News & Features

We Need Diverse Books will launch a multi-pronged effort to fight book banning attempts that are disproportionately impacting diverse books and support educators, students, and authors.

Gene Luen Yang wins the 2023 NSK Neustadt Prize for Children's and Young Adult Literature, the Urban Libraries Council has put out a call to action on equitable summer learning, Penguin Random House and We Need Diverse Books announce a new creative writing award for high schoolers, and more in this edition of News Bites.

The Right to Read Act would help fund certified school librarians and well-resourced libraries across the country; the Philadelphia superintendent is looking for help from the city's public library system; Levine Querido launches a Spanish imprint; and more in News Bites.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is accepting proposals for two grant programs, the Biden administration launches new education initiative, author Linda Sue Park will lead a new imprint, and unionized HarperCollins workers have planned a one-day strike.

Author Rick Riordan wrote a blog post in response to fans upset with the Disney+ casting of Percy Jackson and the Olympians; publishers and educational organizations join ALA's Unite Against Book Bans; and more, in this edition of News Bites.

Twenty-five libraries in Title I schools have been awarded $700 grants, presented by the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, in partnership with SLJ.

In his speech, President Biden spoke of a need to help youth with mental health and learning issues caused by the pandemic. The White House released details of the plans for funding and support.

Presenting the average book prices for 2021-2022-to-date, produced annually by SLJ in partnership with Follett and Baker & Taylor. 

The National Coalition Against Censorship creates a Book Challenge Crisis Hotline and Youth Censorship Database and Map in response to the rising censorship attempts across the county; We Need Diverse Books offers new educator grants; Cook Prize nominees announced; and more news.