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The idea bubbled up practically overnight: the story of a young, gay, Hispanic teen (that’s me), who falls in love with a cowboy (that’s Texas), who may or may not be a killer (and that’s Jane Austen).
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.
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under featuring Suee and the Strange White Light from Amulet Books and Nightmare Brigade Volume 3: Finding Alice from Papercutz.
Our list of books to consider for our 2024 Heavy Medal Mock Newbery stands at 38. Now's the time to add to that number by sharing your June suggestions. Add up to five titles in the comments and we'll keep building a list of the best children's books of the year.
A fantastic look at periods, social justice, period poverty, economic inequalities, and the power of taking action. Get this one on all shelves!
These three graphic novels published for adults with teen appeal will keep young adults engaged during the break. Plus, an eye-opening Black queer feminist statement is also featured in this We Are Kid Lit Collective Summer Reading list.
Part of We Are Kid Lit Collective's 2023 Summer Reading selections, this list features early chapter books, graphic novels, and other transitional books for emerging readers.
Here's an update on recent graphic novel deals for books coming out in 2024-26.
If we as adults (and authors) can’t give our kids a world that makes any sense, the least we can do is let them play in one.
PREMIUM
Frog
Vibrant colors and engaging use of die-cuts will have young children learning while being completely entertained with this well-designed title.
PREMIUM
Sorry, Snail
While the message is earnest, the method is extreme in today’s climate of online bullying and harassment; the sensibility has a very specific appeal and should be doled out with caution.
PREMIUM
Un secreto
Purchase where there’s a need of literary Spanish-language novels for younger teens.
Young readers will greatly enjoy finding this child in the colorful illustrations. Highly recommended for early childhood read-alouds.
PREMIUM
100 First Words: Nature
Straightforward, engaging and sturdy, this book will appeal to its intended audience and the adults who want to develop their natural vocabulary.
PREMIUM
Bug
Children will enjoy the adventures of Bug and will be ready to go on a nature walk looking for insects as soon as they turn the last page.
PREMIUM
Animal Atlas: A Pop-Up Book
Children will enjoy the interactive elements as they span the globe and meet a wide variety of animals.
PREMIUM
Where’s the Cat?
Tactile engagement with soft flaps for toddlers and their caregivers to enjoy, this is a great choice for board book shelves.
Useful for teacher-led-sharing, the lifespan of the book is limited if less-than-gentle hands are going to engage with the pop ups.
PREMIUM
Where’s the King?
This title’s vocabulary choices make this an unsuitable title for most North American libraries unless a London setting and British-centric vocabulary is desired.
PREMIUM
Seton Girls
A page-turning debut centering on a close group of Black girls and a football team’s takedown following an accusation of rape.
Can you guess the children’s book by its scathing one-star review on Goodreads?
This inspiring and highly relatable title could be used with readers of any age to discuss topics of body image and self-love. Recommended.
This companion novel allows me to tell another one of those untold stories—uncovered through videos and memoirs and articles—of a young boy yearning to, one day, reunite with his father.
Recommended as a lyrical read-aloud and an informational text.
A charming introduction to the big idea of school, and an angle that will resonate: it’s not the building but the people that make up a school.
Highly recommended for public or school libraries. This gently exciting story will be enjoyed by adventure-loving children.
This is a must for any collection where young readers have an interest in storytelling, as well as generally a good pick for fans of the author.
Another stunning title from a gifted pair of creators, this deserves a place in all collections as children will root for Cox and be inspired by her amazing accomplishments.
Overall a cute work, this might still be best suited where cookbooks and food writing among young readers are popular.
An overwhelmingly helpful and inclusive book that will benefit kids and grown-ups alike.
PREMIUM
Who Is Malala Yousafzai?
An impressive collection of data, smoothly told, with colorful artwork, just right for kindergartners.
A fascinating and browsable collective biography that will inspire further research. Recommended for women’s and film history studies.
