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Author Jennifer A. Nielsen shares tips with how libraries and librarians can help nourish creative writing in the teens they serve.
Action Lab Entertainment and Dark Horse Comics have books featured in the picks from this week's new releases.
Previously… ‘And You Shall Know Me by My Twitter Bio’ (#1) ‘And You Shall Know Me by My Twitter Bio’ (#2) ‘And You Shall Know Me by My Twitter Bio’ (#3) ‘And You Shall Know Me by My Twitter Bio’ (#4) ‘And You Shall Know Me by My Twitter Bio’ (#5) ‘And You Shall Know […]
For those of you prone to creating displays based on current events, why not consider a Black Mermaid Magic round-up of all the books in your library that apply? Tell ya what. I'll make it easy on you. Here are the titles you can consider including.
The Teen shares her post it note reviews of Dig and The Year We Fell from Space by A. S. King
A teen reader tells you in their own words why they like the works of YA author A. S. King.
We've got breaking news this Monday morning: Snoopy is going to Mars in the latest Peanuts original graphic novel from BOOM! Studios.
The barcode – oh clawmark of capitalism! Oh mandatory stain of consumerism! Oh ruiner of book jackets! But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? Books with creative barcode placements, restoring my faith in art and design! Previously . . . Gallery: The Art of the Picture Book Barcode Gallery: The Art of the Picture […]
Lists of "classic" picture books are often white white white, with the occasional racist inclusion. That's why I'm always on the lookout for picture books from the past that could be deemed "classic" and come from a variety of different perspectives and voices. When it occurred to me the other day that we hadn't done Stevie yet on this show, I was a little mad at myself. It wasn't that we hadn't done a Steptoe before (see: Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters) but this was the book that put the man on the map.
Time for more summer fun with our preview of B&V Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #272! This month’s digest features not one but two new stories in the classic style, and we have a taste of both as well as a complete older story to enjoy!
This Week at TLT Kickin It Old School in the New School Library Kicky’s Post It Note Reviews: In which a teen reader tells us what they think about several new books including Girls of July, Hot Dog Girl, Poet X, 10 Blind Dates, Stepsister and The Serpent King Slime, slime, and more slime Twitter […]
Can you guess the classic children’s book by its scathing one-star review on Goodreads or Amazon? In essence, the child learns that her mother has lots to spend for her own things but not for toys, and that she does not need her parents’ approval on what or whether to buy anything as long as […]
There are kids out there that like comics and like realism and have long been starved for illustrated stories of the past. Hand them this book, and then hand it to all the science fiction and fantasy enthusiasts too, because this is a book for everyone. Impossible to forget, undeniable in its delights.
Forced to get creative, Amanda Galliton went old school in the school library with these fun activities.
Elfquest, one of the longest running independent comics in the US, ended in March 2018. Elfquest: The Final Quest, concluded the story of the series’ protagonist, Cutter Kinseeker, and as far as the fans knew, was to be the last story told by creators Richard and Wendy Pini in the World of Two Moons. An […]
This started as a post and got completely out of hand. It made far more sense to recap ALA 2019 Annual Conference using a social media approach. So here’s a Wakelet offering my personal highlights both of the events I had the privilege to attend in the brief time I had before ISTE as well […]
You read it here first! Ben will explore a haunted house in the next Ben 10 graphic novel, 'Ben 10: The Manchester Mystery.'
Kicky's Post It Note Reviews: In which a teen reader tells us what they think about several new books including Girls of July, Hot Dog Girl, Poet X, 10 Blind Dates, Stepsister and The Serpent King
Before we left to go West, I had a tough decision to make – which books do I bring? Here are the books that are coming along for the ride: The author of the wonderful First Rule of Punk has a new one coming out and I’m looking forward to it. I enjoyed Miller’s last […]
Comics are a form of literature both near and dear to my heart. This past year I had the pleasure of heading up the children's committee of the Excellence in Graphic Literature Awards. Here are the winners in the children, middle grade, and YA categories.
