Recently published books celebrating African American women and girls highlight their important contributions to the arts, activism, literacy, politics, science, and other fields too numerous to name.
This past year has seen a number of 20th-century histories published for secondary students on topics ranging from women's suffrage and World War l to the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. Here's a select list, with reviews.
By the end of WWII, 6,520 black women served in the US Army. This well-written and incredibly engaging book tells some of their stories and is highly recommended for all collections.
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.
Most libraries will want to have this lengthy, detailed volume for students looking to beef up their general knowledge.
A well-presented work, recommended for most collections serving high school students.
An excellent addition to middle school and high school library collections.
A timely account that most libraries will want to consider.

Painstaking research, straightforward delivery, and succinct explanations make this a smart addition to nonfiction collections.
This thoroughly appealing and empowering starter course in woodworking skills is a first purchase for libraries serving young makers.
A good choice for collections in need of titles that provide a broad overview of American space history.
Recommended for school, public, and community college collections.
Outdoorsy readers of all types will enjoy this title. A good choice for ecology units, science classes, and budding scientists as well.
A solid addition to middle and high school libraries.
An ideal coffee-table browsing book for upper middle school or high school students.–Sharon Verbeten, Brown County Library, Green Bay, WI
Despite some flaws, this entertaining visual feast will enchant and inform browsing children and educators.

A brilliant work of U.S. history. Recommended for all collections.
More suitable for browsing than reference—though a rich source of delight for young dinosaur fans who love to fit their mouths around those polysyllabic names.
An absurdly fun reference book for upper elementary and middle grades.
A great addition to STEM collections and makerspaces.
A moving, accessible, and informative addition to all middle grade and young adult nonfiction collections.
A quality purchase for reference collections in all libraries.
A visually appealing introductory wildlife atlas for browsers.
As one of the first books about this shooting and the activism that resulted from it, this would be a useful addition to large middle grade nonfiction collections, or to libraries whose tween readers seek out books on current events. However, most libraries would be better served directing their patrons to the speeches and essays of the activists themselves.
A superb choice to fill the gap between simpler dinosaur introductions, such as My Little Book of Dinosaurs, and more detailed encyclopedias including Dinosaurs: A Visual Encylopedia.
This joyful introduction to significant women throughout history is highly recommended for upper elementary and middle school nonfiction collections.

Spotlighting underrepresented voices, this work is highly recommended for all communities in their efforts to promote empathetic, inclusive discussions around immigration.
A fine addition to middle and high school collections where history titles are in demand.
An intriguing though occasionally stilted account of the Old West's most famous stagecoach robber, this is an additional purchase for most collections.
A first purchase to bolster existing World War II collections or for students with an interest in art history.

This sensitive, frank, and supportive volume belongs in every 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.
We rounded up our reviews of the five titles on YALSA’s 2019 Excellence in Nonfiction Award Shortlist.
YALSA names five finalists for the award honoring the best nonfiction for teens.
The acclaimed author, oral historian, and photographer talks about the undocumented teens who shared their stories and her book's uneven road to publication.
A first purchase for biography, history, and general nonfiction collections alike.
Recommend this richly detailed work of nonfiction to fans of Monica Hesse and Wein's historical fiction.
Recommended for purchase in larger libraries where students casually read nonfiction or where librarians have success hand-selling titles.
A well-researched, organized, and compelling nonfiction read for middle schoolers.
A must-buy for tweens and teens, especially where novels-in-verse are popular.
This accessible yet heartbreaking story deserves to be read and discussed by readers of many different ages.
A useful addition to classroom and large public libraries.
Purchase where narrative nonfiction flies off the shelves.

A must-buy.
–Kacy Helwick, New Orleans Public Library
A solid choice for high schools seeking to inspire activism in their student body.
The former “Heavy Medal” blogger makes a case for Neal Shusterman’s sequel and points to a strong crop of middle grade titles that might have a chance at the medal.
We spotlight the best of children's and YA materials reviewed in our November issue, including the latest from Kevin Henkes, Sharon Draper, Roshani Chokshi, and Ibi Zoboi.
A look at two nonfiction books with Newbery potential.

