THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES has received positive buzz and led the Heavy Medal suggestion list all year. Does the buzz hold up? Is it truly worthy of the 2026 Heavy Medal Mock Newbery?
Author V.T. Bidania joins us to talk about her new book, A YEAR WITHOUT HOME.
Every year, Colby Sharp and I like to record an episode of The Yarn podcast looking ahead to the upcoming year in children’s books. In our 2026 preview, we talk about books we’re excited to read, books we’ve already read and loved, and make some predictions for the year. You can listen here: Subscribe below […]
Creativity is an increasingly important skill for students to learn in a world where machines can perform rote tasks and calculations—and for the fifth straight year, Crayola will be hosting free lessons and activities that foster student creativity during its annual Crayola Creativity Week.
“It's important to us that our books have staying power. We want to publish books that resonate today and that will be resonant twenty years from now,” says Associate Publisher Susan Dobinick of Astra Books for Young Readers. Two such titles are Astra’s new books celebrating Black history.
From a first-words title on the hardware store to Mo Willems’s counting book featuring The Pigeon, these sturdy volumes will engage little ones.
This roundup includes YA, poetry, nonfiction, and picture books about first love, monkeys, and influential Latine people who made an impact on history.
The latest history books from Ann Bausum, Gail Jarrow, and Kate Messner will astonish. Empowering offerings about incredible women will inspire. And high-interest cookbooks will entice young foodies.
STEM titles cover lunar phases, turtles, and carbon atoms. Picture book biographies celebrate artists, such as Matisse and Yo-Yo Ma, and current changemakers, such as Ketanji Brown Jackson and Lionel Messi.
From a queer retelling of Anne Green Gables to the latest Dogman, these graphic novels belong in every collection.
The most recently updated Britannica encyclopedia and the ultimate book about whales will keep kids intrigued for days.
Margarita Engle profiles Latine heroes, and Traci N. Todd compiles selections from Black poets.
With the latest offerings from Kate DiCamillo, Atinuke, and Cynthia Rylant, humor abounds in these transitional books.
These stellar works range from high-octane thrillers and charming rom-coms to stirring historical novels and sweeping romantasies.
This list features new outings from Katherine Applegate, Jeanne Birdsall, Ann Brashares, Rebecca Stead, and Jason Reynolds and Tiffany D. Jackson’s middle grade debut.
Whether looking for a starter list of popular anime or wanting to stock up on stellar audiobooks, these works will keep kids and teens engaged in the new year.
Fill holiday collections with fun new works for Halloween, Christmas, and Rosh Hashanah.
Whether brushing up on fantasy or learning how to inspire families to make a difference in their communities, librarians can update their toolkits with these new books.
Join Flynn the fly on an unforgettable adventure under the sea!
With absolutely ZERO experience ever deciding a Sibert Medal or honorees, but with a full-blooded appreciation for informational books for kids in all their glory, here's what I'm loving right now and what I think has a fightin' chance.
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas The Shiver of Christmas Town #1 from Dynamite Entertainment and Luna Sisters Battle for the Moon Blossom from Holiday House.
Now up for discussion in our Heavy Medal Mock Newbery: THE UNDEAD FOX OF DEADWOOD FOREST by Aubrey Hartman.
Now up for discussion in our Heavy Medal Mock Newbery: THE UNDEAD FOX OF DEADWOOD FOREST by Aubrey Hartman.
I’ll always be a Jo, but I’m trying to be a little more like Beth March.
My predictions for 2026 Caldecott glory
StoryKind aims to connect with readers, spark an interest in reading and writing, and help wean kids off a steady diet of short-form video.
Sweet Valley Twins: Three’s a Crowd by Francine Pascal, illustrated by Claudia Aguirre and adapted by Nicole Andelfinger, leads holds this week. “Teen Librarian Toolbox” features their most anticipated YA books of 2026, two of which come out this week: Beth Is Dead, a thrilling reimagining of Little Women, and 16 Forever, about a teen who repeats his 16th year while the rest of the world moves on. Kate DiCamillo and Kelly Yang announce their new podcast, StoryKind.
Budgets are tight everywhere, and outside funding is vital to school and public libraries’ ability to meet the needs of students and patrons.
Since the Vietnamese new year of Tet occurs in January/February, I took that as permission to finally tackle this fascinating 2003 publication. We go over our past predictions and resolutions, Tet, bananas, embroidery, and what a "leather mouse" might be.
What am I looking forward to reading in 2026?