A catchy title and guaranteed audience, but the checkout versus recipes cooked may be disparate. Not recommended.
An enjoyable read and a first purchase, especially for collections in need of accessible books on jazz history for younger readers.
This beautiful book is a wealth of knowledge on the wildlife that live in the incredibly diverse habitats of the United States; sure to be a popular selection with visual learners and young researchers.
PREMIUM
Hardware Helper!
A wonderful addition to the growing array of captivating beginning reader books. Recommended for all collections where leveled readers are in demand.
PREMIUM
Burt the Beetle Lives Here!
Emergent readers and fans of comics will enjoy getting to know Burt in this recommended title.
PREMIUM
School Day Drama
A solid choice for libraries that circulate graphic novels to younger readers, but may get lost among more unique early graphic novels characters.
Recommended only where the Magic Mixies web series is already popular.
PREMIUM
Harry at the Dog Show
This book is an enjoyable stepping stone for children who have begun the process of reading independently and are prepared for a challenge.
Children will enjoy Biscuit’s traditional exploits while practicing their developing reading skills.
PREMIUM
Fox Has a Problem
A welcome and valuable addition to any early reader collection, sure to be popular with fans of the series in addition to newcomers.
PREMIUM
Gnome and Rat
A cute new addition to the growing pool of emergent-reader graphic novels featuring best friends, this will appeal to fans of Ben Clanton’s “Narwhal & Jelly” series and Stephen Shaskan’s “Pizza & Taco” books.
PREMIUM
Boom!
A swift, sweet, and visually satisfying vignette for beginning readers to enjoy with a caregiver or on their own.
PREMIUM
Shark-Cam
For young shark lovers. A predator that acts against type makes for a fun, gentle narrative.
PREMIUM
The Smurfs: Lazy’s Alarm Clock
A fun, action-packed beginning reader for libraries with large collections.
This short and sweet primer on saying sorry for one’s wrongs is a useful SEL selection for everyone.
A great choice for libraries looking to add holiday or counting books to their collection for younger children.
PREMIUM
Trick or Treat? It’s Halloween!
Recommended for public library collections where holiday board books are in demand.
PREMIUM
Celebrate the Day of the Dead!
Recommended as a first purchase for collections where holiday books about the Day of the Dead are lacking.
Recommended for all libraries for display during the holidays, especially to reflect the Indian diaspora or immigrant experience.
PREMIUM
Grumpy Monkey Don’t Be Scared
Libraries that purchase this Halloween edition in the “Grumpy Monkey” series will see it quickly flee the shelves.
PREMIUM
The Wheels on the Costume
Libraries lacking inclusive representation in their collections, especially their board books, will want to buy; for everyone else, this is an additional purchase.
PREMIUM
The Boo Crew Needs YOU!
Recommended as an addition to Halloween shelves, an engaging title that provides new material on the holiday topic.
PREMIUM
Big Bad Wolf’s Yom Kippur
Pair with Steve Smallman’s The Lamb Who Came for Dinner. Also, look to Gloria Koster’s Little Red Ruthie: A Hanukkah Tale and Laura Aron Milhander’s Not for All the Hamantaschen in Town for more fun Jewish holiday fairy tale twists.
Most libraries will find this appealing, accessible book a welcome addition to holiday shelves.
A great addition to libraries looking to expand their seasonal stories for infants or for those who have duopress’s other “High-Contrast” titles; a recommended read for fans of Halloween to share with their youngest patrons.
PREMIUM
Dr. Seuss’s Horton Hears a Boo!
Nostalgic and enjoyable, this is a delightful addition to Halloween storybook collections for young readers.
A solid addition to an established collection on the subject for younger children.
Public libraries with Jewish populations will find this a useful overview of holidays, but it will not replace the many other picture books covering them individually.
PREMIUM
Raaga’s Song: A Diwali Story
Recommended purchase for libraries with readers who want to learn more about the origins of Diwali and make a connection to modern-day issues.
