Here's a look at the graphic novels that publishers have been acquiring, and when we can expect to see them.
Being vulnerable on the page hasn’t been easy. Opening myself up to judgement—both good and bad is terrifying.
The 2025 Mock Caldecott winners at my K-3rd grade school!
I LOVE photography. I feel it's the great unsung, untapped genre of children's books and is vastly deserving of more attention. 2024 had some true photographic beauties and we're going to experience them firsthand, right now!
The new law in New Jersey aims to limit book removals and protect librarians from criminal prosecution; in Illinois, some school districts are choosing to lose state grants instead of complying with its Freedom to Read law; additional titles removed in Oregon and Tennessee; and more in censorship news.
In celebration of Taylor Swift's birthday on December 13th (iykyk), Teen Librarian Cindy Shutts shares her Taylor Swift themed Escape Room
Today we have a preview of the final arc of James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas' fantasy tale Wynd.
Author Sabrina Moyle discusses her graphic novel, ASTRID AND STELLA COMET TOGETHER
Several journals and libraries have announced their "Best Children's Books of 2024." How do their choices compare to the possible Newbery contenders on our Heavy Medal nominations list?
A behind-the-scenes look at how THE LAST ZOOKEEPER was made.
Caregivers can read these poems to children to help them on their journey to slumber.
This year, we're going to talk about the usual slew of "message" books, while also taking some time to consider those titles that look at social and emotional learning.
This sweet graphic novel about a girl with dyslexia will help readers understand not only their own challenges, reading or otherwise, but also those that their friends may be facing.
Check out my 13 favorite reads of the year!
It’s time to take a look back at the year that was in children’s lit miscellanea.
Math! It's beautiful, isn't it? The perfection of it. Its logic. Cadences. Sublime applications. Today we celebrate it when it's put into children's books brilliantly. Don't be scared. Math is for everyone.
The world lost poet, author, and civil rights activist Nikki Giovanni on Monday, but her impact and legacy live on in her writing.
What do you do when four million wasps invade your town? Make 'em a sandwich, of course! Kate and I discuss this 1972 publication and determine whether it ranks as a "classic".
Teen librarian Karen Jensen discusses the end of the Eras Tour and what libraries can learn from Taylor Swift
View the final nomination list of 57 Mock Newbery contenders and vote in a poll to help determine our final book list.
Enjoy both books where two different languages appear in the same title, and books of translation from one language to another. It's a celebration of all things bilingual today!
Make your voice heard by voting for the 2024 Undies Case Cover Awards.
The Young Adult Library Services Association announced the finalists for the Morris Award for a YA title by a previously unpublished author and the Excellence in Nonfiction Award for nonfiction YA books for ages 12 to 18.
NCTE has announced Stealing Little Moon: The Legacy of American Indian Boarding Schools by Dan SaSuWeh Jones and The Last Stand by Antwan Eady, illus. by Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey, as the 2025 Orbis Pictus and Charlotte Huck award winners, respectively.
These three chapter books feature lovable, quirky animal sleuths solving wacky mysteries and getting into plenty of high jinks along the way.
Cree, Sioux, and Ojibwa are featured in these picture books across fiction and nonfiction categories. Among them are an old favorite, vastly updated, plus a biography about the hero of the drum.
At story hours or in more casual settings, readers will come away from these two charming books about family and baking hungry. In each, family and friends—woodland animals or human dear ones—gather, and beautiful loaves of challah are enjoyed by all.
While from a sales perspective picture book reprints are risky things, today we are highlighting those rare titles that get a second chance at life.
For more than 40 years, book supplier Children’s Plus, Inc. has been helping librarians do their jobs more effectively. Now, Children’s Plus has rebranded as Libraria and launched a new website that will make getting the right books into the hands of readers even easier.
What precisely is a "Caldenott"? Any book where the illustrator is inconveniently from a country other than America. Today, we look beyond rigid classifications to celebrate artists deserving in every possible way save location.
Here's a look at the graphic novels that publishers have been acquiring, and when we can expect to see them.
Are you a serious children's book reader who loves to discuss the best of the best? Now's your chance to volunteer for the Heavy Medal Award Committee. Participants will take part in in-depth book discussion and a live webcast leading to the selection of our Mock Newbery winner. Apply online by December 12th.
As always, the one thing that makes life tolerable is escaping into fiction. And for all my hatred of actual winter, I love books set in winter. Here are a few you might like, too!
Can you guess the children’s book by its scathing one-star review on Goodreads?
Funny books? They're difficult to create. Today we look at a slew of books that are doing it right. From parrotfish and hilarious Iranians to science fiction, nonfiction, and more, there's something here for every humor lover on your list!
The friendship of two stray cats is explored in this adorable, yet realistic, manga.
If you need a holiday gift for that childhood friend you always traded books with, look no further.
