Related
This biography is a good addition to a secondary school’s biography collection. Readers who enjoy stories of bravery, espionage, and strong female figures will find Hall’s story both thrilling and inspiring.
A must-read for anyone looking to understand the future of advocacy in a rapidly changing world.
PREMIUM
Epic Athletes: Caitlin Clark
An engaging and well-crafted tribute to a talented athlete, offering an inspiring read for sports enthusiasts, Clark fans, and aspiring athletes alike.
A general purchase for an art curriculum tie-in.
PREMIUM
Love, Canter, Action
This debut is an absolute delight to read; it’s perfect for readers who never outgrew horse stories.
PREMIUM
Come Home to My Heart
A realistic portrait of the plight of homeless queer youth across the United States as well as a beautiful story of first love, this novel is great for high schoolers or fans of a wholesome, romantic tearjerker.
With a new-era Pretty Little Liars vibe, this cautionary thriller is the perfect drama for Karen M. McManus and Rory Power fans.
PREMIUM
We Could Be Magic
A charming story that is recommended for libraries that are looking for sweet, fun romances.
PREMIUM
Death in the Cards
Recommended for libraries where Karen M. McManus and Maureen Johnson books are popular.
PREMIUM
Titan of the Stars
A mash-up of sci-fi and horror tropes fervently coalesce into a satisfying and fresh option for teens.
PREMIUM
That Devil, Ambition
Small doses of gore and horror heighten the stakes of this magical survival story. Recommended for general purchase.
PREMIUM
When We Go Missing
Recommended where Henry’s books and blends of coming-of-age and mystery are popular.
A thought-provoking, uncomfortable thriller that readers won’t be able to forget. Highly recommended.
An excellent purchase for upper elementary and middle schools for its short, humorous take on murder mysteries.
Purchase where more books on processing grief are needed.
PREMIUM
The League of Littles
A lively new graphic novel series recommended for elementary libraries where spy stories are widely circulated.
PREMIUM
The Visitors
A poignant, recommended story for fans of character-driven fiction with a touch of supernatural thrill.
PREMIUM
Seeker Society
While it doesn’t break new ground, this is an enjoyable and magical tale for readers with a taste for adventure.
PREMIUM
Going Overboard
A charming, timely novel about growth and change; recommended for most middle school collections.
PREMIUM
Reel Life
A thoughtful drama with richly drawn characters, and a meaningful exercise in empathy for young readers.
PREMIUM
Way Off Track
With an excellent, fun, and unique voice, this graphic novel introduces a new trickster and is a great option for those looking for a quick read and some laughs.
A must-have flirtation-via-tropes tale with all the swooning and joy readers want in a love story.
PREMIUM
Out of Step, into You
This sport-centered story featuring Black characters will appeal to teens looking for a feel-good queer romance, particularly in a genre of sports that is rarely represented.
PREMIUM
Just Another Meet Cute
Tweens and teens will gravitate towards this book, especially fans of Sarah Dessen, Katherine Center, and Ann Liang. It’s a good purchase for classroom and school libraries.
PREMIUM
Love, Misha
An emotionally realistic, situationally fantastic, and vibrantly illustrated graphic novel about a non-binary teen struggling to connect with their estranged mom.
PREMIUM
This Could Be Forever
Whether readers personally resonate with Deja’s or Raja’s experiences or are just interested in YA romance, LaDelle’s book provides a beautifully sweet reading experience.
Young children will relate to Tiny and his first day of school jitters, while being reassured that school is a place to make mistakes and grow.
PREMIUM
Fish Don’t Go to School
Children will enjoy reading about Henry’s first day of school and seeing how he maintains his individuality and makes new friends.
A solid, heartwarming addition to early chapter book collections.
A well-crafted graphic novel about facing one’s fears, recommended for early reader or graphic novel sections.
This new standout early reader series is highly recommended for general purchase.
This rhyming tale of an unusual character in a wacky situation will appeal to fans of Dr. Seuss.
