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Dolley Madison and intrepid traveler Marianne North are but two of the engaging heroines who appear in this month's list of books we found star-worthy. 

The RISE annual list is out; Jacqueline Woodson adds Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence to her many honors; K.C. Boyd named winner of the EMIERT Distinguished Librarian Award; and two new lines of books will bring "Chicken Soup for the Soul" to kids in this edition of News Bites.

Research by the Becker Friedman Institute at the University of Chicago shows that characters in award-winning children's books still skew male and light-skinned.

The free, virtual event features author conversations between Christina Soontornvat and Steve Sheinkin, James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein, and Malinda Lo and Daniel Nayeri, as well as creator panels and a closing keynote from Traci Sorell.

Banned Books Week has its first Honorary Chair; two titles created from The 1619 Project will be released in November; free webinars on teaching Juneteenth and reopening institutions after COVID vaccines; and more in this edition of News Bites.

Featuring poets from Amanda Gorman to Kenn Nesbitt and offering inspiring writing prompts, these shows have something for every student.

April is Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month. Share these YA memoirs and nonfiction works about devastation and hope now, and year round.

From Charlie Parker and Nellie Bly to Mae Jemison and Ada Lovelace, remarkable individuals get the graphic treatment in these titles recommended for grades 3 and up.

As spring arrives, three debut YA authors discuss their writing challenges, hopes for this season, and telling the truth...even if it hurts.

While LGBTQIA+ content remains the top reason for book challenges overall, the Top 10 Most Challenged titles in 2020 were also cited for Black Lives Matter and antiracist content, as well as the use of racial slurs and having a negative impact on students.

Ebooks aren't ideal for tactile toddlers, but in virtual story times, they can minimize problems like glare and book size.

Trans and nonbinary authors Kacen Callender, Meredith Russo, Daniel Lavery, and Meredith Talusan joined moderator Kyle Lukoff for a conversation about their struggles and successes. 

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators has partnered with author Meg Medina to provide a grant for Latinx writers and teamed up with the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation for a new prize for BIPOC illustrators.

Hand these nail-biters to teens drawn to the movie based on Patrick Ness's novel The Knife of Never Letting Go.

Students looking forward to the eight-episode Netflix series, adapted from the novel by Leigh Bardugo, will like these action-packed titles. 

Scholastic will no longer publish or distribute Dav Pilkey's The Adventures of Ook and Gluk; Comic-Con is coming back in-person; plus an Alice Walker picture book and more in this edition of News Bites.

Hand these novels for fans of this reboot of the 1984 Karate Kid movie, in which Johnny Lawrence has grown up and opened his own dojo.

Cicely Lewis partners with Lerner Books to develop Read Woke Books.

Kate Messner was one of many children's authors who took on pandemic-related projects—including a picture book biography of Dr. Anthony Fauci—over the past year.

The furor over Dr. Seuss Enterprises' decision to stop publishing certain books may be over, but the conversation about evaluating titles for children's collections is ongoing. School librarians must lead the way.

With the help of adjustments from Follett and Scholastic, school librarians have managed to continue the tradition of hosting book fairs that are often a favorite event for students during a typical school year. 

A read-aloud of Kyle Lukoff's book about a transgender boy in elementary school led to parental complaints and the school calling in counselors for the students who listened to the story. 

Horror fiction provides kids with an outlet and a method to cope with an overwhelming world. 

Spine-tingling books like these can be perfect companions in dark times.

Debut novelists and former We Need Diverse Books mentees Diana Ma and Angeline Boulley discuss their writing challenges, their families’ reactions to their novels, and using the YA genre to discuss identity and culture.

Three YA authors tell SLJ about their favorite childhood books and take a deep dive into the main characters in their debut novels.

The children's publishing world is coming together to raise money to fight anti-Asian racism, NCTE is accepting applications for the Early Career Educator of Color Leadership Award, Amazon and Code.org team up to create equity-minded AP computer science course, and more in this edition of News Bites.

Parrish Turner, a transgender sensitivity reader, is tired of the tropes surrounding animal stories, particularly those involving the wish to be a different animal. For Parrish, the longing to be a more authentic version of oneself is all too human.

Let’s show our children a world where everyone does not look, worship, or think the same—and that in spite of our differences, we’re more alike than different. Let’s join together on March 1 and Read Woke Across America! 

Having two books released during the pandemic wasn't a disaster for the author, as Nye found the "positive contagion" of books and poetry was not only still there, it was connecting more young readers and writers from different places around the world.

Spotlighting individuals including Amanda Gorman, Rosa Parks, and entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker, these podcasts have riveting stories to tell.

