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Tools for handling challenges to diverse books programs.

Penguin Random House (PRH) Education is launching new initiatives as part of a partnership between Penguin Classics and #DisruptTexts.

Picture books editor Kimberly Fakih chats with SLJ Best Books cover artist Duncan Tonatiuh, the illustrator of the 2021 Best Book, Gloria Amescua’s Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jiménez, Daughter of the Nahua.

Nina: A Story of Nina Simone by Traci N. Todd and Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls by Kaela Rivera won the 2022 Orbis Pictus and Charlotte Huck awards, respectively. 

Malinda Lo's Last Night at the Telegraph Club won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. In her speech, the author asked viewers to help ensure the stories of the LGBTQ community and people of color continue to be told and available in libraries and schools.

A booklist, resources, and an interview with Sasha Bouché, editor at HighWater Press.

Panelists offered their personal stories, resources, and advice during the SLJ Summit session on book challenges.

November is Native American Heritage Month. As we celebrate and honor Native and Indigenous peoples and nations, here are 22 titles to share with children and teens.

It’s easy to forget when choosing picture books that country borders are just lines on a map, and sometimes the ideal title for U.S. collections is Canadian! Fill out the shelves with these recently published gems.

In an era when we’ve all learned the separation between essential workers and everyone else, Katie Yamasaki's latest takes on a topic that most people would rather not discuss.

The end of the year brings many celebrations in different religions and cultures, and the beauty of the holiday spirit is that it encompasses all of them. Here are seven holiday books beyond Christmas.

The Department of Justice is suing to stop the proposed merger between publishers Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster; Alex Gino's novel will officially get new title and cover; the Library of Congress has a new comics exhibit; and more in this edition of News Bites.

Becker’s YA graphic novel follows a year in the life of five young adults from four countries—the U.S., Singapore, Korea, and Japan—living together in a student group house in Japan.

From Paralympics to disability rights, these books highlight the stories of young people with disabilities achieving their dreams. They will serve to both empower and inspire young readers.

Librarians are responding to a rise in book challenges as parents target titles that deal with race, racism, or social justice in even the most tangential way, as well as books that have LGBTQ+ characters and themes.

This manga category focuses on relationships between two women or girls, usually romances. 

Biographies and memoirs get to the heart of subjects’ lives and are often a gateway for readers who aren’t naturally drawn to nonfiction. These titles provide sliding doors that teens can step through—entryways into lives that have often gone unsung and untold.

When a video of a woman speaking out against the book Out of Darkness at a school board meeting went viral, author Ashley Hope Pérez responded with a video of her own.

Author Susan H. Kamei discusses her YA narrative nonfiction work When Can We Go Back to America?: Voices of Japanese American Incarceration during WWII, and why it's so vital to acknowledge and understand this episode in U.S. history.

Tell Me Another Story, fromThe Ezra Jack Keats Foundation in collaboration with the Office Performing Arts + Film, highlights past and present creators and advocates whose focus has uplifted children’s literature.

We are pleased to share an exclusive first look and cover reveal for UNEQUAL: A STORY OF AMERICA by Michael Eric Dyson and Marc Favreau. But before we show the cover, here is chat we had with Michael Eric and Marc about the creation of their new book, out in the world in May 2022.

A curated booklist with titles that offer an intimate view of poverty and other titles that may provide escapist relief from stress.

From the Walter Dean Myers and Sydney Taylor Awards to the Malka Penn Award for Human Rights in Children’s Literature, 11 honors you should know about. Use them to expand your collection and recommend worthy titles to teachers, parents, and young readers. 

During this Banned Books Week, Jerry Craft and Kelly Yang saw their books challenged by parents, and authors discussed what it means to have their books "banned."

Debut novelist Elisabet Velasquez talks with SLJ about weaving joy into the heaviness of life, helping young people feel heard, and how stories can give readers a mirror to see their reflections.

Books are being challenged across the country; districts in Pennsylvania and Texas dominate the news with their decisions to remove materials. 

Black nonfiction offers age-appropriate narratives to educate children and presents the truth needed for “recovery, reconciliation, and repair.”

The author of the Schneider Family Book Award-winning novel Show Me a Sign recommends four recent releases.

Poet and author Carole Boston Weatherford curated this list of recommended black nonfiction titles.

This eclectic roundup of YA titles features the latest by Anna-Marie McLemore, Indigenous literature from Latin America, and some delectable rom-coms.

From immigration and lucha libre to family high jinks and the first day of school, these stories illuminate the uniqueness and universality of the Latinx experience. Shine a light on them during Latinx Heritage Month and beyond.

I was vilified for criticizing the Dewey Decimal system. We librarians need to stop perpetuating its systemic racism in our libraries.

The authors and founders of Just Us Books reflect on the recent passing of trailblazing Black figures in the kid lit world. 

