This ode to beauty and the still-to-be-explored corners of the universe will find an audience among elementary school students and educators.
A strong first purchase. The poem and artwork, which create an exquisite sense of a child’s joy in playing on an autumn afternoon, will appeal to all ages.
Those keen on finding poetry for emerging readers will find this book a satisfying dish.
Hand this exceptional overview to future constitutional law students.
Yoo’s book is an important, balanced text for collections working to build digestible historical titles related to race and America.
This imaginative combination of art and text is a must-purchase for school and public libraries.
Guaranteed to be loved by all readers, this book is a valuable purchase for the SEL or general children’s section. Recommended.
A moving portrayal of community and appreciation for the past, this book is a fine addition to all collections.
An aspirational if abstract selection aimed at encouraging imagination.
This is a book for most classroom shelves, where its activities can be worked into almost every unit that includes the need to look sharp and pay attention as well as relax and say thank you
A visual treat that cheerfully celebrates winter through lyrical facts found in the natural world, while incidentally also being a counting book. A worthy purchase for most collections.
A standard telling of an anything-but-standard story, this biography of a courageous medicine woman would be especially valuable in a school collections.
The indomitable Jarrow crafts another enthralling narrative of nonfiction that will mesmerize curious readers and serve as an exemplar for educators and researchers.
A unique book of opposites for children who enjoy learning about animals and being exposed to unfamiliar words.
An uneven collection of poetry. Consider it as an additional selection.
An interactive way for teachers and students to learn more about one of America’s famous poets.
With its good-humored approach and appealing illustrations reminiscent of Dr. Seuss, this uneven collection offers a few gems for sharing aloud, but ultimately falls short.
An engaging volume for young readers to use for reference
A useful introduction that will entertain readers as it shares fascinating facts about these colorful birds, and a helpful addition to units on birds or animal adaptations.
An excellent addition to any elementary library collection.
Hand this to readers ready to get high school over with or those who just need a reminder that there are people in your corner (even if your corner is wedged in a storage room behind a locked door at school).
From haunted camps to music camps to STEM camps, these 22 stories have a diverse range of characters and experiences, so all tween readers can find something to enjoy.
As we find ourselves at the midway point of June, amidst the celebrations of Pride Month, it's an opportune time to reflect on the rich tapestry of narratives within the LGBTQIA+ community with 15 noteworthy graphic novels that can help us celebrate Pride this month, and year-round.
Choose instead Aiden Thomas’s The Sunbearer Trials or Lani Forbes’s The Seventh Sun.
An awesome book about samosas and so much more; a great addition to any collection.
The steady, pleasing pace of plot and illustrations will complement most collections; its delicate message lands hard and is heartfelt.
Highly recommended for all public school librarians, teachers, and school administrators.
This would be a welcome addition to high school libraries.
Inspired by Mo’s move from Hong Kong to the United States at the age of 10, this remarkable story about finding comfort in a new home by bringing along familiar traditions is a must-purchase for picture book collections and will resonate with any child who has struggled to fit in.
A must-read, this novel is full of charming dialogue, romantic-tension scenes, and heart-melting moments.
Although designed for young readers, this will appeal to older audiences and is a stellar first purchase for all libraries.
A clever and charming story of perspective, belonging, and finding oneself, this is a highly recommended for purchase.
A wordless picture book with so much to say, this is one for all children, and all collections.
A captivating picture book that captures the feeling of loneliness and the need for friendship, ideal for toddlers and preschoolers.
This gentle title is an excellent choice for early readers and would be an engaging read-aloud for younger children. Fans of series like Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm’s “Babymouse” and Dav Pilkey’s “Cat Kid Comic Club” will enjoy this title.
Collections needing “silly” can file this one on the shelves, but it’s an additional purchase.
An essential purchase for middle/junior high school and teen collections. This may not be a high-circulation item, but it will be a lifeline for astute poetry lovers.
Despite cluttered formatting, this book provides excellent resources for employing a variety of engaging reading strategies that have wide applicability across K-8 contexts. Purchase for libraries with a focus on reading, explicit instruction, or a new curriculum.
An insight worth taking to heart
This lovely, dynamic picture book would be an excellent choice for libraries needing stories about the path of learning, step by step, the small joys along the way, and sharing in that joy with others.
A first purchase for libraries seeking adventurous science fiction mingled with facts about the universe.
Hand this novel to fans of David Levithan and Elizabeth Acevedo.
A sweet and serene seasonal story that will find a home in any collection.
This title can be skipped in favor of more engaging queer romance and more balanced representation of mental health journeys.
An exciting fantasy tale of magic, friendship, and self-discovery, with poignant themes of colonization and cultural oppression that will captivate high school readers. Fans of Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen and Marissa Meyer’s Cinder will be enthralled by this adventure of rebellion and the quest for freedom.
With its enchanting atmosphere, captivating plot, and unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for any fantasy fan.
Li’s YA debut is a hopeful coming-of-age story with a cozy New England setting.
Fans of Greek mythology will appreciate the nods to some memorable characters and stories.
There is nothing pedestrian about this fantastic supernatural thriller. A modern classic with ties to the monsters that came before.
A strong addition to the shelves and an accessible title to add to nature lessons or even story hours about mindfulness, with its emphasis on simplicity and an appreciation of nature.
A lively and essential addition to every folklore collection.
Imagination fills the sails of this rousing, unusually inclusive, yarn.
