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PREMIUM
chi miigwech, big thank you
A crisp light text accompanied by compelling graphics, this book will entertain small children and prompt older readers learning about Indigenous culture and language to explore further.
A lively, educational celebration of mariachi instruments and a strong addition to bilingual board book collections.
PREMIUM
Ghost and Witch, Vol. 1
Hand this to horror fans who aren’t ready for Junji Ito and to readers who enjoy fantasy and Irish folklore.
A great pick for fans of shoujo manga, magical girls, and stories that bring magic into everyday life.
PREMIUM
La profecía equivocada
This magical boarding school drama with a Greek myth twist would be perfect for Spanish-language fantasy collections.
An excellent choice for elementary classrooms, young naturalists, homeschooling families, and any child fascinated by animals, ecosystems, or environmental stewardship, filled with sensory language, and captivating images.
This charming pictorial work will be devoured by budding ornithologists and nature lovers alike. Highly recommended for all nonfiction collections.
A must for Spanish-language collections serving tweens, especially where fantasy is popular.
PREMIUM
Open: Every Seed Has Its Moment
This would be a good choice for libraries needing SEL books about change and growth, or natural science books about seeds and the needs of plants.
PREMIUM
Hammers, Drills, and Wrenches
This lively overview is straightforward and engaging and will encourage young readers to dream of what they can create.
An inspiring look at architectural, engineering, and community creativity in response to climate change.
An evocative and engaging book that turns deep-sea science into a thrilling exploration. This is an excellent, educational addition to any library and perfect for readers fascinated by the natural world’s greatest mysteries.
Like the best dungeon fantasies, this story is filled with magic, trickery, and surprises, but it also invites readers to think more deeply about the environment and the beasts that inhabit it.
PREMIUM
Eres libre
This poetic picture book teaches children about diversity, freedom, identity, and respecting others; it’s a great addition to any SEL collection.
PREMIUM
The Shark Book
Whether Shark Week or not, this is a good choice for collections where shark books are popular.
A more fact-driven but engaging introduction to bunnies. Ideal for themed, bilingual story times or early Spanish nonfiction collections.
A charming introduction to read at home or for a themed bilingual story time.
PREMIUM
The Prince’s Keeper, Vol. 1
A stellar pick for romantasy fans, including those who don’t usually read manga.
PREMIUM
Shugo Chara! Jewel Joker, Vol. 1
A solid choice for fans of the original series, but this reads very much like a sequel and may be hard for newcomers to get into.
PREMIUM
Because of a Bee
A worthwhile addition to collections where books about bees, gardens, and pollinators are popular, this is sure to spark curiosity about how even the smallest creatures make a big impact.
With a cheery tone and lots of examples to reference, this is a great how-to book for budding manga artists.
This is a stunning collection of animals and their nests that will make an ideal addition to any nonfiction picture book collection.
PREMIUM
Magical Girl Dandelion, Vol. 1
A solid magical girl action story for fans of dark supernatural manga like “Jujutsu Kaisen” and “Gachiakuta.”
A unique globe-trotting scientific exploration sure to pique the interest of budding young mycologists and naturalists.
PREMIUM
El porqué de las estaciones
A great purchase for early elementary school collections and curriculum and for communities serving Spanish speakers.
A beautiful reminder that America is shaped by many different stories and experiences, and that the goal is to continue expanding who is included in that “we.” Perfect for all libraries.
This colorful, fast-moving adaptation is an engaging read and a brisk introduction to the original story.
PREMIUM
Ichi the Witch, Vol. 1
This Shonen Jump manga will appeal to fans of “One Piece” and other magical stories, while fantasy readers may enjoy the worldbuilding and the variety of characters.
A necessary purchase, this glorious collaboration between author and illustrator brings the world of jellyfish to unforgettable life.
PREMIUM
Tay Naja Nitajtaketzki Achtu Tik Nawat: Mis Primeras Palabras en Nahuat/My First Words in Nahuat
A must-purchase for the elementary shelves, offering aspects of under-represented languages and cultures for well-rounded collections.
A visually playful introduction to Latin American treats that works best for Spanish-speaking families. While the concept is appealing, stronger Spanish-language board books exist for teaching vocabulary.
PREMIUM
Akira Failing in Love, Vol. 1
An amiable rom-com that’s a good match for other shonen romances such as “Komi Can’t Communicate,” where the humor stems from awkwardness and misunderstandings.
Purchase for early elementary school collections and communities serving Spanish speakers and learners.
A delightful, curious, and engaging collection; if there is only one poetry book to add this year, this is it.
