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To echo Guatemalan Archbishop Gerardi’s words, “Knowing the truth is painful, but liberating. Without it, the scars will never heal.”
It may be a one-of-a-kind picture book, at least in the history of American publishing. A picture book about a mayoral candidate put out by a major publisher? How did this happen?
John John is the perfectly imperfect teen who is struggling to shape his own identity but can’t avoid the antiquated reach of his dad.
2025 is a very strong year for fantasy and today we highlight FOUR more potential Newbery fantsy contenders.
Why do none of us, including many, if not most, Puerto Ricans, know so little about our own mythology?
The House of Hearts author shares with SLJ her love for the supernatural and discusses how teens can apply the otherworldly enchantment of dark academia to their own lives.
Some students in North Carolina will no longer have access to their public library through their school ID; Florida appeals Penguin Random House v. Gibson decision; book ban debates in Nevada and Iowa; and more.
Our penultimate prediction post before final considerations. Here are the titles I think have the best show at the two major literary awards. Do you agree? Disagree? Find out!
This story set in the Canadian internment camps during World War II is set in a specific historical moment but also embodies universal themes of family, loss, and hope.
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen reviews MAKE ME A MONSTER, the newest release by YA horror and thriller author Kalynn Bayron.
Books shaped my life, and in gratitude, I try to make books for young readers that show what it’s like to live under an oppressive regime.
An inspiring story and a powerful look at what is happening not just to Yuli but in real-life classrooms all around our country. A good addition to high school collections.
Dustin Hensley's project-based learning program has an impact beyond the library walls.
In time for Latinx Heritage Month and the publication of Fall of the Fireflies, García McCall presents a guide to the supernatural gods, monsters, and fiends from the Aztec Pantheon that appear in her new series.
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.
Seems to me the more books we can devise that confront racism, the better. But how do you confront a hate crime in a picture book? Today's title does precisely that.
Author Wayne D. Kramer talks about conservation and Pangolins
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12-and-under featuring Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales Volume 13 Bones and Berserkers from Abrams Fanfare and Ghosts of Wreckers Cove from Papercutz.
2025 looks like a particularly strong year for children's fantasy, with characters ranging from sentient dolls and fairy-like creatures to an undead fox and an assortment of ghosts. Will any of these be contenders for the 2026 Newbery Medal?
My upcoming novel, If Looks Could Kill, pits a modern yet mythical Medusa against the real-life, true-crime, name-unknown murderer we call Jack the Ripper.
Our first Rosemary Wells on the podcast? How is this even possible? We meet Max & Ruby for the first time and have a LOT to say on the matter.
We asked readers to rank their favorite Newbery contenders so far and share observations about current trends in children's literature. Here are the results:
A teenage girl pulls a sword out of a stone and ends up engaged to a bodyguard in this fast-paced shojo manga.
A light overview of dog evolution wit mixed results.
PREMIUM
Pizza Witch
Kiki’s Delivery Service with a sauced-up hero’s journey; a funny adventure story for young teens and graphic novel fans.
This powerful tale of race and American culture and history seamlessly weaves a popular middle grade topic, football, with crucial lessons about justice and humanity for tween and younger teens. This is Barnes at his best and is a required purchase for middle school libraries.
A solid choice that digs a little deeper into an often-overlooked subject.
PREMIUM
Enchanted Night Before Christmas
While cozy in tone, the story follows a well-worn holiday arc grounded in magic, loss, and wish fulfillment.
Lovers of historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy this novel, which is recommended for all junior high and high school collections.
PREMIUM
Dear Jackie
A realistic read that will make readers want to know what happens next. Give this to fans of Terri Libenson’s “Emmie & Friends” series and Maria Scrivan’s “Nat Enough” books. Highly recommended.
With extensive information and illustrations about relationships in nature, this is an excellent purchase for elementary where poetry and nature books are popular.
PREMIUM
My BIG Playbook: Christmas
A visually appealing introduction to winter and Christmas, perfect for adults to share with toddlers and early school-aged children.