A first purchase for YA nonfiction collections, especially to support history curriculums.
Flaws aside, this book is a strong addition to both reference and circulating collections.–Francisca Goldsmith, Library Ronin, Worcester, MA
An excellent primer on an important world power. Most middle school and YA collections will want to consider.
A must for avid dinosaur fans and budding natural scientists.–Lettycia Terrones, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
An excellent choice for librarians looking to refresh outdated almanacs.
Bound to be popular among history and trivia buffs.
A great addition to most collections. This will be well used, so order a few.
Well researched and presented in an attractive manner, Sandler's text delivers a solid look at a pivotal year.
Place this one in a display, where it will attract browsers by the dozen.
A solid purchase for most reference collections.
An additional purchase for libraries where works by the Sheffs are popular.
There are no resource lists in this title, but the high-quality images and a topical rather than chronological or alphabetical arrangement make this substantial survey most suitable for middle and upper elementary grade browsers.
While generally informative and appealing, the book suffers from a lack of sourcing. Rosemary Laughlin's The Ludlow Massacre of 1913–1914 also covers the subject for a similar age group.
Purchase for collections where readers are interested in alternative parts of the military.

Part health guide, part manifesto, this book has the potential to become the next go-to book for teens looking for more information about their bodies.
A must-buy for most middle and high school libraries.
Young leads and timely topics give these adult audiobooks teen appeal
A former Printz committee and current Coretta Scott King Award Book Jury member discusses her possible Printz picks for 2019.
From its gorgeous gold-foiled jacket to its curious collection of creatures, An Anthology of Intriguing Animals is an unputdownable treasure! Including the well-loved and the lesser-known, this animal encyclopedia features extraordinary facts about more than 100 species.
Smith, who famously raised a black-gloved fist in protest on the medal podium in 1968, has teamed up with award-winning Crown author Derrick Barnes for a graphic memoir.
Five nonfiction titles for tweens and teens that go beyond the basics, offering new perspectives and critical takes on protecting vulnerable species and habitats.
The five finalists chosen for the National Book Awards are all in "Newbery range."
Ever dreamed of having a robot as a pet? Dream even further! These animal-inspired robots are being used to perform extraordinary tasks, as roboticists turn to the natural world for inspiration. From Octobots to RoboBees, these five extraordinary creations from DK's book Robot will change the way you think about technology.
The shortlist for the 2018 National Book Awards for Young People's Literature has been announced! Here are our reviews.
Recently published graphic memoirs illustrate that the genre is pushing the format to new heights.
Civic responsibility, activism, and activists, are highlighted in this this list of recently published titles.
The author/illustrator of the “Lunch Lady” and “Jedi Academy” series opens up about his graphic novel memoir.
Bobby Kennedy's speech announcing Martin Luther King Jr's death inspired the author to research and write her new nonfiction title.

This is a must for public library YA nonfiction collections.
Appealing but perhaps limited in audience scope. Consider for public libraries looking to build a cookbook collection for teens.

Undoubtedly, Kaufman's readers—new and old—will be clamoring for more. A top addition to YA poetry collections.
A good purchase for YA nonfiction collections.
An enchanting imagining of love and friendship made successful by its splendid artwork; this is a winning choice for young poets.
A solid purchase for elementary poetry collections.
A strong complementary text for science classes focusing on neuroscience.
A timely introduction to the epidemic of gun violence.

Every high school should purchase the book; many middle schools will also want it.
Consider for large middle school libraries.
Educators and libraries looking to provide grammar resources a bit lighter than the average textbook will find this a useful and enjoyable addition to their collection.
This engrossing read is a solid choice for medium to large nonfiction collections.
Libraries seeking an inclusive sampling of contemporary poets will be better served elsewhere.–Lauren Strohecker, McKinley Elementary School, Elkins Park, PA
This equally informative and entertaining combination of poetry and anatomical science is a fine addition for libraries serving middle grade readers.
Purchase for young writers interested in reading works by their peers or where personal essays are in demand.
Though there may be many "oohs" and "yucks" from readers, this may well be a popular title. A top purchase for robust collections.
A wonderful addition to poetry and storybook shelves all year round.
Consider wherever Byron Pitt's Be the One and motivational true stories are popular.
Truly out of this world. A must-buy for most poetry collections.
Have students pick and choose their favorites and then get moving with this collection of sporty poems.
Despite some flaws, this is a must-have book to update tween cookbook collections—and a great holiday buy, too.
A stirring, if uneven, lyric tribute to Indigenous heroes past and present. Medium to large collections may want to consider.
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