Fiction

Laline Paull‘s debut novel, The Bees is different from any I have read before. She uses the life cycle of bees and the workings of a hive for inspiration, and in doing so points out fascinating equivalents to modern society. One ordinary bee, Flora, guides the reader through the novel’s mysterious world. Flora’s story takes [...]

Our teen reviewers report on a reimagining of the Peter Pan story, Second Star, and an intriguing look at a world without food, Hungry. The latter title adds to the recent spate of environmental fiction in YA lit.

Today we look at Authority, the second book in Jeff VanderMeer’s extraordinary Southern Reach trilogy.  Since I raved about Annihilation in February, it has only grown in my estimation, and Authority lives up to the high standard set by the first novel, while wisely strikes out in an utterly different direction. As I mentioned in my [...]

The Grudge Keeper By Mara Rockliff Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler Peachtree Press $16.95 ISBN: 978-1-56145-729-8 Ages 4-7 On shelves now. If I were to hazard a guess, I would say that the phrase, “There’s no use crying over spilled milk” was invented with the intention of comforting a two or three-year-old. Small children, one learns, [...]

We know that many teens love survival stories for their pacing, suspense and the unexpected trials the characters endure. In both of these historical novels, a young person is displaced from home, loses parents and security, makes a journey into the unknown, and overcomes obstacle after obstacle.  My Name is Resolute is quite a tome, a [...]

Looking for a John Green readalike? Search no further than Adi Alsaid’s Let’s Get Lost. Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s eerie novel set in Barcelona will entice and haunt teens. And if you thought the dystopian and paranormal novels have worn out their welcome—Michelle Krys, Catherine Linka, and Kelsey Foster bring fresh takes to the tried-and-true genres. The following young adult, nonfiction, and crossover titles will grab reluctant and avid readers alike.

Menacing appliances are just one part of the story in Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman's adventure. Check out the next installments in Pete Hautman's "Seven Wonders" and Catherine Fisher's "Obsidian Mirror" series. Rebecca Hahn joins this elite group of fantasy authors with her debut novel for fans of Rachel Hartman's Seraphina.

En route to host the Children's Book Week gala in New York City on May 14, National Ambassador of Children's Literature Kate DiCamillo stopped by the SLJ office. The 2014 Newbery Award-winning author of Flora & Ulysses shared galleys of her next chapter book Leroy Ninker Saddles Up, out this August, and a companion to the "Mercy Watson" books.

Kids are coming out younger, reflecting their courage and desire to live authentic lives. Will the first major queer character for middle-graders emerge through a big publishing house—or find a voice through the chaotic fan fiction of the Internet?