Today we look at two highly creative collections of poetry and consider their Newbery Medal chances.
Author and TikTok star Taylor Cassidy joins us to talk about her new book, Black History Is Your History.
In this exclusive interview, J. Elle talks with SLJ about fantasy inspiring young adults' imaginations, how both she and her main character have grown over the course of three books, and what she hopes readers will take away from her trilogy.
In need of a picker upper? How about a book for kids that documents how Field Museum scientists do fieldwork to save the Amazon rainforest? A talk and a trailer premiere.
Amanda Chacon, 2024 School Librarian of the Year, wants her peers to know: "We matter."
Today we have an exclusive announcement and preview of a new graphic novel featuring two sisters, a treasure hunt, and plenty of pancakes.
We put such firm boundaries around what is spiritual vs what is religious vs what is make-believe. Are these distinctions needed?
A program that brings school librarians together over Zoom to share ideas and support one another has helped collection development.
South Carolina Association of School Librarians past president Jamie Gregory says the lawsuit is not political, it's fighting for the constitutional rights of students and librarians.
Baker & Taylor (B&T), the largest library wholesaler in the country, is shuttering. At a town hall on October 6, CEO Amandeep Kochar told staff that B&T would cease operations.
There’s not a dull moment in these transitional books for the main characters and their siblings!
Do you want the original Dog Man, chock full of authentic Aztec myths and a healthy dose of humor? Then are you in luck today!
Today we do a compare and contrast exercise where we put two 2026 Mock Newbery Titles against each other and see which stands out.
Check out what reviewers had to say about The Story of My Anger, You've Found Oliver, Good Old-Fashioned Korean Spirit and Fireblooms as part of our Penguin TBR: Penguin To Be Reviewed Galley Program
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Ten-Ton Titan Terrier from Papercutz and Asgardians Volume 3 Loki from First Second Books.
What would you do if you found a magical device that could turn back time—but only by five minutes?
Attempts to wrench veggies off vines is the focus of today's autumnal entry. We discuss pumpkin sex, vampire fashion wear, and why one might want to garden in their socks.
The book serves as a gateway to the horror genre for young readers.
Nine-year-old "nature nerd" Brooke fills her journal with drawings of the animals she sees, but she's yet to encounter a moose in the wild—although her new sister lucks into seeing one almost immediately.
An appealing title that touches gently on the Japanese immigrant experience in the United States.
This book is a suitable gift for Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day but is long-winded and lightweight for library collections.
Appealing only to children who want to understand the process of preparing a guide dog, this book creates considerable confusion around an important issue.
Place this on the shelf next to Jon Klassen’s The Skull and recommend it to readers who love mythology, dogs, and books that break the mold.
Find room on the shelf for another abecedarium! Most collections will want to add this silly and fresh spin on a classic genre.
Full of speech bubbles and humorous scenes, this very silly story has a great underlying thread for both kids and adults about listening and trusting each other’s abilities and knowledge. Sure to be a favorite.
This first installment in a series of sports novels for emerging readers is a well-intended, well-designed start.
Recommended where body horror and the author are popular.
A touching yet humorous novel adaptation of a Webtoon-turned-graphic-novel that feels fresh, exciting, and fun.
Great for readers who enjoyed Becca Fitzpatrick’s “Hush Hush” series, those who prefer quick reads, and individuals who enjoy supernatural elements in their books.
A feel-good stand-alone for fans of time travel and romance, with an entertaining blend of science, humor, and feminist themes.
A perfect light read for fans of magical boarding schools and Japanese mythology.
With its blend of romance, humor, and heartfelt moments, this book is perfect for those exploring the intricacies of relationships and personal growth. A great addition to a high school library.
A serviceable romance, but librarians with smaller YA romance collections will want to skip this one.
Those who love Jane Austen or mysteries will adore this version of the beloved couple Lizzie and Darcy. A superb addition to any library.
An emotionally rich exploration of the burdens, expectations, and realities for young women that will resonate with many, especially readers who also connected with Tiffany D. Jackson’s Grown.
This one is a can’t miss for fans of Shusterman.
This melodramatic romance that could use some trimming.
A fast-paced, queer political fantasy. Consider for larger collections.
Atmospheric and relevant. Recommended.
