SLJ

SLJ spoke with Alston about how fantasy mirrors tweens' lives and why he thinks librarians are "the unsung heroes of our education system."

School Library Journal is now accepting applications for the 2025 School Librarian of the Year award, sponsored by Scholastic. Let us know what you are doing in your school library and join an exceptional group of honored peers, including K.C. Boyd, Amanda Jones, Cicely Lewis, and Amanda Chacon.

The Francis Howell School District in O'Fallon, MO, passed a new policy to allow the removal of certain books and restrict gender identity conversation. Meanwhile in Texas, one district is considering banning books about gender fluidity and another seeks to alter its policy after Advanced Placement titles are removed from libraries.

Starting a new school, or even a new school year, can elicit a lot of emotions for many children. These board books, picture books, and early readers will help reassure young readers that all will be well when they step into their new classroom.

A reader tries to make sense of book banning legislation and more.

Iowa schools will start the year without some books in the libraries and classrooms; titles removed from schools in Texas, Colorado, and Indiana; angry accusations and arguing over book banning mar Florida county school board meeting; judge orders Alaskan district to return books to the shelves.

From literacy instruction to battling book bans and censorship, the subjects of these titles will inform and inspire librarians and other educators.

In this Q&A series, SLJ poses five questions and a request for a book recommendation to a debut YA author. In the latest installment, Myah Hollis shares about Not About a Boy. 

Judy Blume's Forever and six titles from Sarah J. Maas are among the books removed from all Utah schools; group files lawsuit against Idaho library law; authors and educators write letter to Florida governor; and more.