School Library Journal

10 to Note: Spring Preview 2025

Travis Jonker | Blogs, Mar 12, 2025

10 books I'm looking forward to this spring.

Cover Reveal and Conversation: Caroline Perry Discusses I Am Not Happy in All Its Hilarious Cuteness

Betsy Bird | Blogs, Mar 12, 2025

A mercurial marsupial insists it's more than just a happy face. Today we're talking with author Caroline Perry about her work helping wildfire relief in L.A., as well as her latest (adorable) picture book release.

Fifteen early Mock Newbery 2026 Contenders

Emily Mroczek-Bayci | Blogs, Mar 11, 2025

We have 15 early Mock Newbery 2026 contender. A mix of fantasy, realistic fiction, a graphic novel, historical fiction.

Investigators Agents of S.U.I.T. Wild Ghost Chase| Review

Esther Keller | Blogs, Mar 11, 2025

The Agents of S.U.I.T. have a ghostly case on their hands in this latest volume of the InvestiGators series.

Penguin Young Readers Summer Showcase

Amanda MacGregor | Blogs, Mar 11, 2025

Today's summer list from Penguin Young Readers centers LGBTQIA+ stories/characters and race/racism

Newbery/Caldecott 2026: Spring Prediction Edition

Betsy Bird | Blogs, Mar 11, 2025

It's heeeeere! Everyone's favorite oh-dear-god-why-are-you-talking-about-2026-when-we're-barely-surviving-2025 post!

Botticelli’s Apprentice | This Week’s Comics

Lori Henderson | Blogs, Mar 10, 2025

Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Botticelli's Apprentice from Quill Tree Books and Max Meow 6 When Pancakes Go Bad (Really Bad) from Random House Graphic.

Exploring Social Justice Through Comics, a guest post by Amy Brownlee

Ally Watkins | Blogs, Mar 10, 2025

If you work with young people and books, you already know that graphic novels are insanely popular. In response, there has been a huge publishing boom resulting in graphic novels that are not just entertaining, but that also address serious social issues in a way that make readers sit up and take notice. Last summer, […]

2025 Books from Caldecott Winners

Travis Jonker | Blogs, Mar 10, 2025

Rounding up 2025 books from past Caldecott Medal and Honor winners!

Executive Orders, Legal Challenges, and Funding Cuts Impact Public Schools, Students

Kara Yorio, Mar 10, 2025

Many of the more than 80 executive orders issued by President Trump since Inauguration Day affect K-12 education, schools, and students as the Department of Education faces cuts from Elon Musk's DOGE group and a declaration for the department's "final mission" from new secretary of education Linda McMahon.

TLA 2025 Coupon Booklet

The TLA 2025 Aisle-by-Aisle Exhibitor Guide & Coupon Booklet is now available for download. Get an early look at the Exhibitors and what’s happening on the show floor: book signings, show specials, prize drawings, booth giveaways

Fuse 8 n’ Kate: The Maggie B. by Irene Haas

Betsy Bird | Blogs, Mar 10, 2025

"To sail for a day / Alone and free, / With someone nice / For company." It's been a while since Kate and I disagreed this much about a title. Hear us have it out!

Sunday Reflections: Contemplating the DEI in the Imago Dei

Karen Jensen, MLS | Blogs, Mar 09, 2025

In this week's Sunday Reflections, teen librarian Karen Jensen reflects on how the concept of DEI relates to her personal and professional life and the concept of the Imago Dei

“He Looks Like a Guy Who Would Defund Libraries" | Feedback

SLJ staff, Mar 09, 2025

Readers weigh in on Arkansas legislator “Book Ban Dan.”

Tackling Chronic Absenteeism, Districts Turn to School Libraries

Sofi Zeman, Mar 08, 2025

Absenteeism is at an all-time high, challenging school districts across the country. How to get students back? The school library could play a role, providing a safe space and sparking engagement.

Review of the Day: The Interpreter by Olivia Abtahi, ill. Monica Arnaldo

Betsy Bird | Blogs, Mar 08, 2025

Smart as a whip, funny, and clever, this little visual metaphor of a picture book is the best possible way to make it crystal clear the responsibilities some kids shoulder.

New Publisher Alert: SHP Comics | News and Preview

Brigid Alverson | Blogs, Mar 07, 2025

The Adventures of Baby Zicky is a new series with art that mixes manga, classic comics, and a touch of Winsor McCay.

Archie & Friends: Level Up | Preview

Brigid Alverson | Blogs, Mar 07, 2025

The Riverdale gang cuts loose in a Minecraft-like game and Jughead hits the jackpot in our preview of Archie & Friends: Level Up.

