Jennifer and Matthew Holm, the brother-and-sister creators of Babymouse, reflect on their creation and the way attitudes have changed in the 20 years since they started.
Today’s guest blogger is Helen Baldwin, introducing RETURN TO SENDER by Vera Brosgol.
A fresh, fantastical debut steeped in mythology and beautiful storytelling; a recommended first purchase for public and school libraries.
A deft, multifaceted story filled with delightful characters and relatable emotions that weaves in serious discussions about keeping traditions alive in the modern world.
A great introduction to Holi for young readers, who may find its simplistic telling more accessible than a nonfiction book.
This contemporary adventure is an engaging exploration of Indigenous heritage and how stories carry through generations.
This beautiful novel will inspire readers who love poetry and historical feminist fiction; a triumph to add to any collection.
There are many books with more early reader–appropriate text and less problematic storylines and illustrations. Not recommended for purchase.
A high-interest, interactive adventure book for readers who prefer to engage with alternative novel formats.
Lyla Lee joins us to talk about her new book, THE CUFFING GAME.
Board books are benefiting from the surge in early childhood learning programs and literacy campaigns, with a 38% increase in sales from 2020 to 2024, according to Global Growth Insights. “Parents, educators, and publishers are increasingly investing in children’s illustration books due to their ability to enhance cognitive development and visual literacy.”
How does an able-bodied person write about a person with disabilities and do it without their own assumptions and discomfort getting in the way? A talk with the author of an incredible new chapter book bio.
Cartoonist Trung Le Nguyen's sophomore effort is another graphic novel with fairy tale inspiration, but it's a lighter, less personal tale...albeit a deceptively deep one.
A transgender teen struggles with a self-portrait assignment in this introspective and meditative look at gender and identity originally published in the Netherlands.
Amazon recently released their list of the top children's lit of the year.
"I really wanted to do a story about people playing across abilities – the way my kids and their friends play. Deal with the logistics later, the first step is the imagination. Adventuring for the sake of adventure." We talk with Howie Shia.
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen reviews the new horror novel FINAL CUT by Olivia Worley
A month from now we'll announce our full 15-title Heavy Medal Book List. For now, though, we've identified a half-dozen books that will definitely be on that list: The Early 6.
Toad on the Go, the sequel to the Geisel Honor-winning Towed by Toad, comes out on June 16, 2026. Today, we have a first look at the cover. But before the big reveal, I wanted to talk with author/illustrator Jashar Awan about how the book was made. Travis: What was the inspiration for Toad on […]
The author of the YA novel Not Today, Satan shares how a library story time with a favorite childhood author led to a book about the devil's daughter.
These series focus on different aspects of social and emotional wellness and how they interact with physical health and with one another.
This season’s collection of animal series offers many access points for young learners.
High-interest Spanish-language titles for animal enthusiasts, sports fans, and online gamers.
Standout series that cover a wide range of sports and activities.
Readers will learn about innovations in technology and how to keep safe online and will be introduced to various kinds of vehicles in these titles.
Fun, education, and valuable information—this fall’s hi-lo series have it all.
Topics covered in these series range from the very worst people and events in history to the most remarkable landmarks and national parks, and everything in-between.
These visually dynamic series reflect how students learn and how the job market is changing.
Series perfect for readers who thrive on age-old myths, folklore, and lingering mysteries.
From sweet to stinky, these series highlight the whole gamut of what nature has to offer.
Empathy, activism, and awareness of global challenges are topics covered in these series.
This fall, new early reader series feature exciting and colorful titles for students to enjoy and learn from.
Whether they are being shepherded through the solar system or challenged to disprove the events in a fairy tale, students will find their observation skills widened and their knowledge expanded with these series.
These appealing titles encourage young readers to explore fascinating locations at home or abroad.
This collection of series balances high-interest topics with plenty of opportunities for critical thinking and cultural exploration.
Musicians, athletes, historical figures and today’s newsmakers are featured in this season’s biography series.
These series will appeal to readers who love thrills and chills, as well as those who like a tamer read.
