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Another excellent title from Fitzharris. Recommended for all middle schools.
Readers who enjoy true-life mysteries and survival stories will be pulled into this book and inspired to learn more about this little-known but fascinating event.
Children, and adults, who enjoy baking, and decorating their creations will value this crafty book most.
Heiligman’s depth of research and absorbing, crisp writing makes for a page-turner about a fierce, complex, and influential dissident. Recommended for all libraries.
A thoughtful and visually rich collection that honors the depth of Persian mythology while making it approachable for a new generation of readers.
Older teen readers will be enriched by this graphic memoir of a young man seeking to break out of the oppressive Soviet regime.
PREMIUM
How the Ghost Army Hoodwinked Hitler: The Story of American Artistry and Deception in World War II
Delving into a unique element of WWII, this book will be well received by students, teachers, and anyone interested in military strategy.
A fun, informative book about human’s best friend that will easily find an audience.–
PREMIUM
Sole Survivor
Highly recommended, especially for older tweens drawn to true stories of grit, growth, and survival against the odds.
This engaging collected biography would be a wonderful addition to any library. The eye-catching cover and title may encourage reluctant readers of nonfiction to explore these mystifying women of magical history.
PREMIUM
Bad Boy: A Graphic Memoir
A good addition to libraries looking to introduce young readers to Walter Dean Myers, Harlem, and life for Black children in the 1940s and 1950s.
An essential addition to middle and high school libraries, this graphic novel is a green how-to manual for 2025.
PREMIUM
Leave It on the Track
This debut is a heartrending coming-of-age story of loss, self-discovery, and self-acceptance that will be enjoyed not only by derby fans, but those who are derby-curious, or are just looking for a story with some emotional depth and featuring LGBTQIA+ characters.
A gritty story of trust and betrayal, Lucy’s life absorbs readers and leaves them wanting more. A definite first buy.
PREMIUM
Fake Skating
While seemingly formulaic at times, what good romance novel isn’t? Give this one to any lover of the genre.
PREMIUM
The Sacred & the Divine
Recommended for those who enjoy romances, a historical setting, and supernatural narratives.
PREMIUM
How to Survive a Horror Movie
This page-turner is an ode to slasher films and funny ghost stories. A great, twisty introduction to horror for teens.
PREMIUM
Rhiannon
Consider sharing this contemplative graphic novel about a girl’s formative summer with fans of Mariko and Jillian Tamaki’s This One Summer.
PREMIUM
The Trespassers
Fans of unsettling and propulsive realistic fiction will welcome this gripping addition.
A skilled author of popular Australian children’s books takes on issues of suicide and serious illness with love and care in her first YA novel.
PREMIUM
Lou with the Band
This flawed but fast-paced novel will be of interest to teens who enjoy romance and music. The diverse racial and ethnic cast of characters also adds to the book’s appeal.
PREMIUM
Let’s Split Up
If the names were changed, this could be the origin story for the Scooby Gang. Wood has reimagined Mystery Inc., for a whole new generation.
PREMIUM
The Deep Well
A secondary purchase for high school collections, recommended for libraries where Courtney Gould is popular.
A highly recommended read for fans of young adult psychological thrillers and Jackson’s previous works.
PREMIUM
Catch Your Death
Guron creates a spiral of twists and turns, truly unpredictable and sure to engross readers as the full story unwinds.
PREMIUM
Angelica and the Bear Prince
A lovely look at burnout, grief, and coming-of-age with just a dash of teenage romance as a treat.
A fantastic read, a beautiful reflection on the past, and an exposition of human connection
PREMIUM
And the River Drags Her Down
Yun’s intent to help readers live with grief is well-executed as she reminds readers of the importance of facing it. Recommended.
I hope you find something fun here to read in these final days of summer.
"I knew the book had to be accessible for children. I also wanted it to have a point of view, to be specifically Black (as much as I could manage in 100 poems), and to be honest." Traci N. Todd talks about her latest poetry collection.
Because I love imagery, developing an image system for a verse novel is one of my favorite challenges.
Young chefs and bakers will gobble up these cookbooks that run the gamut from spooky sweets and fake cakes to activism-inspired family recipes!
This roundup of active nonfiction features forays into nature, hands-on science experiments, and SEL guidebooks.
