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These Juneteenth offerings include various formats, ranging from cookbooks to early readers to audiobooks, so all your young readers can find their preferred way to learn more about this holiday.

In these books that take place in part during the first semester of college, characters learn more about themselves during this time of transition—and maybe fall in love along the way.

Just in time for Father's Day, we've rounded up a few of the latest board books that highlight the special bond between fathers and their children. Share these titles with your young readers before mid-June or all year long.

These three novels explore the fun, freedom, and complications of life on vacation for tweens.

Authors and illustrators have become evermore adept at hooking readers with fantasy and humor while providing solid details like bait to hook their continuing curiosity. These five fishy tales prove it.

This diverse list of titles includes prose novels, novels in verse, and graphic novels. It has solid middle grade books as well as selections more suited for upper middle grade or younger YA tastes.

Rebecca Stead's first picture book and an audiobook of the latest Renée Watson title make the list, along with several back-to-school books.

In this Q&A series, SLJ poses five questions and a request for a book recommendation to a debut YA author. Mina Ikemoto Ghosh shares about Hyo the Hellmaker in this latest installment.

Celebrate mothers not just for one day but all year long with these selections.

Creaky Acres is a story about a girl, a horse, and a whole new way of life. Brigid Alverson spoke to the creators about their graphic novel featuring Nora, a competitive rider, who finds her way on a delightfully weird farm, inhabited by an equally quirky crew of young equestrians.

Seven new graphic novels, both fiction and nonfiction, that depict the immigration experience. 

This month’s starred titles take readers to Turkey, walk them through the first day of school, and give the number zero its moment in the spotlight.

These books share tips on using AI, mini-lessons, manga, and more to engage and educate students and patrons.

Book access and other restrictions on libraries and library values remain top of mind for readers. So too, practical posts toward serving library patrons, with creative ideas for staging a crime investigation to teach research skills and preserving family recipes getting the most views on SLJ.com.

May is Zombie Awareness Month. Don't want your patrons and students to have their brains eaten by the undead? Sharing this list of picture books, early readers, middle grade, and YA titles just might save their lives. 

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Mahmoud v. Taylor, a legal dispute that started when a Maryland district added books with LGBTQIA+ characters and themes to its curriculum and did not allow parents to opt out of instruction. Here are SLJ's reviews of those books.

In this popular Q&A series, SLJ poses five questions and a request for a book recommendation to a debut YA author. Adina King shares about 'The House No One Sees' in this latest installment.

Cascarones are empty eggshells that are decorated, filled with confetti, and sealed. A Latinx Easter tradition involves breaking them over loved ones’ heads. Join in the fun with these two picture books.

Along with the best books in kid lit, this month's stars also include adult books for teens and professional reading.

In these three novels, the pace and proximity of small-town life play a vital role in characters’ disparate journeys that are ultimately bids for safety, recognition, and belonging.

Looking for bunnies? Looking for eggs? Whatever your young readers are looking for this Easter season, these tactile and interactive offerings will take them on a fun-filled journey.

Starred reviews are always good news, for what they mean and for what happens next.

These three books poignantly explore characters whose relationships to the past heavily influence their present.

This month’s starred books include titles celebrating holidays and a collection of poetry.

These starred YA debuts released during the first three months of 2025 feature propulsive, thought-provoking plots from authors we’re sure to see more of in the future.

Lifting up transgender voices in literature has always been important, but now it's more vital than ever. Share these 14 books by trans creators and/or about trans characters ahead of Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31 and all year round.

Starred reviews have a big problem. And it begins and ends with the 10 points in this list.

From magic to murder, these YA novels set at boarding schools are full of secrets and page-turning plots to keep readers guessing.

This month's starred selections include nonfiction and reference books, along with the latest Legend of Zelda video game.

Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, is a Hindu festival celebrating spring. Young readers will enjoy these colorful picture books about the holiday.

These collections gather poems about nature, imagination, and creativity. Share them with young readers to open up a world of possibilities.

Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates events told in the biblical Book of Esther. Hand these titles to young readers so they can share in the parties, costumes, and food that are all part of the festivities.

This month, a handful of middle grade and YA titles, along with a manga adaptation of Sherlock Holmes and more, received starred reviews.

This year, the committee recognized twelve outstanding books of poetry and nine novels in verse as 2025 Notable Books. These selections emphasize inclusiveness and diversity, showcasing a wide range of experiences and perspectives.

