BOOKS & MEDIA

How To Run a Virtual Book Club with Middle Schoolers

School librarian Laura Gardner offers best practices to stay connected with students and keep the fun factor high.

BLOGS

Dark Horse Announces ‘Minecraft 2’ and ‘Stranger Things: The Bully’

DIY Do Not Disturb Spinner, by Kara DeCarlo

One Star Review, Guess Who? (#106)

Inside an Award-Winning Picture Book: Sandra Neil Wallace on BETWEEN THE LINES

The Healing Power of Fiction, a guest post by Nora Shalaway Carpenter

Book Review: Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

Review of the Day: Outside In by Deborah Underwood, ill. Cindy Derby

BOOKS & REVIEWS

The List of Things That Will Not Change

The List of Things That Will Not Change

EXPLORE SLJ

AWARDS

Announcing the 2020 School Librarian of the Year Longlist

Kara Yorio, Mar 02, 2020

Five impressive applicants have made the School Librarian of the Year longlist.

PROGRAMS & PROGRAMMING

In Cahoots and Making Connections | How To Find and Collaborate With Local Authors

Kelly Jensen, Mar 10, 2020

It might seem daunting or challenging, but with the help of a few resources, it’s possible to develop rich connections between young booklovers and authors right in their own community–and schools and libraries are the key.

LITERACY

Making the Most of Independent Reading

Julia E. Torres, Mar 09, 2020

Librarians and ELA teachers can work together to strategize and develop a school-wide culture of independent reading.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Laying the Groundwork for Summer Reading Starts Now | Donalyn Miller

Donalyn Miller, Mar 09, 2020

There are plenty of steps librarians can take in spring to get students primed for a summer of reading.

More Editors' Picks

INDUSTRY NEWS

Can Diverse Books Save Us?
In a divided world, librarians are on a mission.

Kathy Ishizuka, Oct 21, 2018

The majority of public and K–12 librarians consider it "very important" to have a diverse book collection for kids and teens, according to SLJ's nationwide survey. But there are hurdles, including a lack of quality titles in specific areas.

DIVERSE BOOKS

Shelving Debate: To Separate or Integrate?

Kara Yorio and Kathy Ishizuka, Oct 26, 2018

Librarians respond to the challenge of where to put diverse books once they have them in their collections.

DIVERSE BOOKS

SLJ Diverse Books Survey Page Updated with New Resources, Access to Full Report

SLJ Staff, Jan 31, 2019

On the Diverse Books Survey page, users can access related content, newly updated, as well as our Diverse Books Survey report.

PROGRAMS & PROGRAMMING

Public Library Summer Programming Is Vital to Communities, SLJ Survey Shows

Lauren Barack, Jun 11, 2019

These services meet the needs of children and families across the country, with programming ranging from robotics to summer meals to ever-popular reading challenges.

PROGRAMS & PROGRAMMING

Summer Reading Incentives: Love Them or Hate Them, Prizes Bring Kids In

Kara Yorio, Jun 11, 2019

Nearly 100 percent of public libraries use incentives in their summer reading programs, according to SLJ's survey. Still, respondents had a lot to say about prizes as well as what motivates kids to read over vacation.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Scholastic Survey Reveals Large Drop in Reading Between Ages 8 and 9

SLJ Staff, Mar 20, 2019

Scholastic releases its latest Kids and Family Reading Report.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Poll on Public Schools Shows Parents', Teachers' Views—Where They Align and Where They Differ

Kara Yorio, Aug 09, 2019

Survey shows parents and teachers agree public schools—and teachers—need more money, but have differing opinions on the role of public schools and how to evaluate them.

DIVERSE BOOKS

Diverse Characters Impact Decisions To Buy Books

Kara Yorio, Oct 24, 2018

While in the minority, the SLJ Diverse Books Survey reveals some librarians are declining to purchase books with diverse characters to avoid a challenge.

More Research

BEST OF

Best Young Adult Books 2019 | SLJ Best Books

Kristin Anderson, Katy Hershberger, Janet Hilbun, Amanda MacGregor, Desiree Thomas, Nov 18, 2019

Seventeen titles made SLJ's list of the most distinguished young adult books published in 2019.

PROGRAMS & PROGRAMMING

Best Tabletop Games for the Library

Cindy Shutts, Jul 08, 2019

A game-loving librarian's suggestions to raise the level of your collection. With recommended games for elementary, tweens, and teens, from Candy Land, Uno and Oregon Trail, to Exploding Kittens and Sushi Go.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Lacking Research Skills, Students Struggle. School Librarians Can Help Solve the College Readiness Gap.

