Related

To fathom the defacing of images in children’s books, one almost has to process it in stages, beginning with incredulity. The issue, however, is no joke, and librarians are feeling the pressure. In our reporting, the frequency of instances involving the altering of material by school librarians was such that we elevated this to a cover story.

New York City Public Schools Robin Hood Libraries and the Billion Oyster Project have partnered to get students excited over learning about oysters and their important impact on the environment.

Readers had their say about "Dictionaries on the Chopping Block," the latest Scales on Censorship column, and more.

Daniel Bernstrom, Carole Boston Weatherford, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Kekla Magoon, Scott Reintgen, and others share stories about educators who played an important role in their lives.

Five women of Asian descent discuss the joy of telling resonant stories, handling vocabulary in unfamiliar languages, and other topics. 

Author Kate Messner describes the process of getting 17 authors together for the ultimate creative collaboration in the new series, "The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class." There is also a complementary teaching and discussion guide with a character writing workshop so students can follow the same process the authors did.

This spring’s issue of Series Made Simple includes a diverse selection of topics that will inspire readers to get out there and explore, think, and act. 

Our most viewed posts of the week.

Sydney Smith wins the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration, applications are open for Freedom to Read Foundation grants and a scholarship, Mo Willems offers new, free resources on YouTube, and more in News Bites.
 

Gen A is plugged in and opinionated, as marketers attempt to keep pace. Librarians stay right with young users, knowing that's all a part of the job.

Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Macmillan Publishers, Simon & Schuster, and Sourcebooks have joined Penguin Random House and other plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the state of Iowa. 

On Take Actions for Library Day, the American Library Association announced its "Reader. Voter. Ready." campaign to increase library advocacy and civic engagement in advance of the November 5 elections.

Defending the Canon, reviews of classic lit by SLJ and NCTE—and James Patterson—grabbed readers' attention this week.

State superintendent has become a partisan position that increasingly impacts day-to-day decisions in school libraries.

Criticism and misunderstanding of Kao Kalia Yang's decision to leave the Hmong-only phrases in her book, The Rock in My Throat, spotlights the problem of the English-dominant literary landscape in a country where residents speak hundreds of languages, the author says.

The Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023 has seven repeat titles from the 2022 list, including Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe at No. 1 and All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson at No. 2.

With budgets mostly flat, book challenges and rising costs pose hurdles for school librarians.

The Cooperative Children’s Book Center released its latest Diversity Statistics report on children's literature, showing another year of small increases in books with BIPOC primary characters and significant BIPOC content.

The State of K-12 Digital Reading breaks down the data for the 2022-23 school year, showing the popularity of comics and graphic novels in the digital format plus regional differences in reading habits.

This School Library Month, censorship and loss of library positions are once again hot topics of conversation. But district library leaders across the country are focused on something else as well—bringing qualified educators into the profession.

Jessie Storrs and Pia Alliende, both School Librarian of the Year finalists; "Jewish joy"; and Caldecott winner Big inspired comments.  

A school librarian provides information and tips for completing the National Board Certification process, which goes beyond what states require of educators and bills itself as the “gold standard.”

School and public librarians across the U.S. are preparing lessons and programming to educate and excite kids about the April 8th solar eclipse, which will appear in totality in parts of 13 states.

The U.S. ranks second in the world for the most ­Spanish speakers, after Mexico. With shortages of bilingual teachers reported nationwide, librarians and publishers consider meeting an acute need.

Many autistic girls cope by trying to mask who they are. For them and other children, seek books where main characters are appreciated for being themselves and are not required to change.

Characters in these books, including a few classics, are comfortable being different from others and engage with their world in nontraditional ways.

From Brooklyn, NY to the West Coast, librarians are taking the lead on climate change education.

The librarian at H. M. Carroll Elementary in Houston, TX, is committed to her students and community with programming that set her apart from her peers. In addition to Chacon, two finalists were named: Tamara Cox, librarian at Wren High School, Piedmont, SC; and Jessie Storrs, teacher librarian at El Centro Jr/Sr High School, Sacramento (CA) Youth Detention Facility.

Amanda Chacon ensures a relevant, engaging collection and a welcoming library for her predominantly bilingual students and their families.

"It doesn’t really matter what they did out there,” says the teacher librarian, who serves youth from age 10 to their early 20s at El Centro Junior/Sr. High School in the Sacramento County Youth Detention Facility.

Extending Brooklyn Public Library’s Books Unbanned initiative to young kids and parents.

The 2025 conference scheduled to be held in Phoenix will continue as planned, according to ALA's announcement, which said the organization was working toward the best way to continue to present certain events during that conference, including the Youth Media Awards.

Literati Book Fairs are expanding in the Mid-Atlantic region; Scholastic and Little Free Library announce "Dog Man" boxes; and more in News Bites.

