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Saturday, April 26 is my favorite day of the year! That's right, it's time for Teen Lit Con again in Mendota Heights, Minnesota! I'm excited to be presenting for the sixth year.
Eventually, I decided that the nefarious plotting of my young tontine contenders was not only acceptable for middle grade but also funny—for the same reason that Home Alone is a comedy and not a horror movie.
Optimism fosters a sense of collective action and shows that no effort is too small.
As usual, the book mail arrives fast and furious here at the Minnesota branch of TLT. Hopefully you'll find some great things to add to your TBR list!
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.
It's probably not wholly accurate to say that representation of trans and nonbinary characters seems more important than ever (again, it's always been important), but wow, does it sure feel extra necessary these days.
PREMIUM
This Thing of Ours
A rich view into the many ways oppression marginalizes people and a loving portrait of an urban Black community, recommended for high school collections.
While entertaining, there is little to stand out from other court reincarnation stories. Still, it is a popular subset of graphic novels and would circulate where these stories are popular. Additional purchase.
PREMIUM
Learning to Fall
This British import is an ode to the sport of roller derby and its inclusivity, and will be appreciated by older readers who enjoy the sport or are simply curious.
PREMIUM
A Book of Maps for You
For all collections, this lovely book will translate to lessons on a sense of place, love of community and, of course, mapmaking.
PREMIUM
Creepy Sheepy
A fun but nonessential addition to a library seeking more Halloween books for young readers.
PREMIUM
The Payback Girls
An optional purchase for school or public libraries looking to satiate increased demand for YA thrillers.
PREMIUM
The Runaway Pancake
A fun retelling of the gingerbread runaway with exceptional illustrations.
PREMIUM
Juana y Lucas: Muchos cambios
Purchase for Spanish-language shelves in need of fun, early chapter books that center kids’ feelings.
This fantastical tale of stone spirits, dragons, and humans is an enchanting must-have for any school library.
PREMIUM
Halfway to Somewhere
Highly recommended for all libraries that serve readers who may feel confused about their place in the world and how their culture and language can impact that.
New readers and existing fans of the original novels will fall in love with this world and Alanna.
A niche but valuable addition to middle school nonfiction, these books are ideal for readers passionate about animal science or wolves.
A remarkable debut novel which delves into both adolescent struggles and mental health.
Given its focus on the Hudson River and the Riverkeepers program, this title will be of most interest to libraries and readers local to that area; for future environmentalists everywhere, the success of the Hudson River cleanup is a story of celebration no matter the location.
PREMIUM
Buenas noches, Simón
A colorful and fun choice for discussing being afraid of the dark, this picture book is a solid addition to children’s collections in school and public libraries.
PREMIUM
Glitch Girl
An important purchase for all libraries seeking to help their students understand themselves and others better.
PREMIUM
Una casa llena de animales
A wonderful story about the magic of imagination and childhood, this picture book is an excellent addition to English and Spanish-language collections.
Losing anyone you love is a miserable, painful, and heartbreaking experience. But losing a friend is uniquely strange in the sense that the world isn’t really equipped to keep you in mind as you grieve.
A great book told in two standout voices that takes young people and their interactions in the world seriously. A really good read.
Archaeologists, by definition, must care about the past; we wouldn’t be in this line of work if we didn’t. To care about the past, we have to connect to it. And it’s imagination, whatever form it takes, that makes this connection possible.
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.
Our characters, Bee and Alice, talk about the same things middle-grade readers do: how the world works, bodies, queerness, and what is fair and right.
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.
A behind-the-scenes glimpse at humanity's very beginnings in a picture book form! I talk with Nikkolas Smith about the incredible The History of We.
Where are the very real depictions of us saying, “yes, we have the thing, and it sucks, but we can still have amazing lives anyway, even when the disability causes us hardship.”
What a great book. It's so full of love and joy and community, things that feel particularly needed considering the everythingness of everything these days.
PREMIUM
Wait ‘Til You’re Older
This book is a good addition to the scientific (and fun) section of the library.
PREMIUM
I Like You So Much: A Powerful Message of Celebrating Individuality and What Makes You Unique
In a time where too much of what children see is negative, a book like this in a library collection or being read-aloud to them is important. A great tool for both the library and SEL.
PREMIUM
Falling Star
A compelling reminder to readers that they do not have to be the brightest to be important. A good addition to any SEL collection.
A comforting story for families of all stripes, with an added educational bonus showing acceptance of all for younger elementary children.
PREMIUM
Meet Me at Blue Hour
For readers who like to consider and think about the effect of technology on social interactions and the idea of scientific studies mixed with a little romance. Recommended.
PREMIUM
Wish Upon a K-Star
A readable, charming, drama-filled story with relatable characters, this book will appeal to readers who like romance and K-pop combined into one fun tale.
PREMIUM
Bad Influence
An enjoyable enough read for readers looking for a love story with a little drama. Includes language more suitable for older readers.
PREMIUM
Get Dressed, Belly Button!
Perfect for a range of ages and story times, this book is a delightful crowd-pleaser.
Hand to high school athletes looking for nonfiction sports stories that are as realistic as they are joyful.
A great purchase for libraries with fans of the series, or those seeking an inclusive Mother’s Day read.
A great purchase for libraries where the series is popular, or for those needing a Father’s Day read-aloud.
Recommended where previous books in the series are popular.
PREMIUM
El globo
These Spanish picture books featuring the fun and curious adventures of a friendly cat would be excellent additions to Spanish-language children’s collections.
A lively addition to Spanish picture book collections, this is sure to be a hit with young readers.
A heartfelt contemporary novel for fans of Jennifer L. Holm’s Sunny Side Up and Gennifer Choldenko’s The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman.
