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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.
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!
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fun and unexpected, this charming back-to-school book lovingly supports children who are preparing for their first day of school.
An absolute must-purchase powerhouse of a hybrid illustrated novel packed with humor, storycrafting lessons, and a great rivals-to-teammates tale.
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.
PREMIUM
Candle Island
A worthy purchase for library shelves that would also serve well as a selection for group discussions.
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.
Required reading for fans of the original trilogy. A must-have in all collections.
Recommended for most upper elementary and middle school collections; hand to fans looking for a quick, satisfying paranormal adventure.
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.
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.
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
In Community with Readers: Transforming Reading Instruction with Read-Alouds and Minilessons
A recommended purchase for educators seeking to enhance community building through purposeful and engaging discussions.
The author’s friendly, inviting writing style and the abundance of links to sources, videos, and examples of teaching materials make this an invaluable guide for all teachers.
This adaptable title addresses the specific concerns of school librarian professionals and is a recommended purchase for those interested in developing a new manga collection or improving and promoting an existing one.
A recommended purchase for school libraries with dynamic professional collections, especially where titles such as Vickie F. Echols’s AI for School Leaders: 62 Ways to Lighten Your Workload and Focus on What Matters and Dave Durand’s Leading Giants: A Leader’s Guide to Maximum Influence are popular.
Recommended for schools looking to expand or update their professional resources on media literacy instruction; consider using in conjunction with a pedagogically focused text to more effectively teach the included examples.
An excellent resource for librarians, educators, and parents, this is recommended for school, public, and academic libraries.
School librarians, technology specialists, and administrators interested in fostering digital literacy and exploring future-ready skills may find value in this book’s insights, though they might need additional resources for deeper implementation.
Readable, supportive, and well-organized, this offers necessary information for making, interacting with, or carrying out video streaming decisions for anyone tasked with developing a library video streaming program.
A must-purchase text for recent and aspiring library science grads, career planning collections, and anyone exploring career changes in academic and public spheres.
This is a novel piece of nonfiction that is fully entertaining for older elementary students.
PREMIUM
This Makes That
A nice addition to beginner graphic novel books for young readers; children will enjoy the details of the classroom and the controlled chaos that often accompanies a group of enthusiastic students.
A factual title that can be enjoyed in bite-sized pieces and which highlights the concept of play for the very audience who would love it.
A pro-nature and pro-ecology poem about the life cycle of the pine tree, this book will appeal to collections seeking gentle science books; it can also be added to the holiday shelves.
A powerful and inspiring book that will resonate with young readers interested in sports, activism, and Indigenous culture.
This fun and unique nonfiction picture book introduces confident elementary school readers to a selection of cute and dangerous animals found around the world.
A great choice for teens who enjoy ghost stories and those interested in con artists or history. Recommended for all libraries.
A fantastic addition to any early reader collection, Bear and Bird’s latest adventures are sure to keep young readers entertained while encouraging the growth of their reading skills.
PREMIUM
Uni and the Dolphin
Bright pictures and familiar characters will appeal to those who enjoy a story about magical creatures and helping the environment.
PREMIUM
Maker Girl and Professor Smarts
A wonderful complement to any Makerspace or STEAM program and a strong addition to graphic novel collections, especially with a bit of booktalking to point out the book’s unique elements.
PREMIUM
Night Swimming
Between the slow pacing and heavy 1990s references, this one will need to be hand sold to teens.
PREMIUM
Under the Fading Sky
A cautionary tale wrapped in a vivid slice of contemporary life, recommended for high school collections.
PREMIUM
If We Were a Movie
A breezy summer romance that celebrates friendship, forgiveness, and Black cinema.
PREMIUM
Where Shadows Meet
This YA fantasy has it all: a well-developed mythos, engaging emotional journeys, and captivating romance.
This may be a fun series for art students but might not have broad appeal for the everyday manga reader. Recommended for larger collections with students interested in art or in collaboration with art classes.
A mesmerizing ode to poetry, art, and love that stands the test of time, Selznick’s first title for young adults is recommended for all collections.
PREMIUM
I Love You S’more
Full of heart and a depth of understanding of young girls battling the forces of hormones, responsibilities, and social media, this is a must-read for fans of YA romance and queer romance.
PREMIUM
Family Force V: Book One
An explosive start to a promising new series that deserves a place on library shelves.