PREMIUM
Sports Are Fun!
This wonderful early reader about a variety of sports is a great addition to any preschool or elementary library collection.
PREMIUM
Lissa Loves Bugs
The perfect chapter book for young lovers of science or fantasy, especially bug enthusiasts who enjoy a hint of suspense in their stories as well. Strong female characters will also inspire readers of all ages.
PREMIUM
Pete the Cat’s Mars Mission
A recommended purchase for libraries where Pete the Cat is popular and early readers circulate widely.
Sure to be a hit with vehicle lovers, this engaging title for early chapter book readers cleverly uses a bulldozer child protagonist to address social fears about new situations and friendships. Highly recommended.
PREMIUM
I’m a Preschool Kid!
An accessible introduction to preschool, helping young children as they prepare to transition to a new environment.
A simple, yet impactful, story about big feelings and how kids can effectively manage them.
PREMIUM
First Day Around the World
A delightful celebration of global connection through the lens of education.
PREMIUM
Yeti Is Not Ready for School
Sensitive and only slightly spooky, this book makes Yeti’s first day of school amusing and relatable.
PREMIUM
My Teacher Is a Dinosaur!
Dinosaurs are perennially popular, making this a sound addition to picture book collections.
PREMIUM
I’m Your School Bus
Libraries, especially those with fans of buses and vehicles, looking to increase their board book collections will find this title worth the purchase. Otherwise, an additional purchase.
Perfect for the younger crowd to get them excited about going to school, or for a back-to-school storytime.
Purchase where back-to-school collections need bulking up.
PREMIUM
Alpaca Goes Back-A to School
Recommended for school and public libraries: going back to school is an event that most children will encounter at one point or another.
PREMIUM
Grumpy Monkey School Stinks!
Grumpy Monkey retains his usual humor while slipping in a little new knowledge in this book that may become a favorite reread.
PREMIUM
On the First Day of Preschool
A great addition to any library collection. Children will enjoy seeing themselves in activities they have done in their school.
PREMIUM
Preschool Is Cool!
For public libraries or early childhood programs looking for works that eases nerves and makes school look like a place to learn and grow.
Though it can occasionally push the envelope with its content, this first volume is a fun, new take on murder mysteries that will keep readers guessing, even when they think they’ve got it all figured out.
PREMIUM
Vesuvius
A fun, unique historical romance for fans of Adam Silvera’s They Both Die at the End and Roman mythology. Consider for general purchase.
Highly recommended for libraries diversifying their YA romance collections with more stories that focus on managing identity, disability, and mental health anxieties in positive ways. A sure delight for fans of authors like Tashie Bhuiyan and Farah Heron.
This is an awesome addition to all collections. People are always looking for community helpers books, and the bonus here is the school setting.
This luminous, heartfelt debut reminds readers the sky is never the limit and will inspire any middle school student who reads it.
A must-purchase not just for sports fans but any reader looking for hope and stories of belonging.
An interesting and well-structured guide for young readers looking to build wealth and break free from financial limitations, though future editions may need periodic updates to keep up with evolving financial trends and political policies.
A powerful novel about an often-forgotten region and era that highlights the power of education through shared communication to create bonds.
PREMIUM
Everyone Sux But You
An honest exploration of first love and the strength it takes to leave an abusive relationship.
PREMIUM
A Forgery of Fate
Hand to readers who like the ache of slow-burn romance and the whimsy of fairy tales. Highly recommended for all collections.
PREMIUM
Dad Rock Dragon Quest
A fast-paced book that will engage readers in what feels like the first in a series of adventures for Zadie and her family of Gamewardens.
PREMIUM
His Face Is the Sun
Betrayal, murder, magic, and a monster combine within a desert setting for an ancient Egyptian-inspired Game of Thrones feel.
PREMIUM
Fitting Indian
An intense but important work of art that spotlights how community understanding can disentangle the stigma of mental health.
