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What better genre than sports to shine a light on the everyday elements of American life that have perpetuated injustice? These are the stories where the truth shines the brightest.

The post THIS IS NO GAME: WHEN FACTS MATTER, SPORTS NON-FICTION IS A GOOD PLACE TO TURN, a guest post by Andrew Maraniss appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.

Gomez-Hira makes the hot Miami summer come alive as we follow Carmen and crew through days of dance, Disney, and drama. Good fun.

The post Book Review: Once Upon a Quinceañera by Monica Gomez-Hira appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.

This coming out story is gorgeous, heartfelt, and affirming, perfect for upper elementary students. I want to hug sweet Stevie.

The post Book Review: The Deepest Breath by Meg Grehan appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.

Generation Z spends their money purposefully as they attempt to help create the world they want to live in. So let's talk about what that means.

The post Sunday Reflections: The Things We Won’t Buy, a Reflection on Generation Z, Conscious Capitalism, and “Cancel Culture” appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.

With a heavy focus on families, history, expectations, and secrets, this love story will leave readers satisfied.

The post Book Review: A Pho Love Story by Loan Le appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.

You can never go wrong picking up a book by Watson, but this book is really spectacular for its emphasis on growth, love, family, and truth. A great story about finding yourself.

The post Book Review: Love Is a Revolution by Renée Watson appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.

A realistically messy and painful story about finding your people and being yourself.

The post Book Review: As Far As You’ll Take Me by Phil Stamper appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.

This will be an illuminating read for modern teens who may not know much about what it was really like to be a queer teen in the 1950s.

The post Book Review: Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.

Full of messages about hiding yourself, authenticity, identity, being in costume to really be seen, trust, creation, and accomplishment, this fun read has wide appeal.

The post Book Review: Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.

Curricular bazaar Teachers Pay Teachers has never been more popular. But questions about quality, cultural insensitivity, and plagiarism beg expert guidance. Consider your librarian.  

Publisher’s description A loose retelling of Cinderella, about a high-school graduate who—after getting grounded for the whole summer—joins a local Quidditch league and finds her footing, perfect for fans of Dumplin’, Fangirl, and everyone who’s read and adored Harry Potter.  17-year-old vegan feminist Ellen Lopez-Rourke has one muggy Houston summer left before college. She plans to spend […]

The post Book Review: This Is How We Fly by Anna Meriano appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.

Ultimately, my review comes down to just simply saying THIS WAS ADORABLE.

The post Book Review: The Love Curse of Melody McIntyre by Robin Talley appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.

On January 20, Jill Biden will be the latest educator to become First Lady. How much of an impact can she have on the national conversation and policy?

My biennial roundup of key findings from GLSEN's National School Climate Survey, which documents the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth in schools from across the country.

The post 2019 GLSEN National School Climate Survey results about LGBTQ students’ experiences in school appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.

Is this just a list of gushing love and appreciation instead of an actual professional-sounding book review? YES.

The post Book Review: The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.

Winter is coming. Librarian Christine Lively talks about how RevolTeens can use this time to nourish their souls and keep doing the work of social justice.

The post RevolTeens: The Long Dark Winter of the Soul, by Christine Lively appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.

Their new book, The Suffragist Playbook: Your Guide to Changing the World, looks back at the leaders and lessons they taught us while also looking forward to today’s your activists who are changing our present and our future.

The post The Original Activists, a conversation between authors Rebecca Roberts and Lucinda Robb appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.

The 2020 SLJ Summit finished with a  personal, thought-provoking conversation between Cullors and Tennessee school librarian Erika Long.

This is the time to re-make librarianship in the long term. Here's how some leaders are doing it.

This layered story with fantastic characters shows that trying to blend in sometimes just hides the many wonderful ways you were made to stand out. Like Chicky and Lita find out, there is space for you. You belong, just as you are.

The post Book Review: Miss Meteor by Tehlor Kay Mejia and Anna-Marie McLemore appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.

Titles to inspire young and future voters at all grade levels.

Ensuring that all students have access to reading material during remote learning; adjusting expectations for student research; fielding questions about Little Free Libraries.

Administrators need to make swift decisions based on immediate community needs, not what will look good to funders, mayors, and boards.

"Now is an especially critical time to inform readers," writes Kathy Ishizuka, SLJ editor in chief. "That means publishing stories centered on the people who power libraries and schools. We are here for it, and we hope you are, too."

ALA will share the prerecorded program with president Julius Jefferson, Jr., and Texas school librarians, including 2017 SLJ School Librarian of the Year Tamiko Brown.

With signs, books, and passion, educators support Black Lives Matter around the country.

Across the country, districts are ending contracts with police departments and a youth-led movement of advocates is pushing others to do the same.

From curriculum to policing, two former public high school students discuss changes toward education equity.

Kwame Alexander, Jason Reynolds, and Jacqueline Woodson have organized a Kid Lit Rally for Black Lives on Facebook Live on Thursday. It will include other children and teen literature authors and a conversation for young people and as well as a second one for parents, librarians, and educators.

Employees with disabilities and chronic illnesses have long fought for basic accommodations now granted to millions of workers from home. Here's what else is needed.

Taking pride in a job well done is a professional triumph—and when the hard work is honored with an award nominated by one’s esteemed peers, the gratification is that much sweeter. Here’s what three past winners have to say about the award and their dedication to their work.

Lewis's Read Woke challenge prompts young readers to embrace social consciousness. Her students say she changed their lives.

