Reviews+

Reading about animals who have the same fears and other feelings about going back to school can help young readers face their own.

The braids of challah include love, joy, and unity, and a missing babka leads to community. If you're seeking out books about Jewish joy, we've spotlighted two picture books sure to make readers glow. Bring snacks!

From reading people's thoughts to appearing as reincarnated humans, these cat characters have strong appeal. 

This month's starred reviews include inclusive back-to-school picture books, the latest Zelda video game, and two audiobooks by Alex Segura and Monica Gallagher.

For teens eagerly awaiting their escape to college or those reading "up" about older students, here are 12 YA novels set on colleges campuses.

For book lovers, the library is the best place in town. For young children who have never entered that space, the shelves seem endless, the stacks are tall, and they have no idea where to begin. These eight books comprise a love letter to libraries to help newcomers get their bearings. They're only a start.

The most viewed stories: recommended titles for the return to the classroom, fiction and nonfiction, and ways to make books available in a time of rampant censorship. Meanwhile, M.T. Anderson calls us to what counts: love. 

Going to school for the first time, or going back to school, can be a scary experience for many children, but especially for those who are afraid they won't be accepted for being different. These four titles can help reassure children that classrooms are welcoming to all.

For many young readers (and their grown-ups), boarding an airplane is easier said than done. This list features titles to prep young travelers in advance.