Ideas

Young people need to understand the way that media texts position them—even with, or perhaps especially with, those texts whose content they are sympathetic to...

Filled with unlikely but enduring attachments, ostensibly incompatible Romeos and Juliets, and unexpected instances of true animal camaraderie, these books prove that affection can allow individuals to look beyond their differences and forge long-lasting bonds. Use these books to expand Valentine’s Day and friendship storytimes; tease out overarching themes; and initiate discussions of tolerance, compassion, and community.

Great titles that address bullying in a variety of ways, providing information, offering the comfort of knowing that others are facing similar challenges, and presenting strategies for surviving. Booktalk them and recommend them to teachers to share with their students to increase awareness and empathy, initiate discussion, and begin to bring about change.

There’s nothing quite like the run-up to the announcement of the Youth Media Awards at the American Library Association’s (ALA) Midwinter Meeting.

The continuing conversation about whether Dewey’s days are numbered.

Acclaimed storyteller, folklorist, and author Diane Wolkstein died on January 31 following emergency heart surgery while traveling in Taiwan. She was 70. Wolkstein’s talent as a storyteller and teacher of storytelling won her international fame; she also wrote more than 20 books, taught mythology at NYU, and hosted a storytelling show on NYC public radio.

"Talking takes time" note the authors, but allowing students time for conversations about the texts they are reading is essential.

As School Library Journal caught up with Newbery and Caldecott Medalists Katherine Applegate and Jon Klassen this week, a common theme emerged in our talks. In what surely comes as no surprise to SLJ's readers, both authors credited the library community for helping to champion their books to a wide circle of readers.