Kathy Ishizuka

The effort to ban books in schools and libraries has made headlines, resulting in a big boost in sales of the most contentious titles.

Reporters and editors—we at SLJ included—want to get the story right, to bear witness, and to provide readers with accurate, relevant information. But the tenor of an increasingly polarized debate, with efforts to limit discussion of racism and LGBTQIA+ topics in the classroom, challenges journalists—much less educators and students—who must navigate a volatile climate.

From "A Fuse #8 Production," "Good Comics for Kids," and "The Yarn" to "Teen Librarian Toolbox," "100 Scope Notes," and "Heavy Medal"—the blogs have been rebuilt toward better usability.

In our May issue, you’ll find an 18-by-24-inch poster promoting the freedom to read. Famed artist Rafael López created the warm, hopeful image, which ­conveys the power of reading to open minds and hearts.

Alongside a national rise in censorship, we've received queries about our review process. For readers experiencing a challenge to a book or anticipating one, SLJ reviews editor Shelley Diaz and a panel covered the ins and outs of what we do.  

Martha Hickson "is putting herself on the line and giving librarians strength to hold fast to their views and their values and push back against these attacks,” says Chris Finan, executive director of the National Coalition Against Censorship. 

In the main, awards season will celebrate honored books and their creators. Yet such a high-profile occasion presents a unique opportunity to celebrate and honor, too, the right of kids and teens to read and access content.

In the face of rising book challenges, Michael Rady is remarkably upbeat. Program manager of the Rainbow ­Library, GLSEN’s project to distribute ­LGBTQ+–affirming titles to schools and libraries, Rady emanates a clear-eyed sense of purpose around a program that is seeing unprecedented demand.

Our School Libraries 2021 project goes beyond statistics to tell the human story of the profession. With reporting from across the country, we assess the scene from Washington, DC, and Seattle to tiny Crandall, TX, and New York City.