“Reasons to Love ­Libraries” is a yearlong editorial project and campaign to engage the public in reflecting on libraries to reveal their impact on people and communities.

Got a reason to love libraries? Download your choice of “Reasons to Love ­Libraries” social assets to tell your own library story. 

U.S. publishers step up to provide age-appropriate new releases for 8- to 12-year-olds. 

Nine popular series for elementary and middle grade readers.

Leading our most viewed posts of the week, a deeply personal appreciation by SLJ’s Kimberly Fakih of the Sydney Taylor classic.  Meanwhile, our 2023 profile of Mychal Threets made the rounds, as the much-loved ambassador of libraries departed the Fairfield (CA) Civic Center Library March 1.  

How successful have publishers been in their efforts to diversify the industry over the last four years? Find out where strides have been made and where more work needs to be done.

The average book prices are produced annually by SLJ in partnership with Follett and Baker & Taylor.

It’s a good moment for new women’s history books—and also a good time for librarians to cull outdated titles. 

The National Council for History Education suggests these resources to help prepare lessons and discussions focusing on the lives and contributions of women throughout history.

The Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Inc. and School Library Journal announce the 2024 Children & Youth Literary Awards, which celebrate the diversity of the Black experience.

SLJ creative director Mark Tuchman remembers the intimidation, joy, and honor of working with the legendary Jules Feiffer on SLJ's 50th anniversary issue.

Are You a Librarian: The Untold Story of Black Librarians will share the history, impact, and current state of black librarianship.

Walnut Grove Elementary School librarian Holly Whitt and third grade classroom teacher Lori Alexander created their own professional development program to meet their students needs. The pair financed the program through a grant from Fund for Teachers.

The most viewed posts of the week. 

From diaper changing to CPR and managing a business, these skills prepare future sitters.

In a timely update of "Reading Rainbow," LeVar Burton revisited the iconic PBS series to discuss banned books with a rapt group of confused children, who shared their thoughts on the matter. The bit, featuring a field trip to a school board meeting, aired on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Authors Amina Luqman-Dawson, Lesa Cline-Ransome, Carole Boston Weatherford, and illustrator James Ransome discuss their research process and how they use creative license to tell stories. 

The James Addams Peace Association and Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction announce their 2024 winners; the kid lit community and free speech advocates mourn the loss of author Robie Harris, Lerner launches space books partnership, Paw Prints Publishing expands to middle grade, and more in this edition of News Bites.

The 2021 School Librarian of the Year reiterated her intention to exhaust all possible actions in the litigation of her defamation case: "I am committed to going the full distance."

One event dominated the news in our corner of the world: the 2024 Youth Media Awards. See what categories resonated in our most viewed stories of the past week.

Nikki M. Taylor discusses research challenges around early Black American history and suggests resources.

Crews discusses the research that went into her new picture book about the children’s author and literary legend.

Speaking on-air with Kelly Clarkson, bestselling author Jeff Kinney revealed the cover of Hot Mess. It's the 19th title in the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series, which Kinney announced would publish on October 22, 2024. 

Award-winning authors and illustrators whose books center Black history discuss how they delve into research to tell powerful stories. With Carole Boston Weatherford, Lesa Cline-Ransome, Amina Luqman-Dawson, and James E. Ransome. 

The 2020 Newbery Medalist shares his favorite moments from winning, including a Kwame confusion, and tells the 2024 winner to enjoy the moment but not expect to get a lot of work done.

A judge refuses to dismiss case against Escambia County school district, MTV documentary on book banning will be screened for free at public libraries this weekend, dictionaries taken off shelves in Florida, and more in this week's censorship news roundup.

Authors, committee members, and Katherine Schneider herself reflect on how the Schneider Family Book Award has propelled disability representation into the spotlight.

Librarians share views on the best way to help kids get ready to read.

They care deeply and can't be fired. Retired librarians are bringing experience and passion to the cause of intellectual freedom. With advocacy skills training and opportunities to mentor, retirees could become even more powerful assets.

Children are eager listeners—of audiobooks, according to a new Library Journal / School Library Journal survey. Libraries are keeping up with the demand as formats evolve.

SLJ is turning 70, and we want to hear from you.

Increasingly, sensitivity readers play a role in the editorial and publishing process. Experts in a specific identity, they often undertake research to provide detailed feedback on a manuscript.

After a student shared an upsetting incident on social media, Jones set out to teach her students about safely managing social media and ended up learning a lot herself.

Once again, Messner is connecting kid lit creators and educators for World Read Aloud Day in February.

The new year brings new education laws to states across the country; a young publisher's posthumous fundraiser continues to help others; Jeff Kinney honored by the Educational Book and Media Association; BCALA seeks scholarship submissions; and more in this edition of News Bites.