Take Five: March 2025 Middle Grade Novels

Amanda MacGregor | Blogs, Mar 07, 2025

Books featuring grief, a magic school, a treasure hunt, a robot, and a young adventurer!

Fast Five Interview: Trang Thanh Tran

Amanda MacGregor | Blogs, Mar 07, 2025

Author Trang Thanh Tran joins us to talk about their new book THEY BLOOM AT NIGHT.

Name That LEGO Book Cover! (#61)

Travis Jonker | Blogs, Mar 07, 2025

Can you name these 3 books by their LEGO-fied covers?

PREMIUM

Sunrise Nights

Zentner, Jeff & Brittany Cavallaro

A swoon-worthy teen romance and a great listen for fans of books by David Levithan, John Green, and Rainbow Rowell.

PREMIUM

Sleepover Night!

Ransom, Candice

A feel-good story about sleepovers; good for children before their first sleepover, and a great addition to any primary section of a library.

Waiting for Hanami

Takahashi, J.P

Highly recommended for school and public libraries.

PREMIUM

Muybridge

Delisle, Guy

Readers who enjoy biographical graphic novels may enjoy this story, but it is recommended only for very robust collections.

When We Ride

Ogle, Rex

A gritty and nuanced glimpse into the underbelly of poverty, addiction, and gun violence.

PREMIUM

The Lemonade War Graphic Novel

Davies, Jacqueline

This graphic novel adaptation lacks the necessary glow-up the narrative and illustrations needed to feel relevant. Not a necessary addition for most collections.

PREMIUM

Till Death

McDaniel, Kellan

This novel bridges the gap between YA and new adult fiction, offering a powerful read of representation through genre-defying means.

Clear and Bright: A Ching Ming Festival Story

Robeson, Teresa

An important story to add to elementary school collections.

Fireworks

Burgess, Matthew

This joyful title will capture young readers and win the hearts of all ages. Highly recommended for public and school libraries.

PREMIUM

The Failure at God School, Vol. 1

Hyuuga, Natsu & Modomu Akagawara

While certain story aspects feel familiar, this volume adeptly sets up the series narrative, while whetting readers’ appetites enough to look forward to more.

PREMIUM

Beasts of the Uncanny Wild

Lin, Cindy

A vibrant fantasy about growing beyond mistakes, loyalty, and bravery that will appeal to readers who love tales of epic quests.

PREMIUM

Fart Boy and Reeky Dog

Holub, Joan

A must-have for any elementary library, this is perfect for fans of series like “Captain Underpants” and “Dog Man.” Readers will want to get ready for a wild ride

A Conversation Worth Reading: Kyle Lukoff Discusses His Work and A World Worth Saving

Betsy Bird | Blogs, Mar 07, 2025

An amazing amalgamation of thoughts, themes, and ideas that could have ended up an unholy mess and, instead, work. Today, I talk with Kyle Lukoff about his Jewish/trans/epic fantasy latest.

PREMIUM

First Festivals: Ramadan: A Lift-the-Flap Book

A wonderful early introduction to this holiday; a must-purchase for all libraries.

PREMIUM

A Game Most Foul

Gervais, Alison

Some YA readers may take to this—the writing is excellent

PREMIUM

The Wild Dark

Harbour, Katherine

Recommended for readers who enjoy the romantasy genre, a good heist, and similar titles by Leigh Bardugo, Libba Bray, or Stephanie Garber.

Underground, vol. 1 | Review

Renee Scott | Blogs, Mar 06, 2025

In this much acclaimed manga, a fighter must battle fierce opponents and a life-threatening illness in his quest for revenge.

Girls Posing as Boys: Stories Still Worth Telling? A guest post by Linda Joan Smith

Amanda MacGregor | Blogs, Mar 06, 2025

In The Peach Thief, my 13-year-old protagonist—a starving workhouse girl—poses as a boy in order to get a tenuous job scrubbing pots in the all-male world of an earl’s walled kitchen garden.

The 2025 Unicorn Report

Travis Jonker | Blogs, Mar 06, 2025

Rounding up all the 2025 unicorn books.

Minnesota Pride Festival Cancels Picture Book Author Event Because of "Safety Concerns" | Censorship News

SLJ Staff, Mar 06, 2025

Rochester (MN) Pride cited unspecified safety concerns for canceling the visit by The Rainbow Parade author Emily Neilson; federal judge says lawsuit over removal of school library books in Florida can continue; districts in South Carolina and Texas keep The Hunger Games and Bathe the Cat on the shelves, respectively, while a Pennsylvania high school removes three LGBTQIA+ graphic novels.