A SHORT LIST

The National Book Award field has been halved from ten to five in the Young People’s Literature Category. Here are the five left standing:

(Click to enlarge)

The winner will be announced on November 18.

THERE ARE NO BOY BOOKS

Author Shannon Hale continues to say the things that need to be said about books and gender. This week she kicked off a campaign called Stories for All. Click here to read.

THE LORAX SPEAKS FOR THE PUMPKINS

What is the lead-up to Halloween without a look at some incredible literary jack-o’-lanterns. Click here to see them.

The Thank You Book by Mo Willems. Out May 3, 2016

Look, I really don’t want to send you into your day heartbroken, but as my header contains the word “news”, bear sad tidings I must. The Thank You Book will mark the end of the Elephant & Piggie series. If you need me on May 3, 2016, I’ll be checking to see if the world has stopped turning, the sun has fizzled out, and thinking deeply about where The Pigeon shall now hide.

I haven’t mentioned the graphic novel Steve Jobs: Insanely Great here, mostly because it’s more YA-ish than middle grade. But I love it. And I also love this image packed behind-the-scenes look at the book over at Pen & Oink.

In case Crenshaw needs a place to stay . . . @kaaauthor @MrSchuReads #fridayfunny pic.twitter.com/YjSQwwVAMn

— LibrarySparks! (@LibrarySparksMg) October 9, 2015

How was the new book by Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers (Imaginary Fred) born? A late night and many cups of quote decaf tea unquote.

Stick around until the end when Colfer explains where you can get the book and makes Jeffers laugh.