Fiction

I Talk Like a River, A Sitting in St. James, and From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry won this year's Boston Globe-Horn Book awards for excellence in children's and YA literature.

Warning: These 22 titles may induce hearty chuckles, grossed-out giggles, or milk-out-the-nose laughing. 

A dozen mystery titles for independent readers ranging from laugh-out-loud interactive fun to edge-of-your-seat thrills.

The young people featured in these middle grade novels are intrepid, confronting racism, grief, queer identity, and more. They’re relatable teens and tweens, making mistakes and stumbling as they find themselves. Looking for more summer reading recommendations? SLJ is publishing lists all summer long—from family stories to mysteries to teen reads. 

Four new YA authors tell SLJ about the works that influenced them and how they are celebrating their first publications.

Using primary sources with literature can help students explore a story using a unique, real-world perspective.

Whether kids are eager to read about friendship woes, holidays, or new furry friends, they’ll find something to satisfy them in this list of realistic chapter books. Looking for more summer reading recommendations? SLJ is publishing lists all summer long—from family stories to mysteries to teen reads. 

During Pride month and all year long, curl up with these fantastical YA novels that center LGBTQIA+ characters and affirm queer identities.

Five debut authors tell SLJ about creating funny, joyful, and serious stories, and their hope that young people take pride in who they are.