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IMLS-funded free, online professional development racial equity curriculum is now available; Dav Pilkey and Scholastic try to "Do Good"; youth writer awards announced and more in this edition of News Bites.
There were inspiring speakers, thought-provoking sessions, and protests at the ALA Annual Conference. Here are highlights, news, and notes from this year's event in Washington, DC.
Authors Kwame Alexander and Jacqueline Woodson were among those who helped celebrate the golden anniversary of the awards.
Elizabeth Acevedo earns another honor for The Poet X, as the winners of the 2019 CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals were announced.
A new tool to help teach students which news outlets to trust; the UN releases its second book club list; and libraries are having their moment on Jeopardy!
A tribute to M.T. Anderson, who received the 2019 Margaret A. Edwards Award, which honors a “significant and lasting” contribution to young adult literature.
The Patchwork Bike, This Promise of Change, and The Season of Styx Malone earned this year's awards, Horn Book editor-in-chief Roger Sutton announced at SLJ's Day of Dialog.
Author Erin Entrada Kelly answered SLJ's questions about her Newbery-winning middle grade novel Hello Universe being adapted into a Netflix movie.
A new player emerges in the YA market vowing to publish “unapologetic, authentic, and politically relevant” heavily illustrated and graphic nonfiction; Erin Entrada Kelly joins the list of authors tapped for Netflix adaptations; and more in this edition of News Bites.
The National Book Foundation today announced the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC) as the winner of the 2019 Innovations in Reading Prize.
More logged minutes mean more donated books in this year's Scholastic summer reading challenge; Mystery Writers of America's Edgar Awards announced; Library of Congress puts rare Chinese books online; and more in this edition of NewsBites.
The Eisner Award nominations aimed at kids and teens are a varied bunch, from Vera Brosgol's Be Prepared! to Chad Sell's The Cardboard Kingdom.
Multiple book awards were announced, FlipGrid revs up for another student voice bus tour, and Follett has launched a new learning platform.
The Bank Street Center for Children's Literature announced its annual awards chosen by young readers.
A new customizable toolkit can help youth librarians develop teen programs; Nearpod launches SEL curriculum; Sesame Workshop needs you; College Board starts a new scholarship program, and more.
Flemish author named recipient of Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.
Book banning is back in the news (with Florida legislation that could make buying some books a felony), librarians honor a principal who stood up to a challenge, and more.
The only national book awards voted on by kids and teens, this year’s finalists include Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love, The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton, and The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. Students can cast their vote until June 2.
In this 50th anniversary year of the award, Heather Thompson joins the 50-50 Initiative with a family reading program spotlighting past CSK winners.
The Center for Children's Literature at Bank Street College of Education selected four semifinalists for the 2019 Irma S. Black and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature. The winner will be selected by first and second graders across the country; teachers and librarians can register their students to participate in the voting process before April 19.
These school librarians use social media to elevate their profession and empower their students.
John Sullivan, Oge Mora honored by Ezra Jack Keats Awards and more in NewsBites.
There’s little time left to apply for the Library of Congress Librarian-in-Residence program, and more in this edition of NewsBites.
A new app and database from YALSA lets users access nearly 4,000 YA titles, plus awards, a new children's imprint, and more in NewsBites.
Including the Asian Pacific American Librarians Award and Sydney Taylor Book Award winners did not overcome the disappointment felt by many when ALA did not announce the affiliates' honor books during the ceremony.
Elizabeth Acevedo, whose debut novel won over the publishing world, critics, and award committees in 2018, continued her streak as The Poet X nabbed the Michael L. Printz Award and the Pura Belpré Author Award at the 2019 Youth Media Awards ceremony on Monday.
The picture book about "everything in life" follows her 2016 Caldecott-winning Finding Winnie.
The Youth Media Awards provided surprises, a diverse list of winners, and some committee decisions to debate.
The Poet X wins the Printz and more, at the 2019 Youth Media Awards, announced today at the American Library Association's Midwinter meeting in Seattle.
Claire Hartfield and Ekua Holmes are author and illustrator winners, respectively, in this 50th anniversary year for the Coretta Scott King Book Awards.
SLJ's reviews of the Youth Media Award winners (YMAs) announced at a press conference at the American Library Association’s midwinter conference in Seattle.
The 2019 Newbery Medal-winning author talks about her reaction to the phone call, writing about Latino families at this time in our country's history, and the power of the award.
Before we tune in to the Youth Media Awards on January 28, we’d like to focus on a handful of outliers that perhaps lack the broad consensus-building qualities of previously highlighted titles but are just as impressive.
The Poet X and Ghost Boys are winners of the 2019 Walter Dean Myers Awards for Outstanding Children's Literature.
The creator of a mobile library serving children in Afghanistan, a middle school teacher-designer of a social justice course in West Philadelphia, and #1000BlackGirlBooks founder Marley Dias were named to the International Literacy Association’s “30 Under 30” list.
The Faithful Spy is the next finalist up for discussion.
Murdock weaves a mystery about redemption and desire into a world that believed in scraps of wood, bone and dust.
The Heavy Medal Newbery discussion begins today. In the next 24 days, 18 books selected as “Heavy Medal Finalists” will be discussed by the 19 members of the Heavy Medal Award Committee, culminating in Mock Newbery balloting on January 25th. Discussion opens with “The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge.”
Could there be a repeat of 2017? The children’s literature scholar thinks two nonfiction titles about race in the United States could take the medal.
