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.
"A country needs ideas from everywhere, just like mushroom rhizomes help the forest to grow. Below the surface." I speak with artist Étienne Delessert about his show of international children's illustrators.
when the very nice people at Macmillan asked me if I wanted to do a bit of a cover reveal for Matthew Cordell's newest book, do you know what I said? I said yes, please, and thank you, because I am a polite soul. And heck, why not throw in a little interview with Mr. Cordell for spice?
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 […]
Today is Presidents Day and I’m here celebrating with a bowl of plain oatmeal, or as I like to call it, “The Champaign of Breakfast foods.”� It got me thinking about books coming out in 2019 that have to do with presidents. Turns out, some pretty interesting stuff. Let’s have a look. Did I miss […]
Dark Horse announces 'Extraordinary: The Story of an Ordinary Princess,' Cassie Anderson's adaptation of M.M. Kaye's 'Journey with Princess Basil,' and the second volume of Anderson and Matt Mair Lowery's 'Lifeformed'
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.
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 […]
Now that the Newbery and Caldecott medals have been handed out, how are the winners faring on the New York Times bestseller lists? First up, Caldecott winner Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall: It hit the list last week at #8. This week, it fell off, but that may be because copies became scarce after all […]
If you know Aaron Becker's name it's probably from that magnificent quest trio of picture books, Journey, Quest, and Return. Becker took a seemingly simple form, the picture book, and gave it breadth and depth without sacrificing child-interest and focus. But apparently that wasn't enough of a challenge because now he's created a board book and it's a doozy of a marvel.
This empowering and inspiring book did the impossible: it made me nostalgic for my own teen years as a young feminist.
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.
One of my favorite picture biographies of last year, this book captures with seeming effortlessness the life and times of one of the world's greatest painters. His art seems tailor-made for children, and the story itself stands as a marvelous example of how to make a picture book biography at all. I got to ask Barb and Mary some questions and, in the process, get a little schooled on my own assumptions.
One of my favorite picture biographies of last year, this book captures with seeming effortlessness the life and times of one of the world's greatest painters. His art seems tailor-made for children, and the story itself stands as a marvelous example of how to make a picture book biography at all. I got to ask Barb and Mary some questions and, in the process, get a little schooled on my own assumptions.
Are teens reading less? The short answer is no. Here's a longer answer.
Visual literacy demands increasingly sophisticated tools to expand kids' critical skills.
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.
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.
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.
BURN AFTER READING Ted Geisel’s thank you letter to a friend who stopped him from burning his first picture book manuscript is up for auction. Click here to read about it. BUT SRSLY Lauren Child thinks children’s publishing is getting the short end of the stick and is advocating for a change. Click here to […]
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.
Today TLT teen contributor Elliot is talking with us about identity.
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.
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.
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.
Find all of SLJ's 2019 YMA stories, interviews, and reviews in one place.
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.
The popular and acclaimed Witch Boy series by Molly Knox Ostertag will continue!
What do you get when you combine a Bird with a Santat? You get a cover reveal of their very first picture book together, that's what! And what the heck. We'll throw in an interview with lots of funny photos as well, just for kicks.
January has always been an exciting time of year in the book world. Monday of ALA’s annual midwinter conference is dedicated to the Youth Media Awards. In addition to the many well-known honors, such as the Newbery, Caldecott, and Printz Medals, there are many other awards and selection lists that a tireless team of librarians work to compile. The work is exhaustive and exhilarating. Keeping up with the review copies and the non-stop reading is intense.
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 YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens list has a top ten.
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.
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.
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.
What the heck is 'Creators IRL'?". Apparently this is something Penguin created to "offer a safe space for conversations, questions, revelations, and reflections between readers and some of their favorite creators. Featuring candid discussion from some of the book community’s most beloved creators, each video will center on a particular topic and explore how that topic has influenced the creator’s life and career." Today, I'm premiering the third video in the series. Its focus? “Identity”.
These titles jump-start important conversations about online conduct, safety, and ethics.
This August Little Bigfoot Books is kicking off a picture book biography series called Growing to Greatness starring people from the Pacific Northwest. And what's their very first title in said series? Just Like Beverly: A Biography of Beverly Cleary. The very first picture book biography of the lady to date.
Feminist, fashion and the best accessory of all: Books!
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.
A new book is announced to follow Sunny Side Up and Swing It, Sunny.
A new Star Scouts book is coming later this year to finish the series.
Two new Maker Comics are coming this fall from First Second.
When I heard that Lisa Von Drasek, the curator of the Children's Literature Collection at the University of Minnesota had given a home to a new ABC of It (the children's literature exhibit that Leonard Marcus curated in NYC), I was intrigued. And when she allowed me to interview her about it? I was thrilled. Here's Lisa explaining how she managed to right a great wrong, and contribute something mighty to the world of children's literature.
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.
When I’m old and retired and I’m giving out the award for Hardest Working 100 Scope Notes Image of All Time, you know who’s name I’m going to call? Right here: This is your annual reminder that The 2019 Youth Media Awards are coming on January 28th at 8:00 am PST (11:00 am EST). The […]
Young people have always used a language of their own. But does that language belong on the page? Is it literary?
Boy, howdy. I haven't done a good old-fashioned Fusenews in a long time. How do these work again? I just sort of throw up the recent children's literature news from a variety of sources with comments of some sort? Honestly, I used to do these pieces fairly regularly. That is, until I realized that PW Children's Bookshelf basically had this game in the bag. They know what they're doing over there. Still, there are always some interesting tidbits that catch my eye. On beyond the usual suspects:
REBOOTING Roald Dahl’s The Witches is coming back to theaters and Anne Hathaway will be a part of the action. Click here to read. CHOOSE YOUR OWN LAWSUIT The Choose Your Own Adventure publisher is suing Netflix over Black Mirror: Bandersnatch. Click here to read. LET ME TELL YOU WHAT YOU SHOULDN’T READ In “You […]
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.
YA/YS/Children's Librarians do a lot of interesting things. What's on your wild and weird librarian resume?
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.
News on Jen Wang's next book after The Prince and the Dressmaker
Nationwide, an increasing number of students are the first in their families to pursue higher education. A common theme: mentors and a support system.
R.I.P. JB One of the picture book greats, John Burningham, has passed away. If you’re a fan of the form and you haven’t dug into Burningham’s catalog, you should. Click here to read more. AWESOMELY WIMPY I remember watching a video interview with Jeff Kinney a while back (I can’t find it now or I would […]
The cover has been revealed for the next Baby-Sitters Club graphic novel, coming this fall.
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.
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.
Sean Rubin follows up 'Bolivar,' his story of a New York-dwelling dinosaur, with 'Bolivar Eats New York,' a graphic-novel love letter to the culinary pleasures of the Big Apple.
The debut YA author talks about her path to publication, the “soupiness” of her characters, and what she’s working on next.
Happy New Year! Two coming soons to keep an eye on . . . Coming Soon #1 Netflix released this trailer about animated Roald Dahl stories to come. I am cautiously optimistic about this news, especially since they will be animated. Is it just me or is live-action more difficult to pull off? Maybe I’m […]
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.
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.
The Faithful Spy is the next finalist up for discussion.
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.
Murdock weaves a mystery about redemption and desire into a world that believed in scraps of wood, bone and dust.
When it comes to teachable moments, nothing beats commemorative dates.
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.
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.”
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 […]
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.
Kristen Gudsnuk’s 'Making Friends' will have a sequel story out next July.
The #ReadForChange initiative is wrapping up, but the fun isn't over! Check out the new NOVELLY app and enter for a chance to win a great giveaway!
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.
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