Reading about the determination of these women, both in sports and in life, may encourage young readers to similarly face any challenges in front of them. Share these titles for Women's History Month and all year.

Graphic novels, and manga in particular, have exploded in popularity with students, a recent SLJ survey revealed. As teens and younger readers eagerly devour graphic novels, publishers are responding with more books in graphic format to satisfy readers of all genres.

These stories share a variety of Ramadan and Eid experiences, from fasting for the first time to celebrating in a home. Hand them to young readers leading up to the holy month and all year long.

This month showcases excellent titles in poetry, including a book illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Doug Salati, as well as several graphic novels, including a new one from Raina Telgemeier.

These five heartfelt titles feature characters whose identities fall under the trans umbrella.

These 12 recent YA titles celebrate romantic Black love in many forms, in different periods of history, and in real and fantasy realms. They include humor, queer love, and paranormal/sci-fi encounters, expanding the much-needed diversity within the romance genre.

This month’s starred books include Spanish titles by Matt de la Pena, Juana Medina, Sara Andrea Fajardo, and Kao Kalia Yang.

Celebrating history shapers like John Lewis and Mae Jemison and lesser-known individuals with comparable impact, such as playwrights August Wilson and Lorraine Hansberry, and engineer Raye Montague, these 28 titles share the lives, struggles, and triumphs of notable Black Americans.

Young readers of all ages can enjoy the various activities involved with Lunar New Year as they read these titles.

Every year on January 27th, International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorates the 1945 liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. This year marks the 80th anniversary. Share these graphic novels with young readers leading up to the day and all year long.

January starts strong with a new book from Gayle Forman, two graphic novels, and several audio titles spanning ages and genres.

These books—which share stories of real and fictional people and animals who have endured wildfires—can provide information and comfort to children and teens.

These books on topics ranging from using AI successfully to navigating book challenges are a good place for librarians to start as they look toward another year of positively influencing young readers.

2024 came to a close with these outstanding selections, which include several from our new Fiction Series Made Simple supplement. 

Are your young readers sad that the holiday season is over? Point them to these titles, featuring holidays celebrated throughout the year around the world.

2024 ends with starred reviews for Garth Nix, George M. Johnson, and more.

From a bilingual book about Cuba to a graphic novel poetry collection, these diverse titles are sure to delight a wide range of young readers.

Kwanzaa is an African American and pan-African holiday that celebrates family, community, and culture. These board books, picture books, and audiobooks will help young children learn more about it and get into the spirit of the holiday.

New planets, secret headquarters, extraterrestrial creatures, and other cosmic delights fill the pages of these works for elementary through high school readers. 

Caregivers can read these poems to children to help them on their journey to slumber.

From historical works to books influenced by personal history to those with characters who must examine the past to move forward, these five titles are strong Printz contenders.

From board books that invite the littlest readers to hippity-hop to anthologies that encourage older readers to explore deep themes in narratives, these 11 titles celebrate the Festival of Lights in a variety of ways.

November's starred offerings include nonfiction by Kwame Alexander and Andrea Davis Pinkney, as well as a professional reading title about Judy Blume.

This month’s starred titles celebrate Lunar New Year, snow, and the Galápagos Islands, among other things.

Whether portraying a humble farming community, a home in the south of Korea, a synagogue filled with love and hope, or a neighborhood where more than small things are mended, the best picture books of 2024 celebrate how those working together are the models for humanity we want our children to witness.

Shifa Saltagi Safadi's novel in verse about an immigrant family, the 2016 Muslim ban, and a boy trying to balance school and family earned the prestigious prize.

The best poems educate with their facts and inspire with their beautiful flow of words. These 11 titles contain poems that do both exceptionally for young readers of all ages. 

Mythology and animal stories compose a large part of this early reader and chapter book list, alongside contemporary tales of young protagonists staying true to themselves and the things they love while figuring out how to act among peers. These titles will help children learn how to read as well as model ideas for how they can be authentically themselves.

SLJ will reveal the 193 titles selected for this year's Best Books list starting November 19 and culminating November 25 with a live webcast.

In this Q&A series, SLJ poses five questions and a request for a book recommendation to a debut YA author. In the latest installment, Wen-yi Lee shares about The Dark We Know. 

This thankful season, children can read all about dinosaurs, crayons, and even turkeys enjoying food, fun, and family. 

