Related
Why oh why do we ever have to do anything other than read? So many wonderful books to look forward to in 2020!
SLJ spoke to Martin W. Sandler, author of 1919: The Year That Changed America, about his 2019 National Book Award for Young People's Literature, his creative inspiration, and his extensive research process.
2020 is going to be a great year for YA books. Here are 20 of the titles I'm most anticipating. I feel like this year we truly CAN judge a book by its cover--so many amazing covers!
La Sala sat down with SLJ to talk about giving power to underdogs, how drag queens are the ultimate world-builders, and the 10 years it took to write his debut novel...which he finished out of spite. "It was a selfish desire to correct many things I thought could be done a lot better, and a lot gayer."
Next week, John Schumacher and I are teaming up to count down our 20 favorite books of the year. See you soon.
PREMIUM
When a Kid Like Me Fights Cancer
An indispensable tool for parents and caregivers grappling with pediatric cancer, and a solid addition for most collections.
This introduction to some very unusual animals, birds, and sea creatures is a delight.
PREMIUM
Heroic Women of the Art World
Recommended for public and school libraries; while not essential, it would be useful as supplementary biographical fare for strong, mature readers in women’s studies and art history classes.
PREMIUM
Good Night, Little Blue Truck
Great to read on a stormy day. Fans of Little Blue Truck and new readers alike will be charmed by this picture book adventure.
PREMIUM
The Mermaid in the Bathtub
An excellent translation and tale about accepting others and embracing change.
A useful addition for collections now short of the original Andersen tales.
A remarkable tribute to the generosity, compassion, and courage of ordinary people who endanger themselves to do right, as well as those who capture glimpses of light in the darkness.
PREMIUM
Throw Like a Girl
This feel-good sports novel is recommended for public libraries and junior high readers.
PREMIUM
More Than Anger
Recommended for those who love books by Sarah Dessen and who appreciate a tearjerker.
PREMIUM
Wonder Woman: Warbringer
Every exceptional aspect of Bardugo’s novel—especially her ethnically, emotionally, and experientially inclusive cast
Hulick’s collection is a good jumping-off point for further research. A useful addition to a collection serving curious middle grade students.
PREMIUM
Meet the Group of Seven
While these artists may not be familiar names to many Americans, they are significant in Canadian and world art history. Their adventurous stories will intrigue young art lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
This vibrant cookbook will satisfy the curiosity of budding vegetarians and appeal to readers looking for meat-free recipes.
Brian takes on a potentially touchy subject with humor and clarity. This is a book that can be read in an hour, but its lessons should, and will, stay with readers for a lifetime.
This resource will enrich current issues or environmental sections and is recommended for middle school libraries.
PREMIUM
Refraction
Librarians will find this novel a go-to recommendation for fans of Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff’s Illuminae and an accessible sci-fi for reluctant readers. Recommended for YA collections, especially those suffering from series fatigue.
This handsome volume will be an appealing addition to libraries as both source material for programs and for individuals to read and share.
PREMIUM
Sepia and the Big Ocean
A sweet offering for the youngest ocean-loving fans and budding cuttlefish enthusiasts, but not a first purchase for most libraries.
This is an unusual and profound addition to children’s book collections emphasizing the concepts of math and design.
PREMIUM
What’s Next?
This soothing tale is just right as a bedtime story for young and curious children.
PREMIUM
Let’s Celebrate!
An accessible tool for teaching children about world cultures, seasonal special events, and festivals for school and public library collections.
PREMIUM
Max and the Talent Show
A worthy title for classrooms, libraries, and PFLAG and other support organizations’ collections.
PREMIUM
Yiddish Saves the Day
Jewish communities in search of entertaining ways to introduce Yiddish to children will find this amusing. Others are likely to be left behind.
PREMIUM
Sandwich Shenanigans
Readers looking for a good mystery will likely be disappointed. Even though the ending provides some closure, it is poorly written and confusing. Not a recommended purchase.
PREMIUM
The Upside of Falling
An additional purchase for fans of Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Kasie West’s The Fill-In Boyfriend.
The Young Adult Library Services Association has announced the finalists for the 2020 William C. Morris Award, which celebrates the best YA book by a previously unpublished author.
The book mail is really piling up at my house! Check out these forthcoming books and don't miss the Twitter giveaway!
