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.
Growing up, I loved fairy tales and Greek myths. As a young queer person, I was keenly aware of how LGBTQIA+ characters never appeared in these stories.
Since June 19th became a national holiday in 2021, the list of books about Juneteenth has been growing! Here is a handful of the latest titles for children.
ABCs. 123s. The first year of school has come to an end, and it’s graduation time. These seven titles are the perfect picks for celebrating this monumental milestone.
What is the worst case scenario for a website that isn't renewed? If you create books for kids in any way, please listen to today's warning.
Listen to our first-ever SPEED ROUND episode of The Yarn podcast!
Colby and I decided to try out a new idea: speed round-only episodes of the podcast. Today is the first one.
With a single photograph you get a truly great picture book pairing and the start of a beautiful collaboration. To life! To joy! To books!
Esther checks out the new Spider-Man manga from Viz, Spider-Man: Fake Red.
Author Robin Alvarez discusses mermaids and her YA novel, When Oceans Rise
Crilley talks about writing and illustrating a novel paying tribute to Taiwan more than 30 years after living there to teach English.
With roots in Mesoamerican mythology, this fantastic tale will charm any reader. Its connection to history and tradition makes it wonderful for teaching while being entertaining with its adventure.
An engaging novel for younger teens that centers around a relatable heroine and a fascinating history.
An ambitious and convoluted adventure that misses the mark; not recommended for purchase.
An authentic journey for adoptees who are not allowed to feel sad but thrust into a stance of gratitude for a life they were given and for all readers who, after a loss, are reconstructing their identities.
A wholly original Spanish-language novel for young people.
A raw coming-of-age story that illustrates the multi-faceted nature of grief and growing up.
A ruminative novel that might be difficult for some adolescents to follow. Experienced readers of Spanish might find this more accessible.
A graphic novel recommended for teens interested in stories about social justice and the importance of family roots.
A love letter to Taiwan that is visually stunning, but lacks in character development. Purchase where realistic fiction graphic novels are popular.
Xie’s sparse fabrication of real events never successfully achieves the admittedly difficult task of visually depicting how music can touch the spirit. Small human moments abound, but the story’s attempts to portray more sweeping emotions fall short.
An excellent, effective introduction to why saving the Earth is important.
A welcome choice for picture book collections, especially where nature and animal books are in high demand.
A simple story of friendship and love between a child and a dog.
This is a great educational resource for elementary collections, and could serve as a powerful conversation starter for classroom discussions on the environment. Recommended.
A realistic portrayal of familial bonds for general purchase.
A silly celebration of play, imagination, and devoted fathers that would enhance a Father’s Day program or display. Recommended for first purchase.
A great addition to graphic novel sections of libraries and classrooms in middle schools.
An ambitious effort that misses the mark for the intended age. Purchase for a public or school library where students show a great interest in science and engineering.
This quiet, heartwarming story is a lovely tribute to nature’s rhythms. Ideal for a weather-themed story hour or a cozy read-aloud at bedtime, this title is a welcome addition to any picture book collection.
While the story is far from unique, this book ably retells it, while showcasing a lot of diversity.
A lawsuit that might change the book-banning trajectory.
SLJ columnist Pat Scales will receive the 2023 Roll of Honor Award; 2021 School Librarian of the Year Amanda Jones is writing a book about her experience standing up to book banners; Follett to host ReadingCon 2023; and new offerings from Gale and EBSCO in this edition of News Bites.
Even if the road ahead is scary, we’re optimistic for the future and grateful for how far we have come. TIME OUT, ultimately, is filled with that optimism.
A conversation (& cover reveal) with Sydney Smith about his upcoming picture book, DO YOU REMEMBER?
National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman's poem from President Joe Biden's inauguration has been restricted to older grades in one Florida school district; New Jersey legislators introduce law to prohibit book banning based on "partisan or doctrinal reasons”; and more in Censorship News.
From critical interpretations of tall tales and Norse tales to environmentalism in India and dead houseplants, there's something for everyone in today's round-up.
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl team of Ryan North and Erica Henderson have reteamed for a new adventure in which a girl and her talking dog must try to save their post-apocalyptic world.
The seriousness of issues doesn’t mean there’s no room for joyfulness. On the contrary, by cultivating and celebrating joy and all that it encompasses—hope, unity, resiliency—we can more powerfully effect change than we ever thought possible.
Can I tell you it beautifully captures the delicate yearning that marks so much of adolescence? And will you know what I mean by that? Because it just does.