They don’t have all the answers. They make mistakes. There’s no sugar-coating their pain or flaws here. And there shouldn’t have to be. Give me all the unlikeable girls.
The authors talk wrestling, Orange Julius, kayfabe, identity, grief, and more.
A cover reveal for the upcoming picture book by John Schu and Holly Hatam
New readers can feed their minds as they read these books about feeding their bellies.
The book’s unique style comes at the expense of storytelling clarity, making this book a difficult recommendation for young readers, but a valuable historical record.
Highly recommended for high school students, this would make a great reading group book to discuss.
A worthy addition to a collection frequented by nature lovers, and a book that takes an unusual and welcome approach to the seasons.
Come for the culinary competition, stay for the incisive take on social issues. Recommended for all libraries.
An engaging novel in verse that touches on serious issues but is uplifting and hopeful. Recommended for middle and high school libraries.
This delightfully chilling romp with a brave and clever orphan is a Halloween tale with heart, that would be a splendid read-aloud at Halloween.
Suspense stories are in high demand with teens and this one won’t disappoint. Readers will be left with their jaws hanging open when all is revealed.
A love affair among poetry, Iranian culture, and teenage angst is happily fused in Akhbari’s debut.
A winning series continues targeting young readers who need help processing emotions, making this an essential purchase.
An empowering and inspiring story that encourages young readers to pursue their passions and make their voices heard.
Best for audiences already introduced to the Tiny Chef.
A well-written, thoughtful, and sympathetic deep dive into understanding and surviving an abusive parent.
A first purchase and excellent choice for dog story times.
Queer teens and allies will appreciate a book with a trans protagonist and enjoy the read, even with the major plot holes.
Creepiness abounds, but not enough for readers to fully set sail aboard this ship.
An engaging and insightful biography of an American hero
An authentic window into the lives of adolescents with grit and heart, likely for a niche audience.
This delightful Halloween-themed story would be a wonderful addition to any library’s collection, perfect for sparking excitement and enthusiasm about the spooky season.
This picture book explores the complex topic of immigration through the lens of a small child in a meaningful way. Children will appreciate the authentic experience of Mevan while relating to her struggles and joy in receiving a simple gift like a bicycle.
Recommended as an additional purchase where Castilian Spanish is popular or short chapter books are sought.
Recommended as an additional purchase where Castilian Spanish is popular or short chapter books are sought.
A highly readable biography about an inspiring man, this is a first pick for all libraries.
Readers willing to suspend disbelief will be treated to a solid murder mystery; this is a fantastic bridge into the world of adult thriller.
Teens will enjoy this title with its comedic plot twists, U.S. high school drama themes, and the friendship-to-love relationship between two realistic Latinx teens.
Purchase this celebration of family, culture, and hard work for all Spanish-language picture book collections.
A breathtaking, bilingual offering that can be used with countless themed story times and read-alouds. Shelve alongside Carole Lindstrom’s My Powerful Hair.
While this type of gentle queer representation in storytelling is valuable, the story and the artwork are too unpolished to recommend for purchase.
Every Happily Ever After is going to look a little different. Stories, in any form, can be an escape. But within unfamiliar settings and struggles we see the truth of the world around us.
Just like art, coming up with the ideal discussion questions involved a lot of trial and error. As I get ready for my next career phase with the upcoming launch of my YA book, TAKE ALL OF US, I’ve decided to take a look back at what ended up being the five worst and five best library whiteboards overall.
It's time for rapid-fire Q&A with Peter Brown, Dashka Slater, Chris Baron, and Jarrett Lerner!
They are politicians and artists and athletes. They are young people, and people with a few years of life under their belts. And their stories can inform and encourage young readers in June and throughout the year. These books can change lives—and even save them.
I knew I wanted to convey insights into Jamaican life with YOUR CORNER DARK and now with BETTER MUST COME. So, when it came to showing YOUNG PEOPLE how economic policies, the issues of abandonment, police brutality, and others affected the island nation, I had to make the stories EXCITING!
It started with the title—Past Present Future popped into my head one day, and I couldn’t ignore it. I’m a sucker for parallelism.
Seven new manga releases that are sure to be a hit with YA readers.
For a more encapsulated history with primary sources and first-person accounts, steer interested readers towards More Deadly Than War: The Hidden History of the Spanish Flu and the First World War by Kenneth C. Davis. For upper-level students, Barry’s longer original title, despite its length, will prove more accessible and authoritative.
A limited but solid choice for expanding school or public library collections featuring a diversity of personages in World War II.
An emotionally resonant denouement; Ogle gives readers his hardest and most hopeful book yet.
A useful though not essential addition for discussions of the intersection of art, science, and everyday activities.
A good graphic novel for young people looking to learn about history and culture in an accessible form.
Though first published in 2005, this edition’s new illustrations bring it firmly up to date, in a memoir that reads like a fairy tale of a community touched by a miracle.
An immersive look at the world of women’s soccer that makes for an enjoyable read for those who are sports fans, and even those who are not.
A beautifully written and illustrated story of a man who wanted people to explore nothingness, which is a necessity in today’s busy world. A great read-aloud and a must-purchase for all library collections.Graphic Nonfiction
Hand to readers who are too young for Xiran Jay Zhao’s Iron Widow. An additional purchase for collections actively seeking more science fiction.
High-energy but decidedly disappointing. Only recommended if readers are looking to scratch that spooky amusement park itch.
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