Diversity

Mostly realistic fiction, these recent YA novels (and one picture book) cover first love, found family, and living authentically. Each shines a light on queer & trans stories in both past and present settings, proving that LGBTQIA+ youth have always been here—and are not going anywhere. 

From censorship and AI to book fairs and the state of middle grade publishing, it's been an eventful year. Among those driving SLJ's most viewed posts of 2023: Jeff Kinney, Moms for Liberty, and stellar librarians. Ah, and those Best Books.

Take a look at the SLJ book reviews editors' favorite book covers from the 2023 Best Books list.

SLJ's most viewed coverage of book banning and censorship, which remained front and center in 2023.

If there’s one thing librarians can agree on it’s that library education could use some shaking up. Enter the Radical Librarianship Institute, which strives to “redefine the role of librarians, centering principles of inclusion and social justice.”

Three Kings Day, also known as Epiphany, is on January 6 and commemorates the biblical story of the wise men who brought gifts to the newborn baby Jesus. It is mostly celebrated in Latinx communities and marks the end of the Christmas season. Share these three picture books with young readers to teach them more about the holiday.