YA author Lizzy Mason joins us to talk about self-harm, addiction, recovery, and the importance of being open about mental illnesses, especially with teens. Her debut novel, The Art of Losing, tackles these same subjects.
Debut novelist Lizzy Mason presents a realistic look at addiction and its impact on lives that is somber but ultimately hopeful. This well-written debut has lots of layers and will be an easy one to recommend to fans of contemporary YA. Hand this one to character-driven readers.
There are many portable photo printers to choose from and today I'm going to talk about three of them. Each devise has their advantages and disadvantages and having tried them all, I break it down for you. The three devices I will be reviewing today include the Fuji Instax Square 10 photo printer, the Polaroid Zip Pocket Printer and the Canon Selphy 1300.
Archie's answer to 1960s superhero team comics has once again returned in the pages of The Mighty Crusaders, which mixes and matches characters and concepts from previous incarnations for a book that feels at once old school and fresh.
Quick and to the point reviews of some recent YA titles, including one I admit to only skimming.
The phrase "best friends forever" takes on new meaning for Dino and his former BFF July, who is not-dead, in this really readable, engaging, strange, poignant, and funny journey through a relationship autopsy.
As someone who spends a lot of time advocating for consent education, I can not in good faith recommend this book, even though I believe it will have a lot of teen appeal.
We know that Girls Run the World, but they also save the world too. I’m not talking about Hermione, although I love her and Harry Potter wouldn’t have been able to defeat Voldemort without her. I’m talking about the girls who literally saved the world. They might be a spy, or a princess, or a […]
Three strong and exceptionally talented Black YA authors have hit the trifecta with books that are new releases or coming soon and reflect hip-hop culture.
In Joe Lansdale and Sam Glanzman’s graphic novel Red Range, African American vigilante Caleb Range and his young sidekick wreak vengeance on a murderous group of Klansmen and then are transported to another world where more dangers await. On the last page of that book, they stare out at a strange body of water filled […]
This Week at TLT New books alert: Writing advice, Latinx teens on a road trip, Muslims in love, and so much more Fight the Power: Music as a Social Force, a guest post by Lisa Krok Cindy Crushes Programming: Hosting a Fortnite Party, by Cindy Shutts Feminist AF: The Amelia Bloomer Project, by Ally Watkins […]
Get out your reading lists! New titles coming soon from S.K. Ali, Sonia Patel, Claire Legrand, and so many others.
A mixed group tries to form a sports team at an all-female drama college.
A mixed group tries to form a sports team at an all-female drama college.
Invite teens into the library by hosting a Fortnite party.
Post-It Note reviews are a great way to display books and offer a more personal recommendation than just the flap copy. This roundup also includes a historical fiction title dealing with race, a potentially murderous robot, and a new crop of babysitters.
This empowering and inspiring book did the impossible: it made me nostalgic for my own teen years as a young feminist.
The In the Margins Book Awards honor the best books published over the preceding 18 months that appeal to the reading needs and wants of teens from marginalized backgrounds. The committee selected three top titles in the categories of Fiction, Nonfiction, and Advocacy. They also released their full Top 10 list.
More than just another horse story, 'Grand Theft Horse' is about one woman fighting the horse racing system for the right to train her horse humanely.
Author Shelley Sackier joins us to talk about the vital task of connecting readers with books that help provide solace, unity, sureness, and the message that they are not alone.
This updated edition is a useful resource that is aimed at queer teens, but those seeking to provide a welcoming, affirming environment for LGBTQ youth will also find this indispensable.
Brian Michael Bendis' new Wonder Comics imprint from DC is off to a strong start with Young Justice #1, in which he and artist Patrick Gleason relaunch the seemingly unrelaunchable team of teenage superheroes.
Today TLT teen contributor Elliot is talking with us about identity.
There’s nothing quite like a charming meet cute or the ups and downs of first love. Check out these contemporary YA romances that teens will fall in love with in the next few months.
On March 12 of 2019, Laurie Halse Anderson will release her newest book Shout, a moving biography that seeks once again to highlight the very real truths of sexual violence in the life of teens - and in her own life.
The popular and acclaimed Witch Boy series by Molly Knox Ostertag will continue!
At TLT, we like to hear what teens have to say about YA Lit. The Teen has been doing a lot of reading lately, so it's time for another round of Kicky's Post It Reviews.
Focus on the individuals rather than the devices, and more strategies to address the causes of bad behavior online.
Sisters Kit and Cat Seaton transform an obscure old fairy tale into a engaging new fantasy in Norroway, a sort of Beauty and The Beast by way of Avatar: The Last Airbender. The first book in the series kicks off an epic adventure in which an unlikely pair face curses and the forces of fate.
Feminist, fashion and the best accessory of all: Books!
A new book is announced to follow Sunny Side Up and Swing It, Sunny.
Two new Maker Comics are coming this fall from First Second.
Readers who like really complex relationships will love this book about best friends Sophie and Peter and what happens after Sophie donates a kidney to Peter. Life never really goes as planned, does it?
Young people have always used a language of their own. But does that language belong on the page? Is it literary?
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.
Two young women, one Japanese and the other Muslim, room together and learn about each other's culture.
When Riley's mother goes missing, his only hope is that the Whispers in the woods will help bring her back home. A moving, thoughtful examination of trauma, grief, and the power of imagination.
This past year has seen a number of 20th-century histories published for secondary students on topics ranging from women's suffrage and World War l to the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. Here's a select list, with reviews.
In Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan's stunning new book, the authors introduce readers to two budding activists who challenge the status quo at their school.
How do the dynamics of power shift when women are in charge? These YA novels—ranging from epic fantasy to contemporary thriller with a historical twist—tackle that question and more.
With anti-Semitism on the rise, teaching the lessons of history to inform students and counter bigotry has never been more important. Here are resources with recommended books for young readers about the Jewish experience and a new curriculum to help students understand the Holocaust and its legacy, with the life of Oskar Schindler as an entry point.
Nationwide, an increasing number of students are the first in their families to pursue higher education. A common theme: mentors and a support system.
Mary Cronk Farrell joins us to talk about her new book, Standing Up Against Hate: How Black Women in the Army Helped Change the Course of WWII, discriminatory assignments, and the importance of the press.
By the end of WWII, 6,520 black women served in the US Army. This well-written and incredibly engaging book tells some of their stories and is highly recommended for all collections.
The cover has been revealed for the next Baby-Sitters Club graphic novel, coming this fall.
This excellent collection of short stories looks at identity, tradition, ideas of blackness, relationships, and experiences across America. Featuring so many wonderful authors, this anthology is a necessary addition to all collections.
Greg Howard joins us to talk about his forthcoming middle grade debut, THE WHISPERS, absent mothers, and turning reality into fiction---sort of.
The debut YA author talks about her path to publication, the “soupiness” of her characters, and what she’s working on next.
A secret club challenges all the rules as a group of teens wrestle with friendship and faith.
Today Elliot, our new teen contributor, shares their first book review with us.
A school librarian combines her love of dogs and books in a successful pilot program.
January's LGBTQIA+ new books include sequels, trilogy starts and finales, a Muslim girl with a secret, and a middle grade debut.
When it comes to teachable moments, nothing beats commemorative dates.
Trying to plan for 2019? Here are some movie releases, Bookstagram and reading challenges to help guide you.
Guest reviewer Erica Friedman thinks Manga Classics improved on Hawthorne's original version of the Scarlet Letter by making one character a bit more relatable.