Here are twelve books I read, loved, and didn’t review in 2024.
Books in translation are a great resource to enrich young minds and library shelves. Here, SLJ rounds up 7 recent titles for the middle grade set.
A class-action lawsuit alleges Lucy Calkins, Heinemann Publishing, and Fountas & Pinnell, among others, engaged in "deceptive and fraudulent marketing" that resulted in harm to students exposed to the whole language reading method and curricular products; registration is open for LibLearnx in January; auction offers rare items and experiences to benefit We Need Diverse Books; and more in News Bites.
Today we celebrate the successful rhymers! These are the books that scan beautifully and give us good reasons for loving that particular type of tricky verse.
Save the date for our 2025 Mock Newbery webcast Friday Jan 24th at 1 pm EST.
TLT Contributor Riley Jensen shares some December YA releases on her TBR, and one from January because it's her post and she can do what she wants
From historical works to books influenced by personal history to those with characters who must examine the past to move forward, these five titles are strong Printz contenders.
From board books that invite the littlest readers to hippity-hop to anthologies that encourage older readers to explore deep themes in narratives, these 11 titles celebrate the Festival of Lights in a variety of ways.
In the face of rising censorship in schools and libraries, Lerner Publishing Group is hosting a Thursday, December 5 concert in Minneapolis. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to organizations engaged in fighting book bans and challenges, including EveryLibrary’s Fight for the First campaign, We Are Stronger Than Censorship, and the American Librarian Association’s Unite Against Book Bans initiative.
Today on this list you're going to see titles about Eid, Mexican Independence Day, Día de Muertos, Passover, and more.
These three teens know each other so well! In Constellation they are each facing situations and decisions that are difficult for them individually and impossible collectively.
Here's a look at the graphic novels that publishers have been acquiring, and when we can expect to see them.
This Thanksgiving season, I’ve been thinking about all the ways libraries have influenced my life.
It's Giving Tuesday! Here are some bookish nonprofits to support.
It can be difficult to understand how truly praiseworthy simple picture books and their basic texts are, and how much good they do for the youngest of readers. Today, we celebrate those rarities.
Thirty-six schools will receive grants to purchase Mathical Book Prize titles.
It was a huge week in the movie world this Thanksgiving, as Wicked and Gladiator II continued their streaks and Moana 2 premiered to huge numbers. So I thought, while listening once again to the Wicked soundtrack, why not recommend books that I think fit some of the characters from these huge films? After all, […]
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Powerpuff Girls Winter Snowdown Showdown from Dynamite Entertainment and Flavor Girls #1 Return to the Mothership from Boom! Studios Archaia imprint.
The December Nomination period is now open. It's the last chance for Heavy Medal readers to identify two more titles that could be contenders for the 2025 Newbery Medal. Nominate your two books by December 7th.
Both November episodes featured Mac Barnett.
Today, we celebrate the books that can enrapture in mere moments thanks to the power of words and images (and your own vocal chords) alone.
With these titles, young readers can see some of the many different ways people celebrate Christmas around the world.
Board books for the youngest of young. We've the greatest 2024 titles for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers on display. Be the star of the next baby shower you attend and give some of THESE!
Heartwarming and fun, this holds its own as a solid graphic novel about siblings and family.
While this must-read title will be especially affirming for those with dyslexia or who struggle in school, all young readers will find aspects of themselves within Stella’s world, and perhaps be inspired to ask for help when needed.
A perfect pick for young readers who love fearless heroines and thrilling space adventures.
With the humor and pain that accompanies forced truth-telling, this book explores deeper familial, friendship, self-care, and cultural issues in a fun page-turner.
A powerful coming-of-age story about life, loss, and community.
A realistic novel that despite some narrative wandering presents a sweet tale of teen angst, intergenerational support, and young queer love.
The levity of this magical story deftly balances the gravity of its subject matter and will leave readers wanting another bite. A recommended purchase for middle grade graphic novel collections.
A wonderful middle school story about family, friendship, and determining the right path. A must-purchase for all libraries.
Freya is a character that readers will root for. Recommended for middle grade collections and for curriculum enrichment on primary source research and social activism.
A must-purchase; this is a timely title for middle school students as well as parents, teachers, and librarians who are looking for powerful mirrors or windows into trans experiences.
Lovers of space and science fiction simply must have this one on their shelves and in their TBR.
A resonant work of realistic fiction that touches on housing and food insecurity, empathy, and unlikely friendships. Recommended for tween collections.
An LGBTQIA+ romance reminiscent of The Princess Diaries with characters readers will root for.
This beautifully written adventure is for readers who have a great interest in Taiwan and its culture, particularly the various specialty foods. For those who are looking for a perfectly sweet romance story, this book is a must-read.
Fans of dark fantasy with horrifying monsters and action will enjoy the rising action of this novel and its unique world. Recommended.
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