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

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

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

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.

Middle grade and YA authors tackle the unfathomable and the long reach of tragic events.

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.

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

Author Kelly Yang shares her unique COVID-19 experience, which reminded her of the power of stories, which "give us hope and light when our tank is empty."

Three middle grade titles explore climate change through a thrilling science fiction lens.

Combat winter doldrums with group jigsaws, mindteasers, and more.

The debut author explores her experience growing up with ADHD, and how it informed her novel Hannah Edwards: Secrets of Riverway.

These guides compassionately provide support, resources, and coaching for young people navigating death and loss.

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

A speaker playing music in the school library brings out the best in students. Here's how, plus kids' 10 favorite tunes.

Debut author Craig Kofi Farmer spoke with SLJ about lovably chaotic characters, writing through grief, and the gravity and responsibility of honoring strong ancestors.

The acclaimed graphic novel romance, written by Yang and illustrated by Pham, features supernatural elements, family conflict, and celebrations of Asian culture.

ALA Annual at the San Diego Convention Center was filled with breaking news, discussions about the issues that will impact libraries in the future, sharing of resources, and memorable author talks. 

Verse lends itself to conveying big feelings around disability, as these powerful works for middle grade readers show.

From a big-city internship to work at the family Laundromat, these books for tweens deliver a range of experiences.

From magical school fantasies to hilarious sibling stories, these 13 selections will keep middle schoolers turning pages during summer break. Complete with graphic novels, biographies, and poetry, this list has something for every tween.

Despite the importance and impact of the 1947 Partition of India, there is little taught about the event or written about it in children's literature. Authors Saadia Faruqi, Ritu Hemnani, and Veera Hiranandani are filling that gap with new titles.

Korean and Chinese comics reach English-language readers.

U.S. publishers step up to provide age-appropriate new releases for 8- to 12-year-olds. 

Co-authors Kekla Magoon & Cynthia Leitich Smith in conversation about the inspiration behind The Blue Stars Series: Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem: "When we set out to write a middle grade graphic novel series about cousins who became superheroes to save their school library, we couldn't have imagined how timely our story would become."

It’s a good moment for new women’s history books—and also a good time for librarians to cull outdated titles. 

Author Tae Keller speaks with DiCamillo about her latest book, Ferris, and the hallmark themes in her work. 

Dan Santat's middle grade graphic memoir received the prestigious honor at a ceremony where Oprah Winfrey spoke about 2021 School Librarian of the Year Amanda Jones and the power of diverse books.

Witches, orphans, gods, and some ordinary folks populate these compelling stories for grades 5 and up.

In an exclusive SLJ interview, New York Times bestselling author, Laini Taylor, and her partner, mixed media illustrator and cartoonist Jim Di Bartolo, discuss the inspiration for their vibrant, laugh-out-loud team-up, and their return to crafting graphic novels together—but this time, for a younger audience.

Check out reviews of recent Spider-Man books; hear what Jason Reynolds has to say about Miles Morales; and learn more about the complex world of superhero publishing.

The author discusses her Newbery-winning novel, the character development, research, the importance of tackling hard topics with middle grade readers, and more.

From fighting period poverty to speaking out on the negative effects of gentrification, the kids in these forthcoming middle grade books take a stand.

Best practices and suggestions for creating these DIY publications, from starting with the right materials to supplying creative prompts.

Navigating new friendships can be tough, as every middle schooler knows. Yet in these graphic novels, sharing a hobby or an extracurricular activity proves a surefire way to bring kindred spirits together.

Like the wooden puppet, protagonists of these middle grade selections seek family bonds, learn to love, and find out what it means to be human.

On this new episode of Author Fan Face-Off, the 2021 Newbery winner goes head-to-head with a young superfan.

Hand these books to middle graders in need of some magical tales. 

Gathered from northernmost Canada to the Mayan of Central America, the following compilations, fiction and nonfiction, offer middle schoolers an inside look into some Indigenous peoples and their rich and varied cultures.

The middle grade author reflects on her complicated childhood struggles with academics and self-esteem, and how these informed the protagonist of her novel Bright. 

SLJ speaks with John David Anderson about flawed heroes, writing this ghost story at this moment in time, and how to beat the things that haunt us all.

From beloved protagonists to endless quests, these middle grade series entries keep the action coming for eager fans.

Tune into the latest episode of Author-Fan Face-off, hosted by Steve Sheinkin and Stacey Rattner.

