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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.

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.

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.

Four former finalists are on this year's list for the prestigious award. 

Chuseok is a Korean harvest festival on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. This year, it falls on October 6. Share these two books with little ones to teach them about Chuseok and celebrate the holiday.

This year marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, and over the last half-decade, YA adaptations have brought even more excitement to her work.

Librarians facilitate reading among their peers to get staff and students excited about books. 

Des Moines (IA) Public Schools students can use their student IDs as library cards and avoid school library book restrictions; North Carolina district changes book policy to meet new state law and changes to Title IX; Maryland community protests removal of Flamer from district; and more.

This month's picks include a YA novel and an audiobook from Tiffany D. Jackson, a biography about Sally Ride, and more.

In a precedent-setting win for the freedom to read, on August 13 Judge Carlos E. Mendoza ruled that Florida House Bill 1069, which sought to ban “pornographic” material and books describing “sexual conduct” from school and classroom libraries, was overbroad and unconstitutional.

A career retrospective at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art and the current political climate have kid lit creator Grace Lin considering the purpose of her future work.

Betsy Bird looks at the state of children's nonfiction. In many ways, with nuanced and interesting topics, it is the "golden age of informational books for kids," she says. But it's also a time of unprecedented book banning—and that includes many nonfiction titles.

Leigh Knapp made collection development decisions focused on improving the reading skills of the refugee population at her Milwaukee elementary school and helping the students acclimate to their new surroundings.

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.

Florida education commissioner sends letter to schools warning them against using Beanstack; PEN America files new brief in Iowa book ban case; the National Park Service may remove some history books from stores; and more in Censorship News.

Stephenie Meyer’s phenom turns 20 years old this year. For its milestone birthday, we explore Twilight's impact. 

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.

Gene Luen Yang and his graphic novel Lunar New Year Love Story won multiple awards at the annual ceremony during San Diego Comic-Con.

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. 

The nine picture books cited in Mahmoud v. Taylor are not pornography. Nor are they obscene. What is obscene is a Supreme Court decision that denies the basic humanity and equality of LGBTQIA+ people.

This year, we awarded dozens of books a prestigious star—and among this distinguished group, several clear commonalities shine bright. From fresh approaches on topics like grief to specific recurrences, such as characters taking on another person’s identity, here are the key trends among 2025's starred books.

The July issue—“the stars so far”—is our halfway point on the path to Best Books in December. SLJ reviews editors stand back to take a look at a beautiful, blossoming list of notable books.

Lavonnia Moore lost her job after including the Kyle Lukoff book in a summer reading display at the request of a young patron; new law gives school boards in Texas authority over collection development; Ohio governor vetoed bill that would have restricted public library access to titles "related to sexual orientation or gender identity or expression."

 AI-generated booklists are possible—and even published. So what is the value of human curation?

These audiobooks for kids, tweens, and teens offer stories of resilience, hope, and joy.

From video games and documentaries to anime and tabletop RPGs, these standout stars shine at the top of their categories.

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

In this golden age of anime, these beginner-friendly films and series provide librarians with a strong starting point for introducing the format to new audiences.

From figure skating dreams to dungeon crawler adventures, these seven popular manga titles with recent anime adaptations offer something for every taste and age.

It will now be up to educators and local school districts to stand up for intellectual freedom, book access, and LGBTQIA+ rights in the face of parental opt outs and political pressure, according to PEN America staff attorney Elly Brinkley.

ClickView’s roughly 12,000 videos and movies, ranging from under a minute to full-length documentaries, are curated by a team of educators, searchable via keyword, and can be filtered by grade level, rating, production year, and length.

Margarita Engle’s collection of poetry heralds Latinx heroes and Juana Martinez-Neal’s latest celebrates a Peruvian scientist. A sprinkling of self-help titles round out the list.

Children's and YA titles are vital resources in public health education.

The winners of the 2025 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards are I Know How to Draw an Owl by Hilary Horder Hippely, illus. by Matt James; Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay; and Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown by Candace Fleming.

Freedom to read advocates ask Florida legislators to probe books removed without review in Florida; an audit finds Utah school librarians preemptively removed titles in fear; and more of the latest in censorship news.

These Juneteenth offerings include various formats, ranging from cookbooks to early readers to audiobooks, so all your young readers can find their preferred way to learn more about this holiday.

In this Q&A series, SLJ poses five questions and a request for a book recommendation to a debut YA author. Leon Egan shares about Lover Birds in this latest installment.

These documentaries and videos make the transition from theater to classroom, offering opportunities for critical thinking and discussion among middle and high school students.