These three titles focus on intriguing, shocking, under-explored disappearances throughout history.
The Newbery-winning author discussed the ways poetry can engage readers in a closing keynote conversation at the 2025 SLJ Summit; 2025 School Librarian of the Year Tim Jones opened the weekend conference with a reminder to celebrate every win.
These series offer readers unique experiences and a lot of fun.
"Death is very confusing to the living, and stories can help us navigate the strange displacement in the wake of bereavement." A talk about a necessary book for a modern age.
Writing about education policy serves as the backbone infrastructure for an influence campaign.
Float is a fast-moving teen romance with a soapy plot and two prickly protagonists.
I wanted to bottle up all that magic from the past month by writing a book that might inspire other girls like me, while also channeling the fun and romance I’d experienced. And that was how my debut novel, You Had Me at Hello World, was born.
The Frankfurt Book Fair provides an opportunity for librarians to get a sense of the international children’s literature landscape.
"She had so much hope for saving this planet. We mustn’t disappoint Jane." We talk today with Jane Goodall's picture book biographer Patrick McDonnell about her life and legacy.
The quest to find the 2026 Heavy Medal Mock Newbery winner continues as the second round of nominations closed last Saturday. Twenty-one new titles were nominated for a total of 59 Mock Newbery potentials.
We're getting ready for the winter holidays with a preview of Archie's new Christmas comic!
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen talks about graphic medicine, a concept developed by librarian Matthew Noe that discusses using comics and graphic novels to talk about health and medicine
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Godzilla #1 from IDW Publsihing and Emma and Capucine Volume 3 from Tokyopop Kids.
Make your voice heard by voting for the 2025 Undies Case Cover Awards.
Whether they are returning home or going somewhere new for the holiday break, the promise of a magical Christmas romance awaits these teens.
Spooky, icky, creepy, and crawly—the Fall 2025 Series Made Simple reviews have patron’s gross-out needs well-covered.
Follett Content and Mackin are among the companies stepping up to try to fill the public library field’s substantial distribution gaps following Baker & Taylor’s bankruptcy.
And the official trend of 2025 children's literature is... gushy yellow fruit for the win!
My favorite annual "Best of" list was announced - the New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Books, and we have to take a look.
An overview of some recent manga titles that feature detectives and mysteries.
Teens will easily devour this page-turner. Give it to fans of Mindy McGinnis, April Henry, and Sarah Beth Durst’s The Lake House.
A chilling premise and strong character work weighed down by repetitive execution, this is a general purchase.
A fun read with a time-traveling twist for fans of Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.
A bold accomplishment that provides an unflinching yet compassionate look at schizoaffective disorder, and how love can help those living with it.
While this passion-filled romance and intriguing mystery falls short in immersing readers into magical world, its blend of romance, magic, and secrets will likely captivate those who enjoy character-driven YA fantasy with an element of forbidden love.
For fans of books like Tiffany D. Jackson’s Allegedly or E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars, teens that like to wrestle with ethical questions while piecing together the parts of a twisty thriller will enjoy this.
A highly recommended and relevant addition to any YA collection, especially in a high school setting, due to its engaging romance and exploration of contemporary issues.
Stories about diverse teens dealing with all types of difficulties while having full, rich lives and romance are still rare finds. This, and all of Stoeve’s novels, will fill that empty space on shelves perfectly.
A charming story about being accepted despite, or even because of, one’s differences.
This fun and friendly title is a perfect classroom read-aloud to prepare for, celebrate, or reflect on the joy of learning together.
In addition to serving as an engaging bridge for new graphic novel and horror readers, veteran junior high readers of both the format or the literary genre will find satisfaction here.
Though overburdened with side plots and additional characters, this witchy LGBTQIA+ fantasy romance will appeal to fans of F.T. Lukens and Aiden Thomas. Recommended as an additional purchase.
A challenging topic, mental illness, is given wings by the hope stitched into the many quilts of Tompkins in this wonderful book for all ages.
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