5 unexpectedly popular books in our K-3 school library this year.
Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro's middle grade adventure receives a star this month, as do a Jarrett Lerner early reader and the Nintendo game Metroid Prime Remastered.
SLJ and NCTE have revealed the 2023 round of “Refreshing the Canon” selections. The following seven works will deepen young readers’ understanding of the historical context of The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 and inspire them to connect its social justice themes to present-day issues.
SLJ and NCTE have revealed the 2023 round of “Refreshing the Canon” selections. Use these multimodal recommendations to contextualize and extend the messaging of Virginia Hamilton's acclaimed Black folklore collection The People Could Fly.
Linda Sue Park's Newbery Award–winning middle grade novel A Single Shard tells the story of Tree-ear, an orphan in 12th-century Korea. The boy's heart and courage resonate with readers, and these multimodal picks are great way to expand on the novel's themes and world.
Sarah Everett wrestles with an outsized and ambitious bit of plotting, all the while keeping her cards close to her chest. Here’s some advice: Hand this to kids that like their books with a bit of a twist. And do NOT skip to the ending and read that first.
Here's a look at some recently signed graphic novel deals—and what we can expect coming up!
I'm down to a handful of days of school left and cannot wait to start digging into the TBR Mountain Range currently in my office.
Ever Since and When Oceans Rise are about telling stories. More importantly, they’re about the power of telling your own story, even when it’s hard, even when society pushes back.
SLJ reviews the latest addition to the Gale suite of databases, this one aimed toward educators.
Today we're talking with Stephanie Lucianovic about viral tweets, wildfires, and the reality of those early COVID days captured so perfectly in her upcoming verse middle grade novel.
The LIA PARK series blends Korean art, history, landmarks, mythology, and language into an action-packed middle grade contemporary fantasy, creating an easily accessible entry point into Korean culture.
So many of us have been taught from a young age that we’re not supposed to be angry. That anger and hatred is bad, and love and forgiveness is good. But I’ve learned that anger can be the best protection.
Not Quite Narwhal has been adapted as an animated series for Netflix.
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we offer this list of nonfiction and fiction titles to commemorate the lives of the thousands of people of Japanese descent who were impacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Executive Order 9066, which forcibly relocated them into concentration camps.
Today we consider a story about someone in middle America going against the norm, facing censors, and coming out triumphant. Sounds like a book we might very much need today.
Tang ultimately writes an uplifting story of support and love that doesn't shy away from the challenges that come with this family's decisions. I adored this book and hope to see many more from her.
A timely and necessary addition to any elementary or middle school library, especially as LGBTQIA+ children are seeking examples of loving communities who fully embrace every part of them.
A first choice for high school libraries.
A book that will need some pushing, but will be appreciated by curious minds who will be left wondering about the hidden possibilities in antiquities.
Recommended for readers who enjoy a fast-paced fantasy with folkloric roots. This is a good addition to any juvenile fiction collection, especially for those seeking shorter, less magic-heavy, books in the fantasy genre.
A tale of danger and daring escape sure to intrigue middle grade readers while introducing them to an important historical figure.
Books on kindness and sharing are important in all libraries; those searching for books on holidays and traditions will find this a worthy addition.
Despite tying up loose ends, the book may leave readers unsatisfied. Not recommended for purchase.
A first purchase for teen libraries.
With relatable teen protagonists and a satisfying conclusion, this is an essential purchase for teen collections.
Can you guess the children’s book by its scathing one-star review on Goodreads?
Readers can find magic in these pages, from an alternate Shakespearean London to a modern high school. Share these stories featuring LGBTQIA+ characters with teens during Pride Month and throughout the year.
A fun and bright addition to Spanish picture book collections that will remind readers the importance of play and using their imagination even during difficult times. Purchase for intergenerational picture book shelves.
This board book is just the right amount of cute to make it a good purchase for bilingual board book collections.
All told, the collection is strong for several reasons and a necessary purchase for teen anthologies in the library.
The 11th volume of the Dog Man series is a twisty tale with a satisfying denouement.
Tell your children stories. And remember to make them a little ridiculous. Kids like that.
Decades of disagreement over reading instruction may be waning as states around the country make the science of reading mandated curriculum.
Judy Blume recently appeared on The Tonight Show to support the film adaptation of her book, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
A perfect melding of superhero tropes and topical contemporary issues. It’s a tricky balance, but by gum Derrick Barnes pulls it off in the end.
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