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Bear and Olivia show us that with small changes in our lives, we can and should protect these animals and our small corner of the world.
In Family Style, Thien Pham uses food as the lens through which he tells the story of his family's journey both to America and to becoming American.
You know, what we’re really talking about is empowerment—feeling like even the smallest parts of us have power and worth. That could be super important to a middle school kid.
Full of supportive, well-rounded secondary characters (who, importantly don't just support Grace but challenge her and help her see her way through things), this look at identity, relationships, and goals is a great read with the important reminder that you are more than just your accomplishments.
These books all share anxiety as a theme, but in conversation with each other they feel like they are capturing something essential about the power of middle grade books.
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen outlines a poetry themed album release party for Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen outlines a poetry themed album release party for Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department
At the end of 2023, I established a 501©3 organization called A Book of My Own. There are so many things out of our control in this ever-challenging world - but getting books to kids who need them? That is something I can do.
The sequel to Go With the Flow introduces romance to the four girl friends.
Let’s take a look at twelve titles that deserve an encore.
With rich character development and a fast pace, this book was a great read built around a world (mariachi) I knew nothing about. Just beware: know where your local panaderia is and be ready to get some treats to keep you company as you read!
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen reviews the upcoming April Henry wilderness survival thriller STAY DEAD
This well-developed mystery is a solid read with a satisfying conclusion. Here's to hoping Simon, who has had plenty of adventure just while in their new city, finally gets the stable and permanent home he longs for!
These YA novels pair a lyrical verse format with engaging narratives of teen girls coming of age.
In the latest Adult Books for Teens roundup, find 10 titles published for adults with strong crossover appeal to teens.
When we listen to each other’s poems and stories, our minds grow wings. We visit each other’s worlds. We begin to understand each other. We become neighbors instead of strangers.
Isabel in Bloom will be my fourth middle grade novel (my first one in verse). When I began writing it, a few intriguing images had come to me: a girl on a plane, a dried-up school garden, and a balikbayan box.
PREMIUM
Compass and Blade
A solid romantasy purchase for any collection and ideal for fans of Lauren Roberts and BookTok trending books.
PREMIUM
Sky’s End
Not a priority purchase, but a fun addition to collections serving teens in their vintage dystopian era.
PREMIUM
The Atlas of Us
This romance, with gentle but explicit sex scenes, deals realistically with teens’ denial after the loss of a loved one. Recommended for mature YA audiences of all collections.
There is so much to be gained in the classroom by integrating more fantastical tales.
Teen Librarian Cindy Shutts adds to the wealth of fairy themed programming ideas with DIY fairy doors
Today Renee reviews the new shojo manga Tales of the Tendo family and interviews editor Eric Margolis about the story.
It's a quiet story, but one that makes it clear that Cecil is seen, that kids like Cecil are seen. I look forward to more from Jonathan Todd.
In this Q&A series, SLJ poses five questions and a request for a book recommendation to a debut YA author. In the latest installment, Vanessa Le shares about The Last Bloodcarver.
If AI becomes capable of writing unique novels, just for you, that are better than anything you've ever read before, what would become of the shared experience of a beloved book?
The concept of liminality plays a crucial role in Otherworldly, and as such, many of the important moments happen in liminal spaces.
PREMIUM
No Escape
A great example of an escape room thriller, tailor-made for a teen audience. Not only will it “escape” your library shelves often, but it may lead to a desire for escape room programming.
PREMIUM
Hearts Still Beating
A riveting, unique, and delightfully queer adventure. Recommended for all libraries.
PREMIUM
Song of the Six Realms
A beautifully detailed Gothic fantasy that explores how ignorance and deceit can crumble a community.
An excellent purchase for collections, especially where food manga and fantasy romances are in high demand.
PREMIUM
Bad Like Us
Fans of Karen M. McManus will find much to enjoy here. Recommended for thriller/mystery collections.
