The federal government is appointing someone to address the increase in book banning; publishers file brief in support of Llano County, TX, plaintiffs; Utah district removes Bible; and more in Censorship News.

There’s something for every middle grader in this roundup curated by the We Are Kid Lit Collective. Up-and-coming chefs, family and friendship drama, and propulsive informational texts will keep tweens engaged beyond the summer months. 

The long history of superhero comics means there is a bewildering array of characters and storylines. Where should a new reader start? Here's what you need to know. 

With offerings from Weston Woods and productions about conservation and immigration, these works both entertain and break down complex topics for educators and students.

These three disparate middle grade titles that feature plotlines informed by pandemics are especially relevant in the age of COVID-19.

School librarians can extend their efforts further with policies and practices that let LGBTIA+ students and their families know their school library supports them.

This collection of true life stories will certainly provide comfort and guidance to anyone trying to articulate and express their identity, but may also broaden the horizons of those around them and perhaps help the world become a more positive and inclusive place where everyone may feel valued.

Whether it's spring, when we first noticed these books, or summer, winter, or fall, offering children a way to look at the world that makes them appreciate and want to protect it may help guarantee its future, and theirs.