SLJ Blogs

Fuse 8 n’ Kate: The Caldecott Contenders of 2025

Betsy Bird, Jan 13, 2025

Hooray! With the ALA Youth Media Awards on the near horizon (Monday, January 27th at 8 a.m. MT to be precise) it’s never been a better time to debate some possible winners of the Caldecott Award. Today, I hand over to Kate an unprecedented FOUR possible contenders.

BIPOC "Pearls" Who Transitioned in 2024

Edith Campbell, Jan 08, 2025

Fresh Start | Review

J. Caleb Mozzocco, Jan 14, 2025

BLOG POSTS

HEAVY MEDAL

THE FINAL FIVE: Heavy Medal Mock Newbery 2025 Contenders

Steven Engelfried, Jan 20, 2025

Take a look at the five titles the HMAC committee selected to discuss and vote on during the free Zoom Webcast on Friday January 24th.

100 SCOPE NOTES

Our 2025 Preview Episode of The Yarn Podcast!

Travis Jonker, Jan 20, 2025

Looking ahead to children's literature in 2025!

A FUSE #8 PRODUCTION

Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Fox All Week by James Marshall

Betsy Bird, Jan 20, 2025

This week on the podcast, the James Marshall Fox series had multiple volumes, so which one would be the best to do with Kate? The one where they all smoke cigars? God. It's like you know me.

PEARL'S & RUBY'S

A Day of Service

Edith Campbell, Jan 20, 2025

On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed H.R. 3706, officially creating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a federal holiday. The federal holiday established that Martin Luther King, Jr. Day would be nationally commemorated and observed as a holiday for federal employees. Almost a decade later, on August 23, 1994 the holiday was transformed […]

A FUSE #8 PRODUCTION

Press Release: Kidlit for Los Angeles

Betsy Bird, Jan 19, 2025

Starting January 20th, you have a chance to help with relief efforts to those affected by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles.

HEAVY MEDAL

Heavy Medal Update: It’s Newbery Week!

Emily Mroczek-Bayci, Jan 18, 2025

As we enter the final week of Heavy Medal discussions there are lots of dates and deadlines to keep an eye on!

GOOD COMICS FOR KIDS

Mini Marvels: Hulk Smash | Review

J. Caleb Mozzocco, Jan 17, 2025

Chris Giarrusso's Mini Marvels, short strips parodying Marvel Comics' characters and particular storylines, return in a new collection.

TEEN LIBRARIAN TOOLBOX

Take Five: Gun Violence in Middle Grade Fiction

Amanda MacGregor, Jan 17, 2025

This list of recent-ish middle grade titles looks at gun violence in places that include schools but also take place in other spaces.

A FUSE #8 PRODUCTION

Newbery/Caldecott 2025: Final Prediction Edition

Betsy Bird, Jan 17, 2025

I'm not talking about what I want to win, necessarily, but what I think WILL win. So buckle up and enjoy this crazy ride . . .

HEAVY MEDAL

Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: THE TENTH MISTAKE OF HANK HOOPEERMAN by Gennifer Choldenko

Steven Engelfried, Jan 16, 2025

The last book we'll discuss in our Mock Newbery is THE TENTH MISTAKE OF HANK HOOPERMAN by Gennifer Choldenko. It's been a favorite all year long of many Heavy Medal readers and now it's time to explore why.

TEEN LIBRARIAN TOOLBOX

Book Review: Everything is Poison by Joy McCullough

Amanda MacGregor, Jan 16, 2025

Deeply affecting and beautifully written, this look at the lengths women will go to to protect and aid one another is a necessary and exceptional read.

TEEN LIBRARIAN TOOLBOX

My Heroes ~ The Real-life Book Warriors, a guest post by Elly Swartz

Amanda MacGregor, Jan 16, 2025

And as an author, I’ve had the privilege of seeing the effect teachers and librarians have every time I visit a school.

100 SCOPE NOTES

Coming Soon: GOODNIGHT MOON in Stamp Form

Travis Jonker, Jan 16, 2025

The latest children's literature-related postage stamp is coming in 2025.

A FUSE #8 PRODUCTION

Exclusive spread for MIXED FEELINGS by Liana Finck

Betsy Bird, Jan 16, 2025

Who amongst you remembers the picture book You Broke It! by New Yorker cartoonist Liana Finck when it was released last year? Welp, Finck's back with a whole new title, and I've got the fancy dancy spread to prove it.

TEEN LIBRARIAN TOOLBOX

Cindy Crushes Programming: Wicked Fan Party

Cindy Shutts, Jan 15, 2025

Teen librarian Cindy Shutts walks us through a Wicked themed fan party

GOOD COMICS FOR KIDS

Diamond Files for Bankruptcy | News and Analysis

Brigid Alverson, Jan 15, 2025

Yesterday, Diamond Comics Distributors, a pillar of the comics retail system, filed for Chapter 11 bankrupcy. Here's a look at the implications for readers and publishers.

HEAVY MEDAL

Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: A STRANGE THING HAPPENED IN CHERRY HALL by Jasmine Warga

Steven Engelfried, Jan 15, 2025

Jasmine Warga's A STRANGE THING HAPPENED IN CHERRY HILL "excels at great characters, a keep-you-guessing plot and felt very appropriately interpreted for its intended audience," writes Heavy Medal Award Committee member Lauren Taylor. Join the Mock Newbery discussion and see how this middle grade mystery holds up among other contenders for the 2025 Medal.

TEEN LIBRARIAN TOOLBOX

Science is Messy, Wild, and Weird, Just Like Kids Themselves, a guest post by Christina Couch

Amanda MacGregor, Jan 15, 2025

Science makes you think, but like art or literature, it can also make you laugh, dream, see and appreciate the world, or even just your own brain, in new, exciting ways.