Readers who liked Octavia Butler’s Dawn, Mira Grant’s Parasite, or M.R. Carey’s The Girl with All the Gifts will enjoy this book. A recommended purchase.
High school readers drawn to the K-pop aesthetic and an inclusive cast will enjoy this homage to Pride and Prejudice.
There’s a lot to unpack and explore within this text, so it’s great for book clubs or classroom use. A must-have for teen collections.
The deeply nuanced, complex plot of legacy versus choice easily crosses into adult readership, but the richly developed characters and a quick-moving plot make it a perfect teen read.
This is a secondary purchase but may appeal to fans of Korean graphic novels.
Gamers and non-gamers alike will enjoy this one; hand to those who enjoy Brittney Morris’s Slay and Eric Smith’s Don’t Read the Comments.
A riveting story, sure to please fans of historical novels.
A great addition to collections, as the cross-genre will appeal to a variety of young women on their journey to find themselves.
Recommended for those who enjoy character-driven novels, fantastical settings, and elaborate alternative histories.
Be sure to check your local library or indie bookstores for all the other awesome new books out this month!
If we want kids to grow up reading for fun, then we need to give them books that captivate.
Today’s guest blogger is Quade Kelley, introducing THE FREEDOM SEEKER by Ruchira Gupta
Dr. Whitney Casares discusses her book, One-of-a-Kind Body and body image with pre-teens and teens.
Mood swings, miscommunication, and music characterize this story of tween friendships.
Mood swings, miscommunication, and music characterize this story of tween friendships.
What started out as a simple way to provide a voice to my younger self by giving my main character autism became a rallying cry.
"I was gobsmacked by the new research of awe—how it can change the way you think and feel, lessening our anxieties and making us more generous and kind. And I knew I had to write a book for kids..."
"I was gobsmacked by the new research of awe—how it can change the way you think and feel, lessening our anxieties and making us more generous and kind. And I knew I had to write a book for kids..."
From an insightful memoir about reading struggles to a harrowing account of a mass suicide, several authors have used highly creative approaches to present information for kids. Today we look at several examples that might be considered for the 2026 Newbery Medal.
Idris Goodwin joins us to talk about his new book, KING OF THE NEURO VERSE.
These adult titles with teen appeal feature a range of genres and topics, from magical adventures and mysteries to nonfiction explorations of everything Taylor Swift and John Green’s adult nonfiction debut.
Texas school librarian Minda Anderson created a lesson for AP English students to analyze rhetoric and learn about banned books and censorship.
A district court judge said removing the picture book about two male penguins raising a penguin chick did not violate the authors’ or students’ First Amendment rights; the South Carolina Association of School Librarians filed suit against the state superintendent; and more in censorship news this Banned Books Week.
Today we consider a slew of Spring 2026 titles. Anti-fascism, myths, philosophical considerations of silence, seasons, and more! Some real beauties are in here!
In this graphic adaptation of his best-selling middle-grade novel, Alan Gratz weaves together three stories of refugees in different times and places and brings them to a stunning conclusion.
To me, that’s the beauty of a great fictional monster. They hold up a mirror to our lives, and what we see might scare us, but it also provides the much needed sense that we’re not alone.
Yet another preview of books from small publishers! Today we examine sign language board books, Harriet Tubman's life told in poems, and so much more including (naturally) the robot revolution.
The five titles honored by the National Book Foundation include three novels in verse.
Yet another preview of books from small publishers! Today we examine sign language board books, Harriet Tubman's life told in poems, and so much more including (naturally) the robot revolution.
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Bounce Back Volume 3: So Totally Nala from Feiewl and Friends and The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur: A Graphic Novel Based on a True Story from Candlewick Press.
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Bounce Back Volume 3: So Totally Nala from Feiewl and Friends and The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur: A Graphic Novel Based on a True Story from Candlewick Press.
Our October Mock Newbery nomination list included 38 different titles. Two books lead the pack with 15 nominations: THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES by Kate Messner and THE UNDEAD FOX OF DEADWOOD FOREST by Aubrey Hartman. Check out the full list here.
It’s hard for a child to think about the future, which always feels so far away when you’re a kid. That’s why we have to think about the future for them.
Today we are discussing our fourth abecedarian picture book on the podcast and our second Gorey. This is a "cult classic" picture book, best beloved by older children who read it and felt like they were getting away with something.
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