Booklists

In this month's Pondering Printz column, Lalitha Nataraj considers titles that center underrepresented voices and the inherent value of all books, whether or not they take home the award.

Not only is the representation of various mental illnesses in YA literature expanding, but so is the ­sensitivity of their portrayals. Here are 13 standout titles. 

Two recently published titles offer recommendations galore for collection developers, classroom teachers, students of literature, and parents.

From stories of affable ghosts to tales of encounters with the undead, these 36 books offer middle grade and high school readers plenty of thrills.

Superheroes and comics go together like mac and cheese. These 10 graphic reads celebrate heroes, from Black Canary and Green Lantern to Dog Man, Super Potato, and, yes, Rainbow Brite.

Illustrious author Barry Wittenstein and award-winning illustrator Jerry Pinkney (A Place To Land), share the books that shaped them as readers and creators.  

Sports-themed titles to empower all young readers.

Ranging from memoir to fantasy, these titles star young people living with a range of disabilities. 

SLJ kicks off our monthly awards season column, Pondering Printz, with commentary and predictions on who might take the highest honor for YA books, the 2020 Michael L. Printz Award.