Fans of Karen M. McManus will love debut author Lundy’s well-developed mystery with plenty of thrills.
Multiple artists have passionately brought to life a great story that adds another element for members of the game’s base—and those new to it
PREMIUM
Snowglobe
Purchase for collections serving high schoolers where there is a love of dystopian mysteries.
PREMIUM
The Absinthe Underground
This is a heartwarming Sapphic love story with a gauzy heist plot for cozy-fantasy lovers and art fans.
PREMIUM
The Hedgewitch of Foxhall
Fans of Diana Wynne Jones’s Howl’s Moving Castle or Catherine Bakewell’s Flowerheart may enjoy this one, but it’s not recommended for general fantasy readers.
PREMIUM
Meet Me in the Fourth Dimension
Themes of misinformation on social media, cultural appropriation, and critical thinking make this debut from poet Feinstein one to give older teens looking for a unique, relatable issue- and character-driven book.
PREMIUM
The Vanishing Station
A must-have for teen libraries. Fans of espionage, romance, and magic will love this one.
PREMIUM
The Someday Daughter
O’Clover’s second novel captures the sweet revelations of young love. A good choice for all collections.
PREMIUM
Status Royale, Vol. 1
While Status Royale doesn’t do anything readers haven’t seen before, the fun premise and characters are enough to entertain old and new manga fans alike.
PREMIUM
How I Met My Soulmate, Vol. 1
Purchase where teens are looking for a heartfelt romance series like “In the Clear Moonlit Dusk” by Mika Yamamori or “Ao Haru Ride” by Io Sakisaka.
For those who enjoyed the series “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” and are looking for something less bittersweet, this healing isekai manga of unlikely friendship is one to recommend.
This fun title may inspire conversation between current teens who openly love anime and manga, and their otaku parents who had similar journeys to Megumi's.
A wonderful teen rom-com adventure reminiscent of Rachel Cohn and David Levithan’s “Dash & Lily” series and Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon.
PREMIUM
Rebel Skies
A diverse fantasy adventure about power, responsibility, and hope. Strongly recommended for YA collections.
A wonderful addition to the Elatsoe universe with vital representation, worthy of any YA collection. Highly recommended.
PREMIUM
The Kill Factor
An absolute bloody blast and a fantastic choice for readers looking for the horror of Adam Cesare's Clown in a Cornfield and the deadly single-winner competition of The Hunger Games.
PREMIUM
Where the Dark Stands Still
Fans of romantic Gothic fantasy mixed with Polish folklore will appreciate this novel. Recommended.
PREMIUM
Deep Is the Fen
The perfect choice for readers who enjoy secret societies with dark magic and mysterious rituals paired with true friendship and unexpected romance. Recommended.
PREMIUM
Made Glorious
An ominous homage with a morally corrupt lead who puts her own desires above all others. Give to readers who enjoy dark atmospheric works, such as Liselle Sambury’s Delicious Monsters and Rory Power’s Burn Our Bodies Down.
PREMIUM
Not Your Average Jo
Shim’s sophomore novel exposes and entertains, challenges and inspires; Tyo’s adaptability ensures even the occasional didactic moments get infused with plenty of empowering attitude.
PREMIUM
Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment
Overcomplications are many, but true love waits at book’s end. Avachat and Kishnani delight.
PREMIUM
Just Happy to Be Here
Though we all need more trans books on the shelf, this one can be hard to follow at times. An additional purchase.
A first buy for dealing with topics often seen as taboo, from periods to mental health, in an honest and engaging story that leaves room for sequels.
Jasmine Warga’s funny and touching story was the perfect addition to our literature circle this year. Incorporating coding, a team robotics challenge, and an exploration of the connection between music and emotion added a rich dimension to our study of A Rover’s Story.
Science Comics: Elephants is another excellent, informative entry in the non-fiction graphic novel series.
