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Memorabilia and objects have long inspired the work of writers and artists. Here are stories about particular items that have stirred their imaginations or brought a period, person, or idea into sharper focus.
When I was young, I was bullied and isolated and felt no hope for my future. It was through reading that I felt I had friendships with the characters, that I felt someone saw me and loved me, even if none of my peers did. As an author now, I can see that someone did see me and love me—the authors of those books, who had perhaps once felt the same pain that I did.
One of the reasons I wrote The Forgotten Girl was so that little girls who look like Avery and Iris and little boys who look like Daniel can see themselves on the page, and not have to spend their lives proving they are worthy of recognition from people who should realize their greatness anyway.
Speaking about the librarians who stayed past their regular hours at the Enoch Pratt Free Library to help him with schoolwork, the longtime Baltimore congressman got emotional. “There are a lot of good people who really care,” he said.
Now I know that I identify as aromantic bi-gray-asexual, and I never would have known if not for writing Tarnished Are the Stars. There’s inherent power in seeing yourself in the pages of a book, but there is power, too, in writing yourself onto those pages, in making sure your story is told.
In this essay, debut author and political theory scholar Rosaria Munda delves into gender politics—both the ways in which we’re indoctrinated into a certain world view by society, and how she has consciously challenged that view through her life, and through the writing of her first novel, the critically acclaimed Fireborne.
Kevin Noble Maillard’s debut children's title is a poetic picture book tribute to a family tradition and a food with origins in the diaspora of Native peoples in the United States.
Award-winning New York Times bestselling author Jandy Nelson interviews author Helena Fox on her critically-acclaimed debut novel How It Feels to Float. Covering topics of inspiration, mental health, sexuality, and writing, these two women deliver a thoughtful and lyrical conversation for readers to reflect on.
On July 9th at Nerd Camp Michigan, Scholastic sat down with New York Times Bestselling, award-winning author Jason Reynolds to discuss the Power of Story.
The forthcoming "Hunger Games" release has a title and a cover, Jeff Kinney lets Rowley pitch in to help educate kids about recycling, and more in News Bites.
Randy’s latest book, Patron Saints of Nothing, is a powerful coming-of-age story about grief, guilt, and the risks a Filipino-American teenager takes to uncover the truth about his cousin's murder. It has received five starred reviews and was selected for the National Book Award Longlist.
Truly Madly Royally follows goal-getter Zora Emerson, who, at a la-dee-da university’s summer program, meets and falls for an actual prince. She has to learn to navigate a privileged world so different from her own, while sticking to her mission to build an aftercare program for the children in her town.
It was a salute to picture book art and children's literature in general at the annual award and fundraising event.
Actor and activist George Takei is as impassioned as ever about social justice. The author of They Called Us Enemy, his graphic memoir, Takei spoke to Brigid Alverson about the Japanese American experience and how the lessons of history can inform the current struggle for democracy.
Prolific, award-winning author and illustrator Mordicai Gerstein has died.
The public policy expert and activist explains the impact of systemic racism and white supremacy on access to information.
High-profile educators like to talk about tech tools and other products they like. We need to know if they’re being paid to do so.
Administrators' efforts and advice, the power of immigrant stories, and the impact of the library on journalist Scott Pelley were among the highlights of the second day of the SLJ Leadership Summit.
There is a phrase in Her Own Two Feet: A Rwandan Girl’s Brave Fight to Walk: amahirwe aza rimwe, which translates to “chance comes once.” When Rebeka had a chance to do something difficult and scary, we faced the challenges together. Now we’ve partnered again to share her story, so that others will be inspired to take chances that change lives.
Medical doctor and international policymaker Alaa Murabit kicked off the SLJ Leadership Summit on Saturday with a challenge: find a way to translate their work in a way that compels the public and people in power to support libraries.
Author Shaun David Hutchinson considers taking a step back from darker narratives that reflect the trauma and struggles of the world as it is now, focusing instead on "telling stories about the world we could live in."
The day after my thirteenth birthday in January 1963, Alabama governor George Wallace proclaimed, “segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.” I sat stunned on the sofa watching the six o’clock news. It felt to me that he had just declared war. Child of the Dream is my memoir of the year that followed.
