Interviews? They're cool. But interviews between authors and illustrators in the form of a comic? Much, much cooler. Betsy Bird brings you Andrea Tsurumi and Gideon Sterer as they discuss their book Not your Nest.
Abrams Children’s Books has announced a new series of biographies for middle grade readers: First Names. Eight books are planned and will cover historical and contemporary figures in a highly illustrated format, with titles on Harry Houdini and Amelia Earhart due August 2019.
A lesson plan for Sophie Blackall's award-winning picture book.
Educating kids on how lighting, camera movement, sound, body language, and other film strategies convey meaning.
At Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County, NJ, the Popkin Innovation Lab has brought a new curriculum and problem-solving approach, along with a different culture, to school this year.
Visual literacy demands increasingly sophisticated tools to expand kids' critical skills.
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.
The author's new graphic novel, about a black student enrolling in a predominantly white private school, tells powerful truths about racism and alienation with humor and heart.
The 2019 Infy Makers Award, which gives $10,000 grants to 10 organizations to expand maker opportunities to K–12 students, is open for entries. But hurry, the contest closes February 21.
For an upcoming feature article, School Library Journal wants to profile school librarians who are leading the way in technology use at their school or district.
In too many communities, books aren’t available for purchase, borrowing, or rereading. Our focus must be on all kids getting a solid start on literacy, learning, and the joy of reading.
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.
Inspired by lifestyle consultant Marie Kondo or the coming of spring, it’s time to pare down your stuff and organize your space.
Results are mixed when parents are surveyed about reading aloud to their children.
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.
On the Diverse Books Survey page, users can access related content, newly updated, as well as our Diverse Books Survey report.
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.
Jay Asher, author of 13 Reasons Why, is suing the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the group’s executive director, Lin Oliver, for making false and defamatory statements.
These titles jump-start important conversations about online conduct, safety, and ethics.
The Los Angeles Public Library expanded programming and reminded students and families that more than 70 branches were there to help during the recent teachers' strike. The city's many communities—and its mayor—appreciated the efforts.
These works for children and teens—from the latest picture book offering by Antoinette Portis to the hilariously poignant debut by Ben Philippe—have been selected by SLJ editors as the top titles featured in our Winter 2018 issue.
Young people have always used a language of their own. But does that language belong on the page? Is it literary?
Librarians considering making the leap to genrefication—organizing books by topic or genre, in a shift away from the Dewey Decimal System—have a new option: Follett Genre Solutions.
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.
Students can study the science of baseball—and the sport can help teach the kids key STEM concepts—thanks to this new multi-year content collaboration.
It's a summer session of architecture, music, culture, and fun.
In Washington, DC, preschool and primary educators have teamed up with the Children Are Citizens project. The results are intriguing; the methods worth replicating.
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.
Netflix has brought back Carmen Sandiego and, with her comes a series of books and series-related materials for educators. That and more industry news in NewsBites.
The Poet X and Ghost Boys are winners of the 2019 Walter Dean Myers Awards for Outstanding Children's Literature.
A new campaign invites the participation of educators and parents to help promote literacy with the hashtag #ReadingIsforEveryone, with a related event on World Read Aloud Day, February 1.
Nationwide, an increasing number of students are the first in their families to pursue higher education. A common theme: mentors and a support system.
There are a wealth of opportunities in this edition of NewsBites—from a earning school library grant or a social media superstar award, winning book donations and an exhibition possibly stopping at your branch.
As we celebrate multiple space exploration anniversaries in the next few years, these are just some of the recent crop of titles that will spark kids’ interest.
The author of The Music of What Happens had an annual award named after him after he spoke out against a bigoted panelist at the NCTE conference in November and talked about the incident emotionally a couple of days later. He is quick to admit, however, that he doesn't have all the answers when it comes to the right way to combat hatred and bigotry.
The debut YA author talks about her path to publication, the “soupiness” of her characters, and what she’s working on next.
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.
As a strategic approach, co-creation works for problems large and small, but it's especially useful for a complex issue or when moving into unchartered territory.
A school librarian combines her love of dogs and books in a successful pilot program.
The weekly public radio podcast compared libraries to Hogwarts' Room of Requirement, visited libraries across the country, and told three special stories.
The Faithful Spy is the next finalist up for discussion.
Salt Lake City patrons line up for free gun locks, while Ohio library staff gets mental health training, and Baltimore system teams up with TV personalities in this edition of NewsBites.
When it comes to teachable moments, nothing beats commemorative dates.
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.”
Moms for Social Justice has started its 2019 initiative, putting a diverse collection of books into Chattanooga classrooms where school library collections are woefully inadequate.
It's not all laughs, improv programs teach communication skills, collaboration, and help build confidence.
With systemic harassment and assault in the news, educators are working age appropriate lessons about boundaries, safety, and sexual assault into the school day.
Known for his discerning eye and love of theater, Neal Porter has established one of the highest quality picture book imprints in the United States and around the world.
Lunar themes, storytelling, STEAM initiatives, and more ideas for summer activities at the library.
In anticipation of our coverage of Black History Month, add these selections about historical figures with big dreams, from board books to YA memoirs, to your collection and display year-round.
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.
A new website is crowdsourcing information on libraries around the world for travelers to visit.
The Librarian for a Day initiative gives candidates a chance to learn about library life within a branch community with the help of a mentor.
Baby-friendly card policies encourage literacy and library use from birth.
Publishers are revising children's classics, including racist ones. Should they be?
Date rape impacts a community; appropriate holiday decor; protesters at a Halloween event.
The Yale Child Study Center–Scholastic Collaborative for Child & Family Resilience will focus research on “the intersection of literacy and health across a range of education content areas.”
I was shocked and saddened to see the news that librarian Amber Clark had been targeted and killed by a banned patron.
A curated booklist for children living through lockdowns and mass shootings.