The evocative language, layered illustrations, and purposeful historical framing make this a meaningful addition to classroom libraries and a valuable anchor text for conversations about history, identity, and contribution.
PREMIUM
Grendizer U: The Inception.
Give this to sci-fi fans, whether or not they are into anime.
A visually appealing and browsable offering that will be appropriate for many nonfiction collections.
PREMIUM
Watch Me Grow: Sunflowers
This strong nonfiction picture book is a first purchase for all children’s collections.
Not suitable for a science lesson, but the visual and sonic energy, plus the unusual format, may provide enough oomph for infant and preschool story hours.
I like bold statements, so here's one: The Moon Without Stars is one of the best books I will read this year.
The Youth Media Award Winners are announced. Sparking Fire Out of Fate by Brigid Kemmerer (Bloomsbury) leads holds this week. Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Knopf) tops the NYT Children’s Middle Grade Hardcover list after 526 weeks on the list. New to the list are The Moon Without Stars by Chanel Miller (Philomel) coming in at no. 6 and Basket Ball by Kadir Nelson (Little, Brown) coming in at no. 10. The United States Board on Books for Young People released its 2026 Outstanding International Book List.
Nearly 100 people cast ballot on our Heavy Medal Reader's Poll, and the winner is: THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES by Kate Messner.
Thanks to all who participated and attended our annual webinar. It was surprising to see the HMAC and viewers poll Mock Newbery winners.
A teenage matchmaker is reborn as a gun-toting cupid in this fun manga.
A ghost story, a teen investigative podcaster, a Great Gatsby reimagining, a Sundown Town thriller, and a reimagining of The Winter's Tale.
ALA's Youth Media Awards will be announced on Monday, including the Newbery, Caldecott, and many more. We have no idea what will win, but it's fun to guess, so....Predictions!
These illustrated works, including a board book, early reader, and two picture books, are heartwarming picks that are sure to be hits beyond Valentine’s Day.
Lunar New Year is February 17. Here are some titles to share with young readers, including a new chapter book from Grace Lin.
A perfect bilingual story, in Spanish and English editions, that celebrates the many ways love can be shown without using words. The story follows Maricruz and her papi on a trip to the store in their...
We've waited long enough. Bring on the Caldecott. Bring on the Newbery.
Here's a look at the graphic novels that publishers have been acquiring, and when we can expect to see them.
I wrote this relationship because I believe that love is limitless and that traditional expectations can be severely limiting. This theme can be applied to so much more than someone’s sexuality. What better takeaway can a teen have than the notion that their future is full of infinite possibilities?
Today I pull two entirely different Pooh-related posts from my archives. One the one hand, a statue you can visit. On the other, a book you may have forgotten.
All Heavy Medal readers are welcome to vote in our 2026 Mock Newbery Reader's Poll. It is open until Friday afternoon JANUARY 23rd.
In the middle of all the chaos, 2016 is calling. Despite it all, this can be a nice way to have some fun.
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Fact-Finders Rainforest from DK Children and Cats with Jobs Volume 2 from Seven Seas Entertainment.
Books about Crohn's disease, jinns, a Nigerian village, puberty, and more!
After reading today's book I realized that it's showing kids that just because someone's name is on a book, they're just one of a large group of people, all working in tandem to make it the best possible literary experience. Naturally, questions abound.
After reading today's book I realized that it's showing kids that just because someone's name is on a book, they're just one of a large group of people, all working in tandem to make it the best possible literary experience. Naturally, questions abound.
It's our annual consideration of three potential Caldecott winners. I guarantee you'll be shocked by some of these reactions.
COLBY: When I heard that Kelly Yang and Kate DiCamillo were coming out with a new podcast, I got very excited. Then I reached out to Kelly to learn more about the new show. She agreed to hop on a call to chat about her new adventure with Kate. I hope you enjoy our conversation. […]
Announcing the Final 5: the titles that will be discussed and voted on during our Live Webcast on SLJ this Friday!
The arguments for removing books from libraries and curricula haven’t changed all that much but the context has. There’s much more emphasis on dismantling the institution because they contain materials that people find upsetting.
I’ve built a King Day reading list to recommend books that are accessible to young readers that were written by Dr. King, and by those who worked alongside him.
The powerful protectors of the multiverse are hot on the heels of the last Sidney Poblocki in existence, and only a mischievous inter-dimensional girl gang can save him in this wild adventure.
Today we discuss our final title on the Heavy Medal Mock Newbery list- ALL THE BLUES IN THE SKY by Renee Watson.
Nothing to See Here is about four very different eighth graders who team up to take action after cruel online gossip forces another student to leave school.
