Back to School

Courtney Koestler and Mathew Felton-Koestler teach about equity, diversity, and justice in math education. Along with Rourke Educational Media, they have created a three-book series that teaches basic financial and data literacy from a social justice point of view. Middle grade readers will learn how to use their mathematical tool kit to address social problems.

Read one book a day for Latinx Heritage Month, from September 15 to October 15, and every month after that. From migration and history to food and family, these works capture the many complexities and joys of the Latinx culture.

One of the amazing superpowers of childhood is curiosity, continuously asking “why?” and not being satisfied without finding the perfect answer. These guidebooks will help get them there.

A team of librarians and academics identifies different kinds of counting books and recommends titles and read-aloud strategies for each. 

Going to school for the first time, or going back to school, can be a scary experience for many children, but especially for those who are afraid they won't be accepted for being different. These four titles can help reassure children that classrooms are welcoming to all.

How teachers and librarians have brought nonfiction front and center at their schools.

These three graphic novels published for adults with teen appeal will keep young adults engaged during the break. Plus, an eye-opening Black queer feminist statement is also featured in this We Are Kid Lit Collective Summer Reading list. 

SLJ and NCTE have revealed the 2023 round of “Refreshing the Canon” selections. The following seven works will deepen young readers’ understanding of the historical context of The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 and inspire them to connect its social justice themes to present-day issues. 

Linda Sue Park's Newbery Award–winning middle grade novel A Single Shard tells the story of Tree-ear, an orphan in 12th-century Korea. The boy's heart and courage resonate with readers, and these multimodal picks are great way to expand on the novel's themes and world.