What I learned at my first SLJ Summit.
A solid read that tackles the challenges of a tween realizing she’s bisexual, the pressures of growing up too fast, and discovering who your real friends are.
A recommended purchase, great for fans of Janae Marks or Dusti Bowling.
Chang’s latest is a welcome addition to any middle school historical fiction collection and will surely attract readers drawn to impactful stories told through lyrical verse.
An entertaining sci-fi romp with grounded, real-world tween struggles.
A solid purchase for upper elementary and middle school library collections where realistic reads and heartwarming magical stories are popular.
A heartfelt, fast-paced look at courage, connection, and discovery among the stars, purchase where sci-fi is popular.
Ultimately, the patience required to juggle multiple plotlines make this an additional selection for the middle grade magical realism audience.
A community-oriented Valentine’s Day story to sweeten any library holiday collection.
A charming book that will be in high demand for Christian families wanting an Easter read-aloud.
A whimsical holiday read with standout artwork, recommended for most collections.
Add to collections where more secular Easter books are in demand.
A thoughtful, if uneven, resource for introducing a wider range of Jewish holidays to young audiences.
This delightful introduction to colors, Mandarin Chinese, and Lunar New Year traditions is recommended for general purchase.
A recommended purchase, especially to add Islamic titles to picture book shelves.
An excellent and informative book to introduce toddlers to many of the Lunar New Year traditions.
This joyful, culturally rich introduction to Lunar New Year is a fantastic addition to any collection.
Regardless of slight flaws, this is a welcome addition to the series.
This Father’s Day tale is a welcome and meaningful addition to any collection.
A strong addition to school and public library collections, this is ideal for young readers, especially those interested in learning about family traditions, Ramadan, or the joy of preparing special meals together.
A simple story with lots of charm, this is a nice addition to any fall book collection.
This book is sure to be a hit beyond Valentine’s Day and is a great addition to early reader sections and for kids who love funny books.
This warm family story will resonate with youngest children everywhere, regardless of a particular holiday or season. Highly recommended.
This story reflects the inclusivity of the Lunar New Year and the love people have for one another as they celebrate a holiday that brings the community together.
Not an essential purchase, but a decent addition to library Easter collections for its depiction of imaginative play.
An exceptional, heartfelt Eid story that gently impresses upon readers that community is about both giving and receiving.
With limited quality titles centered on St. Patrick’s Day, this book is a charming and worthwhile addition to any holiday collection.
A charming read-with-me experience in the tradition of many door-based, lift-the-flap board books.
A welcome addition for collections seeking more representation of Muslim characters and an entertaining read for grade school students who enjoy realistic fiction with a dash of humor.
A thought-provoking, if uneven, novel best suited for strong readers ready to grapple with layered themes; teachers may find it most effective as a guided read-aloud or small group discussion text rather than an independent reading choice.
A humorous and engaging read-aloud with wide appeal; a strong choice for storytime and preschool collections.
An enjoyable learn-to-read vowels set. Great for new readers at home or in the classroom.
As a beautiful introduction to the Oroqen people or a subtle look at the environment, this book would be a powerful choice for ecologically themed story hours.
This title is highly recommended for school libraries, offering rich opportunities for discussions on heritage, history, and community.
A solid story about a positive experience with a first haircut; this is a good choice for libraries needing books about people in the community for young readers.
A spot-on cautionary tale and a perfect addition to any library’s collection of folktales and myths. Recommended.
A lighthearted book for preschoolers who ask these kinds of questions and need Henkes’s kind of answers.
Whether bug lovers or bug dodgers, they’ll be drawn into Lydia’s enthusiasm. Add this playful, fact-filled pick to the shelves.
Flett’s sentiments shine but never overwhelm in this simple message of love; it’s a first choice for any library’s picture book collection.
A lot of high jinks and not much reward.
This is a terrific book to read aloud when some humor is needed, or classroom pizza parties are about to commence.
A vibrant tale of island life, quick thinking, and community building, ripe for the classroom or group sharing.
A wonderful choice for Spanish-language chapter book collections, this title will have readers wanting to dive into the other series entries.
This beloved and well-known series will be a delight to find in the children’s Spanish section. A solid staple for any Spanish-language collection: reassuring, vibrant, and informative.
A recommended, entertaining, and educational bilingual adaptation that will be a great resource for language learning.
A high-quality book that combines mystery and fun with math and learning. Highly recommended for the dual-language format and bilingual story time.
Purchase for browsable nonfiction collections, especially where there’s a gap on bilingual titles.
A gentle book perfect for reading at bedtime, and for all board book collections.
This nonfiction picture book has a place in every collection. This would also make a great curricular tie-in.
An engaging rendition of this must-have YA response to Casey McQuiston’s popular Red, White & Royal Blue.