From petting zoos to field trips, these initiatives forge strong ties with communities.

From censorship and AI to book fairs and the state of middle grade publishing, it's been an eventful year. Among those driving SLJ's most viewed posts of 2023: Jeff Kinney, Moms for Liberty, and stellar librarians. Ah, and those Best Books.

Remembering those who died this year.

These nine works for elementary students to teenagers use visual strategies to convey inner thoughts, feelings, and emotions. 

Panel discussions, breakout sessions, and candid conversations marked the 2023 SLJ Summit. Here are some pictures of the weekend in Atlanta, GA.

From intellectual freedom to AI, there was plenty to learn and discuss at the 2023 SLJ Summit in Atlanta. Here are just some of the ideas that came from those on panels and in breakout sessions.

Who doesn't love a booklist? SLJ's got 'em. From Best Books and Refreshing the Canon—our joint effort with NCTE—to Spanish-language picture books and titles on non-apparent disabilities, our most popular booklists of 2023.

While librarians, of late, have drawn some attention by mainstream press, the profession has always been central in SLJ's coverage. Of stories driven by school and public librarians, their perspectives and work, four drew the most views in 2023.  

We love our creators of children's and YA books and so do readers. Here are the five most popular stories centering writers whose stories inspired us over the past year. 

SLJ's most viewed coverage of book banning and censorship, which remained front and center in 2023.

Pat Scales fields questions about a student who harasses others over reading choices, a verbally abusive mother, and a principal who lets parents observe class.

Among social media platforms filling the void as Twitter/X loses momentum, Bluesky leads in the children’s literature community.

Scholastic Book Fairs has announced its plans for the Spring 2024 fairs, which includes the previously segregated titles from the Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice add-on bookcase being available throughout the fair.

At the SLJ Summit in Atlanta, Texas district library coordinator Becky Calzada and DC Public Schools director of library programs Kevin Washburn shared ideas and tips for talking to stakeholders and led a workshop for attendees to brainstorm the best ways to get the library message out.

If there’s one thing librarians can agree on it’s that library education could use some shaking up. Enter the Radical Librarianship Institute, which strives to “redefine the role of librarians, centering principles of inclusion and social justice.”

In his SLJ Summit keynote address, the best-selling "Wimpy Kid" author shared the memorable titles from his youth, as well as those that have opened his eyes to his privilege and the lives of those not like him.

Panelists shared strategies, resources, and tips for coalition building for the fight against censorship at the SLJ Summit: A Vision for the Future.

“You've made it your life's work to make sure we see the humanity in one another,” author Jeff Kinney said, speaking at the SLJ Summit 2023 in Atlanta this weekend. “Books might be empathy machines, but librarians are the beating hearts of the communities they serve.”

Jeff Kinney's keynote was just one memorable moment in a weekend full of panels, presentations, and breakout discussions about the important issues facing school librarians.

Help SLJ celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2024 and inform the path for its future.

Thirty-two schools have been selected to receive 2023–24 Mathical Collection Development Awards. In their fifth cycle, the Awards grant $850 to each of the winning Title I U.S. schools to purchase Mathical Book Prize–winning titles for their libraries.

Whether educators broach controversial topics in a learning context or not, young people will encounter plenty of related content. Social media all too easily fills the void, fueling misinformation while suppressing critical reflection. NCSS, the National Council for the Social Studies, offers encouragement and materials to support important discussion.

Members of the middle grade Best Books committee share their discussions, considerations, and process for the selection of the titles for the anticipated end-of-the-year list.

The "Wimpy Kid" author headlines SLJ's flagship annual event, featuring sessions on the biggest issues facing school librarianship, from empowerment in the face of book bans, to making the case to stakeholders and engaging the AI revolution.

A survey from SLJ revealed the extent to which individual librarians have faced hostility from community members, organizations, and in some cases, their administration.

Dan Santat's middle grade graphic memoir received the prestigious honor at a ceremony where Oprah Winfrey spoke about 2021 School Librarian of the Year Amanda Jones and the power of diverse books.

We Need Diverse Books offers a new website with resources for librarians and educators about books by Native creators and how to use them in the classroom; Newbery-winning author Susan Patron has died; YALSA releases Teen Top 10 list; federal education employees will create AI guidance and policy for K-12; and more in this edition of News Bites.

Disabled authors and attendees struggle to participate in events lacking accommodations.

AI translations lack the beauty of Shakespeare’s verse in every sense. But they provide on-ramps to enjoy it.

Newbery-winning author Donna Barba Higuera based Petra on someone who also kept her vision loss a secret: her mother. 

Mostly free and readily available, webtoons are particularly appealing to teens and young adults. Publishers have seized the opportunity to bring many to print.

Cicely Lewis recommends books for the BeyHive.