These engaging picture book biographies spotlight two influential Black female tennis players: Althea Gibson and Serena Williams.

Four first-time YA authors tell SLJ about the inspirations behind their novels, their paths to publication, and their hopes for young people in 2021.

These lizards can be excellent ambassadors for school libraries.

In time for Valentine’s Day, these teen love stories center friends, enemies, and strangers who become something more.

The survey showed school librarians using creative approaches to deliver superior library services, leading on tech innovation, collaborating with colleagues, and strengthening relationships with students.

When it comes to a schedule for school from home, how does it compare to the traditional schedule and curriculum? It's a mix, according to School Library Journal's survey of  K-12 librarians, fielded from April 2 to April 12.

When it comes to getting materials returned to the library, most librarians don't appear all that concerned, found School Library Journal's survey. In fact, 48 percent haven't made a plan for that.

 

In an unprecedented year, managing the pandemic dominated attention. SLJ covered the gamut, from publisher policies adjusted to accommodate remote learning, to tips on running a virtual book club for middle schoolers. Despite all, fostering literacy and celebrating great books persisted as key topics of interest for our readers.

One in four kids tuned in to a podcast in 2020, drawn to stories and discussions about the coronavirus, money, activism, racial justice, and other topics.

The discussions in the spring set of free, one-hour professional development programs will tackle serving striving readers, information inequity, and news literacy.

 

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

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

Librarians can promote empathy during virtual story times by modeling open-ended questions, providing parent tips, and encouraging dramatic play.

These engaging picture book biographies spotlight two influential Black female tennis players: Althea Gibson and Serena Williams.

Whether you are a media specialist seeking excellent additions to your collection or titles to recommend, or an educator seeking gold for both remote and in-person learning, you’ll find plenty of options here, with accurate and authentic books by and about Native Americans and First Nations people.

Twenty-four exceptional titles made SLJ's list of the best picture books published in 2020.

Twenty-five outstanding works made SLJ's list of the best middle grade books published in 2020. 

Fifteen books made SLJ's list of the best graphic novels for children and teens published in 2020. 

This style of short reviews would be a great way to share more books during distance learning!

The post Post-It Reviews: Black Canary, hand-crafted dreams, and books set in the 1960s and 1980s appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.

Some educators abandon teaching the Bard's work, while others update and enhance Shakespeare curricula.

From a choose-your-own-path Romeo and Juliet to a Macbeth retelling that channels #MeToo, there's something here for all teen readers and fans of the Bard. 

Fifteen books made SLJ's list of the best graphic novels for children and teens published in 2020. 

Though debates abound about whether graphic novel adaptations can live up to their source material, readers don't need to choose; these titles, aimed at a variety of readers, can be read alongside the original works for enhanced understanding.

From the very beginning, comics have been a part of the Star Wars franchise. Check out these intergalactic must-read manga titles for teens.

In the latest installment of "Stellar Panels," Brigid Alverson recommends graphic works that use the medium to teach how government works and how to change it.

The Lumberjanes bid farewell to summer camp and monthly issues in Lumberjanes: End of Summer #1

The post Lumberjanes End of Summer | Preview appeared first on Good Comics for Kids.

Fans of Nathan Hale can cross the country alongside the best-selling author this month. With stops from Boston to Honolulu, the virtual tour celebrates Blades of Freedom, book 10 in Hale’s "Hazardous Tales" series of graphic novels.

Myths and legends have never been more fun than in the rollicking humorous mythological series Nico Bravo, whic would make even Joseph Campbell laugh out loud.

The post Nico Bravo, Vols. 1 and 2 | Review appeared first on Good Comics for Kids.

On December 29, 1890, the United States Army killed 146 Sioux at Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. Frank Waln, an award-winning Lakota music artist from the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, discusses the 130th anniversary of the massacre and Native representation in the U.S. education system.

Curricular bazaar Teachers Pay Teachers has never been more popular. But questions about quality, cultural insensitivity, and plagiarism beg expert guidance. Consider your librarian.  

The debut author spoke with SLJ about releasing her first book during a pandemic, writing novels as a tween, and the key to balancing stories of loss with plenty of love.

New books inspired by The Princess Bride, Grease, Empire Records, and The Phantom of the Opera correct the sexism, homophobia, and racial privilege in their source material.

Our most viewed stories reflect a significant, collective journey. 

“Honestly, I think learning loss is the least of our worries. It’s essential to give them space to talk about how they are feeling. If things are falling apart, we have to take care of them rather than push on with a lesson.” —”In This Together: School Librarians Help Address Learning Loss, Upheaval,” SLJ It’s […]

The post You’re Not Alone in Feeling Alone appeared first on Good Comics for Kids.

Miles McKenna, actor and author of Out!: How To Be Your Authentic Self (Abrams/Amulet; Gr 8 Up) reflects on his childhood love of reading and J.K. Rowling's recent anti-transgender social media posts.

Pinguicha urges readers to question history, ask who wrote the stories, and present and amplify the narratives that have been ignored, hidden, and distorted.

The post Questioning Your History Lessons, a guest post by Diana Pinguicha appeared first on Teen Librarian Toolbox.