A fun, diverse, and modern take with opportunity for classroom connections.
This lighthearted middle grade mystery tackles a heavy subject—the power of friendship and family
An immersive must-listen that’s sure to delight.
A nice addition for libraries wishing to expand their classic canon English literature collection.
Part vocabulary building and part philosophy lesson, this is great for sparking the imagination of readers to find out more about mysteries in this world.
Avi is a master of historical fiction, addressing universal issues that transcend his novel’s setting and timeline. A first purchase.
A wonderful addition to any fantasy collection, this is especially good for reluctant and new readers of middle grade.
A helpful choice for children who can relate to the experience of watching the struggle of memory loss by a loved one.
This valuable picture book will help children learn about and understand traditional African wisdom and heritage.
A lighthearted cautionary message about the experience of overthinking things, with art that amply repays closer looks.
Children will delight in the adventure and admire Nani’s bravery and cleverness in taming the lion in this bright, musical new folktale perfect for read-alouds.
Good for the sports shelves or seasonal baseball displays on current sports stars.
A good addition to an SEL bookshelf, readers will easily relate to Whirby’s dilemma of needing to balance his excitement for the big battle with his need to rest and recharge.
A book that embraces libraries and patrons everywhere, meant to be enjoyed and shared.
A must-have for read-alouds in schools, this northern tale will captivate both ears and eyes alike of young listeners and onlookers.
This beautiful book is for any library needing books about art and the process of creating, learning to do something new, or the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren.
Exceptional artwork helps this book stand out in the crowded field of anger management picture books, despite a flawed and uninspired text. A fine addition for larger collections.
This lovely picture book is sure to delight young readers.
A gentle tale of friendship and acceptance that will appeal to all readers.
This beautifully sincere and striking picture book belongs in every collection.
This beautiful gem offers simple joy and a dreamy glimpse into subway travel. A must-purchase to bring joy, movement, and poetic wonder to shelves.
A beautiful book about true friendship, with teachable skills for younger elementary students.
A secondary purchase for collections where sports history is popular.
This German import will be useful and enjoyable in classrooms or on the SEL shelves. Recommended.
The lawsuit, which was filed in Ohio federal court, alleges trademark infringement, unfair competition, and deceptive trade practices.
In a summary judgment on November 21 in Rhode Island v. Trump, Judge John J. McConnell Jr. ruled that the Trump administration’s attempt to shut down the Institute of Museum and Library Services was illegal and unconstitutional.
Canadian sportswriter Schultz Nicholson brings the sport of girls’ hockey to the forefront, with plenty of players and goals to cheer for.
An excellent and sometimes bittersweet conclusion to a sweeping story filled with romance, drama, and adventure.
Daniel Nayeri's novel set in World War II Iran was selected from a list of finalists that included Kyle Lukoff’s A World Worth Saving, Amber McBride’s The Leaving Room, Hannah V. Sawyerr’s Truth Is, and Ibi Zoboi’s (S)Kin.
Highlights from the SLJ Summit panel discussions include stories from Caldecott and National Book Award winner Dan Santat, as well as tips for creating a culture of reading and collaborating with public libraries.
The November 4 elections across the country sent a resounding message that voters value their libraries.
A delightful story certain to win over listeners at story hours or in classroom units about food and what it means.
A heartfelt reminder that care, imagination, and memory are powerful forms of protection worth celebrating in every classroom.
Children will love the surprise ending and the expressive characters in this silly hibernation story.
Sure to spark conversation for any age. Recommended for public and school picture book collections.
This offers an engaging message for readers who want to follow their dreams and is a solid choice for fans of Jitterbug and Goth Moth.
An essential tool for parents and teachers alike which will foster meaningful conversations with little ones experiencing big feelings.
A high-interest, interactive adventure book for readers who prefer to engage with alternative novel formats.
A great introduction to Holi for young readers, who may find its simplistic telling more accessible than a nonfiction book.
There are many books with more early reader–appropriate text and less problematic storylines and illustrations. Not recommended for purchase.
A humorous and engaging romance. Recommended.
Both romance and science fiction readers will keep this book circulating.
A book that would fit in with older collections but will feel out of place when stacked against other new and trending young adult novels.
While it has an intriguing premise, problems with worldbuilding and character development often made this book difficult to read. An additional purchase where fantasy series involving magic are popular.
A modern take on a classic that will keep high school readers intrigued.
While the pandemic theme may interest some readers, there are plenty of better quality teen novels featuring werewolves.
Reminiscent of the dark whimsy and romance of Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus, but for a younger audience, Montoya’s playful prose and lush world makes this a spellbinding experience.
An excellent choice for readers of vampire myths and folklore looking for a creative and new take that centers Black Caribbean teen girls.
An additional purchase where academic or science-themed fantasies circulate well.
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