Wayne D’Orio, Sep 04, 2019

Here's an information literacy action plan to support college-bound students.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Superheroes: 10 Graphic Novels for Middle Grade Readers | Stellar Panels

Brigid Alverson, Sep 25, 2019

Superheroes and comics go together like mac and cheese. These 10 graphic reads celebrate heroes, from Black Canary and Green Lantern to Dog Man, Super Potato, and, yes, Rainbow Brite.

BEST OF

Best Picture Books 2019 | SLJ Best Books

Joy Fleishhacker, Daryl Grabarek, Ruth Guerrier-Pierre, Kiera Parrott, Luann Toth, Nov 18, 2019

Twenty-one exemplary titles made SLJ's list of the best picture books published in 2019.

BOOKLISTS

Native Stories: Books for tweens and teens by and about Indigenous peoples

By Kara Stewart (Sappony) and Dr. Debbie Reese (Nambé Pueblo), Aug 20, 2019

Twelve wonderful middle grade and young adult #OwnVoices titles that reflect Indigenous life and culture. They include historical and contemporary fiction as well as anthologies, graphic novels, and speculative science fiction.

BOOKS & MEDIA

YA Anthologies: Discovering and Using New Collections For Teen Readers

Kelly Jensen, Dec 03, 2019

In the last few years, there's been a rise in YA anthologies hitting shelves, and the trend isn't slowing down. Librarians weigh in on these books' popularity and how to use them in schools and public programming.

BEST OF

Best Graphic Novels 2019 | SLJ Best Books

Mahnaz Dar, Kelley Gile, Matisse Mozer, Alea Perez, Nov 18, 2019

Fourteen outstanding titles made SLJ's list of the best graphic novels for children and teens published in 2019.

DIVERSE BOOKS

These Girl Athletes Rule | Read Woke

Cicely Lewis, Sep 20, 2019

Sports-themed titles to empower all young readers.

More Classroom & Curricula

INDUSTRY NEWS

Laurie Halse Anderson Announces "Wonder Women in History," a YA Graphic Novel Anthology

Kara Yorio, Mar 08, 2020

The new DC title, which will be released on December 1, will profile female public figures including Michelle Obama, Malala Yousafzai, Serena Williams, and Greta Thunberg.

BOOKLISTS

Social Justice: Fifteen titles to address inequity, equality, and organizing for young readers | Great Books

Taylor Worley, Mar 05, 2020

A collection of titles across all genres to build up resources for budding young activists.

BOOKS & MEDIA

Now in Color and with a Few Well-Chosen Words, Owly Returns

Mahnaz Dar, Feb 06, 2020

Back in print at long last, the "Owly" series is now in full color, with words. Here's how author Andy Runton adapted his beloved books.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

13 Graphic Novels To Look Forward to in 2020 | Stellar Panels

Brigid Alverson, Jan 12, 2020

It’s looking like 2020 will be a big year for graphic novels for young people.

More Graphic Novels

OPINION

Feedback: From the Newbery Winner to the Leveling Debate, SLJ's Readers Had A Lot To Say

SLJ Staff, Mar 05, 2020

The articles are just the beginning. Don’t miss the ongoing Facebook and Twitter discussion about SLJ's stories.

BLOGS

Books and Libraries Can Strengthen the Superpowers of Teens With ADHD, a guest post by Kirsten Lambert

Amanda MacGregor, Feb 27, 2020

More 6 million American children, ages 2–17, have an ADHD diagnosis. Here are some books and other resources to help better serve these kids in our schools and libraries.

OPINION

A Remix for Right Now: A not-a-history history book begs the next chapter on racism | From the Editor

Kathy Ishizuka, Feb 25, 2020

When it comes to understanding racism, kids are ready for the conversation, says Jason Reynolds, co-author with Ibram X. Kendi of Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You. And us?

BOOKS & MEDIA

Nikole Hannah-Jones Talks to Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi About Their Book, “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You”

Nikole Hannah-Jones, Feb 24, 2020

Nikole Hannah-Jones, founder of the 1619 Project, spoke to Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi about their collaboration on Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You.

More Opinion

Subtitle

Headline

ByLine, Jan, 16 2017

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Middle Grade Magic 2020

Apr 08, 2020

Evaluating, Auditing, and Diversifying Your Collections April 2020

Apr 28, May 05, May 12, 2020 to

EVENTS

More Events

VIRTUAL EVENTS

Middle Grade Magic 2020

Apr 08, 2020

ONLINE COURSES

Evaluating, Auditing, and Diversifying Your Collections April 2020

Apr 28, May 05, May 12, 2020 to

SPECIAL PROJECTS

INDUSTRY NEWS

How To Run a Virtual Book Club with Middle Schoolers