Choosing to end a series is choosing to give your characters to your audience.
Science has shown that stories are engines for empathy. My hope is that with non-fiction, novels and picture books, we remind ourselves that stories are our best antidote to the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
My hope is that the book might help both protagonists and antagonists in the world give each other the time and patience to jump some horizons. My second, smaller hope is that it might soothe the aches and pains that come with the hard landings that sometimes follow those jumps.
Over on The Yarn podcast, Colby talks with author Abby Cooper about her middle grade novel TRUE COLORS.
Here are 18 new and forthcoming titles to help you build your TBR for the rest of the year!
Pangu’s Shadow is about the power of science to reveal the truth and who should hold that power (hint: anyone and everyone). Science needs diverse perspectives to investigate the truth from every angle.
Hand this to readers ready to get high school over with or those who just need a reminder that there are people in your corner (even if your corner is wedged in a storage room behind a locked door at school).
Well-chosen videos contribute a hard-to-ignore spark to educational lessons and add novelty and visual stimulation that young learners crave. No matter the topic, these videos are sure to engage classrooms and stimulate discussion with elementary, middle grade, and high school students.
They don’t have all the answers. They make mistakes. There’s no sugar-coating their pain or flaws here. And there shouldn’t have to be. Give me all the unlikeable girls.
The authors talk wrestling, Orange Julius, kayfabe, identity, grief, and more.
Every Happily Ever After is going to look a little different. Stories, in any form, can be an escape. But within unfamiliar settings and struggles we see the truth of the world around us.
Just like art, coming up with the ideal discussion questions involved a lot of trial and error. As I get ready for my next career phase with the upcoming launch of my YA book, TAKE ALL OF US, I’ve decided to take a look back at what ended up being the five worst and five best library whiteboards overall.
It's time for rapid-fire Q&A with Peter Brown, Dashka Slater, Chris Baron, and Jarrett Lerner!
I knew I wanted to convey insights into Jamaican life with YOUR CORNER DARK and now with BETTER MUST COME. So, when it came to showing YOUNG PEOPLE how economic policies, the issues of abandonment, police brutality, and others affected the island nation, I had to make the stories EXCITING!
It started with the title—Past Present Future popped into my head one day, and I couldn’t ignore it. I’m a sucker for parallelism.
Playaway products have long been a staple in libraries as an audio option for accessing materials. SLJ reviews its Wonderbook, a preloaded audiobook device.
Books that cover the themes of grief and loss are so important because sometimes it can feel so lonely to lose someone and you might not even want to talk about it, but it might help to read about it.
47 new and forthcoming books to help build your TBR!
More LGBTQ+ youth are feeling comfortable coming out at earlier ages, and that’s a wonderful thing. But for the many queer kids who still can’t—and for the LGBTQ+ adults who couldn’t—I don’t think we recognize the loss caused by that suppression nearly enough.
In an industry (and more widely, society) which narrows our modes of self-expression to the economically viable, I consider myself very privileged to have enjoyed the time and space to tell my story via a medium so tied to my authentic self.
14 speedy little reviews of new and forthcoming books!
Supriya Kelkar takes us behind the scenes of AND YET YOU SHINE.
For both May’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and beyond, consider lining shelves and adding to TBR piles with some of these edifying, entertaining 2024 audio choices.
I’m thankful that there’s room on our bookshelves for the vast array of teen-centered stories we have to tell, whether romantic or not.
I know I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren’t for the people who helped me get through that early, rough period of trying to figure out how to be a writer.
A writer once told me that when I’m not feeling inspired, I should go out and collect life experiences so I would have things to “add to the pile of stuff” I could write about. I thought it was odd advice at the time, but now I get it.
Celebrating Asian American Native Hawai’ian Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Comic Books for Kids with Angela Frederick
Part of why we're focusing on middle grade this year on TLT is because discoverability can feel so challenging, with chain stores stocking less MG than ever before. New authors face an even bigger challenge because kids (and their grown-ups) often gravitate toward established authors they know they will like.