![Alternative [Self Liner Note] | Review](https://goodcomicsforkids.slj.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/image.png)
A musician struggles with a creative block and self-doubt in this special one-shot manga.
Entering portals requires bravery and hope and the willingness to see what happens, which are generally good things to apply to living life in general.
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Teachers and students are returning to school this fall amid a lot of uncertainty. But integrating books into the formal curriculum, and making books available for independent reading and enrichment, continues to be fundamental in helping schools achieve their learning and literacy goals.
In the mood for some menudo? I get to ask Erika Meza about one of her latest, and we touch on everything from gay grandparents to the chaos and buzz of a family weekend.
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Max and Chaffy The Great Cupcake Mystery from DK Children and Space Case from Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.
The power of words can help save us---reading them, writing them, feeling them. They can help us find our way back to ourselves when it seems like everything was taken. A powerful look at trauma, bravery, and survival.
School Library Journal and NCTE continue to champion works that have long been taught in classrooms, including YA classics like Caroline B. Cooney's The Face on the Milk Carton and Robert Cormier's We All Fall Down.
COLBY: Back in the summer of 2016, I interviewed Sophie Blackall the day before she gave her Caldecott acceptence speech for Finding Winnie. It was a huge honor to get a little bit of her time right before this huge moment in her life. I selfishly never shared our conversation. It was mine, and sort […]
Julie and Stan Sakai's kid-friendly version of comics' most famous samurai rabbit returns in a new expanded edition, featuring 30 pages of new material.
Sometimes we are not okay. Sometimes we crave respite from the onward march. Sometimes we need the relief of being seen. And that, I believe, is okay.
PREMIUM
The Maya
An engaging graphic nonfiction about the Maya that offers valuable cultural and historical exposure for students. Recommended.
A seasonal crowd-pleaser for the shelves, best suited for libraries looking to boost their Halloween board book offerings.
PREMIUM
Scrim on the Run: Christmas Fun!
A fun revisiting of the story of Scrim and the city of New Orleans, while indulging in the spirit of Christmas with festivity and flair that only the bayou can bring.
PREMIUM
E Is for Easter Egg Hunt
An uninspired attempt to capitalize on an existing franchise, this book struggles to function as a narrative.
PREMIUM
It’s Your Year, Baby Horse
Perfect for readers who wonder about the Chinese zodiac, and specifically the characteristics of people born in the Year of the Horse.
PREMIUM
Dave Pigeon (Turkey Dinner!)
Make room on the shelves for this and other “Dave Pigeon” books.
This tale has an unusual ecological theme that makes seed preservation not only an essential task, but sacred one. A must-have story for all libraries.
Great book on the science of stars, purchase wherever there is interest in space at the library.
An accessible, eye-pleasing almanac with a wide range of facts, activities, and entertainment, this is browsable and readable for kids who love to share interesting facts or a new joke with others.
Not recommended for purchase. Although the initial set-up is clever, the glib treatment undermines its emotional resonance, turning a potentially rich topic into a one-note joke.
Purchase for libraries for a whimsical take on evolution, which is also a great read-aloud.
A gift made of childhood recall, wrapped in the making of a Persian rug, an act of creating “precious memories out of everyday chores.” A solid purchase for most libraries.
Emphasizing flexibility and innovation in language learning, this book provides a wealth of lesson ideas and inspiration for incorporating meaningful technology use in the language learning classroom.
A strong choice for collections seeking to broaden cultural representation while connecting to familiar themes of childhood independence and inclusion.
The memory of a song helped inspire my latest nonfiction book, Many Voices, Building Erie, the Canal that Changed America.
Here’s a look at seven graphic novels for a range of ages, in which monster tales are reimagined as stories of empathy, identity, and the unknown.
"I understand the value of escapism for kids, but I also understand the value of representation." Craig Kofi Farmer goes deep with his latest book on what toxic mentorship can do to a kid.
Writer A.J. Locascio talks about his picture book Spoops, a sweet Halloween story about a girl who teams up with some tiny Halloween sprites to enjoy the creative side of the holiday.
As a writer, it’s been fascinating to watch the publishing team and artists add a visual layer to these books. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how and why they do it.
“Anything less is not good enough for a child.” Those would be the words of the irascible editor, Ursula Nordstrom. Now she's getting a middle grade nonfiction book on her life, and author Nancy Hudgins is here to tell us more.