Organizers of the Rally to Restore Philadelphia School Librarians hope to capitalize on the spotlight and crowds of ALA Midwinter to educate the public and push to bring librarians back to the city schools. 

Lewis, a Georgia high school librarian who challenges students to “Read Woke,” has been awarded the inaugural National Teacher Award for Lifelong Readers.

Several panels at the 2019 Association of American Librarians National Conference focused on the urgent need for better information literacy and advocating on behalf of school libraries. 

The most valuable aspect of school and other off-site visits is not necessarily that they pose new questions for visitors, but rather that they suggest new answers. 

As childhood trauma is recognized as a public health issue, librarians and educators help students who have experienced violence, loss, and other issues.

Cecile Richards, the former president of Planned Parenthood, discusses why she chose to adapt her memoir Make Trouble for a young readers edition and why she didn't shy away from tough topics like "reproductive rights, privilege, racism, or the heartbreak of losing elections."
 

The forthcoming "Hunger Games" release has a title and a cover,  Jeff Kinney lets Rowley pitch in to help educate kids about recycling, and more in News Bites. 

It was a salute to picture book art and children's literature in general at the annual award and fundraising event.

The public policy expert and activist explains the impact of systemic racism and white supremacy on access to information.

Administrators' efforts and advice, the power of immigrant stories, and the impact of the library on journalist Scott Pelley were among the highlights of the second day of the SLJ Leadership Summit.

Summit attendees explored equity and access across different areas of education including technology, community engagement, and advocacy.

Medical doctor and international policymaker Alaa Murabit kicked off the SLJ  Leadership Summit on Saturday with a challenge: find a way to translate their work in a way that compels the public and people in power to support libraries.

A New Jersey school librarian fought to keep Fun Home on the shelves, an author is uninvited from a teen lit festival, the Carle Honors Art Auction is underway, and a few tech resources added features for the start of the new school year in this edition of News Bites. 

For almost 15 years, The Harry Potter Alliance has used the power of the beloved series to help fans create a community of activists.

Now in its 15th year, the Summit will also include a tech playground and author panel. Breakout sessions will cover technology, community engagement, fighting budget cuts proactively, and providing equity for students.

The fifth year of New York's LGBTQ comics convention saw its highest attendance yet and a wide variety of entertainment for geeks, gamers, cosplayers, and more.

In Sing a Rhythm, Dance a Blues: Education for the Liberation of Black and Brown Girls, Monique W. Morris centers the experience of these marginalized girls and highlights the actions of some educators and community members around the country who are making a positive difference in the students' lives.

The American Academy of Pediatrics released a policy statement on the continued impact of racism on children's health and what pediatricians must do to combat it. Educators, too, can help, and organizations offer professional development and training on anti-racism, so they can support their students better.

Libraries can provide safe spaces from bullying and overpolicing.

After her son died by suicide in April, Michelle Oliver collaborated with an English teacher to look at Shakespeare's famous "love story" in a new way and to teach her students about suicide awareness.

Homelessness is on the rise among students. With help, these kids can find their potential.

Migrant kids in foster care and secure holding facilities will get books thanks to a new grant from First Book, plus coming titles from Lois Lowry and Megan Rapinoe, and more news.

Avoiding burnout was a focus of several sessions at this year’s ALA Annual Conference. Setting limits and learning to say no are among the ways that school librarians can help themselves.

Getting more families into libraries is one goal of the FamLAB Project, which has tapped a cross-sector cohort to expand out-of-school learning opportunities for young children and their families.

Ready to take the next step? K–12 librarians serving high-need communities are eligible for a partial-tuition scholarship toward attending a fall leadership course in Future Ready librarianship. 

There were inspiring speakers, thought-provoking sessions, and protests at the ALA Annual Conference. Here are highlights, news, and notes from this year's event in Washington, DC.

The National Book Foundation today announced the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC) as the winner of the 2019 Innovations in Reading Prize.

The spotlight is on the loss of federal funds to the Special Olympics, but that is only part of the story. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos told Congress "difficult decisions" had to be made when it came to $7.1 billion in cuts to the Department of Education.

As climate change activists continue the history of younger generations standing up and demanding change, they ask educators to support them with comprehensive curriculum and honest discussion.

Librarians represented at SXSW EDU, as SLJ's School Librarian of the Year honorees, Ali Schilpp, Cassy Lee, and Michelle Carton, presented the session "Going Global with the School Librarian of the Year" in Austin.

The founding members of the group, all librarians, hosted "Reading my World: Diverse Books for Birth to 8." 

School librarians in Iowa celebrate, an update in Texas where educators are fighting for raises, and more news in this edition of NewsBites.

Teens Mena and Zena Nasiri started Girls of the Crescent to donate books with female Muslim main characters to local school districts, libraries, and mosques.

John Sullivan, Oge Mora honored by Ezra Jack Keats Awards and more in NewsBites.

Librarian Cicely Lewis, whose new column debuts in SLJ in March, was recognized by YALSA for her Read Woke initiative.

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.

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.

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.

By popular demand, the New York City chapter of Drag Queen Story Hour will start programming for middle and high school students.

The 2018 SLJ Leadership Summit featured two days of panels, workshops, speakers, honest conversations about the industry.

Famed actor and activist George Takei will kick off School Library Journal’s annual Summit. This year’s theme: Making “good trouble.”

How valuable is a master’s degree in library science? Opinions from the field have fluctuated, along with the fortunes of the profession. 

Tips on language and presentation to get administrators to listen (and act) when advocating for the library.

A look at the titles, data, a round up of recent related content, and more, as the literary world focuses the spotlight on censorship.