Misfits #3, a whodunnit, a magical beasts meets body-swap story, new Chanel Miller, and a story set during the 1885 expulsion of Chinese Americans from California.
Can you guess the children’s book by its scathing one-star review on Goodreads?
Share these selections from Hena Khan, Saadia Faruqi, Huda Fahmy, and more in January and all year long.
What are young readers living through right now, and which books are brave enough to meet them there?
Teenagers Rosie and Mira babysit their little sister, Peanut, who starts shapeshifting uncontrollably.
Our Mock Newbery discussion continues with Lauren Wolk's CANDLE ISLAND.
A creepy YA focusing on Edgar Allan Poe's descendant, a nonfiction title honoring Black basketball players, and board book and audiobook offerings appear on the first starred list of 2026.
Contrary to popular belief, SLJ reviews editors read non-children’s books. Every now and then, we’ll dip into some (gasp) adult books, though some of us can’t step out of the kid lit world for long. Here are our favorite books we read this year—and why.
"I wanted my readers to accept themselves, and speak their truths. And so I had to speak mine first." Shifa Safadi joins us today to talk about what it truly takes to write an honest book for kids and also to reveal the cover of this new middle grade work!
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen reviews the audiobook of the recently released BETH IS DEAD by Katie Bernet, a contemporary retelling of Little Women
Today's Heavy Medal Mock Newbery finalist is HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN CUBAN by Daniel Miyares, a graphic novel.
"They aren’t the cookie-cutter tweens and tweens, or cookie-cutter Black characters, or cookie-cutter parts of cookie-cutter families. They are complicated and outsiders and more admirable and loveable for it."
The 2025 Best Books list celebrates the many illustrations and design that make up the superb works published for children this year. Taking another look at this year’s selections, here are the SLJ book reviews editors' favorite book covers from the 2025 Best Books list.
This is an important collection to have in school and public libraries to examine craft, the realities of our climate and what might be next for all of us.
The spirit of a teen girl is always formidable. There’s so much to explore. It’s a gift to spend time inside the mind of one who has a lot to say, who wants many things, who gets plenty wrong—and who does not have to shrink to be loved.
Introduction by Heavy Medal Award Committee Member Quade Kelley Derrick Barnes’s THE INCREDIBLY HUMAN HENSON BLAYZE is a middle-gradecoming-of-age novel that combines sports, tall-tale folklore, and allegorical history into acompelling narrative about identity choices and their influence on community. 13-year-old Henson is a football prodigy in the small, mostly white town of Great Mountain,Mississippi. When his […]
Breaking down the Caldecott data . . .
These informational works for kids of all ages shine a light on the many contributions Black icons, such as Zora Neale Hurston, Serena Williams, and Malcolm X, and more, have made on American culture.
Am I right? Does it matter? Let's have some fun blindly throwing darts at a wall.
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels featuring Extraordinary Voyages Volume 1 from Papercutz and Wallflower from Viking Books for Young Readers.
Today's featured title in our Heavy Medal Mock Newbery: THE NINE MOONS OF HAN YU AND LULI by Karina Yan Glaser
As moving as it is educational, this breathtaking story is one that will stay with readers.
The Moon Without Stars by Chanel Miller leads holds this week. The Amazing Generation by Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price, illustrated by Cynthia Yuan Cheng, enters the NYT Children’s Middle Grade Hardcover Best Seller list at No. 1. Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine announces Beth Is Dead as the inaugural pick for its new Sunnie Reads Book Club, which is run “by and for Gen-Z readers.”
The announcement of the Newbery Medal is just a couple weeks away. Find out what's coming up on Heavy Medal before then, including book discussions, a webcast, and three Mock Newbery votes.
A rare sequel made the Heavy Medal Book List this year with MAX IN THE LAND OF LIES by Adam Gidwitz.
Today we've got a baby announcement—Baby Garfield, that is! He'll be starring in a new miniseries from BOOM! Studios launching in March.
Today's Heavy Medal Mock Newbery discussion book is POCKET BEAR by Katherine Applegate, the 2013 Newbery Medalist
New Dan Santat, a girl gang, a friendship break-up, a story inspired by Armenian and Persian mythology, and a memoir.
This book works its way into the fissures and cracks of children's gray matter, affecting their reading preferences for, potentially, their entire life. For that to happen, you need something a little weird, and special. You need a book like this.
May we have empathy and respect for Latinx families living through political turmoil and exile, no matter which side of the political spectrum they reside without dehumanizing those we see as opposing our ideologies- understanding that the Latinx story is not a monolith.
Periwinkle, a “space cat,” explores the world with a creative, curious spirit.
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