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A middle-aged detective pairs up with a teenage apprentice in this screwball manga.
This is, truly, essential reading.
Authors Chris Baron, Jewell Parker Rhodes, Shana Youngdahl, and Caroline Starr Rose talk about community, hope, courage, and wildfires.
Bestselling author Rory Power’s new YA novel Kill Creatures is a tour de force of teenage friendship, crushes, and revenge. Here, she discusses it with SLJ.
A large percent of our disabled population is getting subpar care and the only way we’re ever truly going to see change is by speaking about and voting for health equity.
Fast Five Interview: Keith Ward, Karl Buechner, and Jeremy Mueller: Three Voices, One Epic Adventure
The authors of The Unraveling: The Counsel of Crows join us talk about their book.
PREMIUM
If We Survive This
Not for the faint of heart, but fans of gory survival fiction will love this one.
PREMIUM
And the Trees Stare Back
This tale of creepy disappearances in the last days of a despotic regime combines the elemental terror of a fairy tale with historical fact.
Told in verse, this powerful and compassionate look at bravery, grief, climate change, and activism puts readers right in the heart of the action.
When we ban books or defund music programs, we don't just silence stories; we sever lifelines. We remove safe, creative pathways for young people to explore emotion, identity, and connection.
Our starred middle and high school nonfiction offerings for the first half of 2025 are sure to keep readers engaged and informed.
Contributor Riley Jensen reviews The Dead of Summer by Ryan La Sala, coming September of this year.
PREMIUM
Imposter
Reluctant readers, especially girls in middle and high school who are interested in STEM, will appreciate this tenacious heroine who believes in herself and doesn’t give up when faced with discrimination.
PREMIUM
When Devils Sing
A darkly atmospheric supernatural horror perfect for fans of Rory Power or Trang Thanh Tran.
PREMIUM
A Girl Walks into the Forest
A dark fairy tale about the exploited environment fighting back for fans of folktales and horror.
Two young men build a connection through expression and sign language in this heartwarming manga.
Contributor Riley Jensen shares some YA books that center main characters with disabilities for Disability Pride Month
PREMIUM
Steel & Spellfire
With a Regency-style setting, likable protagonists, romance, plot twists, and complex worldbuilding, this magical mystery story will appeal to readers who enjoy their historical romance laced with strong fantasy elements.
PREMIUM
Pretty Girl County
A funny, emotional glimpse into the unique Black social system of Prince George’s County; readers will be rooting for Sommer and Reya to achieve their dreams.
PREMIUM
Rosa by Any Other Name
A powerful coming-of-age story about passing, resistance, and self-discovery. Recommended for YA collections.
PREMIUM
Codebreaker
This book will appeal to tween and teen readers seeking an engrossing, adrenaline-packed mystery. Recommended for fans of Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Holly Jackson, and Kayvion Lewis.
PREMIUM
This Book Might Be About Zinnia
Full of heart, this book is recommended for libraries where Elizabeth Acevedo’s Clap When You Land is popular.
PREMIUM
Water in Her Veins
A potential town-wide conspiracy and links beyond the veil combine for a chilling mystery sure to keep readers eager to unearth the truth.
PREMIUM
Soul of Shadow
The first in a new YA romantasy series, this novel is perfect for readers of Holly Black, Lauren Roberts, and Stephanie Garber and mythology lovers who enjoy Rick Riordan and Joanne Harris.
PREMIUM
A Spell to Wake the Dead
Fantasy fans may want more explanation to the magic as it’s glossed over; the true reward in this novel is the mystery. Overall, this is a fun, spooky read that will keep readers hooked until the end.
PREMIUM
Soulmatch
A quick standalone read for teen fans of the “enemies to lovers” trope with some mystery and thriller set against the backdrop of dystopian science fiction.
Great for fans of F.T. Lukens and those who enjoy cozy fantasy and standalones.