What parts of teen life do you think is missing in today's YA lit? Join the discussion.
In Marvel Action: Spider-Man, one of the new Marvel comics from IDW, Delilah S. Dawson and Fico Ossio give readers three times the regular dose of spider-themed heroes.
I’m traveling West with my family until the end of the month. I have all my posts here set to run, but I won’t be minding the blog day to day until we return. If you’d like to see what I’m up to, I’ll be over on Instagram.
The Complete Listing of All Public Children’s Literature Statues in the United States (2019 Edition)
Having started this list in 2013, and subsequently updated it in 2017, today I give you the full monty. Readers have been very good about suggesting titles, so here is what I've been able to add.
Automation comes to Riverdale, and it's costing Archie and Jughead money! Plus a complete summer-fun story featuring Hot Dog.
This is what happened when my teenage daughter and I read the same book at the same time, but not together.
Highlights from this week’s list of new releases include a new Disney Zootopia graphic novel for young readers, Hard Day’s Work, from Dark Horse Comics. Lion Forge releases the second volume in the Ballad of Yaya series with The Prisoner, while Marvel collects the first story arc from Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man in Volume 1 Secrets […]
Once again, it’s the game that’s sweeping the country. I used this website to (virtually) create 3 LEGO book covers. They’re listed from least challenging to most challenging – see how many you can name. #1: Answer #2: Answer #3: Answer How’d you do? Previously . . . Name That LEGO Book Cover! (#1) Name That […]
We are pleased as punch to introduce you to special guest star and graphic novelist, Lucy Knisely. Naturally we asked what book she'd like to do and to our infinite delight she selected one we'd never done. Today's magnificent title Shrek! We get to talk about whether or not Shrek is actually Superman, how the succulent wedding bouquet was ahead of its time, and what this book has in common with the film US.
Add to the growing list of excellent children's books worthy of the 2020 Newbery!
This Week at TLT Cindy Crushes Programming: Mission to Mars Escape Room Take 5: Books on Creative Writing Sparking Summer Reading, a guest post by M.G. Hennessey When Pride is Said and Done: Teen Contributor Elliott Shares Their Post Pride Thoughts Around the Web Report: Just One Accepting Adult Can Save an LGBTQ Young Person’s […]
George O'Connor's tales of the exploits of the Greek gods continues with Apollo.
Can you guess the classic children’s book by its scathing one-star review on Goodreads or Amazon? Do not read this book to your children. What a condensing little miscreant. He is like a judgmental little rich kid who has everything he needs and doesn’t have to work for anything. Click here for the answer. Why […]
Lisa Moore Ramée has taken the complexity of the real world, with all its police shootings and racism and destructive tendencies and made it personal for young readers. I don’t care what kid you hand this book to. Every single one of them will understand what’s going on here and, maybe, what’s going on in the wider world. The new required reading.
Today Teen Librarian Cindy Shutts is walking us through her Mission to Mars themed Escape Room
In the latest offering from DC Comics' new YA-focused imprint, author Kami Garcia joins artist Gabriel Picolo to reintroduce Teen Titan Raven as a teen with a past so mysterious even she doesn't know it...yet.
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo has had an incredible year. It’s been a New York Times bestseller. It’s won all the awards. Now the cover of the book is causing a stir. It appears that the cover image was plagiarized. Appears? Make that WAS: This is so disappointing/maddening/illegal. Now it’s in the hands of […]
The time has come, dear readers, to update the Complete Listing of All Public Children's Literature Statues in the United States once again. If you happen to know of an obscure one that I could be missing, lay it on me and I'll add it to the upcoming updated post.
Over on Twitter, The Hate U Give author Angie Thomas talked (as a number of authors have) about the practice of readers tagging authors when they post a negative review of the author’s book. If you’re unfamiliar with this situation, you might be surprised to learn that this simple, reasonable request made some readers mad. […]
We asked authors and librarians about starting a teen creative writing group and these are the books they recommended.
