Age Level

Featuring vivid settings, relatable characters, and absorbing narratives, these moving titles will inspire readers to learn more about these eras—and to question whose stories still go untold.

When there are so many of us, why do I rarely find South Asian kids on the cover of books especially those who are magic-wielding, realm-saving main characters?

The post WE NEED MORE HEROES OF COLOR IN MIDDLE GRADE FANTASIES: A SOUTH ASIAN PERSPECTIVE, a guest post by Payal Doshi appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.

Shh. These are quiet books. They have lots to share, though. Lean close and listen.

The post Shh! We’re talking about a quiet book, a guest post by Tricia Springstubb appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.

The young people featured in these middle grade novels are intrepid, confronting racism, grief, queer identity, and more. They’re relatable teens and tweens, making mistakes and stumbling as they find themselves. Looking for more summer reading recommendations? SLJ is publishing lists all summer long—from family stories to mysteries to teen reads. 

Book clubs focused on Black authors and characters have helped readers find community during the pandemic and given writers and their work some extra attention.

This is a lovely, compassionate, and gentle story that's full of love, support, hope, and honesty.

The post Book Review: How to Become a Planet by Nicole Melleby appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.

17 titles to keep tween mystery fans turning pages well into the summer.

Saturday morning cartoons may be a thing of the past, but the genre is living on in graphic novels. These 10 novels and series bring back that Saturday morning feeling with mad scientists, talking animals, and zany superheroes. 

These eight titles skillfully explore burgeoning queer relationships, romantic and platonic alike, across genres for the younger set.