The world's largest reviewer of books, multimedia, and technology for children and teens
Rocco Staino @RoccoA is the retired director of the Keefe Library of the North Salem School District in New York. He is now a contributing editor for School Library Journal and also writes for the Huffington Post.
The children of the Sandy Hook Elementary School were visited by 12 children’s authors and illustrators on Tuesday, the school’s first assembly in its new building following the December 14, 2012 shooting that took the lives of 26 children and staff at the school.
The ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City was glittering with the stars of the world of children’s literature this weekend as they gathered for the 14th Annual Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Conference.
Acclaimed storyteller, folklorist, and author Diane Wolkstein died on January 31 following emergency heart surgery while traveling in Taiwan. She was 70. Wolkstein’s talent as a storyteller and teacher of storytelling won her international fame; she also wrote more than 20 books, taught mythology at NYU, and hosted a storytelling show on NYC public radio.
Jan Ormerod, author and illustrator of many books for young children, died Wednesday in England. Ormerod began her kid-lit career more than 30 years ago after the birth of her first child; previously she taught art and design. Her first book, Sunshine, won the 1982 Mother Goose Award for British kid lit and was named the Australian Picture Book of the Year and an ALA Notable Book.
Lisa Graff’s sixth middle school novel, A Tangle of Knots, which debuts next month, incorporates an unusual feature: a range of carefully selected cake recipes that help illuminate the various traits of its key characters. School Library Journal spoke with Graff about this unique idea, the baking skills she honed for months while writing the book, and what’s next on her to-do list.
Gerald McDermott, award-winning author, illustrator, and filmmaker who died on December 26 at age 71, will be fondly remembered for his unique style of vibrant, visual storytelling, which has inspired and engaged generations of kids. Highlights of McDermott’s career, which spanned a 49-year period, include a Caldecott Medal, two Caldecott Honor books, and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award.
New York City’s Carnegie Hall hosted bestselling YA author John Green and his brother Hank this week at “An Evening of Awesome,” a special performance to a sold-out crowd. The event, which featured numerous special guests and a surprise appearance by Neil Gaiman, was lived-streamed through a special partnership with Tumblr.
Jean Craighead George, Maurice Sendak, and Jan Berenstain were among the many wonderful authors and illustrators who passed way last year.
Three school librarians who create a spirit of community in their libraries were among 10 recipients of the 2012 I Love My Librarian awards.
This week, authors Rita Williams-Garcia, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, and Mac Barnett share their stories of the season with SLJ.
SLJ spoke with illustrator Nonny Hogrogian who discussed her experiences winning her two Caldecott medals.
Authors Liz Levy, Julie Andrews, and Emma Walton Hamilton share their stories of holiday memories and traditions.
Madeleine L’Engle (1918–2007) is best known as the famed author of the Newbery Medal-winning novel A Wrinkle in Time (FSG, 1962). But she served another important role during her lifetime: as the librarian at New York’s Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, a post she held for over 40 years.
Best-selling author Harlan Coben is the only mystery writer to have won the Edgar Award, the Shamus Award, and the Anthony Award. Last year, Coben dove into the world of YA with Shelter, the first novel in his “Mickey Bolitar” series (Putnam). SLJ spoke with the Newark, New Jersey-born author about his new teen protagonist and his Jersey roots.
Sandra McLeod Humphrey, 76, an award-winning author of children’s books on character development, was killed in a house fire on November 23.
Friends, admirers, and a white wolf gathered earlier this month to pay tribute to Newbery-winning author and naturalist Jean Craighead George, who died on May 15 at the age of 92.
Bruce Coville recently became the twenty-third recipient of the Empire State Award for Excellence in Literature for Young People. The author of many humorous middle-grade novels, Coville was celebrated at the New York Library Association annual conference earlier this month.
New York Times best-selling author Ellen Hopkins, Newbery medalist Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, and First Amendment activist Chris Finan were all recognized by the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) on November 12 for their work defending free speech.
Debut author William Alexander, whose novel ‘Goblin Secrets’ is a middle-grade fantasy about a boy who joins a theatrical group of goblins, took home the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Wednesday, November 14.
School Library Journal speaks with Caldecott award-winning illustrator Paul O. Zelinsky as the 75th anniversary of the Medal approaches. Zelinsky discusses his working process, the awards ceremony, and “the call.”
