Essential and exceptional titles reviewed in our July 2020 issue, including picture books, middle grade, YA, nonfiction, graphic novels, and audiobooks for children and teens.

A PBS documentary, a picture book about his boyhood aspirations to become a preacher, and his own graphic memoir trilogy invite young readers into the life and battles of the late, beloved John Lewis.

Students have been reading To Kill a Mockingbird, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and the “Little House” series for generations, and having these “classics” available in school libraries is a given. Should that change?

Mariko Tamaki, Rosemary Valero-O'Connell, and Raina Telgemeier earned multiple awards at the annual comic industry awards. 

More than 1,000 librarians responded to School Library Journal's survey, offering insight into the profession during remote learning forced by the novel coronavirus pandemic. Here is the full report on our findings.

When it comes to a schedule for school from home, how does it compare to the traditional schedule and curriculum? It's a mix, according to School Library Journal's survey of  K-12 librarians, fielded from April 2 to April 12.

When it comes to getting materials returned to the library, most librarians don't appear all that concerned, found School Library Journal's survey. In fact, 48 percent haven't made a plan for that.

 

For educators, a lot has changed amid a global pandemic—and at the same time, much hasn’t. 
 

Lee & Low Books' Diversity Baseline Survey 2.0 shows the publishing industry has not become measurably more inclusive since 2015.

The discussions in the spring set of free, one-hour professional development programs will tackle serving striving readers, information inequity, and news literacy.

 

On the Diverse Books Survey page, users can access related content, newly updated, as well as our Diverse Books Survey report.

While in the minority, the SLJ Diverse Books Survey reveals some librarians are declining to purchase books with diverse characters to avoid a challenge.

Some curriculum staples misrepresent cultures, reinforce racist or sexist ideas, and contain pejorative descriptions. Try these books instead of “The Little House” series, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

From inventors and engineers to scientists and artists, the individuals profiled in these captivating read-alouds will inspire young readers (and their grown-ups). Looking for more summer reading recommendations? SLJ is publishing lists all summer long—from family stories to mysteries to teen reads.  

School librarian Laura Gardner offers best practices to stay connected with students and keep the fun factor high. 

These picture books, with their exuberant illustrations and positive prose, offer portraits of Black joy, within and beyond the African diaspora.

History, science, current events, and social sciences are explored in these highly engaging narrative and expository nonfiction texts for middle grade readers. 

From crafting to cooking to stargazing, these lists recommend several books on a common theme or subject with selections for a variety of ages and reading levels—making them perfect ways to inspire reading, talking, and playing together as a family. 

Essential and exceptional titles reviewed in our June 2020 issue, including picture books, middle grade, YA, nonfiction, and graphic novels for children and teens.

Unlock kids' creativity with episodes about origami, bookmaking, beavers, and more inspirations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shuttered schools. With libraries, bookstores, and comic shops mostly off-limits as well, readers are going online, and publishers and creators have responded with free comics and related resources. Here’s a look at those offerings.
 

The graphic format can effectively tell complex stories and engage young readers. Encompassing first-person accounts of historical events and guides that address gender and identity, these titles meet the highest standards for nonfiction and are "inclusive, respectful, accurate, and informative."

In recent years, we’ve seen graphic novelists take on increasingly complex topics, and this year’s Eisner Award nominations reflect artists’ willingness to push the format to its limits, from a poignant tale of racist microaggressions to an exploration of childhood anxiety to dynamic reimagining of a misunderstood supervillain.

Check this week's list of new and catchup releases from Diamond Distributors, featuring titles from Papercutz and Viz Media.

With her new graphic novel series “The Weirn Books,” creator Svetlana Chmakova steps away from the sunny classrooms of Berrybrook Middle School to another school in a darker realm.

Looking for ways to keep your comics-loving kids and teens occupied? These free webcomics promise to eat up hours of time.

2020 is turning out to be a bumper year for cat stories of all kinds. Here’s a look at some of this year’s cat tales.

For educators, a lot has changed amid a global pandemic—and at the same time, much hasn’t. 
 

Our monthly Q&A with writers whose first YA books are out now, debuting in the time of coronavirus.

Writing teen fiction as a teen is different than as an adult. Even at twenty, barely an adult, I can see the difference in my writing from when I was fourteen, and not just skill wise. There’s quite a few scenes in Jack of All Trades that make me cringe now, that make me think […]

Can you listen to a comic? The GC4K bloggers discuss what they think about audiobooks in general and comics adaptations in particular.

The most astonishingly unconventional children's books of the year.

Employees with disabilities and chronic illnesses have long fought for basic accommodations now granted to millions of workers from home. Here's what else is needed.

The celebrated graphic novelist had to learn to love sports to tell a larger story of basketball dreams in Dragon Hoops.