INDUSTRY NEWS

Opportunities: IMLS Grants, Elections Webinar, and a Free Kwame Alexander Virtual Event | News Bites

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is accepting proposals for the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian and National Leadership Grants for Libraries Programs; ALA put out the call for LibLearnX program proposals; Kwame Alexander will host a free virtual event for students; and more.

BLOGS

TEEN LIBRARIAN TOOLBOX

“Complex social dynamics exist in the simplest of conflicts.” A Kyle Lukoff Interview on Sorry You Got Mad

BOOKS & REVIEWS

2024 Stars So Far

9 Standout Early Readers and Chapter Books | SLJ 2024 Stars So Far

12 Nonfiction Titles About Olympic Athletes for Young Readers of All Ages

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BOOKS & REVIEWS

2024 Stars So Far

9 Standout Early Readers and Chapter Books | SLJ 2024 Stars So Far

12 Nonfiction Titles About Olympic Athletes for Young Readers of All Ages

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BOOKLISTS

42 Stellar Middle Grade | SLJ 2024 Stars So Far

SLJ Reviews, Jul 08, 2024

This year has gone above and beyond with its middle grade offerings! From powerful historical fiction to hilarious magical mayhem, this list features our top titles so far.

INDUSTRY NEWS

2024 Margaret A. Edwards Award Acceptance Speech by Neal Shusterman

Neal Shusterman, Jul 13, 2024

Neal Shusterman received the 2024 Margaret A. Edwards Award, which honors an author "for significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature." The annual award is administered by the Young Adult Library Services Association and sponsored by School Library Journal. Here is his acceptance address, delivered June 30 at the ALA Annual conference held in San Diego.

BOOKS & MEDIA

3 YA Novels Featuring Teens Exploring New Hobbies | Spotlight

SLJ Reviews, Jul 17, 2024

Sidelined from sports because of injuries, the teens in these YA novels find new outlets, from gaming to comedy to cooking.

BOOKLISTS

27 Exceptional YA Books | SLJ 2024 Stars So Far

SLJ Reviews, Jul 15, 2024

It's been a great year for YA so far! These starred titles include everything from contemporary coming-of-age stories to high-stakes fantasy to diverse romances, and more.

More Editors' Picks

INDUSTRY NEWS

Spend It if You Can | SLJ 2024 Budget Survey

Marlaina Cockcroft, Apr 04, 2024

With budgets mostly flat, book challenges and rising costs pose hurdles for school librarians.

INDUSTRY NEWS

BIPOC Representation in Children's Literatures Continues Its Slow Rise, According to CCBC's Diversity Statistics

SLJ Staff, Apr 04, 2024

The Cooperative Children’s Book Center released its latest Diversity Statistics report on children's literature, showing another year of small increases in books with BIPOC primary characters and significant BIPOC content.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Sora Report: Digital Reading Increases with Double-Digit Growth in Comics and Graphic Novels

SLJ Staff, Apr 03, 2024

The State of K-12 Digital Reading breaks down the data for the 2022-23 school year, showing the popularity of comics and graphic novels in the digital format plus regional differences in reading habits.

INDUSTRY NEWS

From a Young Age, Children Tune in to Audiobooks | Survey

Marlaina Cockcroft, Jan 04, 2024

Children are eager listeners—of audiobooks, according to a new Library Journal / School Library Journal survey. Libraries are keeping up with the demand as formats evolve.

CENSORSHIP

Nearly a Quarter of School Librarians Have Experienced Harassment Over Books | SLJ Censorship Survey

Kathy Ishizuka, Sep 30, 2023

Twenty-four percent of school librarians have been harassed this past year over books or displays in their library. That’s according to a recent SLJ survey, which found the rate even higher among high school librarians, 30 percent of whom have experienced harassment.

BOOKS & MEDIA

Graphic Novels, Manga Explode in Popularity Among Students | SLJ Survey

Marlaina Cockcroft, Oct 03, 2023

If graphic novels are flying off the shelves at your library, that reflects a remarkable trend: The format’s popularity has shot up at over 90 percent of school libraries in the last few years, according to a new SLJ survey.

INDUSTRY NEWS

SLJ, NCTE Launch Survey to Remake Summer Reading Lists

SLJ staff, Jan 19, 2022

Those dreaded summer reading lists. For eons, teachers have been handing out assigned reading, mostly comprised of old “classics.” With this survey, SLJ and NCTE invite teachers and librarians to choose the titles you’d like culled from required reading and those books you would urge students to read instead.