We rounded up our reviews of the five titles on YALSA’s 2019 Excellence in Nonfiction Award Shortlist.
YALSA names five finalists for the award honoring the best nonfiction for teens.
YALSA names finalists for best YA book by a previously unpublished author.
Check out our reviews—all starred—for the recently announced Morris finalists, including two SLJ Best Books.
In a difficult year, SLJ readers raised up good books for kids and teens, seeking out and celebrating the best in publishing. The most popular posts of the year included lists featuring Latinx and Native American themes and characters.
The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of the National Council of Teachers of English (ALAN) has established the Bill Konigsberg Award for Acts and Activism for Equity and Inclusion through Young Adult Literature.
American Library Association names winners of the 2018 I Love My Librarian Awards.
Asorrowful story with a reluctantly resilient heroine, Kate DiCamillo's latest is a favorite of nominators.
The former “Heavy Medal” blogger makes a case for Neal Shusterman’s sequel and points to a strong crop of middle grade titles that might have a chance at the medal.
Here are some poetry collections worth considering for the Newbery.
The day before the National Book Awards were announced, New York City middle- and high schoolers gathered at the 92nd Street Y to hear the finalists in the Young People’s Literature category.
Acevedo received the award for her debut novel The Poet X, written in verse.
Can a collection of short stories get Newbery consideration? Maybe this one should.
Nominations for Newbery consideration are pouring into Heavy Medal this month.
Check out the recording of Acevedo’s 2018 SLJTeen Live! keynote, in which she talks about her path to publication, the importance of literacy and seeing yourself books, and more.
Discussing National Book Award finalist and possible Newbery contender The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge with its inventive storytelling and extended sequences of illustrations.
Jacqueline Woodson's picture book The Day You Begin may have more of a Newbery chance than her middle grade title, Harbor Me.
A former Printz committee and current Coretta Scott King Award Book Jury member discusses her possible Printz picks for 2019.
A check of the Newbery criteria and guidelines before digging into these two co-authored possibilities.
A definite contender for the Newbery with an #OwnVoices element to discuss.
A light touch to the writing makes plot details feel mostly appropriate, supported by strong development of character and themes.
Today we have something special. Our past two Caldecott Medal winners, Javaka Steptoe (Radiant Child) and Matthew Cordell (Wolf in the Snow) interviewing each other about their lives, work, and how the most prestigious award in picture books has changed their lives.
This graphic novel is getting a lot of attention. It is a National Book Award finalist and absolutely a title with Newbery possibilities.
Judy Blume, Laurie Halse Anderson, and LeVar Burton are among candidates to be 2019 ALMA laureate.
The five finalists chosen for the National Book Awards are all in "Newbery range."
Three works of fiction for middle grade, a novel in verse, and a graphic memoir are this year’s finalists for the 2018 National Book Award.
The shortlist for the 2018 National Book Awards for Young People's Literature has been announced! Here are our reviews.
Take a look at the books that received the most votes in the initial nomination submissions.
Heavy Medal is ready for readers' first three titles to kick off Newbery nominating season.
Just hours before the 13th annual Carle Honors gala, SLJ reviews managing editor Luann Toth talked to the 2018 Carle Honors recipients at the legendary Algonquin Hotel in New York City on September 27 on Facebook Live
Industry news, an inaugural award from CBC Diversity, and looking ahead to Midwinter in this edition of NewsBites.
What’s in store for the 2019 award season? SLJ’s "Pondering Printz" columnists will consider the contenders for the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature.
The former “Someday My Printz Will Come” bloggers Sarah Couri and Karyn Silverman present a look at the history of the Printz award and offer their first round of possible contenders.
An early 2018 release, readers and the author believe this title is worthy of serious Newbery consideration.
Will this be one of the year's Travis looks psychic or one he'd rather forget? We'll have to wait and see.
A look at the narrative voices in The Truth As Told By Mason Buttle and Checked.
Recently, John Legend joined beame the latest to complete the EGOT, winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award. What's the children’s book equivalent and who is in the club?
Eight titles made the longlist for the American Association for the Advancement of Science picture book prize.
A quick recap and description of titles up for the National Book Award.
Some "non-traditional" Newbery-worthy titles. Do they have a chance?
SLJ reviews and interviews for the 10 longlist titles for the 2018 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature.
Ten contenders for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature have been announced by the National Book Foundation.
IMLS shares tips and resources for library staff in the path of Hurricane Florence, and more.
Listen to Travis Jonker chat with 2018 Pura Belpré award winners Ruth Behar, Pablo Cartaya, Celia C. Pérez, and Juana Martinez-Neal.
If you need a way to show your school administrators just how impactful school librarians can be, look no further than Ali Schilpp, Michelle Carton, and Cassy Lee—SLJ’s 2018 School Librarian of the Year, Champion of Civic Engagement, and Champion of Student Voice.
Travis Jonker takes a look at some of the latest news and trends in children's publishing.
The Heavy Medal team is back from a summer of reading and ready to read more Newbery contenders and discuss them with their readers.
These SLJ School Librarians of the Year have big things in store for their students.
Maryland's Ali Schilpp is this year's winner, with two library "Champions" honored as well.
Ali Schilpp brings big ideas to a small school in Accident, MD.
Cassy Lee ignites diversity awareness at the Chinese American International School in San Francisco.
Michelle Carton builds a global education at the Tudor Elementary School in Anchorage, Alaska.