Without The Diamond in the Window introducing me to chambered nautiluses all those years ago, I might still be sitting at my laptop staring at a blank page.
Narrative nonfiction has the same goals as any novel – to use these same techniques of conflict, setting, characterization, etc. to build a world that a reader cares about.
Teen librarian Rachel Strolle shares new YA LGBTQIA+ titles to help you read and build book rainbows for Pride (and all year round)
To celebrate this unexpected milestone I thought I’d reflect on the six most interesting facts about this weird, bittersweet, wild ride of a story.
When kids at school say there are "no good books" to read, I send them to two places: graphic novels or the list of short books/books under 250 pages.
I started making up this story with my brother when I was in middle school, and it’s taken all these years to finally finish it.
Everyone—children, teens and even adults—need safe outlets to explore their emotions, fears and unspoken curiosities. Whether you’re writing a book or reading a book, stories can be that safe harbor.
We are lucky to live in a time where there is just so much wonderful middle grade coming out. There's no reason to hear a middle schooler say "I'm bored" this summer.
This month kicks off a celebration of books featuring or by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders. I am excited to shine a spotlight on the Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander portion of that lengthy acronym.
Five women of Asian descent discuss the joy of telling resonant stories, handling vocabulary in unfamiliar languages, and other topics.
As an author, how do I approach the potential for pain in the lines I write? How, as a reader, do we make these mostly well-intended but sometimes trivial-feeling statements actually hold meaning for us?
52 (!!!) new and forthcoming books to build your TBR ever taller!
These kinds of books are a great way to "taste" stories from a bunch of authors and discover new favorites!
I hope my work will encourage others to think about disability in a broader context, whether that’s rethinking how disabled characters are portrayed or creating more opportunities for disabled writers to tell their own stories.
You know what is a terrible term? Sandwich Generation. Because I like sandwiches, but I for sure do NOT like being part of the Sandwich Generation. Yes, this is related to this post. Bear with me. This post has LOTS of post-it reviews because I have spent LOTS of time at my mom’s helping care […]
It’s crucial to empower teens to find their voice and their community while advocating for their rights. It’s just as crucial to highlight queer joy and friendship, especially when readers are coming of age during turbulent times.
So here’s my challenge: I dare you to get outside, in your community. Connect with your neighbors. Make a project out of it — get some extra credit or community service hours in.
In Finally Fitz, I wanted to write a mental health representation that felt true to my experience, one where the symptoms aren’t so obvious in a culture that conflates perfectionism with ambition.
My mission is to create stories that teens can see themselves in and be entertained by so I can help them find a way through life despite what may have happened to them so far.
Mr. Schu is our guest for the latest episode.
What a wonderful world we live in to see so much great representation in middle grade.
You know, what we’re really talking about is empowerment—feeling like even the smallest parts of us have power and worth. That could be super important to a middle school kid.
These books all share anxiety as a theme, but in conversation with each other they feel like they are capturing something essential about the power of middle grade books.
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen outlines a poetry themed album release party for Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen outlines a poetry themed album release party for Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department
Librarian Angela Frederick discusses graphic novels perfect for foodies and those who like to cook, or eat, food
Just in time for National Poetry Month, check out these novels in verse!
It's been an embarrassment of podcast riches over on The Yarn recently. Here are five recent episodes for your listening pleasure.
Isabel in Bloom will be my fourth middle grade novel (my first one in verse). When I began writing it, a few intriguing images had come to me: a girl on a plane, a dried-up school garden, and a balikbayan box.
These Take Five lists can help you with collection development, displays, reading lists, and more
A powerful and important read.
It's a quiet story, but one that makes it clear that Cecil is seen, that kids like Cecil are seen. I look forward to more from Jonathan Todd.
If AI becomes capable of writing unique novels, just for you, that are better than anything you've ever read before, what would become of the shared experience of a beloved book?
The concept of liminality plays a crucial role in Otherworldly, and as such, many of the important moments happen in liminal spaces.
Today's list is of new and forthcoming nonfiction.
A music festival, a Theseus retelling, sleuths, a speculative thriller, a LGBTQIA+ dictionary, and so much more!