BOOKS & MEDIA

Time to Refresh the Canon: Here Are Our Picks

Shelley Diaz, May 10, 2022

SLJ and NCTE collaborated to create 18 booklists of titles to replace, or use as a companion to, canon "classics."

INDUSTRY NEWS

Under Pressure: Survey Provides Insight into Librarians' Job Satisfaction

Marlaina Cockcroft, Feb 21, 2023

More librarians find their work challenging, but most still love what they do, the latest LJ/SLJ Survey shows.

CENSORSHIP

Censorship Attempts Will Have a Long-lasting Impact on School Library Collections, SLJ Survey Shows

Kara Yorio, Sep 08, 2022

In the past year, school librarians have faced coordinated, hate-filled censorship campaigns that impact available books and collection development decisions. Here, they share their stories.

More Research

BOOKLISTS

42 Stellar Middle Grade | SLJ 2024 Stars So Far

SLJ Reviews, Jul 08, 2024

This year has gone above and beyond with its middle grade offerings! From powerful historical fiction to hilarious magical mayhem, this list features our top titles so far.

BOOKLISTS

A Tree Grows …in Korea! | Elementary Spotlight

SLJ Reviews, Jun 21, 2024

Two picture books take on the magic of trees springing up from mere seeds in stories with redemptive themes as well as teaching moments.

BOOKLISTS

32 Excellent New Releases by Neal Shusterman, Gail Jarrow, Karen M. McManus, and More | Starred Reviews, July 2024

SLJ Reviews, Jul 02, 2024

A new thriller from Joelle Wellington, a nonfiction title from Paula Yoo, and an illustrated poem from Ada Limón are of note among this month's stars. Along with poetry, board books and audio are also featured this month.

CENSORSHIP

Defending the Canon: SLJ & NCTE Review 15 Banned Classics

SLJ Reviewers and NCTE, Apr 17, 2024

In our last round of reviews of banned classics, SLJ and NCTE cover two of Jane Austen's works, the timely Fahrenheit 451, and the heartbreaking I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.

BOOKLISTS

13 Charming Board Books for Spanish and Bilingual Shelves

SLJ Reviews, Jul 03, 2024

From miniature biographies of icons Selena and El Chavo to more adventures about Juana Martinez-Neal's beloved Alma, these board books will put smiles on little ones' faces.

NEWS & FEATURES

6 Multiplayer Video Games for Library Collections

Chance Lee Joyner, Jul 10, 2024

From multiplayer matches to couch co-op adventures, sometimes two (or more) heads are better than one. Here are six multiplayer video games to add to your collection for building community in the library and at home.

BOOKS & MEDIA

Nonfiction for Young Readers About Paralympians and the Paralympic Games

SLJ Reviews, Jun 24, 2024

As the world prepares for the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games, here are a few nonfiction titles about the Games and some of the inspiring athletes who have competed in them.

BOOKLISTS

13 Joy-Filled Middle Grade Titles for Tweens’ Summer Reading | We Are Kid Lit Collective

Sam Bloom, Edith Campbell, Ariana Hussain, Sujei Lugo & Lyn Miller-Lachmann, May 16, 2024

From magical school fantasies to hilarious sibling stories, these 13 selections will keep middle schoolers turning pages during summer break. Complete with graphic novels, biographies, and poetry, this list has something for every tween.

BOOKLISTS

10 Reference Titles for Research in Women's History, Sharks, AI & More

SLJ Reviews, Jun 25, 2024

This print reference roundup features nonfiction titles for all ages, including a bird guide for kids, a volume on censorship, two research-ready tomes on women's history, and the ultimate bugopedia.

ADVOCACY

15 Graphic Novels to Celebrate Pride This Month and Year-Round

SLJ Staff, Jun 17, 2024

As we find ourselves at the midway point of June, amidst the celebrations of Pride Month, it's an opportune time to reflect on the rich tapestry of narratives within the LGBTQIA+ community with 15 noteworthy graphic novels that can help us celebrate Pride this month, and year-round.

BOOKLISTS

4 Captivating Crossover Titles for Teens to Read During Summer Break | We Are Kid Lit Collective

Sam Bloom, Edith Campbell, Ariana Hussain, Sujei Lugo & Lyn Miller-Lachmann, May 30, 2024

From a TEDx Talk to a manga, these transmedia picks will entice young adults to keep their minds engaged this summer.

BOOKS & MEDIA

11 Standout Caribbean Picture Books of 2024

Summer Edward, May 17, 2024

Conveying a range of experiences, these stories of family, love, humor, and loss will engage children during Caribbean American Heritage Month and beyond.