PREMIUM
A Beautiful and Terrible Murder
Recommended; hand this book to strong readers who like a complex mystery entwined with Victorian culture set in the center of the Sherlock Holmes universe.
A comfort read for anyone who is drawn to romances set in the Regency and Victorian eras.
PREMIUM
Sky on Fire
Recommended for libraries with fans of Aetherbound or Johnston’s “Star Wars” novels, but its uneven pacing and lack of background context limits its wider appeal.
Author E. L. Starling discusses how the movie Interstellar and family discussions about terraforming led to the book BOUND BY STARS
I learned so much about myself while writing this book. As a mother. As a daughter. As a cycle-breaker. As a storyteller. And I’ve come to realize just how quickly perfectionism can sabotage all four of those roles.
I'm burning through my TBR, which feels good, after months of it just growing out of control. Hope you find some good things to add to your own summer TBR!
The stars of Saturday AM team up to save the multiverse in the action-packed one-shot.
PREMIUM
Criaturas isleñas
Teens will be inspired by Engle’s young lovers and their dedication to serve and protect all who are endangered; purchase this for all Spanish-language YA collections.
What if I wrote about a girl who was devoted to a dream but then lost it all: a girl who, like me, had been a bright, perfectionistic student, and gave everything to an institution that didn’t love her back?
Living and creating with my partner is one of the great joys of my life. Love is an experience. Love is work. It comes with ease and also requires discipline. Don’t think about it too much. Just do it.
Children's and YA titles are vital resources in public health education.
This adaptation of Maggie Stiefvater's novel starts slow but builds up momentum as it goes, heading toward a gripping climax.
If you are a teen librarian, please feel free to use any of these techniques to make sure THREAT OF THE SPIDER is at the top of your circulation list!
Today we have a preview of the second issue of The Last Witch: Blood and Betrayal, by by Conor McCreery (Kill Shakespeare) and V.V. Glass (Doctor Who), published by BOOM! Studios under their BOOM! Box imprint. As you may remember from our preview of the first issue, this is a YA story set in medieval […]
These recent, incredible titles cover under-explored events, figures, regions, and even creative literary approaches that warrant a spotlight in the WWII literary canon.
An actual teen walks us through a low-tech way to make your own stickers, great for programming or makerspaces
A great, immersive read that will leave readers anxious to see what happens next.
Young people are speaking out and organizing to fight censorship and support issues important to them, making an impact in their schools, local communities, and at the state and national level.
With Dan in Green Gables, I’d like to pay homage to a book that helped me through difficult times—and offer some compassion and love to my relatives in the Smoky Mountains by focusing on happy memories of them, and what could have been, if they’d only embraced me.
In June, ALA Council will decide the fate of YALSA, voting on the recommendation that the teen division be eliminated and its work be moved under the umbrella of ALSC.
Sometimes, in order to honor their whole personage, instead of choosing approval or someone else’s desire, girls must choose themselves.
Big or small, we need to be talking about our boobs, especially with young women. Maybe our new battle cry for boobs should be, “We must—we must—we must DISCUSS our busts!”
A romantic comedy is delightful enough on its own, but traveling to a new destination through the eyes of one’s protagonist brings with it an additional sense of escapism and adventure, especially if traveling in real life isn’t possible.
Author Jamar J. Perry joins us to talk about his new book FINDING PRINCE CHARMING.
PREMIUM
Illuminary
This fantastical novel of misfits on a Quest literally and figuratively will entice readers in middle school and beyond. The cliff-hanger ending will have readers anticipating the sequel.
PREMIUM
Of Earthly Delights
This gothic romance, while occasionally repetitive, offers an atmospheric and emotionally charged narrative. Mature readers may particularly appreciate the sharp, eerie imagery woven throughout.
By sounding a warning before the catastrophe comes, it might motivate some readers to find ways to take action to mitigate the very worst of it.
When I sat down to write VESUVIUS, my debut YA historical fantasy set in the final days of Pompeii, I did so to put queer people back in the narrative.