Archie Comics and First Second explore friendship in different ways in this week's weekly picks.
Middle grade author M.G. Hennessey offers up some tricks to spark summer reading that have made a difference at her house. Family book club? Yes, please!
Meet the most necessary and least loved age range of children's books.I have been carefully combing through every last easy book and early chapter book I could get my grubby little hands on and, with the help of my co-workers, I've come up with a good, if imperfect, list.
ISTE both thrills and overwhelms me. However carefully I plan my choices, each year I am plagued by FOMO. This year, with the help of ISTE Librarians Network President Nikki Robertson, I asked our colleagues who attended the Network Breakfast to help us all out by sharing their biggest takeaways. First, know that the folks […]
ISTE both thrills and overwhelms me. However carefully I plan my choices, each year I am plagued by FOMO. This year, with the help of ISTE Librarians Network President Nikki Robertson, I asked our colleagues who attended the Network Breakfast to help us all out by sharing their biggest takeaways. First, know that the folks […]
TLT teen contributor Elliot shares their post Pride thoughts.
The latest film incarnation of Jumanji likely won’t remind you of the book. They switched from a board game to a video game. The Rock is involved. It’s kinda it’s own thing at this point. But (albeit, loose) ties to Chris Van Alsburg’s Caldecott Medal winner mandate that I share the just-released trailer for Jumanji: […]
Every 45 seconds of every minute of the 2018/2019 school year, a new educator signed up for Flipgrid. During the past school year, kids shared 24 billion seconds of Flipgrid video. The student voice and video discussion tool is currently used in 180 countries by millions of students, educators, and families. Earlier this week at […]
Dark Horse announces a new original graphic novel, 'Jia and the Nian Monster,' based on a Chinese legend.
To celebrate this podcast being picked up by SLJ, Betsy and Kate tackle Sendak's best known book. Does it deserve its everlasting fame and glory? Find out for yourself! And believe me, there is a special kind of challenge in finding new things to say about this old chestnut.
Let’s chill out on this steamy Sunday with an Archie preview! This week we have an advance look at World of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #90, featuring a look at the new lead story and a complete classic story. The comic goes on sale on July 3, just in time for the holiday. Enjoy!
Children are forever being picked up and taken to new locations without their input or consent. In today's book review, you can see a kid taking the initiative. A father/daughter tale unlike any other out there today.
Travis: It’s a pleasure to share this conversation with Newbery Medal winner Meg Medina taking us behind the scenes of Merci Suárez Changes Gears. It was recorded in front of a live audience at the 2019 American Library Association Annual Conference in Washington D.C. We hope you enjoy the episode: Subscribe below to catch every […]
“When problems occur in history, we send you back in time to make sure history happens the way it is supposed to,” says Professor Wolf of Britannica’s new Guardians of History. Your voice launches the immersive audio adventure that is one part Oregon Trail, one part Back to the Future, one part Choose Your Own […]
After Part I and Part II, today is the dramatic conclusion to my 2019 ALA Annual Conference experience. Sunday began with the Coretta Scott King breakfast. It’s when all the CSK winners accept their awards. There was a lot of love in that room, and the speeches were as moving as they come. An ALA […]
I've become very curious about the release of another Mister Rogers picture book biography. In fact, I had lots of questions for both the author and the illustrator. So before we get to the business of the cover reveal, let's ask those two some questions about what really is going on here
This Week at TLT Book Review: Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets by Gayle E Pitman The Weight of Our Words: Reflections on how we talk about mental health and why it matters Book Review: Technically, You Started It by Lana Wood Johnson Teen Services 101: What Keeps Teens Coming Back to the Public […]
After experiencing an early victory (click here to read Part I), everything else is gravy. What follows are details about that gravy. Here I am at The Yarn HQ. My first full day of conferencing was pretty Yarn-centric. As you saw in the last post, the day began with Dave Eggers. Following Dave was: Yep, […]
Mark Waid and company take Archie back to the year of his creation for a serious period piece in Archie: 1941
This thorough if somewhat disjointed examination of the events before, during, and in the aftermath of the Stonewall Riots gives young readers an overview of the LGBTQ+ activism of the 1950s and 1960s.
