Public Libraries

When Langston Dances by Kaija Langley, The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morris, and The Black Panther Party: A Graphic Novel History by David F. Walker and Marcus Kwame Anderson are among the titles honored. Created by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and sponsored by School Library Journal, the Youth Literary Awards celebrate the diversity of the Black experience.

SLJ and NCTE collaborated to create 18 booklists of titles to replace, or use as a companion to, canon "classics." 

To support teachers and librarians in the face of ongoing censorship, School Library Journal and Penguin Random House—in partnership with PEN America, NCAC, NCTE, FReadom, and Library Journal—have created a poster that vividly illustrates the importance of intellectual freedom.

Two New York City library systems are opening up their collections to readers across the country; YALSA needs a Pura Belpré award committee volunteer, LitUp writing fellowship is accepting applications, and more in this edition of News Bites.

The author of Home Home stresses the importance of openly discussing mental health issues and offering hope to young people experiencing anxiety and depression.

Once again books with LGBTQIA+ characters and themes are the most challenged titles across the country.

With empathy and wit, the creator of the graphic novel Living with Viola portrays anxiety as a malicious person who won't leave the main character alone. 

Penguin Random House (PRH) Education is launching new initiatives as part of a partnership between Penguin Classics and #DisruptTexts.

The Department of Justice is suing to stop the proposed merger between publishers Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster; Alex Gino's novel will officially get new title and cover; the Library of Congress has a new comics exhibit; and more in this edition of News Bites.