In recent years, there has been a surge of Colombian creators crafting works that celebrate the vibrancy and resiliency of their culture, broadening the diversity and scope of Latino representation in children's publishing.

Poetry, biographies, sci-fi, and historical fiction are just some of the genres represented in these middle grade titles centering Latinx stories. Highlight them for Latinx Heritage Month and beyond.

Share the love of curls, kinks, and coils with these seven books for preschoolers through teenagers.

In our limited weekly series "In Their Own Words," we will be featuring Kara Stewart's exclusive book reviews, as well as interviews with Native creators. Our series concludes with Stewart interviewing Angeline Boulley, Eric Gansworth, and Darcie Little Badger about their powerful young adult books.

In our limited weekly series "In Their Own Words," we will be featuring Kara Stewart's exclusive book reviews, as well as interviews with Native creators. This week, Stewart speaks with Cynthia Leitich Smith about her Native reworking of Peter Pan, and Brian Young about his middle grade title rooted in Navajo folklore.

In our limited weekly series "In Their Own Words," we will be featuring Kara Stewart's exclusive book reviews, as well as interviews with Native creators. This week, Stewart speaks with Christine Day and Andrea L. Rogers about their realistic and historical middle grade fiction titles.

The grieving process can open new spaces for expression, writes author B.J. McDaniel, including picture books. 

Teachers and librarians have an obligation to help students seek marginalized narratives and assess the validity of information presented to them.

School and youth librarians update Melvil Dewey's flawed and outdated system.

Pat Scales answers readers' questions about library staff deselecting materials, the most challenged booklist, and parental complaints about an "offensive" article.

In our limited weekly series "In Their Own Words," we will be featuring Kara Stewart's exclusive book reviews, as well as interviews with Native creators. This week, Stewart speaks with Dawn Quigley about her brand-new chapter book series, "Jo Jo Makoons."

The author of Honey, I Love died last week, leaving a lasting impact on generations of readers and Black authors. 

The BCALA Children and Youth Literary Awards, sponsored by SLJ, honor phenomenal works of fiction and nonfiction by Black authors in four categories.

The #DisruptTexts cofounder shares how her childhood experiences shaped her identity as a reader and how she cultivates an enduring passion for reading among students.

Invite students into thoughtful reflection on the relationship between the texts they read and their own emerging sense of self.

Alex Gino issues an apology and new title for their award-winning book, the Obamas are bringing Blackout to Netflix, and a lot of publishing news in this installment of News Bites.

The kid lit world remembers award-winning illustrator Floyd Cooper.

SLJ spoke with the accomplished author about her musical background, the power of pop music, and the connective possibilities of fandom.

From biographies of Olympians to fictional mysteries and romance, get young readers excited for the Tokyo Games competition and drama with these titles.

Geared for K–12 teachers and school and public librarians, the July 27 workshop will explore practical ideas for using award-winning books and innovative programming that celebrate the Black experience.

The U.S. immigration experience has generally focused on assimilation toward whiteness, via colorism, speech, dress, lifestyle, work, aspirations, and the immigrant education process itself. These books give a more nuanced look at the immigration experience and teach the true history of race in the United States.

Motivated by the lack of diversity in the books she saw in Little Free Libraries in her Massachusetts hometown, Sarah Kamya set out to add titles by and about Black and brown people to the boxes. Soon she was creating Little Free Diverse Libraries, getting national attention, and setting goals for this project that will continue beyond the pandemic.

June is Caribbean American Heritage Month. Here are some picture books, middle grade, YA, and adult books for teens that you can share with your kids in June (and all yearlong).

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.

The publishing world was shocked by the unexpected death of Scholastic's Dick Robinson; We Need Diverse Books will no longer use #OwnVoices; News Literacy Project announces Educator of the Year and more in this edition of News Bites. 

Librarians are paying more attention to unconscious racial bias, inclusion, and diversity issues when culling titles and considering collection development, according to School Library Journal's recent survey.

From Rome to Tokyo and summer camp to private school, these YA reads are as hilarious as they are heartfelt.

A dozen mystery titles for independent readers ranging from laugh-out-loud interactive fun to edge-of-your-seat thrills.

Magoon spoke with best-selling author Ibi Zoboi about the book that’s closest to her heart, forming her identity while reckoning with history, and being a writer ahead of her time.

In this clip from their conversation, 2020 Margaret A. Edwards Award winner Kekla Magoon talks to Ibi Zoboi (American Street) about her childhood, her experience getting her MFA in Writing for Children from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and diversity in children’s literature.

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.

Boxers, fencers, track stars, and more give it their all in these YA novels. Recommend these titles to Olympics-obsessed teens and those who just love a winning story.

In advance of the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, the author and adapter of The Burning (Young Readers Edition): Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, discuss their book and this painful part of American history.

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

Over the past year across the country, educators have altered lesson plans and curricula to address racial injustice, historically and today.