Today I will display for you all those books that are making me prick up my ears and eyes in some way. Some of these are reprints or books that are coming out in new formats or with new titles. For the most part, however, these are all new to me. Are they good? Are they bad? Only one way to find out!
I had one goal for the 2019 American Library Association Annual Conference in Washington D.C. My goal was to experience, for the first time, the landmark dedicated to my favorite president, Abraham Lincoln. You know the landmark I speak of: Sure, I was also there to interview some children’s book makers for The Yarn podcast […]
Today we're talking about mental health with a personal and stark reminder that what we say to our teens can have enormous impact.
Today we're talking about mental health with a personal and stark reminder that what we say to our teens can have enormous impact.
You know how I’m always going on and on about how what I really want is just a book of endless dialogue because that’s what I like—strong characters just talking? Well, with this book, I get that. Hand this to readers who like different formats and their romances more on the cerebral side. Good fun.
Deb Pilutti, author and/or illustrator of such fine books as . . . Deb Pilutti, she who visited my school and left happiness in her wake . . . Michigan’s own Deb Pilutti! She has a new book coming on February 4, 2020 called Old Rock (Is Not Boring) and I am pleased to reveal […]
While normally we might post our podcast episodes on Mondays, it seemed that for this book, of all books, a Tuesday debut was the most appropriate. When my mother suggested we do a David Wiesner title, specifically this one, I pooh-poohed her. Silly mother. Surely we’d already done it. Turns out, not so much. So […]
Ho ho ho! They complain that Christmas arrives in stores earlier and earlier every year. Well I'm about to make such stores look like late lucys because today we're celebrating my holiday-themed picture book collaboration with Dan Santat, coming out (interestingly enough) in September! Enjoy our goofy interview with one another.
Top Shelf and Walker Books U.S. provide the picks from this week's new releases with stories of invention, magic, and royal intrigue.
What keeps teens coming back for more in the public library? It's complicated, but probably not as complicated as we think.
Several weeks ago, I was lucky enough to go to BEA (Book Expo America). Of one of the many highlights of this event for me was meeting George Takei, who was there promoting his new graphic novel They Called Us Enemy. You see, I am a long time Stark Trek everything fan and this was […]
This Week at TLT New books alert: Magic-fueled airships, an underwater future, a young activists’ handbook, and more! Cindy Crushes Programming: DIY Harry Potter Book of Monsters Penguin Random House 2019 Showcase: Books featuring Ziggy Stardust, friends pretending to date, a vengeful ghost, vampires, and more! Out and Proud (On the Page and In Real […]
Can you guess the classic children’s book by its scathing one-star review on Goodreads or Amazon? Strange! Entertaining ! This book has 4 stories going on at one time. Confusing! You can read and reread and you come up with different stories. Some stories black and white, others in color, modern and old fashion ! […]
New books alert: Magic-fueled airships, an underwater future, a young activists’ handbook, and more!
Looking to read a novel starring mechanical dragons, a novel set in Zimbabwe, a speculative thriller, or get some writing advice? This roundup of book mail has you covered!
Appealing to older and younger readers alike, Portis has outdone herself with the book’s design and art. A book for everybody. After all, who doesn’t like water? Hey, Portis! You made a really good book.
The other day the editors at SLJ put together a great roundup of things they’re excited about at the upcoming American Library Association Annual Conference in Washington D.C. They gave me all sorts of good ideas. Here are a few additional things I’m looking forward to this weekend. Interviews for The Yarn Podcast ALA is […]
Let's go and make predictions that will, in the end, only break our hearts when they turn out to be way off. And yet, there's is an off chance that one or two of these books really will make it to the finish line. Which ones? Let's see if you can figure it out . .
