SLJ

Elephants, mice, and dragons make their appearance in these fun and festive board books and picture books.

Joanna How and Caroline Kusin Prichard had arrived to speak about their book The Day the Books Disappeared when they were asked to alter their presentation; Maryland state school board overrules Harford County’s decision to remove Flamer; Utah bans 19th book from all schools; and more.

Purchase these web-exclusive titles, including a celebration of libraries, gorgeous picture books, and stirring YA novels. 

E. Lockhart talks with SLJ about her favorite character in the We Were Liars universe, the gift of writing for young adults, and coming up with shocking plot twists.

Ryan Thames, one of the plaintiffs in Amanda Jones’s defamation suit in Louisiana, posted an apology admitting that his previous statements about Jones “were not true”; an annotated Gender Queer to be published in 2026; and more.

These two titles explore the drama, the excitement, and the endless moving parts involved in the world of theater.

Derrick Barnes has a picture book and a middle grade in this roundup. Plus, nonfiction picks range from Gail Jarrow’s latest to a primer on deadly snakes.

The Arkansas district instructed staff on how to block student access to 50 titles; the Alabama Public Library board wants to ban books that “positively” depict trans lives; Texas district reopens school libraries; and more.

These picture books that celebrate found families, friendship, and connection are great choices for holidays shelves.