and Caroline Starr Rose talk about community, hope, courage, and wildfires.
Bestselling author Rory Power’s new YA novel Kill Creatures is a tour de force of teenage friendship, crushes, and revenge. Here, she discusses it with SLJ.
A large percent of our disabled population is getting subpar care and the only way we’re ever truly going to see change is by speaking about and voting for health equity.
Fast Five Interview: Keith Ward, Karl Buechner, and Jeremy Mueller: Three Voices, One Epic Adventure
The authors of The Unraveling: The Counsel of Crows join us talk about their book.
PREMIUM
If We Survive This
Not for the faint of heart, but fans of gory survival fiction will love this one.
PREMIUM
And the Trees Stare Back
This tale of creepy disappearances in the last days of a despotic regime combines the elemental terror of a fairy tale with historical fact.
Told in verse, this powerful and compassionate look at bravery, grief, climate change, and activism puts readers right in the heart of the action.
When we ban books or defund music programs, we don't just silence stories; we sever lifelines. We remove safe, creative pathways for young people to explore emotion, identity, and connection.
Our starred middle and high school nonfiction offerings for the first half of 2025 are sure to keep readers engaged and informed.
Contributor Riley Jensen reviews The Dead of Summer by Ryan La Sala, coming September of this year.
PREMIUM
Imposter
Reluctant readers, especially girls in middle and high school who are interested in STEM, will appreciate this tenacious heroine who believes in herself and doesn’t give up when faced with discrimination.
PREMIUM
When Devils Sing
A darkly atmospheric supernatural horror perfect for fans of Rory Power or Trang Thanh Tran.
PREMIUM
A Girl Walks into the Forest
A dark fairy tale about the exploited environment fighting back for fans of folktales and horror.
Two young men build a connection through expression and sign language in this heartwarming manga.
Contributor Riley Jensen shares some YA books that center main characters with disabilities for Disability Pride Month
PREMIUM
Steel & Spellfire
With a Regency-style setting, likable protagonists, romance, plot twists, and complex worldbuilding, this magical mystery story will appeal to readers who enjoy their historical romance laced with strong fantasy elements.
PREMIUM
Pretty Girl County
A funny, emotional glimpse into the unique Black social system of Prince George’s County; readers will be rooting for Sommer and Reya to achieve their dreams.
PREMIUM
Rosa by Any Other Name
A powerful coming-of-age story about passing, resistance, and self-discovery. Recommended for YA collections.
PREMIUM
Codebreaker
This book will appeal to tween and teen readers seeking an engrossing, adrenaline-packed mystery. Recommended for fans of Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Holly Jackson, and Kayvion Lewis.
PREMIUM
This Book Might Be About Zinnia
Full of heart, this book is recommended for libraries where Elizabeth Acevedo’s Clap When You Land is popular.
PREMIUM
Water in Her Veins
A potential town-wide conspiracy and links beyond the veil combine for a chilling mystery sure to keep readers eager to unearth the truth.
PREMIUM
Soul of Shadow
The first in a new YA romantasy series, this novel is perfect for readers of Holly Black, Lauren Roberts, and Stephanie Garber and mythology lovers who enjoy Rick Riordan and Joanne Harris.
PREMIUM
A Spell to Wake the Dead
Fantasy fans may want more explanation to the magic as it’s glossed over; the true reward in this novel is the mystery. Overall, this is a fun, spooky read that will keep readers hooked until the end.
PREMIUM
Soulmatch
A quick standalone read for teen fans of the “enemies to lovers” trope with some mystery and thriller set against the backdrop of dystopian science fiction.
Great for fans of F.T. Lukens and those who enjoy cozy fantasy and standalones.
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