Even a so-called "narrow" ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor would undermine the First Amendment and access to diverse viewpoints in public education and lay the groundwork for even more serious ramifications, a Georgetown law professor explains.

In these books that take place in part during the first semester of college, characters learn more about themselves during this time of transition—and maybe fall in love along the way.

After public outcry, most of the 381 books removed from the Naval Academy are back; Texas legislation sends bill to governor that requires school boards or "advisory councils" to approve every new library book and review complaints; and Alabama Public Library board praises precedent set by Fifth Circuit decision in Little vs. Llano County.

From romance to fantasy to graphic novel to poetry—there’s a book for every teen’s summer reading pile in this roundup of diverse titles.

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

Authors and illustrators have become evermore adept at hooking readers with fantasy and humor while providing solid details like bait to hook their continuing curiosity. These five fishy tales prove it.

In this Q&A series, SLJ poses five questions and a request for a book recommendation to a debut YA author. A. A. Vacharat shares about This Moth Saw Brightness in this latest installment.

In a rare win for those fighting book bans in South Carolina, a book on Billie Jean King is returning to the shelves; advocates and school staff are fighting back against censorship in Pennsylvania and Ohio; and more in the latest Censorship News.

This diverse list of titles includes prose novels, novels in verse, and graphic novels. It has solid middle grade books as well as selections more suited for upper middle grade or younger YA tastes.

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.

For young listeners who need a reminder that kindness matters and resilience is powerful, share these audio titles to provide inspiration, comfort, and even temporary escape.

Rebecca Stead's first picture book and an audiobook of the latest Renée Watson title make the list, along with several back-to-school books.

The Book That Almost Rhymed by Omar Abed and illustrated by Hatem Aly is the winner of the Irma S. Black Award. Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale by Lynn Brunelle and illustrated by Jason Chin earned the Cook Prize.

An Ohio man burned 100 books he checked out at a public library; military academies and schools that serve children of military members continue to battle book bans; South Carolina has banned more books than any other state; and more in censorship news. 

Sibling drama, superpowers, and lemon cupcakes. There’s something here for every transitional and emerging reader looking for the just-right book during the summer months.

A celebration of birding, making new friends, and the power of self-love make these picture books excellent choices for summer reading and all year round.

Creaky Acres is a story about a girl, a horse, and a whole new way of life. Brigid Alverson spoke to the creators about their graphic novel featuring Nora, a competitive rider, who finds her way on a delightfully weird farm, inhabited by an equally quirky crew of young equestrians.

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

From a bilingual title about merengue dancing to a colorful volume on what you can find in the grocery store, these works are perfect for the smallest hands this summer break.

With these manga, choose the right format for the right story.

The bare breast of Roman goddess Virtus on the Virginia state flag means kids in Lamar, TX, can't access lessons about Virginia on PebbleGo Next; Oklahoma teacher who gave kids QR code for Brooklyn Public Library's Banned Books collection loses defamation suit; and a military mom explains why her children are part of the lawsuit against Department of Defense schools.

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.

Kiese Laymon, award-winning author and MacArthur Fellow, is out with a new picture book. City Summer, Country Summer celebrates the deep bonds of friendship forged among three Black boys on a summer journey to visit their grandmothers in Mississippi.  

Twelve students are suing the Department of Education Activity—the federal school system that runs schools for children of U.S. military members—and the Secretary of Defense for the removal of books from school libraries; Mississippi has removed race and gender databases accessed by public schools and libraries; and more.

Cascarones are empty eggshells that are decorated, filled with confetti, and sealed. A Latinx Easter tradition involves breaking them over loved ones’ heads. Join in the fun with these two picture books.

PEN America, the National Education Association, and student advocacy organization SEAT are among those who have filed amicus briefs in support of the school district in the upcoming Supreme Court case; Harry Lerner has died; applications open for Banned Books Week programming grants; and more.

The American Library Association released its data on 2024 censorship attempts, but don't let the lower numbers fool you. The strategy may have changed, but the organized efforts to remove books from shelves remains.

In the latest censorship legislation tracker, North Carolina moves to charge librarians with a Class 1 misdemeanor, and a Florida bill seeks to make it easier to remove books and punish schools, while Nevada and Colorado legislators take steps to protect collections.

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.

Along with the best books in kid lit, this month's stars also include adult books for teens and professional reading.

In this Q&A series, SLJ poses five questions and a request for a book recommendation to a debut YA author. Trisha Tobias shares about Honeysuckle and Bone in this latest installment.

