News & Features

The following picture books, selected by Junior Library Guild editors, highlight real-life people who had the strength to be who they truly were. Share these titles with students to encourage them to accept the differences in all of us.

In this month's column, the lives and work of scientists both past and present feature prominently.

As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, two noteworthy titles focus on another nation and its struggle for freedom from British rule: India. Whether drawing comparisons to our country's fight for independence, learning about Mohandas Gandhi or India for the first time, these books will open readers' eyes to an important period in this nation's history.

With her aunt's wedding day fast approaching, 16-year-old Ann Gilardi is determined to lose '45 pounds.' In her effort to do so, she learns more about herself−and her family−than she expected. Author K. A. Barson talks about the genesis of the book.

A Song for Bijou By Josh Farrar Walker Books for Young Readers (an imprint of Bloomsbury) $16.99 ISBN: 978-0-8027-3394-8 Ages 9-12 On shelves now Now let us discuss the middle school book. It is, arguably, the most forgotten book of its kind on a library and/or bookstore shelf. The book written for your average everyday [...]

Matt Phelan on Buster Keaton.

The authors of the Common Core State Standards don't spell out how text should be taught--that's been left up to teachers and curriculum developers. A new book offers a framework for developing a content-rich, standards-based curriculum.

Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy (CLEL), an advisory group to the Colorado State Library, is launching the Bell Picture Book Awards, with the first honorees set to be announced on February 5, 2014. The program is designed to celebrate books that foster adult-child engagement around the early literacy practices of read, write, sing, talk, and play.

Longtime School Library Journal blogger Elizabeth Bird, the New York Public Library’s youth materials collections specialist, can add published author to her name this year. Her festive debut picture book, Giant Dance Party, is about a girl who overcomes her stage fright by teaching blue fuzzy giants how to dance. SLJ caught up with Bird recently to discuss her unique path to publication, how her work as a children’s librarian informed her experience as a first-time author, and whether Lexy and the giants will be making a repeat performance.