SPONSORED
Recent releases from Cherry Lake include thorough overviews of special sporting events, clear and organized guides to Fortnite, and books about different ways kids can help others at home, at school, on the playground, and around town.
PREMIUM
The Stolen Slipper
A joyful blend of mystery and fantasy, and another solid series installment by “Branches.”
PREMIUM
Off I Go!
This adorable story is a must-have for fans of the series, as well as a great addition to any early chapter book section.
PREMIUM
The Amazing Life of Azaleah Lane
A good choice for libraries that need more light, realistic mysteries for the early middle grade crowd.
PREMIUM
Pug’s Snow Day
Readers new to chapter books will love the unique diary format and vibrant illustrations. Perfect for early learners who love animals, and a wonderful wintry choice for any elementary school library.
PREMIUM
Sisterland
A good choice for lower middle grade collections seeking fantasy adventure stories with strong female friendships.
Recommended for series fans and advanced readers with mathematical and scientific interests. For larger collections.
PREMIUM
The Mystwick School of Musicraft
For fans of “Harry Potter” who don’t want to stray too far from Hogwarts but are in need of new adventures.
PREMIUM
All the Colors of Magic
This standalone fantasy is perfect for fans of Cornelia Funke and those not yet ready for hefty, multivolume series.
PREMIUM
Hollow Dolls
Simone’s desire and drive to recover what she’s lost will resonate with readers. A recommended purchase for most libraries.
PREMIUM
Nessie Quest
Fans of warm, quirky comedies will love this epic adventure and friendship story.
Readers will delight in this old-fashioned mystery, made fresh with intriguing places and people.
This title will be in high demand where the original series circulates well.
PREMIUM
The Best of Iggy
Fans of Barrows’s “Ivy + Bean” series and books about kids who often find themselves landing in trouble will appreciate this laugh-out-loud tale. For libraries where humorous realistic fiction is popular.
PREMIUM
A Flicker of Courage
This magical adventure is a good fit for fans of Brandon Mull’s Fablehaven and Karuna Riazi’s The Gauntlet, as well as readers dealing with a home life like Henry’s.
PREMIUM
Notorious
While not as funny as many of Korman’s other titles, this is nevertheless a diverting read full of suspense and historical intrigue.
Sci-fi and adventure are flashy vehicles for a tale about power and compassion
PREMIUM
Don’t Tell the Nazis
A harrowing, suspenseful follow-up for readers of Skrypuch’s earlier books or Ruta Sepetys’s Between Shades of Gray.
PREMIUM
The Peacock Detectives
Purchase where there’s a need for realistic fiction dealing with family issues.
PREMIUM
Clean Getaway
This lighthearted adventure story explores racial inequality and the complex nature of interracial relationships. This title is a good addition for school libraries seeking unconventional approaches to history.
PREMIUM
Middle School Bites
With its enjoyable characters and wacky concept, this novel is sure to have wide appeal.
This beautifully illustrated tale makes some missteps but will nevertheless resonate among fans of action-packed fantasy.
Upper elementary readers who like magical realism will enjoy this novel, as will younger readers at high reading levels. A strong addition to the fiction section.
PREMIUM
That’s What Friends Do
Readers who are beginning to navigate more complicated emotions and personal boundaries will appreciate this story which deftly handles sensitive topics like inappropriate touching and body autonomy.
PREMIUM
Dog Driven
Recommended for libraries where hybrid contemporary and historical fiction is high in demand.
PREMIUM
Me and Banksy
This accessible introduction to Banksy is a general purchase for large library collections or where middle grade books about art are popular.
A flawed but still engaging first look at the various states of matter, supported by hands-on components that are accessible to even the youngest experimental scientists.
While not for reports, this book is perfectly browsable, especially for young transportation enthusiasts.
An inspiring story about 20th-century icons that will be unfamiliar to most young readers. Recommended for schools and public libraries.
This pleasing exploration of Lewis will appeal to young fans who want to learn about the inspiration behind “The Chronicles of Narnia.”
Readers looking for a short biography of Alexander Hamilton will appreciate this engaging work.
A well-thought-out biography that highlights a different side of Carver and will be a first purchase for school and public library collections.
PREMIUM
I Am a Promise
Young readers may struggle to make a connection with Fraser Pryce and her achievements. A secondary purchase for most libraries.
