For those who enjoyed the series “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” and are looking for something less bittersweet, this healing isekai manga of unlikely friendship is one to recommend.
This fun title may inspire conversation between current teens who openly love anime and manga, and their otaku parents who had similar journeys to Megumi's.
Purchase where teens are looking for a heartfelt romance series like “In the Clear Moonlit Dusk” by Mika Yamamori or “Ao Haru Ride” by Io Sakisaka.
Recommended, especially where action manga is popular.
An excellent purchase for collections, especially where food manga and fantasy romances are in high demand.
Multiple artists have passionately brought to life a great story that adds another element for members of the game’s base—and those new to it
Today's list is of new and forthcoming nonfiction.
A first look at the cover for THE TABLE by Wiley Blevins, Winsome Bingham, and Jason Griffin
Jasmine Warga’s funny and touching story was the perfect addition to our literature circle this year. Incorporating coding, a team robotics challenge, and an exploration of the connection between music and emotion added a rich dimension to our study of A Rover’s Story.
Astronaut Academy's Dave Roman introduces a new magical hero and sends him on a dangerous (if occasionally silly) quest in the pages of his new Unicorn Boy.
A music festival, a Theseus retelling, sleuths, a speculative thriller, a LGBTQIA+ dictionary, and so much more!
Offering a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of Olympic athletes, these books encourage readers to believe that their own bodies and minds can achieve amazing things.
Korean and Chinese comics reach English-language readers.
In a country where books can be banned if they show a bare butt, two nationally recognized sex educators have written two shame-free books on human bodies. We talk about them today.
Science Comics: Elephants is another excellent, informative entry in the non-fiction graphic novel series.
Elizabeth Acevedo's adult debut receives an SLJ star this month, along with the latest Adam Gidwitz novel, two books for young readers about Eid al-Fitr, and more.
Get a sneak preview and a behind-the-scenes look at new books by Caldecott Medal-winning illustrators Michaela Goade and Matthew Cordell.
Here's a look at the new comics and graphic novels being released this week.
New graphic novels, poetry collections, middle grade books, and YA.
What is Easter? Where is the Easter bunny? Where are all the Easter eggs? And what should I wear? Find the answers to these questions and many more about the holiday in these 11 titles.
Incorporating interactive features, engaging text, and delightful rhymes, these board books encourage the magic of a shared reading experience that no screen, app, or video can replicate.
Here's a preview of the zany post-apocalyptic sports series I Heart Skull-Crusher, by Josie Campbell and Alessio Zonno.
Today's list is of new and forthcoming middle grade fantasies.
From elementary books to young adult titles—across various genres and formats—these 12 recent releases elevate voices and showcase the multifaceted experiences within the trans and nonbinary community.
Funny, whipsmart, emotionally resonant, and quick. When I want to hand a book to kids, I want to hand them the best. I want to hand them this.
Here's a look at some recently signed graphic novel deals—and what we can expect coming up!
Louder Than Hunger is a book that everyone needs to read so that we can all understand what it’s like to feel so small that you want to disappear completely.
A first look at the trailer for HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON.
It is my distinct pleasure and privilege to talk with the great Kyo Maclear and Gracey Zhang about an upcoming book honoring the demae of Japan.
Today, Renee Scott interviews Frederick L. Jones, who is spearheading the Saturday AM line of diverse manga.
By pairing these novels with music from the corresponding time period, librarians can provide readers with a multi-sensory experience that enriches their understanding of history.
These books help support positive discussions with students about the climate crisis.
In this new Q&A series, SLJ poses five questions and a request for a book recommendation to a debut YA author. For our inaugural Q&A of the series, Dinesh Thiru shares about Into the Sunken City.
Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan, is expected to fall around April 9 to April 11 in 2024. These picture books, along with a board book and an early reader, can be shared with young ones while they wait for the first appearance of the crescent moon that marks the end of the long month of fasting.