The author of The Project discusses false assumptions about cult members, the truths of surviving trauma, and how this “crossover” book really is YA.

The 41 international books selected this year by the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) range from picture books and poetry to nonfiction and novels.

In the summer of 2020, a time of tragedy and activism throughout the country, Black teens were still falling in love and discovering their relationships to the world...and Renée Watson was working on a book about radical self-love and a Black girl saving herself. Here she writes about finding joy amid pain and how love can be a personal revolution.

For the first time in its history, the SCWBI has announced a list of Golden Kite Award finalists.

The 2021 In the Margin Book Award winners and Top 10 lists have been announced.

The Pulitzer Center is starting an education network around the 1619 Project, Teaching Tolerance changed its name, Sonja Cherry-Paul created an educator's guide to Carole Boston Weatherford’s Unspeakable and more in this edition of News Bites.

This month’s debut authors share what it has been like to get their first YA book published in the midst of a pandemic. Crystal Maldonado, Louisa Onomé, Marti Leimbach, and Bethany Mangle also discuss some of the research and self-reflection that went into writing their stories, and the importance of staying true to yourself.

These elementary books full of light-hearted hi-jinks will appeal to fans of Wakko, Yakko, Dot, and friends.

With the pandemic and Black Lives Matter center stage in our lives, effective teaching must keep evolving. These six professional reading recommendations will help.

Three page-turners for fans of the show about a teenage British spy, based on best-selling books by Anthony Horowitz. 

Three delectable middle grade books for fans of the wildly popular cooking show.

All of SLJ's coverage from the 2021 Youth Media Awards, as well as reviews and related content for winners and honorees, all in one place.

10 shows for kids ages 8 to 14 cover current events and teach news literacy.  

Daniel Nayeri's Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story) won the 2021 Printz Award, rewarding and bringing great joy to a new publisher and the author, who used the spotlight to try to help others.

The sixth​ ​annual​ ​Walter​ ​Dean​ ​Myers​ ​Awards​ ​for​ ​Outstanding​ ​Children’s​ ​Literature were announced. 

Here is a list of the 2021 Youth Media Awards winners announced during the virtual ceremony at the ALA Midwinter conference.

Tae Keller and Michaela Goade win prestigious Newbery and Caldecott medals, respectively, while Daniel Nayeri takes the Printz Award for Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story) on a day when women dominated, sweeping the Newbery and Caldecott awards.

Illustrator Michaela Goade became the first BIPOC woman and first Indigenous illustrator to win the Caldecott medal when the 2021 Youth Media Awards were announced. Goade was one of many women creators recognized as women swept the Caldecott and Newbery medals.

Tae Keller's When You Trap a Tiger is the "book of my heart," the author says, and it earned her a Newbery Medal on a day when women swept the prestigious award.  

Ask your students about book preferences, access, and more to create personal goals, plan spring lessons, and motivate for summer reading.

Author Phil Bildner shares a meaningful moment with a young reader during a school visit early last year.

The children's literature world was shocked by the unexpected death of author Kathleen Krull, who had recently been diagnosed with cancer. Also in this edition of News Bites, Ibram X. Kendi makes a deal with Netflix; opportunities for funding; and more.

One school library's Graffiti Books program lets students connect and have "conversations" by writing in books. It also keeps some previously weeded titles in the stacks.

Pat Scales fields questions about video read-alouds, the fate of outdated "classic" books, and parents' disapproval of  books about immigration. 

Four first-time YA authors tell SLJ about the inspirations behind their novels, their paths to publication, and their hopes for young people in 2021.

Some educators abandon teaching the Bard's work, while others update and enhance Shakespeare curricula.

High school students transformed children's books into 3-D printed creations that could help visually impaired youth experience the stories.

Start 2021 by sharing conversations about music, from orchestral movie scores to “kindie” releases, with students and families.

COVID has changed the way publishers promote books—and how libraries buy them.

The debut author spoke with SLJ about releasing her first book during a pandemic, writing novels as a tween, and the key to balancing stories of loss with plenty of love.

The CDC recommends teachers and support staff get the coronavirus vaccine in the next round of distribution; the Black Caucus of ALA has put out its Best of the Best 2020 booklist; applications are being accepted for the Library of Congress Librarian in Residence program; and more in this edition of News Bites.

Author Fan Face-off pits a middle grade superfan against the author of one of their favorite books to see who knows more about the title.

This month, four YA authors serve up restaurant-set reads. Teens will crave these love stories, and some tasty food too. 