AWARDS

USBBY Announces the 2024 Outstanding International Books List

The Outstanding International Books Committee, with introduction by Committee Chair Sara Kersten-Parrish, Jan 29, 2024

In each of the 41 titles on this year’s United States Board on Books for Young People’s (USBBY) Outstanding International Books list, the authors and illustrators empower readers to make sense of themselves and the world at large. Download the full list.

BOOKS & MEDIA

4 Poetry Books About the Great Outdoors | Spotlight

SLJ Reviews, May 22, 2024

From wind to wildlife, bring a touch of nature into kids' reading selections with these books about the natural world.

BOOKLISTS

21 Inclusive Picture Books to Jump-Start Summer Reading | We Are Kid Lit Collective

Sam Bloom, Edith Campbell, Ariana Hussain, Sujei Lugo & Lyn Miller-Lachmann, May 02, 2024

From the Caldecott-winning Big by Vashti Harrison to a bilingual counting book in Mi’kmaw and English, these illustrated works are guaranteed to engage young readers during summer break and all year around.

BOOKS & MEDIA

8 Titles of Resilience and Hope for Holocaust Remembrance Day

SLJ Reviews, Jan 23, 2024

January 27 is designated as a day to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust. Share these stories of resilience and hope about people of various ages, races, nationalities, and more with young readers today and throughout the year.

BOOKLISTS

19 Books Featuring Incarcerated Family Members for Young Readers of All Ages

Rachel Owens, Jun 05, 2024

Stories of children with parents behind bars are as diverse as the millions of real-life kids familiar with the experience. These 19 fiction and nonfiction titles may offer an empathetic, metaphoric hand for young readers to hold.

TEENS

2 Coming-of-Age YA Novels-in-Verse | SLJ Spotlight

SLJ Reviews, Apr 10, 2024

These YA novels pair a lyrical verse format with engaging narratives of teen girls coming of age.

More Classroom & Curricula

BOOKLISTS

32 Superb Graphic Novels | SLJ 2024 Stars So Far

SLJ Reviews, Jul 15, 2024

From early reader to YA titles, these starred graphic novels showcase the very best of the comics medium so far in 2024. Use the downloadable spreadsheet to ensure your collection includes these superb graphic novels.

ADVOCACY

15 Graphic Novels to Celebrate Pride This Month and Year-Round

SLJ Staff, Jun 17, 2024

BOOKLISTS

Grandparents Play a Key Role in These Graphic Novels | Stellar Panels

Brigid Alverson, Jun 13, 2024

In these stories, some grandparents are kind and loving, others carry the trauma of their past. Often, kids turn to them when they feel their parents won’t understand.

BOOKLISTS

Eight Fantasy-Focused Graphic Novels | Stellar Panels

Brigid Alverson, May 21, 2024

From a fire-breathing corgi to bunnies with wings, characters in these fantasy titles for elementary and middle school readers hold strong appeal.

BOOKLISTS

Best Graphic Novels 2023 | SLJ Best Books

Jasmine Amiri, Jenny Arch, Shelley M. Diaz, Andrea Lipinski, Carla Riemer, Nov 21, 2023

From stunning memoirs to sustainability guides, this year’s Best Graphic Novels list features 25 unforgettable works that take comics to new heights.

BLOGS

Just Like Mona Lisa, vol 1 | Review

Renee Scott, Jul 16, 2024

A nonbinary teen finds themselves in a complicated love triangle in this thought-provoking manga.

BLOGS

Warriors: The Prophecies Begin | This Week’s Comics

Lori Henderson, Jul 22, 2024

Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring a new graphic adaptation of the Warriors novels from Harper Alley and the second volume of Meesh the Bad Demon from Knopf Books for Young Readers.

NEWS & FEATURES

New Manga from Viz, Kodansha, and More! | Manga Roundup

SLJ Reviews, Jun 03, 2024

Seven new manga releases that are sure to be a hit with YA readers.

BOOKLISTS

14 Genre-Blending Graphic Novels for Middle Graders

Rosemary Kiladitisis, Apr 23, 2024

Genre-blending books offer readers the opportunity to comfortably expand across boundaries and try something different while still in the safety of their preferred reading choice. Here are 14 middle grade graphic novels that blend genres to perfection.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Winning Manga for Grades 1-8

Brigid Alverson, Mar 05, 2024

Nine popular series for elementary and middle grade readers.