Travis: In the latest episode of The Yarn, Colby and I look ahead to 2026. We talk about upcoming books, make some predictions, and realize that fanclubs don’t exist anymore. We hope you enjoy this episode. Subscribe below to catch every episode of The Yarn: iTunes Spotify Stitcher
A war orphan must save a kingdom and avenge his best friend in this war epic.
Today's Mock Newbery Finalist is WILL'S RACE FOR HOME by Jewell Parker Rhodes, a historical fiction novel set during the 1889 Oklahoma Land Rush.
Usually on Fridays I do Take Five lists, recommending five books to read. But this first Friday of the new year is a Take 268 list. That’s right, this past year I read 268 books.
Counting down the Top 10 posts of the year.
Some lived here in the States and some abroad, but we do our best to remember the creators of books that have made changes to the minds, hearts, and general beings of children worldwide.
But as books continue to be challenged, we have to continue to find ways teach all the literacies that are necessary simply to survive because these literacies will provide ways to challenge narrow mindedness and this is critical when stories are no longer as representational as they should be.
An excellent addition to any library’s poetry collection, and good for teaching about the gifts of the natural world.
A kind and gentle introduction to the challenges of being shy, this book will help those who are feeling those pangs and those who want to help them.
Crafted with care, from texts to illustrations, this book will help young readers understand their fears.
A nice addition to libraries where religious stories are of high interest.
This joyful collaboration will be equally enjoyed by children who already know about Hajj and by those who are learning of it for the first time.
An excellent read-aloud for young children at home with a parent or older sibling, this book inspires a love of nature and a healthy disregard for all that is prim and proper.
A poignant tale of friendship and feelings, and a relevant addition to picture book collections.
A great book for cultural education and appreciation. This book will be of interest to all collections.
A touching celebration of the love between parent and child, even during time apart, and especially good for children who may be experiencing separation.
A sensitive celebration of new life, not essential in libraries but sweet.
A beautifully told and authentically grounded tale honoring the immigrant behind the famous Bing cherry and celebrating Chinese American resilience and contribution.
Overall, a very simple introduction to big feelings for the smallest listeners.
This story packs a punch. It’s great for those looking to beef up their SEL sections.
A good segue to reassurance for the very young, but this may be too specific for a wider audience.
A fun addition to any humor collection. This is great for a lap sit, or for use in small groups.
A powerful story with beautiful illustrations that not only calls out the hate that is in the world today but also provides a message of hope for those who are in search of a creative outlet to find their proverbial home. Recommended.
Recommended for all picture book collections.
This book would be an excellent addition to any library’s collection, especially those needing stories of dealing with a loss.
Best shared with groups of older elementary children, or in quiet one-on-one readings with younger children.
An essential purchase; Mooradian and Yim have created a powerful book to share with care. It opens space for conversations about resilience, identity, and remembrance, and it shows how storytelling helps us honor the past while finding beauty in survival.
A good choice for those looking to add to their collections, particularly the social-emotional learning shelves.
A moving depiction of the importance of trees and forests, this is highly recommended for all collections.
A heartwarming and informative story reassuring children that even the smallest creatures can overcome big challenges.
A useful resource for programs that encourage mindfulness and self-calming skills for young children.
While not explicitly sports focused, the title’s rejection of organized games for spontaneous imaginary play makes for a light, spirited romp for young readers.
A perfect introduction to this popular and fast-growing sport, with a particular focus on girls, recommended for middle and high school collections.
A fun, informative fan companion for newbies or hardcore fans alike, a must have for elementary and middle schools.
Beautifully presented, written with deep admiration, recommended for elementary libraries, especially where baseball is popular.
An inspiring story of athletic challenge and the struggle to excel, highly recommended for upper elementary and middle school readers.
While much of the story hews to the various class and gender dramas, Jade’s focus on exercise physiology and self-improvement will appeal to strength trainers. Recommended for high school libraries.
Whether for newbies to the game or deep-roots fans brushing up on details, this is a must for elementary and middle schools.
A soccer-filled mystery adventure, a fun read for upper elementary and middle school fans of the “beautiful game.”
A contemporary story that centers athletic performance and health, this will engage striving elementary and middle school readers.
With Eagles QB Hurts’ star power, this celebration of perseverance and teamwork should be an easy sell for budding football fans.
A light fantasy with soccer and gamesmanship at the heart, an additional selection for elementary sports fiction collections.
A handy reference or a comprehensive overview, this football compendium will be deservedly popular in virtually any school.
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