Typically, generic worksheets, book report templates, and cookie-cutter projects are assigned to prove that students read. Here are ways for them to truly share their responses to the text. 

Five debut YA authors are in the running for the 2021 Morris Award.

Books to accompany the show set in the Star Wars universe about a bounty hunter who roams the galaxies with a fuzzy green infant in tow.

Appealing novels for fans of this comedy starring Devi, an Indian American teen, co-created by Mindy Kaling.

Hand these YA novels to students drawn to the realistic series about a diverse group of teens in Los Angeles.

Reassigned to a new high school with no library, Toni Winsett is embracing the challenge at Bard High School Early College in Washington, DC, and finding joy in being a school librarian this year.

The five standout titles represent some of the year's best in nonfiction for young adults. 

New books inspired by The Princess Bride, Grease, Empire Records, and The Phantom of the Opera correct the sexism, homophobia, and racial privilege in their source material.

The large publishing events with big-name speakers are not coming back when the pandemic ends.

Latinx creators have been receiving more recognition in recent years, and there is now a flourishing Latinx comics scene that includes a strong body of work for young people.

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested in Alabama for refusing to give up her seat to a white bus passenger. Her arrest sparked a 381–day boycott of the Montgomery bus system. Dr. Duchess Harris provides a resource list to mark the anniversary of this historic event and dispel common narratives about Parks.

One in four kids tuned in to a podcast in 2020, drawn to stories and discussions about the coronavirus, money, activism, racial justice, and other topics.

Companies continue to respond to the pandemic's impact on educators and students; NCTE is taking proposals for next year's convention; the Educator Jobs Fund Act of 2020 is proposed in the senate; and Simon & Schuster plans new graphic novels for young readers.

When students get books from the school library these days, it looks less like regular checkout and more like holiday package delivery.

Hand these novels to young horse lovers and fans of the new streaming movie, a contemporary spin on Anna Sewell's 1877 novel starring Kate Winslet as the titular narrator.

The illustrator of Best Books 2020 selection All Because You Matter by Tami Charles expanded on that picture book's theme of youthful wonder for the cover of the December issue.

Authors Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon have collaborated on a YA novel celebrating Black love during a New York City blackout.

Nonfiction works and sequels don’t usually win the Printz, but this year many such books—about a thrilling escape from tragedy, an inspiring refugee story, and more—are serious contenders.

Nidhi Chanani, illustrator of Binny's Diwali, reflects on the Hindu festival of lights that is celebrated in different ways globally.

On SLJ's Facebook page, readers respond to recent stories. Here's just a sample of what they are saying.

Short story and essay collections for teens can be a classroom tool, an introduction to a new author or genre, and an opportunity for readers to feel seen. These selections celebrate diversity and intersectionality, exploring identity in new and dynamic ways.

It's been a long year. And a great one for books.

Hand these mysteries to fans of the streaming movie about Sherlock's younger sister, adapted from the middle grade series by Nancy Springer.

These podcasts impart skills for dealing with big feelings, like isolation, loss, and anxiety through a variety of techniques, some directly related to SEL curricula. Parents can benefit, too.

Books with a dose of magic for kids who like Sarah Mlynowski’s middle grade series and the new streaming movie.  

Mara Fitzgerald, Vitor Martins, and Shannon Takaoka discuss the characters who are allowed to be unlikable, being vulnerable as an author, and protecting creative space.

Messner and Sorell contextualize the "first Thanksgiving" myth; Hachette announces new BIPOC imprint; Linda Sue Park creates Korean and Korean diaspora author and illustrator resource; results of the K-12 Scholastic Student Vote.

Miles McKenna, actor and author of Out!: How To Be Your Authentic Self (Abrams/Amulet; Gr 8 Up) reflects on his childhood love of reading and J.K. Rowling's recent anti-transgender social media posts.

Hand these four books to middle schoolers craving chills and thrills...from the comfort of home. 

The authors offer different takes on the literary canon in their keynote addresses. Read about that and other Summit highlights. 

Tackling a variety of topics important to school librarians and all educators, these presentations, discussions, and panels are available for viewing. 

Three educational strategies to affirm authentic American Indian/First Nations representation, plus resources.

Graphic novelist Joel Christian Gill speaks about his graphic novels on Black history as well as the challenges of adapting Ibram X. Kendi's Stamped from the Beginning.

In the latest installment of "Stellar Panels," Brigid Alverson recommends graphic works that use the medium to teach how government works and how to change it.

The author of Other Words for Home wants her books to be springboards for childen to have important discussions.

Reading a series can increase students' understanding of storytelling, text structures, and the author’s craft, as well as offering a connection with peers.