Over the past few years, the STAATUS index survey has asked Americans to name a famous Asian American. For three years in a row the most common response has been “I don’t know.” Number 2 has been Jackie Chan, who is not American, and number 3 has been Bruce Lee, who has been dead for […]
New graphic novels, poetry collections, middle grade books, and YA.
Here's a preview of the zany post-apocalyptic sports series I Heart Skull-Crusher, by Josie Campbell and Alessio Zonno.
Today, Renee Scott interviews Frederick L. Jones, who is spearheading the Saturday AM line of diverse manga.
By pairing these novels with music from the corresponding time period, librarians can provide readers with a multi-sensory experience that enriches their understanding of history.
In this new Q&A series, SLJ poses five questions and a request for a book recommendation to a debut YA author. For our inaugural Q&A of the series, Dinesh Thiru shares about Into the Sunken City.
Join author John Schu and 24/25 AASL President-Elect Becky Calzada Schu's new book, libraries, and books they want to share with librarians.
Author Jane Yolen visits TLT to talk about her newest book, a collection of poetry titled IN AND OUT THE WINDOW
Beyond the love of reading, the prospect of doing well in school, or even increased empathy for those around the reader, middle grade books offer something far more important: optimism.
A really nice look at how independence is often hard-fought and can come through unexpected paths. A solid upper middle grade read.
In writing my contemporary YA novel, Just Another Epic Love Poem, I leaned into the granularity of my experience.
Not every character name goes through a rigorous process—some are a little more random!—but this is one of those parts of the writing process that is pure fun for me. It can be challenging to settle on the right name, but when you do, it makes all the difference.
On the early morning of March 8, 2024, the anime, manga, and video game community was rocked by the news of the passing of Akira Toriyama. Toriyama-sensei, the creator of the world famous Dragon Ball series, passed away on March 1 at the age of 68. I personally feel that another part of my childhood […]
A middle schooler used to living in her best friend’s shadow learns how to stand out and speak up, not just for herself but for her whole school.
In The Deadly Daylight, Alice England is a friend to the dead. She listens to what they tell her.
In part 2 on her discussion of Nonfiction and Middle Grade, author Deborah Hopkinson discusses middle grade nonfiction with several of her fellow authors
In part 2 on her discussion of Nonfiction and Middle Grade, author Deborah Hopkinson discusses middle grade nonfiction with several of her fellow authors
The key to making that 2015-2024 walk to oblivion and partway back? Persistence. Holding nerve. Holding serve. Hoping to get another chance, and then another, and believing that if only you get that chance, you'll get it right this time.
Author Deborah Hopkinson discusses what she calls the neglected guest at the party - middle grade nonfiction!
Today we have the announcement and preview of a new YA graphic novel, Navigating With You, by Jeremy Whitley, creator of Princeless, The Wasp, and School for Extraterrestrial Girls.
In The Color of Sound, twelve year old musical prodigy Rosie stumbles upon a shed on her grandparents’ property and, once inside, meets a girl who is, against all odds, a version of her own mother at age twelve.
As full of beauty as it is hardship, this is an excellent and important read.
“Write what you know,” is an excellent starting place for writers. But to that advice, I would add, “Write what you wish you didn’t.”
I just really can't say enough positive things about the book. It's so well-written, powerful, and absorbing. Headen somehow balances the onslaught of racist threats and assaults with so much joy and community and hope. An absolute must-buy for all libraries.
An absolutely fantastic read about period equity, friendship, direct action, and good trouble.
Let’s continue to shine as many lights as we can on middle grade books and their authors. Read their books. Recommend them to your friends. Post reviews online. Talk about them.
Stories enable readers to connect with and learn from the healing power of forgiveness. To see and understand its benefits. Stories enable readers to see themselves on the page. Give them an opportunity to practice the art of forgiving.
Tabletop RPGs, by design, encourage social interaction, problem solving and conflict resolution.
PREMIUM
Stay with My Heart
A sweet read with depth. Hand to readers who enjoy contemporary YA, boy bands, and books about girls who like music.
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