We love our creators of childrens' and YA books and so do readers. Here are the five most popular stories centering writers whose stories inspired us over the past year. 

1. Jeff Kinney to Honor Librarians in Nationwide Tour for Next Wimpy Kid Book, ‘No Brainer.’ SLJ Has the Exclusive Excerpt.
   By Kathy Ishizuka, Oct 11, 2023
   ‘'Wimpy Kid’ tour will highlight “extraordinary” local libraries, librarians at bookstore events around the country. Kinney donates $100,000 to distribute to libraries chosen by local users, along with diverse books to enhance collections, courtesy of multiple publishers.
    
2. ‘A First Time for Everything’ Wins 2023 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature
   By Kara Yorio, Nov 16, 2023
   Dan Santat’s middle grade graphic memoir received the prestigious honor at a ceremony where Oprah Winfrey spoke about 2021 School Librarian of the Year Amanda Jones and the power of diverse books.
    
3. Jason Reynolds Is Just Getting Started
   SLJ staff, Jun 01, 2023
   The Margaret A. Edwards Award winner took over SLJ’s Instagram for a live Q&A that spanned his books, inspiration, censorship, and AI. Here's what he shared.
    
4. My Book Was Segregated by Scholastic Until It Wasn’t. Will Anything Change? | Opinion
   By Emma Otheguy, Nov 15, 2023
   Emma Otheguy's "I Can Read!" book Reina Ramos Works It Out was among the 64 titles in Scholastic's controversial "Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice" collection.
    
5. ‘You can’t write to make people love you’: Kate DiCamillo on the 20th Anniversary of Despereaux
   By Travis Jonker, “100 Scope Notes” Jul 03, 2023
   Listen to the special LIVE episode of The Yarn with Kate DiCamillo.