Author Rick Riordan wrote a blog post in response to fans upset with the Disney+ casting of Percy Jackson and the Olympians; publishers and educational organizations join ALA's Unite Against Book Bans; and more, in this edition of News Bites.

"The Hunger Heroes" author tests his knowledge of his graphic novel against a third grade superfan's in this new episode of the game show hosted by Steve Sheinkin and Stacey Rattner.

In the latest Censorship Roundup, administrators pull books from shelves and require parental consent based on individual complaints and an organization's list of "problematic" titles.

Tune into the latest episode of Author-Fan Face-off.

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. 

While writing stories involving mental illness, the author of My Life in the Fish Tank strives to "still create fun, complex characters and entertaining plots that keep readers turning the pages." 

The Stonewall Award and Newbery Honor winner found the effervescent and humorous voice of his Different Kinds of Fruit protagonist in the unlikeliest of places.

The We Need Diverse Books co-founder and author of Finding Junie Kim talks about mental health in fiction, her family, and the need for children to know help is available.

The author of Thanks a Lot, Universe discusses why he wrote the book and how his protagonist came to a point where he could say, "It's OK to talk about this."

The librarian at Jefferson Middle School Academy in Washington, DC, brings excellence to her library while gaining national recognition for her advocacy on behalf of school librarians.

Fun, games, and live music! The Rez Dogs author and a crowd of superfans test their knowledge of Bruchac's novel about a girl quarantining at her grandparents' house on a Wabanaki reservation. It's all in the latest episode of Author-Fan Face-off.

Not OK? That's OK. A reading list with diverse characters and authentic representation of mental health.

Emma Otheguy speaks to SLJ about immigration, racism, and how ballet informs her craft in her latest title, Sofía Acosta Makes a Scene.

Watch! Reynolds, the award-winning author and National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, tests his knowledge of his own book against a middle schooler's in this episode of Author-Fan Face-Off.

Hand these school capers to elementary and middle school kids who are excited about the show based on the Lincoln Peirce series.

Seasoned author Pam Muñoz Ryan speaks to SLJ about the significance of intergenerational relationships, monarch migration, and community support in the shaping of her Latina princess story, Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs. 

The graphic novelist strives to emulate kids’ storytelling styles in his books, about Cuban American siblings who use a little magic to fight monsters.

Twelve adventure and survival fiction titles to keep summer reading fresh and exciting.

Animal pals and a touch of magic infuse these books for kids who are drawn to the adaptation of Kate DiCamillo's Newbery winner about a girl and a squirrel who turns out to have superpowers.

Horror fiction provides kids with an outlet and a method to cope with an overwhelming world. 

Spine-tingling books like these can be perfect companions in dark times.

How to steer a board of nine- to twelve-year-olds and turn ideas into bold initiatives.

Author Fan Face-off pits a middle grade superfan against the author of one of their favorite books to see who knows more about the title.

Ten adventure and survival fiction titles to keep summer reading fresh and exciting.

Meg Medina, Jason Chin, Nikki Grimes, and other creators discuss how quarantine life has impacted their imaginations and work.

More preparation for students making the leap to high school is merited, according to middle and high school librarians. Here's how they are helping.

April is National Financial Literacy Month. Libraries are doing their part to educate young people about concepts from budgeting to interest to help them be more economically resilient. 

Connect students with their favorite writers—and others they might not know yet—to create excitement around books.

Memorabilia and objects have long inspired the work of writers and artists. Here are stories about particular items that have stirred their imaginations or brought a period, person, or idea into sharper focus.

Books for middle school readers, including YA and middle grade realistic, fantasy, series, and standalone titles, as recommended by librarians.

It's time to celebrate children's books and reading, tell Lerner about amazing librarians, and get excited for the sequel to a Newbery winner.

A school librarian and Smithsonian food historian guide students in their explorations of food heritage and provide research tips.

Hired as a tween librarian, the author gained insight into her patrons' interests through an anonymous question box, and followed up with related programming.

Award-winning author Celia C. Pérez (The First Rule of Punk) spoke with SLJ about tactile story writing, activism, and living vicariously through one's characters in Strange Birds: A Field Guide To Ruffling Feathers.

As a new school year begins, authors of middle grade books hope reading about relatable characters their age can help tweens and teens better understand their own friendships and, ideally, make better decisions.

Parents' concerns about a YA collection; a grandmother questions a Newbery honoree.

Five picture books by Yuyi Morales and more titles named as the 2019 Global Read Aloud choices.

The award-winning author talks to SLJ about his third novel; a story of welding, colorism, and PTSD that at its heart is a loving reunion of father and daughter.