There are THREE Fan Brothers talking with us today about their latest project. We discuss science fiction, collaboration, disposability, and more.
NBM's fall schedule of non-fiction graphic novels includes history and biography
Join author John Schu and 24/25 AASL President-Elect Becky Calzada Schu's new book, libraries, and books they want to share with librarians.
"Words! Words! Words! Endless possibilities!" I interview the thoroughly delightful Micha Archer about her latest Daniel book, her influences, and much much more.
Author Jane Yolen visits TLT to talk about her newest book, a collection of poetry titled IN AND OUT THE WINDOW
Parents play a crucial role in the ecosystem of school libraries. Their advocacy, support, and involvement are often key to securing the budget to maintain and expand library services. Engaging parents effectively means communicating the multifaceted value of the library not just to individual students but to the entire school community.
Beyond the love of reading, the prospect of doing well in school, or even increased empathy for those around the reader, middle grade books offer something far more important: optimism.
The American Library Association has announced that LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience, will not continue past the 2025 event in Phoenix.
When all the adults scoff at Dale's ambition of being a comic book artist, he sets out to prove them wrong by starting an art club in his school.
Author Katie Carroll discusses some self-published titles that fill the gap for characters ages 13-15
COLBY: I had so much fun interviewing Emily Calandrelli for this episode of The Yarn. She is doing so much to get kids excited about science and STEM. Be sure to check out the episode below where we talk about her new book, her hope for the book, and why she writes for books for […]
There's no shortage of middle grade characters who love to cook or bake!
A bright and welcoming addition to books about vehicles, with a huge bonus of centering contemporary Colombian culture.
Zarr shines a harsh light on a child’s experience growing up in a family affected by alcoholism. For readers in similar situations, that light may offer an essential ray of hope.
A must-purchase, this book will leave readers looking at objects around them differently long after its covers are closed.
A solid realistic fiction purchase for middle school collections.
Clever and ideal for engaging children as they explore concepts of independence, resourcefulness, preparation, and planning, while tenderly celebrating expressions of maternal love and bonding through positive interactions with the family matriarch.
An inviting celebration of the wonders of nature, and a highly recommended purchase for all collections.
A worthy addition to the canon of myths retold through the female lens that will appeal to any who enjoys the monster’s backstory.
A bright, positive book with a familiar message told by a sports hero.
Put this in the hands of young activists and any middle school students interested in bringing about change.
This is a masterful debut that reads like a well-loved classic. Its combination of illustrations and vocabulary honors the intelligence of the audience and will be great fun to share.
An accessible introduction to environmental activism for younger readers, introducing them to a woman who deserves to be remembered for her life’s work.
Not an essential purchase, but a useful reminder about the importance of inclusion for anyone planning group events.
Lovers of basketball, especially fellow athletes, will devour this novel.
A really nice look at how independence is often hard-fought and can come through unexpected paths. A solid upper middle grade read.
Students emerge from a session in this database with a targeted list of colleges and scholarship application info or a smart-looking resume, interview tips, and job leads.
Soul Beat fills a gap in manga collections by featuring a person of color in the lead role. Worth checking out.
A story about friendship framed in an adventurous treasure hunt.
A general purchase for most collections, especially where books for emerging readers books are needed or popular.
Readers will be inspired by Willis Watson’s journey discovering there are no limits to what he can do and who he can be. Recommend wide purchase.
Not only a survey of various animals, this will resonate with little ones who see themselves reflected in the mongoose, needing an outlet for its energy before settling into the family burrow and falling fast asleep.
With its strong story and ebullient illustrations, this story can help address readers’ personal apprehension about sleepovers or spark discussion in a preschool setting about recognizing and easing homesickness.
In writing my contemporary YA novel, Just Another Epic Love Poem, I leaned into the granularity of my experience.
Not every character name goes through a rigorous process—some are a little more random!—but this is one of those parts of the writing process that is pure fun for me. It can be challenging to settle on the right name, but when you do, it makes all the difference.