The George M. Johnson memoir is No. 1 for the first time after Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer held the top spot the last three years. Two Ellen Hopkins titles made the list.

The author of Joyful Song, Heather Has Two Mommies, and Hachiko Waits shares the questions, anxiety, and outcome of a planned school visit in Missouri.

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

Understanding the racist roots of nursery rhymes can help librarians and early childhood educators decide what is appropriate to share with children—and what should be left behind.

As we mark five years since COVID-19 emerged in the United States and consider the lasting impacts of the global pandemic, this list of books for young readers of all ages features representations of anxiety, grief, coping techniques and, most of all, hope.

We Need Diverse Books will celebrate the first We Need Diverse Books Day on April 3; senators call on acting director of IMLS to continue funding programs as directed by Congress; Suzanne Collins talks philosophy and Sunrise on the Reaping; Eric Carle Honors honorees announced; and more.

It is important to work to stay emotionally and physically strong during difficult times. This collection supports finding ways to recognize and celebrate the healing forces around us.

Courts are dominating library censorship news with a federal judge temporarily blocking the Iowa book ban law, a Colorado district defying court orders to return books to shelves, and two lawsuits filed against a Minnesota school district.

In these titles, young readers will attend Seder meals on the side of the road and Mount Everest, follow the Sarajevo Haggadah throughout history, search high and low for the afikoman, and more.

This video game roundup features Mario and Luigi, Astro Bot, and more to boost collections and keep players of all ages entertained.

The judge ruled in favor of the ACLU of Colorado, which brought the lawsuit on behalf of two students in the Elizabeth School District; Texas bill that gives school boards authority over school library book selection passed the state senate; Oregon high school removed Flamer by Mike Curato after a student complaint.

Comics didn’t just survive COVID-19, they thrived. Despite the strain the pandemic placed on the industry, the audience for comics, graphic novels, and manga grew—and is still growing.

Lifting up transgender voices in literature has always been important, but now it's more vital than ever. Share these 14 books by trans creators and/or about trans characters ahead of Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31 and all year round.

From magic to murder, these YA novels set at boarding schools are full of secrets and page-turning plots to keep readers guessing.

Rochester (MN) Pride cited unspecified safety concerns for canceling the visit by The Rainbow Parade author Emily Neilson; federal judge says lawsuit over removal of school library books in Florida can continue; districts in South Carolina and Texas keep The Hunger Games and Bathe the Cat on the shelves, respectively, while a Pennsylvania high school removes three LGBTQIA+ graphic novels.

Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, is a Hindu festival celebrating spring. Young readers will enjoy these colorful picture books about the holiday.

Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates events told in the biblical Book of Esther. Hand these titles to young readers so they can share in the parties, costumes, and food that are all part of the festivities.

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."

This year, the committee recognized twelve outstanding books of poetry and nine novels in verse as 2025 Notable Books. These selections emphasize inclusiveness and diversity, showcasing a wide range of experiences and perspectives.

Reading about the determination of these women, both in sports and in life, may encourage young readers to similarly face any challenges in front of them. Share these titles for Women's History Month and all year.

A bill to remove legal protections from school and public librarians advances in South Dakota; Livingston Parish, LA, has emptied the YA shelves in five branches and told librarians to read every title in search of sexually explicit material; and so much happening in Arkansas in the latest Censorship News.

While winning the Newbery, Caldecott, and Printz awards often leads to a bump in sales and a spot on school library shelves, censorship legislation, librarians afraid of challenges, and the growing anti-diversity movement could change that this year.

The 2025 Ezra Jack Keats Writer Award went to Breanna J. McDaniel for Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller. X. Fang won the Illustrator Award for We Are Definitely Human.

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

These stories share a variety of Ramadan and Eid experiences, from fasting for the first time to celebrating in a home. Hand them to young readers leading up to the holy month and all year long.

Schools for military families must pull several lessons tied to immigration, gender, and sexuality and remove books that could "potentially" cover those topics; Tennessee county removes 32 books from school libraries; and Utah pulls 16th book from state's schools.

The executive order saying the United States will only recognize "two sexes" will have a ripple effect that "will undoubtedly affect public schools, public libraries, and the literature that is shelved in both," according to the statement signed by more than 50 organizations.

The New York City–based initiative is holding strong, even as book bans in schools surge nationwide and anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation expands.

The lawsuit claims the Arkansas librarian lost her job after being targeted by a group wanting book restrictions; Texas county commissioners fire a library director and put a judge in charge; South Carolina board of education removes four more books from all schools; and more in censorship news.

Author Hilary Horder Hippely's title earned the annual award given for outstanding writing in a picture book.