Cindy Shutts leads us through a step by step tutorial of how to make a DIY Book of Monsters from the Harry Potter series.
An interview with Cathy G. Johnson, writer and artist of 'The Breakaways'
I haven’t yet made it to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA and this video isn’t helping! Making the place look all wonderful and increasing my jealousy of those who have visited. With guest appearances by Ekua Holmes, Brendan Wenzel, Tom Lichtenheld, and many more.
Cathy G. Johnson introduces a diverse cast of middle-school soccer players who learn that you don't necessarily need to play a sport to be a team in this engaging graphic novel.
Cathy G. Johnson introduces a diverse cast of middle-school soccer players who learn that you don't necessarily need to play a sport to be a team in this engaging graphic novel.
Lots to love in this rundown of forthcoming books from Penguin Random House. I can't wait to read the new books by Junauda Petrus and Renée Ahdieh. How about you?
YA author Amber Smith talks about the constantly twisting road that led her to being out, happy, loved, and incredibly proud of the life she's created.
“Don’t ask what’s wrong with the reader, ask what’s wrong with the book.” After discovering that the British have a publisher that produces high quality books specifically aimed at dyslexic readers, I investigate further and attempt to figure out why America hasn't taken similar steps to meet this evident need.
Over the last few years, I’ve noticed an uptick in books that reference themselves. You could call them meta, you could call them descendants of a classic, or you could call them ‘This Book’ books. Here are all the recent (2019 or 2020) examples. *NOTE* This Book is Literally Just Pictures of Cute Animals . […]
I am currently working on a research project with partners from the University of Florida and OCLC. Researching Students’ Information Choices (RSIC), our IMLS-funded study, uses simulated Google result lists to examine what happens when student researchers make real-time search engine result page decisions. I thought I’d share some of our preliminary findings. This post […]
Publishers Humanoids and Lion Forge are featured in this week's comics picks with titles that include magical worlds and mysterious monsters.
In this Boston Globe-Horn Book award-winning picturebook, a young girl celebrates one of the most simple, yet powerful, facets of childhood—creativity.
he Rules for Vanishing takes readers on a journey down a ghost road in order to find a missing sister and friend, with mixed results.
Betty and Veronica are abducted by a UFO and try to sell a vacuum cleaner in stories from 'Betty and Veronica' Jumbo Comics Digest' #274.
A brief round up of some nonfiction titles that are great for makers and makerspaces.
"This is like Schrödinger's 's Cat. The hole both is and is not there when the digging takes place." Kate and I discuss that old Ruth Krauss chestnut and figure out if it has any pertinence for the 21st century child.
Colby: I had a blast hanging out and getting to know Todd Parr for this episode of The Yarn. I was so happy that he turned out to be as amazing of a person as I built him up to be. The world is lucky to have him. I hope you like this episode of […]
Can you guess the classic children’s book by its scathing one-star review on Goodreads or Amazon? It was your own fault, Sylvester. Get it together. Click here for the answer. Why do I share these? Click here. Previously . . . One Star Review Guess Who (#1) One Star Review Guess Who (#2) One Star […]
The school year has ended around here and books that haven’t been on the shelves since September have returned. So forgive me for thinking I’m seeing things. Hold on – is that a dragon? Wait, no – it’s just the rarely spotted shelf full of Dork Diaries. SHHH! I think I see a Griffin. No! […]
An interview with Melanie Gillman, author of 'As the Crow Flies' and 'Stage Dreams.'
This Week at TLT What’s new in LGBTQIA+ YA June and July 2019 Teen Services 101: So You Want to Do Teen Programming, but What About the Books? Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2019 Showcase: Books featuring beasties, a killer flu, a changeling, and pirates Teen Services 101: What Do We Know About Teen Programming? Sunday Reflections: […]
oxes? How scary can that get? Answer: Hoo-boy. Hold onto your hats folks. Turns out, what terrifies a fox can terrify a child just as easily. For some readers the fact that everyone here sports red fur will make the horrors a little better. For others, much much worse.
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