Through a well-told first person account and captivating illustrations, this personal yet universal story of illness and hope presents the many shades of human emotion. An excellent selection.

A rich history both of hip-hop and photography, for all collections.
A solid choice for libraries serving music history buffs, a browsable volume for general interest shelves, and good starting place for reports.
A general purchase for most YA collections, especially those looking for genre-bending mysteries.

A must-have for all libraries and fans of sci-fi.
Sure to spur the conversation on race and identity, this is a strong addition to any collection for mature teens, especially as a supplement to history texts that have left out the stories and voices of people of color.
Recommended for burgeoning activists and teens interested in politics, history, and current events.
Lovers of Jane Austen will find much to enjoy here as they explore the perspective of Miss Caroline Bingley.
An exciting and romantic look at a lesser-known superhero, for DC comics followers and newcomers alike.–Anna Murphy, Berkeley Carroll School, Brooklyn
Highly recommended for all horror and psychological thriller collections.

A must-have for all collections.

For all graphic novel collections.
–Francisca Goldsmith, Library Ronin, Worcester, MA

A novel exploration of societal roles, gender, and equality through the eyes of captivating lead. Recommended for all young adult collections.
A lovely, dark, and twisted fantasy for those of who have never quite outgrown fairy tales.

This stunning work will introduce
The Giver to a brand-new audience and will also delight longtime fans.
Howard's latest stand-alone fantasy is a sensuous reimagining set in a distinctly Gothic world; perfect for fans of the author and readers seeking darker retellings.
Empowering and beautifully haunting, this work will find its home among hard-core graphic novel fans and those seeking nuanced representations of women.
All readers will easily root for Khosi, who makes a way out of loss with love and faith; a strong choice for teen libraries.
Recommended for large collections.

A must-have for libraries with dystopian fans.
A strong optional purchase for YA collections for libraries with teen patrons already familiar with the Sherlockian fandom.
This celebratory and enchanting title will engage teens.

This highly recommended thriller deserves a spot on every shelf.
This quick read is recommended for browsable nonfiction collections.
Recommended for younger teens looking to dip their toes in more mature content but not quite ready for the hard stuff.
This is a quirky fun, read that will give teens all the feels. A good selection where contemporary fiction centering friendships is popular.
A recommended addition to young adult fantasy/dystopian collections, particularly where regal sagas are popular.
A solid purchase; give this to fans of Jennifer Niven and Stephanie Garber.

A must-purchase for libraries serving fantasy-loving mature teens.
This hopeful tale is a strong choice for most YA shelves.
An excellent choice for public and school libraries looking for powerful realistic fiction titles.
A definite page-turner about teenage navigation through life; recommended for fans of John Green's books, Jenny Torres Sanchez's The Fall of Innocence, or Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why.
For general purchase and fans of romantic fantasy.
Recommended for public and school collections. A useful selection for art history and women's studies units.

A witty debut with whip-smart dialogue that will find much love among fans of authors like John Green and Jason Reynolds.
This touching tale of growing up will resonate with most teens, especially those interested in titles exploring identity.
Give to fans of The Reader by Traci Chee or any epic fantasy lover ready for a rich new world and a complex but rewarding plot.

Alkaf's immersive, powerful writing make this a must-purchase for all YA collections.

A glorious tribute to a woman who dared, defied, and defended her truth. A must-have.

Romance and fantasy readers will enjoy the magic realism, ruse and tension of Camille's double identity, authentic historical references, and Camille's daring, passionate spirit. A must-have.
A must-purchase for collections where The Belles is already popular, and where fantasy flies.

A thorough and superb biography, for most nonfiction collections.
Every year TLT picks a new topic to discuss as part of a yearly project. The 2019 theme is feminism. We hope you'll join us.
We are very excited to share with you the first post by new TLT contributor Elliot in this Sunday Reflections. If you feel so inclined, please consider leaving them a comment below. Don’t know who Elliot is? Check out the bio at the end of this post. Elliot is a senior in high school who […]
It's not all laughs, improv programs teach communication skills, collaboration, and help build confidence.
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