Beloved YA author Tiffany D. Jackson, winner of this year’s Margaret A. Edwards Award, speaks to SLJ about the award, her expansive work, and how real life influences her stories.
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.
Eventually, the time will come when you have to go your own way like me and Aaliyah. You’ve got this and if nobody else believes in you, don’t worry—I do.
Books are crucial tools in understanding the lives of those who may look or sound a little different from the majority.
If Castle Swimmer sounds like a story you would enjoy, then I have some additional, queer YA comics I’d like to recommend, in celebration of Pride Month.
PREMIUM
The Protégée
A lively, if surface level, romp for teens who enjoy high drama against the barest whisper of historical settings.
PREMIUM
Amelia, If Only
A charmer of a book, this should be in teen libraries, especially ones that could use more queer romances.
PREMIUM
Embrace the Serpent
Newcomers to YA fantasy may find this one enjoyable, but for those well-versed in the genre, it doesn’t offer anything fresh.
PREMIUM
Under the Neon Lights
With the vivid verse, realistic characters, and the soul that comes from this book, it is recommended for all libraries, especially for those where novels in verse are popular.
PREMIUM
Bad Creek
This would be a great choice for readers who like the works of Mary Downing Hahn and the TV series Supernatural.
An original and entertaining adaptation with heart. Teens who are looking for realism and humor in their queer romance will be hooked.
PREMIUM
Solo Stan
The story suffers from contrivances and poor pacing, but some readers will forgive imperfections in return for a romance between underrepresented characters.
PREMIUM
The Uncertainty Principle
A wonderful addition to libraries where realistic fiction is always welcome.
PREMIUM
Kill the Lax Bro
Readers who enjoy twisty murder mysteries with multiple narrators will want to scoop this one up, though they will have to tolerate some dated viewpoints along the way.
Honest, empowering, and deeply relatable, this novel is recommended for all young adult collections.
With its charming premise, lovable characters, and heartfelt themes, this book is a must-have for any romance collection.
A perfect read for libraries in need of historical fantasy adventure fiction, especially for those interested in hierarchy of the ancient Chinese palace orders and power struggles.
PREMIUM
Never Thought I’d End Up Here
A comfort read for those struggling with connection and an easy purchase for libraries where romance fans of “he falls first” prevail.
Anything Gonzales writes should be an automatic purchase for librarians, including this story that bursts with hope and love rising above people intent on destroying it.
PREMIUM
We Can Never Leave
Purchase for fans of edgy supernatural thrillers who appreciate morally gray characters and ambiguity.
PREMIUM
Un país en mi mochila
A strong choice for migrant teens looking for books that mirror their own experiences and a good addition to Spanish-language fiction shelves for older readers.
When I told my mother about my newest adventure, she jokingly sang the refrain she used to sing to me and my siblings when she suspected we were up to no good: “Someone’s gonna end up cry-ing!”
Friends. FRIENDS. Look at all this glorious book mail. Behold the GIANT AMOUNT of books to arrive at my house in the past few weeks.
Whether or not this book’s heroine—a bright, teenage redhead who becomes the head of a multigenerational family by default
A hopeful YA coming of age story with messy family relationships, supportive friends, and a heart-breaking historical mystery that is sure to enlighten readers about what it was like to be queer in the 1950s. Perfect for fans of books such as Curtis Campbell’s Dragging Mason County.
PREMIUM
The Education of Kia Greer
Perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, readers of People magazine and gossip sites, and fans of celebrity memoirs about growing up famous or with a mom/manager figure.
PREMIUM
The Invisible Wild
An exciting adventure that explores the bitter sweetness of growing up and the grief of seeing living land under threat.
Today we have a preview of Vol. 2 of King Arthur and the Knights of Justice, in which a football team travels back in time to the days of Camelot.
Of course, the problem with being a writer is that you’re always writing. I literally couldn’t help myself – every step of that journey, I was making a book inside my head.
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