Colloquialisms will primarily appeal to readers in upper-elementary and middle school, but teens breaking into crafting zines will benefit from ingesting the story arc and the author’s endnotes. A must-purchase.
PREMIUM
The Witch Who Stormed the Palace
A rollicking good tale with all the magic, dragons, and talking cats to recommend to any young fantasy reader who enjoyed the first installment.
Engaging, dynamic, and filled with bat facts, this nonfiction picture book is a strong addition to library collections.
A strong first buy for its explanations and examples of how to become an ally, while clearly explaining that it is ongoing and personal work.
The illustrations combined with compelling text will be a page-turning read for dragon lovers. Highly recommended.
PREMIUM
The Ghost of Wreckers Cove
Endearing illustrations combined with a heartfelt mystery make this an easy recommendation for fans of suspense, ghost stories, or both.
PREMIUM
Dinos Love Valentines
This solid addition to most holiday board book collections will be an extra hit with the youngest dinosaur fans.
PREMIUM
Tiny Bear’s Christmas Prayer
A well-fit addition to any Christmas holiday literature collection.
A superb effort for enthusiasts who want the latest technological advances in dinosaur research. Perfect for libraries, classrooms, and research.
PREMIUM
The Winter of the Dollhouse
This is an elegant novel that offers an authentic view of family and community life.
This fun, Spanish-language search-and-find is sure to provide enjoyable moments, especially during the holidays. A great addition to picture book collections.
PREMIUM
Folk Remedy
A compelling fantasy with cultural roots and strong emotional arcs, this is an excellent addition for libraries serving preteens and teens looking for adventure, folklore, and a heroine they can cheer for.
PREMIUM
Ruff Day
A fun, accessible addition to any library serving young readers who enjoy quick, engaging graphic novels.
PREMIUM
Tonight Is Krampus Night!
Sullivan and Persico make these friendly monsters heartwarming; readers will enjoy welcoming them to their holiday storytimes.
In creating these Take Five posts, I'm seeing so many books I wish I had read, so the TBR tower grows!
Abigail Hing Wen joins us to talk about her new book, THE VALE.
Book bans continue at school libraries, and at an Arizona county public library system, children's books on puberty and sex ed were moved to the adult nonfiction section.
These resources and ideas from ALA, Unite Against Book Bans, the National Coalition Against Censorship, and others will help plan for Banned Books Week Oct. 5-11.
A childhood manuscript makes good. ND Stevenson discusses the origins of his debut middle grade fantasy while I fall over myself trying to get you to read it.
When their home is threatened, young monster Poe attempts to lead her siblings to a perhaps legendary safe place in this charming book in which "monster" really just means "somewhat different".
The only way to protect teens is to continue loving and nurturing them, but in ways that provide them space to be seen and heard while they continue to grow.
This season's Heavy Medal Mock Newbery process will include guest posts from readers. Learn more and consider applying to write about a 2026 Newbery contender.
A big thanks to the publisher for letting me dig into these 8 books.
In this exclusive interview, Chloe Gong talks with SLJ about her writing process and the themes in her new dystopian novel Coldwire, publishing in November.
A Steven Weinberg! A Q&A! A Cover Reveal! And a Special Secret Guest?!? We Discuss I Am the Mountain
Is it too early to start calling Caldecott 2027 contenders? That's not an idle question since today we're talking to Steven Weinberg about a book that, honestly? You're going to need to see this thing.
Apologies to everyone in my life is going to be so sick of me asking if they've heard of Tambora and the climate shock that followed. Tambora might be my whole personality now.
Courage reaches very directly to the heart of why I write. It’s not easy navigating the teen years.
A picture book character returns to us in a middle grade novel. Though it's not out until March 2026, we talk with Carole Lindstrom into her new foray into older fiction for kids.
The film—which documents librarians across the country fighting back against censorship attempts and personal and professional attacks—will hit U.S. theaters in October.
Four former finalists are on this year's list for the prestigious award.
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