When does protecting children do more harm than good? If I’d understood those times better, maybe I’d be better prepared for these, and so would my children.
Contributor Riley Jensen shares a list of 5 YA books coming out September 2025.
This fantasy-themed TTRPG roundup features games perfect for library programming, where players can step into the boots, paws, or claws of adorable animals and outlandish creatures to work together and save the day.
A warm, inviting celebration of love, acceptance, and the beauty of finding your place in unexpected spaces. Ramírez’s lyrical text introduces readers to Esmerelda, a charming, wide-eyed squirrel navi...
Were you aware that ghosts are the hot trend of 2025? Not sure what that says about the state of the world today, but it does give me an excuse to talk to the creator of the ghost with the most.
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Wizkit Volume 2: A Tail of Disruption from Atheneum Books for Young Readers and Cryptid Kids Volume 2: Moby Duck from First Second Books.
The list of suggested titles for the Heavy Medal Mock Newbery has now reached 87! Check out the full list of possible contenders for the 2026 Medal.
Author Ellen Forney joins us to talk about her new book, The Adventures of You!: How to Write, Draw, and Star in Your Own Comics.
For more than 60% of children in the U.S., walking into a school or library represents their first encounter with books. If we make that experience as welcoming as possible, we're giving them fuel for success.
This delightful book is a perfect holiday read-aloud, capturing the magic, impatience, and joy of the season through a child’s eyes
A perfect simple, nonreligious Christmas book featuring beautifully illustrated polar bears and friends. Recommend for all children’s sections.
This is a story that reassures readers we all forget things at times, but when people work together, the day can end on a positive note and be memorable.
PREMIUM
The Muttcracker
This pleasant offering will appeal to dancers and will resonate with anyone who has ever had to overcome disappointment.
PREMIUM
Spotlight on Cynthia Erivo
A strong addition to the series that will inspire young readers to embrace who they are.
With its lilting text and gorgeous artwork, this is the rare book that amplifies the ferocity and the necessity of fire in nature, employing the ecology of the sagebrush.
An excellent choice for social studies units dealing with geography, as well as integrated studies showing how art and social studies can work together to create meaning. This is a beautiful, fascinating, and uniquely told book.
PREMIUM
Spotlight on Ariana Grande
A highly accessible format and inspiring message make this a great pick for young most collections.
Abari’s accessible text sheds light on a group of women who did not receive enough recognition during their time; students will be inspired by the story of this brave and hard-working battalion. A first purchase.
PREMIUM
Just Say Welcome
A useful addition to collections in communities welcoming immigrants and refugees, especially with its celebration of inclusivity.
A must buy for every library, fostering curiosity for cultures throughout the world, and bringing balance to such Eurocentric works as the Opies’ landmark titles.
PREMIUM
Big Family Beach Day
A wonderful multigenerational beach story, perfect for all libraries for summer reading hours, or for classroom units on family.
PREMIUM
Bitter Tea and Rock Candy
A great story for libraries looking for representation of Chinese culture, of intergenerational relationships, and of trying new things; it’s also something of an ode to the fact that grandmothers were once young.
Highly recommended especially for collections with fans of collected biographies such as Vashti Harrison’s “Leaders & Dreamers” series and Robin Stevenson “Kid Legends.”
With its manageable and impactful subject matter alongside engrossing illustrations, this is a valuable handbook for learning about the objects that surround readers every day
A strong purchase for cookbook collections
PREMIUM
The House of Found Objects
Kids interested in developing their sleuthing and French skills will benefit from encountering Bea’s journey in this series debut. A general purchase for the fiction shelves.
PREMIUM
Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend
A timely purchase for all middle grade collections with a reassuring message kids need to hear
PREMIUM
Hulk Teach!
This slice-of-superhero-life comic delivers laughs and lessons, making it a standout for Marvel fans and middle grade readers.
PREMIUM
The Other Side of Imani
A heartfelt and empowering coming-of-age story that will resonate with tweens navigating identity, ambition, and digital spaces.
The fall books are arriving in droves these days, so while I'm trying to hang on to the last joys of summer vacation, I am thinking ahead to what I'll be reading in the upcoming months.
A recommended purchase for schools and libraries in need of current, high-interest nonfiction on important topics.
Readers will discover a wonderful role model and a perfect message: be true to yourself and do what you love. A touching and wonderful tribute to a real star, and a first purchase for all libraries.
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