Yet another preview of books from small publishers! Today we examine sign language board books, Harriet Tubman's life told in poems, and so much more including (naturally) the robot revolution.
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Bounce Back Volume 3: So Totally Nala from Feiewl and Friends and The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur: A Graphic Novel Based on a True Story from Candlewick Press.
Our October Mock Newbery nomination list included 38 different titles. Two books lead the pack with 15 nominations: THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES by Kate Messner and THE UNDEAD FOX OF DEADWOOD FOREST by Aubrey Hartman. Check out the full list here.
It’s hard for a child to think about the future, which always feels so far away when you’re a kid. That’s why we have to think about the future for them.
Iris Mogul talks with Banned Books Week Honorary Chair George Takei, as well as other youth advocates as part of Banned Books Week 2025 events.
Celebrate Diwali, Mid-Autumn Festival, and a wedding with these fun fall titles!
Today we are discussing our fourth abecedarian picture book on the podcast and our second Gorey. This is a "cult classic" picture book, best beloved by older children who read it and felt like they were getting away with something.
Let’s fight book bans on a personal level, one book at a time. Because bans aren't only about books; they’re working to erase people and their stories.
When the amount of property damage the Hulk causes while saving the day gets Dr. Banner in legal trouble, he's forced to do community service...as a middle school teacher.
A general realistic fiction purchase that may require hand-selling.
Perhaps this is best for the shelves intended to help grandparents seeking to connect with the young generation.
A lush, spooky page-turner perfect for readers of Arndt’s other novel, Together We Rot, or Stephanie Garber’s Once Upon a Broken Heart.
A winning mix of history, humor, and high-stakes sleuthing for returning fans of the series or new readers.
A powerful novel about family, friendship, love, and the indigenous culture of the Sámi people. Young adults living between multiple cultures will appreciate the rawness of self-discovery throughout.
A unique book among space-exploration titles, this is recommended for browsers and as a first step in the research process.
With a stealthy intention to bring poetry to sports-minded young readers, this book may be too light on sports facts to appeal to soccer fans and too basic in its execution to be a meaningful resource for aspiring poets.
The collection format makes it easy for libraries to offer multiple battles in one simple book and is a must-have for those serving elementary readers.
A stellar companion novel about one tween’s struggles and ambitions that can stand alone but will have newer readers sprinting to the rest of the books in this excellent series.
A historical fiction adventure that is highly recommended.
At a time when Messi biographies are in abundance, this one stands out for its celebration of the phenom’s dedication and resilience in the face of childhood struggles. A first purchase for school and public library biography shelves of an admirable role model.
This is a must-read for fans of folklore, horror, monsters, and LGBTQIA+ fiction.
With vibrant visuals and an incisive narrative, this compelling new look at the Age of Exploration is a first purchase for children’s nonfiction collections.
Recommended for purchase for any collection wishing to spotlight a truly remarkable individual.
This title is one any pair of sisters can relate to and encourages being honest with familial frustrations. A recommended general purchase for picture book collections.
A remarkable tribute to those who made space travel possible in unexpected ways, this is a highly recommended STEM purchase to inspire a new generation of women.
A warmly illustrated, heartfelt resource that combines comfort with information, this is an essential purchase for libraries serving young families.
An important and well-done title that teachers will want to explore with their students.
A charming, tender story about making friends, sisterhood, and the importance of family and community.
A solid purchase for soccer players and fans who are looking for middle grade books about their favorite game.
Recommended for collections where fairy romantasy is popular.
An inspiring and energetic account of one man’s record-breaking journey around the world in a wheelchair, this is an uplifting and visually engaging biography of resilience and advocacy and a strong choice for classrooms and collections featuring changemakers and social justice role models.
National Geographic books are a trusted favorite for a reason: kids love them, parents and educators rely on them, and the learning happens almost effortlessly. This one is a must for home, classroom, or library shelves.
Though not for every collection, this bright and inclusive board book celebrating the value of family and community is an ideal selection for Jewish families welcoming a newborn.
A landmark work in the “kids love poop” genre, this is a must-buy for every collection.
Give this to fact fiends and fans of the “Science Comics” series.
