Age Level

Many tweens and young teens will see themselves in these middle grade and YA selections.

Debut novelists and former We Need Diverse Books mentees Diana Ma and Angeline Boulley discuss their writing challenges, their families’ reactions to their novels, and using the YA genre to discuss identity and culture.

Three YA authors tell SLJ about their favorite childhood books and take a deep dive into the main characters in their debut novels.

The author of The Project discusses false assumptions about cult members, the truths of surviving trauma, and how this “crossover” book really is YA.

These fiction and nonfiction titles take on the embarrassment and discomfort associated with menstruation—while urging readers to take pride in their bodies and combat the stigma related to periods.

This month’s debut authors share what it has been like to get their first YA book published in the midst of a pandemic. Crystal Maldonado, Louisa Onomé, Marti Leimbach, and Bethany Mangle also discuss some of the research and self-reflection that went into writing their stories, and the importance of staying true to yourself.

The Printz Award announcement is just around the corner. In our final column of the season, Stacey Shapiro, a member of last year's Printz committee, considers the books that could take this year's award—and helped her get through 2020.

One school library's Graffiti Books program lets students connect and have "conversations" by writing in books. It also keeps some previously weeded titles in the stacks.

In time for Valentine’s Day, these teen love stories center friends, enemies, and strangers who become something more.