PREMIUM
It’s You Every Time
The “what if” plot of a fantasy romance serves a deeper purpose here as two teens grieve the death of loved ones.
PREMIUM
Audre & Bash Are Just Friends
A good choice for teens looking for a summer rom-com that has a bit of depth.
PREMIUM
I Love Kindergarten! Numbers
An academically solid, aesthetically underwhelming volume of math-themed poetry.
PREMIUM
Trusty Bus
A comforting tale about a necessary and sometimes overlooked companion in a successful school day. This story will resonate with beginning school populations and lovers of things with wheels.
This is a peppy first day of school story to knock game-day jitters out of the park.
PREMIUM
Supa Nova
A wonderful STEM-themed addition for all tween shelves. Readers will love Nova and look forward to sequels.
PREMIUM
The Bizarre Bazaar: Mirror Town
A cool, well-conceived graphic novel that captures the essential appeal of vintage anthology sci-fi shows like The Twilight Zone. A recommended purchase for middle grade graphic novel collections.
PREMIUM
The Burning Season
The adventure starts fast in this wilderness survival verse novel that will circulate in libraries with students who enjoy Dusti Bowling’s The Canyon’s Edge, and Gary Paulsen’s “Brian’s Saga” series.
PREMIUM
Graciela in the Abyss
An excellent fit for readers of fantasy and ghost stories, Graciela will make readers feel near the sea, hearing old stories passed around a campfire.
PREMIUM
On Guard!
With plenty of ups and downs, this middle school sports story will appeal to fans of friendship-themed narratives.
PREMIUM
Return to Sender
A fantastical middle grade story with a touch of ethics; would be a good fit in collections favoring adventure and fantasy.
Despite some faults, this book is a strong choice for nonfiction shelves and as a curricular tie-in due to the significance of the subject’s contribution to science and world history.
Starmer has beautifully captured how that post-graduation, pre-college summer can feel: full of potential, last chances, drawn-out goodbyes, and perfect moments that you wish could last forever.
Seven new graphic novels, both fiction and nonfiction, that depict the immigration experience.
These books share tips on using AI, minilesssons, manga, and more to engage and educate students and patrons.
Certain kinds of important, difficult, and formative queer experiences are not being truthfully explored in books for queer teens—primarily, I believe, because they make adult gatekeepers uncomfortable.
The characters in Love at Second Sight are not direct parallels to the Scooby Doo crew despite referencing them at one point, but they were one of many inspirations. And with that, I would like to introduce the Love at Second Sight characters through the lens of Scooby Doo.
Book access and other restrictions on libraries and library values remain top of mind for readers. So too, practical posts toward serving library patrons, with creative ideas for staging a crime investigation to teach research skills and preserving family recipes getting the most views on SLJ.com.
Saturday, April 26 is my favorite day of the year! That's right, it's time for Teen Lit Con again in Mendota Heights, Minnesota! I'm excited to be presenting for the sixth year.
Eventually, I decided that the nefarious plotting of my young tontine contenders was not only acceptable for middle grade but also funny—for the same reason that Home Alone is a comedy and not a horror movie.
Optimism fosters a sense of collective action and shows that no effort is too small.
As usual, the book mail arrives fast and furious here at the Minnesota branch of TLT. Hopefully you'll find some great things to add to your TBR list!
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.
It's probably not wholly accurate to say that representation of trans and nonbinary characters seems more important than ever (again, it's always been important), but wow, does it sure feel extra necessary these days.
PREMIUM
A Book of Maps for You
For all collections, this lovely book will translate to lessons on a sense of place, love of community and, of course, mapmaking.
PREMIUM
The Runaway Pancake
A fun retelling of the gingerbread runaway with exceptional illustrations.
A niche but valuable addition to middle school nonfiction, these books are ideal for readers passionate about animal science or wolves.
articles
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER? LOG IN
We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER? LOG IN
Thank you for visiting.
We’ve noticed you are using a private browser. To continue, please log in or create an account.