New graphic novels, poetry collections, middle grade books, and YA.
Today's list is of new and forthcoming middle grade fantasies.
Author Jane Yolen visits TLT to talk about her newest book, a collection of poetry titled IN AND OUT THE WINDOW
There's no shortage of middle grade characters who love to cook or bake!
In writing my contemporary YA novel, Just Another Epic Love Poem, I leaned into the granularity of my experience.
Not every character name goes through a rigorous process—some are a little more random!—but this is one of those parts of the writing process that is pure fun for me. It can be challenging to settle on the right name, but when you do, it makes all the difference.
The key to making that 2015-2024 walk to oblivion and partway back? Persistence. Holding nerve. Holding serve. Hoping to get another chance, and then another, and believing that if only you get that chance, you'll get it right this time.
Check out these forthcoming books from Peachtree and Peachtree Teen!
Librarian Angela Frederick shares highlights from the ALA-GNCRT's 2023 Best Graphic Novels for Children List
“Write what you know,” is an excellent starting place for writers. But to that advice, I would add, “Write what you wish you didn’t.”
Today's list is new books coming out in March. I swear there are one million middle grade books coming out on March 5 alone. It was a challenge to pick just a few new titles to include!
32 new and forthcoming middle grade and YA books that you need to check out!
In UNSTUCK Ms. Bowman suggests various strategies for overcoming writer’s block. My hope is that kids will try some of these strategies the next time they’re “stuck” in their writing
This month’s video game roundup features sequels, new installments in enduring series, and games set in familiar realms that can help players build skills they can apply to navigating the real world.
I sat down with comedian Jesús Trejo to talk all about his debut picture book, Papá's Magical Water Jug Clock.
Today’s list features new books out this month! Bet you couldn't guess that by the title!
Cultivating a story idea into a fully realized story is always an unexpected journey. It starts with the wish of a story idea, of what it can be. Then it blossoms into the best laid plans, the outline. After that? That’s the magic.
As always from Dee, a thoughtful, compassionate exploration the changing interior and exterior landscapes of middle school life.
I am so proud of The Someday Daughter. Not because it came to me easily, but because I confronted so many parts of myself in its creation.
The story is funny, the art is so expressive, and the solution to Molly's problems is totally novel and outside of the box. A satisfying read. I hope to see more from this duo!
Over on The Yarn podcast, Colby talked with Ruth Behar.
There are SO MANY graphic novels these days, which is great!
A really insightful, authentic, and funny look at all the changes big and small that come with this milestone in growing up.
As we celebrate the power of storytelling, let these new books transport readers to exciting worlds, spark their curiosity, and inspire a lifelong love for literature.
We are here, and we are queer, and we can’t reduce our identities to the neat black-and-white that society would like us to. We can’t (and shouldn’t) reduce our stories, either.
What a breath of fresh air it is to see this basic human function not just simply mentioned in fiction for kids and teens, but explored.
Queer stories can be joyful. We can celebrate that joy both looking backward toward the past, standing bravely in the present, and facing the future with hope and good care for each other, always.
A few years ago, I set off on an adventure that would eventually leave me both alone and alone in the woods…for days on end.
For all of your collection development and TBR needs, please enjoy these new titles from Holiday House and Pixel + Ink.
Climate change, conservation, and environmentalism are all issues today's tweens and teens care deeply about.
Every writer gets the same question. Whether they write for adults or kids. Whether they are at a school or a cocktail party.
“Where did you get the idea for the book?”
Start Black History Month with these edifying, entertaining audiobooks by Black writers about Black experiences starring Black characters—and keep listening throughout the year.
I never thought of myself as a particularly religious teen. My family was Catholic because we’d always been Catholic. We ate fish on Fridays during Lent but didn’t say grace before meals. I went to Catholic elementary school, because my parents felt it was a good religious foundation and the school was strong academically, but […]
I talked with Abby Hanlon about the triumphant return of her chapter book series, Dory Fantasmagory.
Get out your TBR! It's time for some new books out this month!
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