On the early morning of March 8, 2024, the anime, manga, and video game community was rocked by the news of the passing of Akira Toriyama. Toriyama-sensei, the creator of the world famous Dragon Ball series, passed away on March 1 at the age of 68. I personally feel that another part of my childhood […]
Warrior on the Mound will enhance readers’ knowledge of the history of Black Americans in baseball which started much earlier than 1947 when Jack Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers.
A middle schooler used to living in her best friend’s shadow learns how to stand out and speak up, not just for herself but for her whole school.
These three titles hark back to beloved tween reads of years past.
She’s a witch, he’s a vampire, and their clans have been enemies forever, but now Morgana, who comes from a family of witches, and Oz, an emo vampire, have to find a way to work together to hold off a full-blown war. It’s not hard, because the two already have some chemistry going—but then she […]
In The Deadly Daylight, Alice England is a friend to the dead. She listens to what they tell her.
Eleven titles were suggested to kick off Heavy Medal suggestion season with MAX IN THE HOUSE OF SPIES by Adam Gidwitz leading the way as a 2025 Mock Newbery contender.
A Chinese folktale dating back to 500 B.C.E. tells the tale of two men in love, and Lee Wind is here to tell us more and reveal its beautiful cover.
In part 2 on her discussion of Nonfiction and Middle Grade, author Deborah Hopkinson discusses middle grade nonfiction with several of her fellow authors
In part 2 on her discussion of Nonfiction and Middle Grade, author Deborah Hopkinson discusses middle grade nonfiction with several of her fellow authors
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Haru Volume 1: Spring and DnDoggos Volume 1: Get the Party Started.
The key to making that 2015-2024 walk to oblivion and partway back? Persistence. Holding nerve. Holding serve. Hoping to get another chance, and then another, and believing that if only you get that chance, you'll get it right this time.
Check out these forthcoming books from Peachtree and Peachtree Teen!
Writer David Sedaris talks about his new picture book, PRETTY UGLY.
Empower your school library advocacy through the power of social proofs. Discover how endorsements drive coalitions and funding success.
Librarian Angela Frederick shares highlights from the ALA-GNCRT's 2023 Best Graphic Novels for Children List
Author Deborah Hopkinson discusses what she calls the neglected guest at the party - middle grade nonfiction!
Librarian Megan Fink Brevard talks about using middle grade books to teach her students about resilience and diversity
Here's a look at some recently signed graphic novel deals—and what we can expect coming up!
Their stories and their voices are so important to have represented, not just for representation's sake, but to show other children surviving difficult situations and to offer hope and empathy.
Can you guess the children’s book by its scathing one-star review on Goodreads?
There’s an admirable level of confidence to Kate DiCamillo's writing, and Ferris, her latest title, takes that experience and knowledge, weaving it into her most personal book to date.
Today we have the announcement and preview of a new YA graphic novel, Navigating With You, by Jeremy Whitley, creator of Princeless, The Wasp, and School for Extraterrestrial Girls.
In The Color of Sound, twelve year old musical prodigy Rosie stumbles upon a shed on her grandparents’ property and, once inside, meets a girl who is, against all odds, a version of her own mother at age twelve.
As full of beauty as it is hardship, this is an excellent and important read.
A roundup of 2024 books from previous Caldecott Medal and Honor winners.
From the same team that brought you Library Lion comes a tale of spiders, pets, and willful misunderstandings, as I conduct a Q&A with the creators.
“Write what you know,” is an excellent starting place for writers. But to that advice, I would add, “Write what you wish you didn’t.”
I just really can't say enough positive things about the book. It's so well-written, powerful, and absorbing. Headen somehow balances the onslaught of racist threats and assaults with so much joy and community and hope. An absolute must-buy for all libraries.
Watch the just-released trailer for THE WILD ROBOT animated film.
Consider these two board books and two picture books a four-leaf clover to share with young readers for St. Patrick's Day. We can't guarantee good luck, but we can guarantee good books.
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