October’s starred reviews include a nonfiction World War II story from George Takei and a newly illustrated poem by U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón.

In this month's starred reviews, Oliver Gerlach goes off menu, David F. Walker reimagines an American classic, and more.

Like or loathe these takes on the purveyors of information science, they’re memorable.

Top 2025 Printz Award contenders include poetry, stories featuring characters at both the younger and older ends of the age spectrum, graphic works, and an author who could get her fourth Printz recognition.

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, occurs this year on October 31 through November 1. Share these titles about the holiday with young readers.

Starting with a book about The Nightmare Before Christmas and ending with a book based on the same popular Halloween movie, this list for children of all ages includes titles to joyfully delight the youngest readers and give older readers a thrill.

Celebrate the Jewish New Year by sharing these board and picture books.

These titles will help readers learn about and celebrate Día de Muertos, the Day of the Dead festival that honors ancestors and others who have passed.

This month, holiday and poetry books join several nonfiction titles covering a range of topics including the Salem Witch Trials, vaccines, and more.

These seven works range from spin-offs of classic Japanese manga to completely original stories rendered with manga-style storytelling.

From fantastical to contemporary, these 14 diverse YA romance novels featuring Latinx protagonists will be loved by readers this Hispanic Heritage Month and throughout the year.

This month is chock-full of standout titles, including holiday books, games, and more.

These short story collections center diverse characters and stories in creepy, readable tales.

Here are SLJ's reviews of the books that made the longlist for the 2024 National Book Award for Young People's Literature, including six books with SLJ stars.

Throughout history and around the world, dancing has been a way for people to express themselves and celebrate their cultural identity. Share these titles with young readers in time for National Dance Day on September 21.

These titles with book banning and censorship themes are good to share with students and patrons of all ages during Banned Books Week and all year round.

These titles include the background for the current state of book banning, as well as ideas to help librarians respond proactively and reactively. Turn to these titles for information and inspiration for the fight.

This month, several middle grade and YA titles earned stars, along with picture books, transitional titles, and nonfiction.

These titles for the youngest readers share information on the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival, as well as show the importance of gathering with family and eating mooncakes on that day.

Starting a new school, or even a new school year, can elicit a lot of emotions for many children. These board books, picture books, and early readers will help reassure young readers that all will be well when they step into their new classroom.

These excellent middle grade titles illustrate the significance and complexity of tween friendships.

From literacy instruction to battling book bans and censorship, the subjects of these titles will inform and inspire librarians and other educators.

In this Q&A series, SLJ poses five questions and a request for a book recommendation to a debut YA author. In the latest installment, Myah Hollis shares about Not About a Boy. 

This month's starred titles include a first day of school story by June Sobel, biographies on Mae Jemison and Roberto Clemente, and a new picture book from Kyle Lukoff.

Nonfiction books account for many of this month's stars, along with several middle grade and YA novels, and one holiday book.

Gifted translators are not celebrated as often as authors or illustrators, but their work is vital to a book's success. SLJ profiles Aida Salazar, the award-winning author who also translated this year's starred book La panza de mamá by Isabel Quintero.

Women's Equality Day, celebrated on August 26th, commemorates the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. In these titles, mothers and grandmothers take their daughters and granddaughters along with them to polls, to show the children the importance of exercising the hard-won right for women to vote.

These individual poems and collections about animals, outer space, feelings, and more will satisfy a wide range of budding poets and other interested readers.

From looking out the window and appreciating wildlife in the city to recognizing the emotions involved with moving and growing up, the poems in these books offer much to young readers.

These exceptional resources will help librarians, ranging from early career to veterans, create equitable environments and diversity their collections. 

Sidelined from sports because of injuries, the teens in these YA novels find new outlets, from gaming to comedy to cooking.

These 9 books and graphic novels feature protagonists who enjoy the popular RPG Dungeons & Dragons—and have adventures that help them learn more about themselves both inside of and outside the game.

It's been a great year for YA so far! These starred titles include everything from contemporary coming-of-age stories to high-stakes fantasy to diverse romances, and more.

From early reader to YA titles, these starred graphic novels showcase the very best of the comics medium so far in 2024. Use the downloadable spreadsheet to ensure your collection includes these superb graphic novels.

This year has gone above and beyond with its middle grade offerings! From powerful historical fiction to hilarious magical mayhem, this list features our top titles so far.