PREMIUM
The Beautiful Something Else
A perfect way to infuse fiction with science; use this with Eliot Schrefer’s Queer Ducks (and Other Animals), in SEL classes, or offer it to those reading Ann Braden or Leslie Connor.
PREMIUM
Hope Against Hope
Give to readers who love historical fiction and are eager for an engaging story they’ve likely not heard in depth before.
This format will attract new readers to a poetic, powerful story of growth. Highly recommended.
PREMIUM
Picture Day
For kids who enjoy realistic graphic novels about school, friendship, and discovering your true self.
PREMIUM
Opinions and Opossums
A healthy reminder that the status quo continually needs to be challenged by thoughtful youths. There are a multitude of metaphors found in the natural world that can provide lessons if we are open to receiving them. A good choice for tween shelves.
PREMIUM
Charmed Life
Purchase where the first book is popular but pass where it has been a hard sell.
PREMIUM
Ghost Book
Fans of Lai’s other works, as well as Kat Leyh’s Snapdragon, and Emma Steinkellner’s “The Okay Witch” series will enjoy this modern ghost story with a hopeful ending. Recommended first purchase for upper elementary and middle school collections.
For readers who are ready for a breathtaking, emotional, and heartfelt adventure.
PREMIUM
Misfit Mansion
Would make a strong fit for most juvenile graphic novel collections, especially those where gently spooky stories circulate well.
PREMIUM
The Bawk-ness Monster
A chaotically fun series opener that grabs readers from the first pages.
A definite purchase for a middle school library, this debut novel with a delightfully diverse cast provides a truthful account of peer pressure, divorce, and consent.
The Margaret A. Edwards Award winner took over SLJ’s Instagram for a live Q&A that spanned his books, inspiration, censorship, and AI. Here's what he shared.
Our latest video game reviews feature a vengeful god, a speedy bipedal hedgehog, a laser-wielding space bounty hunter, and a squishy pink puffball.
Which books work well as standalones, and which are best for series fans? Use our input to navigate whether to begin or expand these series selections at your library.
PREMIUM
Sneak!
Despite a flawed text, the pull tabs and engaging illustrations will keep children returning to this book; it will not stand up to heavy use, but in limited circulation or story hour sharing, it will be a hit.
PREMIUM
Our World: Ethiopia
Even though board books are usually intended for very young children, it would also be appropriate to include this one in younger elementary school settings as part of a global awareness unit.
PREMIUM
Shall We Dance?
An intriguing window into remarkable animal antics that may be part of larger discussions about endangered species, protecting the planet, and the care of wildlife.
A completely unique and important narrative not to be missed; readers and teachers will come away with a new appreciation for the myriad contributions Indigenous people have made.
A visually appealing and well-researched addition to biographical narratives, for use with the original Make Way for Ducklings or with the recent picture book biography Mr. McCloskey’s Marvelous Mallards by Emma Bland Smith.
A delicious series of memories full of hope and human connections despite the hardships of immigrating to a new home.
For fans of Jarrett Krosoczka’s Hey, Kiddo and Robin Ha’s Almost American Girl, this coming-of-age memoir will appeal to youth who are struggling with their identity. This engaging graphic novel is a recommended purchase for all libraries.
The story of The School Living Club continues in this special one-shot manga.
I’m a sucker for a good happily ever after. I believe that most people deserve one, and deserve to see people like themselves have one. Which is one of the reasons I wrote Rhythm & Muse, to fill a void that I wasn’t finding at the time. A black, teenage boy finding his.
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under featuring Extincts Volume 2: Flight of the Mammoth from Amulet Books and Jurassic Jeff: Space Invader from Random House Graphic.
This is my love letter to all the equestrians who haven’t seen themselves on the page. I’m going to need your help and support to get my books into the hands of kids who want and need them, so I hope you go on this ride with me.
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