Whether kids are eager to read about friendship woes, holidays, or new furry friends, they’ll find something to satisfy them in this list of realistic chapter books. Looking for more summer reading recommendations? SLJ is publishing lists all summer long—from family stories to mysteries to teen reads. 

During Pride month and all year long, curl up with these fantastical YA novels that center LGBTQIA+ characters and affirm queer identities.

The latest Marvel installment has appeal that expands beyond fans of the Marvel Universe, and these read-alike titles will, too.

Reading has the power to open eyes, minds, and hearts, and together, we can help #StopAsianHate, says Cicely Lewis.

Animal pals and a touch of magic infuse these books for kids who are drawn to the adaptation of Kate DiCamillo's Newbery winner about a girl and a squirrel who turns out to have superpowers.

The independent book festival focusing on queer writers and queer stories has more than 60 authors participating in panels. The event will be streamed June 11-13.

The Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Inc. (BCALA) will present, in partnership with School Library Journal, an inaugural set of awards honoring outstanding works of fiction and nonfiction for children and young adults by African American authors.

A graphic novel with a fearless mensch at its center, a tour of art that celebrates Jewish life, a sweet tale of leavening on Mimouna Night, and more—these are the stories that transcend politics and find joy around every corner.

Twenty-one releases to share during Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month or any time of year.

Five debut authors tell SLJ about creating funny, joyful, and serious stories, and their hope that young people take pride in who they are.

The RISE annual list is out; Jacqueline Woodson adds Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence to her many honors; K.C. Boyd named winner of the EMIERT Distinguished Librarian Award; and two new lines of books will bring "Chicken Soup for the Soul" to kids in this edition of News Bites.

Research by the Becker Friedman Institute at the University of Chicago shows that characters in award-winning children's books still skew male and light-skinned.

Banned Books Week has its first Honorary Chair; two titles created from The 1619 Project will be released in November; free webinars on teaching Juneteenth and reopening institutions after COVID vaccines; and more in this edition of News Bites.

In love, off camping, eating hot dogs, and getting ready for school pictures, these stories of Arab American life are relevant to every reader.

April is Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month. Share these YA memoirs and nonfiction works about devastation and hope now, and year round.

From Charlie Parker and Nellie Bly to Mae Jemison and Ada Lovelace, remarkable individuals get the graphic treatment in these titles recommended for grades 3 and up.

Many tweens and young teens will see themselves in these middle grade and YA selections.

Tricia Elam Walker was named the winner of the writer award for Nana Akua Goes to School. Heidi Woodward Sheffield won the award for illustrator for Brick by Brick.

Debut novelists and former We Need Diverse Books mentees Diana Ma and Angeline Boulley discuss their writing challenges, their families’ reactions to their novels, and using the YA genre to discuss identity and culture.

Ibram X. Kendi's Center Antiracist Research at Boston University is hosting its second Antiracist Book Festival, Kwame Alexander will create a poem with help from submissions; the NAACP Image Awards literary nominees were announced; and the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is ready to reopen to the public in this edition of News Bites.

Parrish Turner, a transgender sensitivity reader, is tired of the tropes surrounding animal stories, particularly those involving the wish to be a different animal. For Parrish, the longing to be a more authentic version of oneself is all too human.

Let’s show our children a world where everyone does not look, worship, or think the same—and that in spite of our differences, we’re more alike than different. Let’s join together on March 1 and Read Woke Across America! 

Spotlighting individuals including Amanda Gorman, Rosa Parks, and entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker, these podcasts have riveting stories to tell.

From fantasy to more realistic stories, these diverse works update classic coming out narratives and focus on self-discovery.

The 41 international books selected this year by the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) range from picture books and poetry to nonfiction and novels.

The Pulitzer Center is starting an education network around the 1619 Project, Teaching Tolerance changed its name, Sonja Cherry-Paul created an educator's guide to Carole Boston Weatherford’s Unspeakable and more in this edition of News Bites.

This month’s debut authors share what it has been like to get their first YA book published in the midst of a pandemic. Crystal Maldonado, Louisa Onomé, Marti Leimbach, and Bethany Mangle also discuss some of the research and self-reflection that went into writing their stories, and the importance of staying true to yourself.

In majority-white regions, librarians are bringing diverse books to kids, even when their efforts meet with resistance. 

All of SLJ's coverage from the 2021 Youth Media Awards, as well as reviews and related content for winners and honorees, all in one place.

Daniel Nayeri's Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story) won the 2021 Printz Award, rewarding and bringing great joy to a new publisher and the author, who used the spotlight to try to help others.

The sixth​ ​annual​ ​Walter​ ​Dean​ ​Myers​ ​Awards​ ​for​ ​Outstanding​ ​Children’s​ ​Literature were announced. 

Here is a list of the 2021 Youth Media Awards winners announced during the virtual ceremony at the ALA Midwinter conference.