PREMIUM
Dino-School
A terrific back-to-school read, perfect for classroom and library collections. With its blend of humor, heart, and prehistoric fun, this book is sure to be a hit with fans of dinosaurs, rhyming books, and school stories.
Fun, humorous, and realistic, with a great representation of students and an emphasis on learning language in a fun manner, this book is a must-have for both libraries and classrooms. This should be the next great read-aloud.
A charming addition to have on hand, though not an essential purchase for all collections.
PREMIUM
¡Es mío!
This hilarious picture book is a fun way to discuss sharing and a great choice for Spanish-language children’s collections.
A gorgeous first words book for bilingual collections.
PREMIUM
My Mother, Mi Madre
This bilingual board book is a perfect addition to children’s collections and a great selection for those searching for bilingual titles focusing on that special mother-child relationship.
PREMIUM
Billions to Burn
This novel’s blend of Black history exploration with action-packed puzzles around every corner will appeal to readers seeking adventure and mystery.
The hope is that LGBTQ+ teens can see that positive change is doable, even in difficult conditions, and that although it may not feel like it sometimes, it matters. They matter.
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.
Along with the best books in kid lit, this month's stars also include adult books for teens and professional reading.
I talked with Jing Jing Tsong about her excellent 2024 graphic novel Fake Chinese Sounds. In the episode Jing Jing talks about how the book was inspired by a real-life event, and how she went about turning that event into her author/illustrator debut. Subscribe below to catch every episode of The Yarn: iTunes Spotify Stitcher
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.
Here are five new releases to read while sitting outside in the sun!
PREMIUM
Creaky Acres
While barn life is at the core of this story, it is also about seeing and being seen beyond first impressions and outward appearances. A first purchase for middle grade graphic collections.
An absolute must-purchase powerhouse of a hybrid illustrated novel packed with humor, storycrafting lessons, and a great rivals-to-teammates tale.
PREMIUM
Candle Island
A worthy purchase for library shelves that would also serve well as a selection for group discussions.
This title will be valuable to report writers, and those with an interest in the Bill of Rights will find it an informative read; selectors in school and public libraries should consider.
PREMIUM
Climate Is Just the Start
Purchase where there are already initiated environmental activists. Those in need of a more practical how-to should look elsewhere.
An engaging read for tweens and teens.
A quality text that should be considered for purchase in large collections with high circulations of animal books, as it can fill a hole in most collections’ animal behavior section. For libraries with limited space, this could be skipped in favor of more animal-specific titles.
PREMIUM
Dinosaur Pie
This book pulls readers into an entertaining narrative while illustrating what inclusivity looks like in the process, whisking even the most wayward students into a hilarious world of inquiry, adventure, and acceptance.
PREMIUM
Gus
A first purchase. This endearing tale of lasting friendship will not only appeal to young readers, but it also provides a positive depiction of aging.
PREMIUM
The Floating World
An interesting folklore-inspired fantasy with shades of Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone and Final Fantasy. Recommended for larger collections.
A deeply moving portrayal of contemporary teens living complex lives with dignity and courage, this should find a home in any library serving middle and high schoolers.
Required reading for fans of the original trilogy. A must-have in all collections.
Fun and unexpected, this charming back-to-school book lovingly supports children who are preparing for their first day of school.
PREMIUM
I Don’t Want to Go to School
This unique story is a good fit for home library collections, especially those with children for whom school attendance is a struggle.
A must-purchase title for any library serving teens, though still relevant for younger readers. Hand to fans of tender explorations of young masculinity like Kenneth M. Cadow’s Gather, Shifa Saltagi Safadi’s Kareem Between, or Alicia D. Williams’s Mid-Air.
PREMIUM
Beasts
A simple yet effective monster story that will appeal to fans of postapocalyptic fiction.
PREMIUM
Night Owl and Early Bird
A sweet story about embracing one another’s differences and compromising; highly recommended for all libraries serving emergent readers.
Recommended for most upper elementary and middle school collections; hand to fans looking for a quick, satisfying paranormal adventure.
Teen librarian Karen Jensen shares some YA book recommendations inspired by the emotion themed characters in Disney's Inside Out movies
Personally, I love poetry, but it can be a hard sell to kids. Many readers do not naturally gravitate to poetry books. Left to their own devices, teens and tweens are not stampeding to the poetry shelf. But if you can find a gateway, a poetry resource or activity that engages students deeply and gives […]
These three books poignantly explore characters whose relationships to the past heavily influence their present.
PREMIUM
The Forgotten Summer of Seneca
Give to readers who liked Marie Arnold’s The Year I Flew Away and kids seeking a gentle read with a big heart as well as important themes.
PREMIUM
Camp Frenemies
A well-developed friendship story with strong middle grade appeal and a lot of heart, this title will be a welcome addition to any graphic novel collection.
PREMIUM
The Garden Just Beyond
An intriguing premise and solid characters can sell this story despite some plotting problems.
PREMIUM
Astronautical!
A great option for fans of the “First Cat in Space” series and those readers who enjoy a healthy dose of strong character development.
PREMIUM
Nightmare Hunter
A dark and fun foray into the horror comedy genre for young graphic novel readers.
PREMIUM
Unboxing Libby
Readers will likely find they have much in common with these Robot Dolls of the future, while considering what the future may have in store for who remain behind on Earth.
A must-buy for middle grade collections, especially where contemporary mysteries circulate well.
PREMIUM
The Kite Collector
A charming story exploring sibling relationships around toys and each other; it’s a fun book, especially when James finally lets go of his ideas of how things should be and allows them just to happen.
PREMIUM
Under Anna’s Umbrella
A moving and beautifully illustrated picture book, recommended for addressing themes of grief and healing with young readers.
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