Elizabeth Anne Hartman

As readers clamor for authentic voices that reflect their own lives, publishers are finding and developing diverse writers more than ever before to meet the demand. And librarians, looking to create increasingly inclusive collections, now have more options to meet the needs of their local communities.

Schools and libraries throughout the country have increasing numbers of Spanish speakers among their constituents. Keeping pace with demand is an array of large and small publishers, each taking its own approach to meeting the needs of Spanish-speaking students. Some publish original content while others publish translations of well-known American authors.

Project-based learning is not new. In fact, it has been around since the end of World War I, when the term “The Project Method” was coined to describe a then-new approach to education. What is new now is not just the re-emergence of PBL (project-based learning) and makerspaces in educational settings but the significant following it has developed.

Reluctant and struggling readers come in every stripe from every kind of background, and publishers are creating books to appeal to all of them. From adorable board books to action-packed adventures to icky bugs and dinosaurs to lifelike teen situations, publishers want every kid or teen to close a book with renewed confidence in their reading ability.