A rousing rendition of a classic song celebrating baseball’s legacy and appeal. Recommended for collections that are looking for sports-themed titles in their picture book collections
A thoughtfully designed book for adults to share with children or for young readers to explore on their own, with plentiful, stunning images of many African animals, sparse text, and helpful scaffolds for engaging with nonfiction works.
A great read-aloud to celebrate Earth month, Indigenous innovation, and the resilience of the natural world.
This book is inviting, making it appropriate for young adult mystery collections.
Readers approaching adulthood need the reassurance, hope, and bravery that Budde provides. A strong purchase for middle grade and teen collections.
A tearjerking realistic fiction read about love and loss that should be added to all middle grade collections.
Time-traveling fans will devour this humorous tale that shows how humans are all connected.
A novel that handles heavy topics with a light touch; recommended for upper middle grade.
A worthy follow-up that expands on the humor and heart of the first installment, and an excellent pick for fans of humorous graphic novels and family-centered storytelling.
An eye-opening window or mirror story for collections that need more stories involving Ojibwe beliefs, relationships, and a touch of the supernatural.
Strongly recommended for fans of Greek and Roman mythology, particularly feminist retellings such as Jennifer Saint’s Ariadne or Madeline Miller’s Circe.
An excellent addition to earth science classrooms, elementary school libraries, and medium to large public libraries. Ideal for children who gravitate toward visual nonfiction and enjoy collecting interesting facts.
Lilting prose and textured collage visually and lyrically represent big feelings in this powerful title. Highly recommended.
These are five books I've got on my fall TBR and hope to find time to read soon (if I can learn how to keep my eyes open past 8:00).
Guest blogger Jessie Mae introduces WHAT FELL FROM THE SKY, a possible Newbery contender with an alien rescue, a military "takeover," and themes of community and empathy.
That first step to sparking the wonder of budding makers begins in the library, reading stories that inspire them to get hands-on and building their creative confidence.
The all-volunteer initiative is documenting exhibits at the more than 20 Smithsonian Institution museums and the National Zoo in response to the Trump administration's announcement that museums' contents would be subject to review and revision to align with the president's directive.
Designed as a personal data assistant for K–12 librarians, Destiny AI aims to help automate routine tasks, streamline data organization, retrieve quick insights into a library’s collection, reduce workloads, and boost productivity.
Sometimes you need to watch out for the quiet books. They know how to sneak up on you.
It's always been about more than the books.
Dark Horse unveils a new volume in its middle-grade Minecraft series.
A shy student begins a friendship with a popular werewolf in this fun manga.
20 books out this month just waiting to go on your TBR!
Whether it's the latest book in a favorite series or the next great read, librarians will find plenty of options to keep their most voracious patrons satisfied.
Bright illustrations, silly situations, and a sense of continuity and rigor in skill-building are the hallmarks of this season's decodable series.
These picture book series offer a sweet escape into education or entertainment.
The gentle stories in this collection of early readers feature warm, inviting illustrations and focus on navigating family and friendships.
These cheerful chapter books span a wide range of reading interests and genres and are a bastion of diverse stories and characters.
A chill is in the air, and there is no better time to be immersed in a juicy middle grade series.
These hi-lo titles have all the adventure, intrigue, romance, and drama that will engage striving readers.
Adam Fisher, Lane Libraries, Butler County, OH, Emilia Packard, Bloomington, IL, and Alexandra Quay, Chandler School, Pasadena, CA,
Oct 02, 2025
Wild adventures, goofy characters, and candy-colored illustrations dominate this collection of graphic novels.
The books in these YA series serve up a generous dose of big feelings.
Hidden identities, action and survival, and, of course, true love can be found in these new and ongoing manga series.
Having a say in legislation is a critical piece of advocacy right now. Hear from experts on how to help grassroots organizations, testify before boards and legislators, and make an impact.
This season’s Fiction Series Made Simple includes reviews of new and ongoing fiction series that will have patrons clamoring to add to their growing piles.
"I live in a sea of lemon trees." In a time when Mexicans and Mexican-American suffer at the hands of our government, we talk about this National Book Award nominee and a historical moment of one injustice rectified.
The first of the six Newbery criteria is interpretation of theme or concept. Without a doubt, this year our most common thing is coping with grief and loss. Today Steven and Emily take a look at different titles addressing these themes and compare them.
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen reviews the recently released YA thriller THIS IS WHERE WE DIE by Cindy R. X. He
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