PREMIUM
Telling Time
Those looking for an elementary but thorough discussion of time will find it here.
A solid addition to U.S. history collections for its subject matter and its first-person historical narrative.
A worthwhile addition to most collections, particularly those needing more biographies of innovative women. Empowering and fresh.
An informative survey for students of biology and environmental science and just a tick denser in language and content than Emily Morgan’s Next Time You See a Bee.
A necessary title for public and school libraries. Argueta presents a candid look at the reality many children and families face and the difficult choices they have to make when trying to change their lives.
This title will appeal to librarians looking to beef up their solar system nonfiction collections.
A good purchase for all libraries. An important reminder about the Holocaust, especially for reluctant readers or children with an interest in World War II literature.
This picture book biography of self-taught ballerina Sylvia Townsend is a tale of ambition and perseverance. A satisfying addition to nonfiction collections for younger readers.
The repetitious nature of the information and the flat poetry weaken the overall strength of this collection.
Overall, the combination of modern and historical insight is extremely effective. A valuable resource for anyone seeking to learn more about Indigenous history and a vital purchase for all collections.
Purchase where Tougias’s other books are popular or where other maritime adventure stories are in demand.
PREMIUM
50 Trailblazers of the 50 States
This is a worthwhile addition to any middle grade biography section. An informative and entertaining read.
Expect this book to garner Heiligman another nonfiction award. Pair this with Susan Wood’s historical fiction novel Lifeboat 12.
Considering the recent flood of advice books for young adults penned by social media influencers, it’s a huge plus that this one is written by a highly experienced clinical psychologist. Give to tweens who want to take action and become positive forces in their communities.
This collection is inspirational, uplifting, and encouraging for readers of all genders. Elliott may not think of herself as a poet, but her creativity and deft wielding of rich language prove otherwise.
Seiple has done an excellent job researching and presenting a topic that is sometimes mentioned in other historical accounts, but seldom thoroughly covered. A sound addition to any upper elementary or middle school collection.
Readers will learn much from this thought-provoking memoir, but may be better served by reading the original.
Van Draanen’s memoir can serve as a guide to embracing the creative life. Recommended especially for libraries with readers of the author. A good addition to collections that carry Jack Gantos’s Writing Radar and Gail Carson Levine’s Writing Magic.
Readers will appreciate this admiring account of the film and kung fu legend, but should seek out additional sources for a more nuanced portrait of Lee.
PREMIUM
The Stress Survival Guide for Teens: CBT Skills To Worry Less, Develop Grit, and Live Your Best Life
Bernstein, a licensed psychologist with over 30 years of experience, takes a positive and enlightening approach in discussing teen stress. Recommended for purchase.
This book is a smart read-alike for fans of Daniel James Brown’s The Boys in the Boat or its young adult adaptation. It would also add to any student’s study of the origins of World War II and the eventual involvement of the United States. An exciting and overlooked slice of history.
Goldstone has provided new and compelling insight into the societal impact of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions related to voting rights. A must-buy for all high school collections.
PREMIUM
Sleep: How Nature Gets Its Rest
A classic-themed picture book that will connect children with animals while sharing some basic facts about them.
A wonderful version of a classic legend and a welcome addition to holiday collections.
PREMIUM
Doodle Cat Wears A Cape
For silly books about empathy, pair this title with Mo Willems’s My Friend is Sad or Michael Ian Black’s I’m Sad. Recommended for most large collections.
PREMIUM
What’s Up, Maloo?
A suggested general purchase, this title addresses those with insecurities, sadness, or depression and simply displays the success of teamwork for all ages.
PREMIUM
Almost Time
In addition to promoting the value of patience, Schmidt’s story will also be valuable for early study of changing seasons and teaching where food comes from. A fine choice for most collections.
PREMIUM
Camilla, Cartographer
A fun way to get children interested in cartography, this book lends itself to many lessons inside and outside of a classroom.
PREMIUM
Cherry Blossom and Paper Planes
A rural European setting and lack of cultural insight limits the audience for this attractive tribute to childhood friendships. An additional purchase.
PREMIUM
If Monet Painted a Monster
A clever and somewhat spooky introduction to famous artists and their signature works for early elementary students.
articles