Readers return to the Orkney Isles to join a young witch’s epic adventure.
Tami Charles explores transformation and forgiveness in Becoming Beatriz.
Her first picture book, which was sold when she was still a student, earned her a Caldecott Honor. Now she's back with another brilliantly illustrated story.
Yellow might still be a painful word to many Chinese, but it’s also the colour of gold, of Chinese royalty—just as I made sure to portray it in Caster. To begin remembering is to reclaim that power for good. And that is the power of story.
It’s that time. Nominations of stellar school librarians may be submitted, starting today, for SLJ's School Librarian of the Year 2020.
In this first op-ed essay in a series that asks different authors to muse on writing and reading in our current political climate, award-winning and best-selling author Laurie Halse Anderson lays out the need for writers, librarians, and educators to "do the work" of antiracism, decolonizing our shelves and our souls.
Author M.T. Anderson spoke about hope and much more as he accepted the 2019 Edwards Award, which recognizes an author as well as specific titles that have stood the test of time and made a “significant and lasting” contribution to young adult literature. "This is what I have wanted to say to my readers all along," he told the audience at a ceremony held at ALA's annual conference.
The Nobel Laureate was remembered for her words and inspiring countless writers to follow her lead.
Longtime collaborators Renée Watson and Shadra Strickland discuss the creative process behind the cover of Watson's stunning upcoming middle grade novel, Some Places More Than Others.
Migrant kids in foster care and secure holding facilities will get books thanks to a new grant from First Book, plus coming titles from Lois Lowry and Megan Rapinoe, and more news.
Burners Without Borders, an activist group focused on civic engagement and emergency aid led by Christopher Breedlove, provides inspiration and motivation.
This "American Masters" film reveals details of the author's life through interviews with her, as well as her friends, family members, and writers she influenced.
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.
The beloved Mo Willems character is captured in bronze at the Park Slope Public Library in New York City.
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.
Blackall's Caldecott-winning "Hello Lighthouse" inspired art by young resident of Maine, where connections to lighthouses run deep.
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.
Cicely Lewis chooses books for her nephew, her graduating seniors, and young friends facing the larger world.
Midday meals and a range of activites will draw families to nine of the Contra Costa County (CA) Library’s branches this summer.
Summer activities at the Dakota County Library will include a sensory-friendly petting zoo and music, American Sign Language initiatives, and programming in the new Calming Space.
Author Erin Entrada Kelly answered SLJ's questions about her Newbery-winning middle grade novel Hello Universe being adapted into a Netflix movie.
The author of The Tiger Who Came to Tea, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, and many more children's titles, has died at age 95.
The record-setting game show winner and library supporter credits children’s books for his vast knowledge.
Our newest reviews editors join the people responsible for bringing you some 7,000 reviews of new books and materials each year to create a reviews dream team.
Four innovators use technology to bring out the best in their students and their communities.
Using podcasts, social media, self-publishing strategies, and other tools, these six trailblazers transform reading and research.
With projects ranging from aquaponics to breakerspaces, these innovators maximize tech's creative potential. It starts in the library.
The Lit Bar is the first bookstore in years in the Bronx, and its owner has big plans for her business and the community.
Stories hold a lot of power. Stories tend to be a form of escape for so many people; but just as often, they serve as a way for people to see their own experiences reflected by authors and writers who have gone through the same thing. People who offer comfort to readers who are confused or hurting or scared. I struggled for a long time. Because rarely were there books I could turn to.
Stories give us a place in which to locate our shared histories; stories are an affirmation of our selves. Stories of the past give birth to the narratives of today. Stories of the present allow dreams of the future. The stories I read gave me the courage to write my own tale.
A lack of diversity in children's literature and media, especially in fantasy, has created an "imagination gap," according to Ebony Elizabeth Thomas.
Citing California public-figure laws, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and its executive director move to have the author's defamation lawsuit against them thrown out.
The New York Times bestselling author's new series about family, friendship, and intrigue has young readers excited. Student Library Journal takes a closer look at the author and her work.