BLOGS

Afro Unicorn | This Week’s Comics

Lori Henderson, Jul 15, 2024

Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Afro Unicorn Volume 1 The Land of Afronia from Andrews McMeel and Jackson's Wilder Adventures Volume 1 Habits and Habitats from Papercutz.

BLOGS

Goblin: The Wolf and the Well | Preview

Brigid Alverson, Jul 11, 2024

Today we have a preview of Goblin: The Wolf and the Well, by writer Eric Grissom and artist Will Perkins. This is the second volume of their middle-grade fantasy series about Rikt, an orphaned goblin, and his companion, a wolf named Fish-Breath. Here’s the publisher’s description: After losing his parents, Rikt struggles with a fear […]

BOOKLISTS

Mighty Manhwa! | Stellar Panels

Brigid Alverson, Mar 27, 2024

Korean and Chinese comics reach English-language readers.

OPINION

Turning a Page: SLJ will turn 70. How can we best serve readers? | From the Editor

Kathy Ishizuka, Oct 15, 2023

The editors are planning for 2024, SLJ's 70th anniversary year.

More Graphic Novels

INDUSTRY NEWS

A Librarian in the Library Is Good: John Oliver, ‘Abbott Elementary’ on an institution worth fighting for | From the Editor

Kathy Ishizuka, Jun 03, 2024

Can exposure in popular media make a difference? Given the sheer reach of these shows, it’s hard to imagine they haven’t raised awareness of libraries and the larger stakes currently at play.

CENSORSHIP

Kindergartener Goes Rogue with 'Poopy Pants' | Scales on Censorship

Pat Scales, Jun 12, 2024

A students entertains classmates with a book some may find objectionable; an elementary principal nixes librarian readers' advisory. Pat Scales offers advice.

BOOKS & MEDIA

Top Trends in SLJ's Starred Books | The 2024 Stars Issue

Kelly Jensen, Jul 01, 2024

Conservation, intergenerational bonds, joy, concepts of home, and other standout themes in this year’s standout titles.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Beware Workarounds. Attempting to Appease Censors, Libraries Risk Compromising Values. | From the Editor

Kathy Ishizuka, May 10, 2024

To fathom the defacing of images in children’s books, one almost has to process it in stages, beginning with incredulity. The issue, however, is no joke, and librarians are feeling the pressure. In our reporting, the frequency of instances involving the altering of material by school librarians was such that we elevated this to a cover story.

BLOGS

Why There Should Be a Middle Grade Section in Your Library, a guest post by Librarian Jennifer Rummel

Karen Jensen, MLS, Jul 18, 2024

Young Adult Librarian Jennifer Rummel discusses why libraries should have a middle grade section

BLOGS

Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni

Betsy Bird, Jul 22, 2024

With heroes that are essentially paint swatches, we discuss nursery rhymes, gender in language, and what happens when someone calls us a "shining beam of delight" in our letters section.

REASONSTOLOVELIBRARIES

Reasons to Love Libraries: 23 Notable Authors and Public Figures Share Their Joy

SLJ Staff, May 30, 2024

They are a community’s soul, “cathedrals to who we should be as a society,” and so much more.

INDUSTRY NEWS

What’s not Cringe? Books. Gen Alpha Likes to Read. | From the Editor

Kathy Ishizuka, Apr 16, 2024

Gen A is plugged in and opinionated, as marketers attempt to keep pace. Librarians stay right with young users, knowing that's all a part of the job.

BLOGS

The Yarn LIVE with the 2024 Newbery Honor Winners! (Part I)

Travis Jonker, Jul 16, 2024

All the 2024 Newbery Honor winners

AWARDS

Neal Shusterman, Dystopian Optimist

Kara Yorio, Jun 06, 2024

The 2024 Margaret A. Edwards Award winner talks about hope, collaboration, and the school librarian who changed his life.

OPINION

Gauging Service to Spanish Speakers: Libraries see critical demand for books, information en español | From the Editor

Kathy Ishizuka, Mar 23, 2024

The U.S. ranks second in the world for the most Spanish speakers, after Mexico. With shortages of bilingual teachers reported nationwide, librarians and publishers consider meeting an acute need.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Announcing a New Project: “Reasons to Love Libraries”

Kathy Ishizuka, Mar 11, 2024

“Reasons to Love Libraries” is a yearlong editorial project and campaign to engage the public in reflecting on libraries to reveal their impact on people and communities.

More Opinion

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Social Media Marketing and Engagement for Libraries

Oct 10, 2024

LJ & SLJ Public Library Youth Services Leadership Summit

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