For avid YA romance readers or casual readers with an interest in LGBTQIA+ experiences, this book provides a heartwarming and relatable overview of a teenager’s life.
PREMIUM
All the Stars Align
A good purchase for libraries looking for more romance with physical disability and queer rep.
PREMIUM
You and Me on Repeat
A fast-moving coming-of-age tale that will appeal to teens who enjoy realistic graphic novels with a touch of science fiction.
The eighth book in this easy reader series features a beach party filled with fun; purchase where need dictates or where "Really Bird" books are popular.
PREMIUM
Art’s Art
Give to patrons who are eager for an compelling story as well as a book to develop their vocabulary.
PREMIUM
Rosey Stink Badger
While not an essential addition to collections, this title’s gentle resolution suggests that reputations are not necessarily to be believed.
A delightful and relatable read, this book is a must-have for libraries and a sure hit with young readers.
Popular sea creatures like sharks and mermaids may not be enough for this to become a favorite. A secondary purchase, it may connect with Disney fans or where fairy tales frequently circulate.
PREMIUM
Good Boy
Guts meets PAWS in a graphic novel about anxiety and agility that will be popular in all graphic novel collections.
PREMIUM
Rainbow Fair
A solid purchase for libraries seeking more diversity in Asian experiences as well as Muslim representation.
A delightful addition to the shelves, highlighting the power of friendship and overcoming obstacles, both big and small.
PREMIUM
Family Week
An engaging, introspective read that balances humor with heartfelt emotion, capturing the joy, pain, and uncertainty of adolescence in a way that will resonate with young readers navigating their own paths.
A resonant tale of a tween struggling to adapt to change; a must-buy for all middle grade collections.
A satisfying tale of magic gone wrong, this title has appeal for fans of fantasy and realistic fiction alike. A welcome addition to large graphic novel collections.
PREMIUM
Band Nerd
A moving and ultimately uplifting story, this is a must-read for middle school libraries.
A strong continuation of a Korean folkloric mystery series.
PREMIUM
Carousel Summer
Perfect for fans of Kayla Miller, this thoughtful graphic novel is a must-have for libraries serving upper elementary and middle school readers.
PREMIUM
A Day at the Beach
This multi-viewpoint narrative highlighting tween interactions among family and friends will be enjoyed by many readers.
PREMIUM
Lu and Ren’s Guide to Geozoology
A sweet and fun romp through a magical countryside, steadied by a strong message of finding what truly makes one happy.
PREMIUM
Creature Clinic
This imaginative tale will delight middle grade readers, making it a fun addition to all library collections.
PREMIUM
The Girl in the Walls
For fans of Anne Ursu’s Not Quite a Ghost, an eerie, emotional exploration of the way family haunts us and—with luck and care
PREMIUM
Dreamslinger
Readers who like Rick Riordan titles, Korean culture, fantasy, and adventure will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections.
The personal is profoundly political, and a specific experience feels universally meaningful in this fantastic graphic novel, highly recommended for all middle grade readers.
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.
PREMIUM
That Time I Turned Into a Worm
This title enticingly captures the imagination and creativity of a lonely girl who finds friends and joy in her community garden.
A beloved classic fairy tale with a new twist, this is frightfully fun and novel.
PREMIUM
Just One Wave: A Picture Book
A great purchase for libraries for showing persistence, patience, and acceptance; additionally, this book shows a single-parent family.
PREMIUM
You’re Beautiful
This heartwarming reminder of self-love is a perfect purchase for any library’s picture book collection.
PREMIUM
My Grandma and Grandpa Rock!
Children won’t need a lesson on the history of rock to join this celebration of intergenerational love.
A concept that might seem complex at first glance is rendered accessible for readers young and old, and this title featuring a diverse cast of characters will be a welcome addition to classrooms and libraries alike.
Friends are simply strangers we have yet to meet; the endearing beast and a message will encourage readers to learn and engage with new things other than react with dread. For all collections.
With rich language and a complex subject matter deftly touched on throughout, this is suitable for intermediate students; it’s no fairy tale, but a retelling that amplifies courage and perseverance in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
A great narrative nonfiction purchase on a topic that is rarely discussed.
PREMIUM
Good Luck, Ice Cream Truck!
Art and text are a perfect match that all picture book lovers, especially young children, will continuously enjoy.
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