The subtitle of today's book is "Finding Calm During School Lockdown Drills." Today Stephanie and I discuss them, and why she chose to write a picture book for kids anxious about them.
In Hope Larson's new book, class president Very seems to be the perfect student, but she has a secret: She's failing math, which could endanger her political career. Can she raise her grade, keep her job and save the class trip?
Teen Librarian Jennifer Rummel shares some of her favorite romance books
Celebrating Brandy Colbert
Celebrating Sherri L. Smith!
Writer Tony Weaver Jr. and artists Jes and Cin Wibowo tackle tough subject matter in a fictionalized memoir about becoming yourself in the face of relentless bullying and mental health challenges.
These Black authored works of fiction and non-fiction help young readers consider their role in creating a sustainable environment.
These five heartfelt titles feature characters whose identities fall under the trans umbrella.
Writing a graphic novel that explores identity, family, friends, language barriers and all within the context of Mexicali is no easy thing. A deep dive into a complex new comic.
Celebrating Zetta Elliott
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Red Flower Volume 1: The Young Rooster and the Sun from Fairsquare Graphics and Detective Stanley and the Mystery at the Museum from Flying Eye Books.
Opening a new school is a monumental task, and setting up a new library is no different. For Comal Independent School District (ISD) in New Braunfels, Texas, the challenge was met with enthusiasm and innovation. With the opening of Bulverde Middle School in August 2024, the district embraced genrefication from the outset, transforming the library into a vibrant, student-friendly space.
This list contains collections, anthologies and novels in verse that speak to almost every aspect of Black life in the United States.
Celebrating Olugbemisola Rhuday Perkovich
This may be my favorite list of the month!
This may be my favorite list of the month!
Finding himself traveling back to his teenage years, Niihama uses this opportunity
to change his future in this heartfelt manga.
Today I'm sharing five new middle grade books coming out this month. Check in every Friday for themed Take Five lists of middle grade books!
A fun, engaging rhyming stomp through the farmyard. Hand to fans of Jack Prelutsky or Shel Silverstein.
While no print book on such a topic can be fully comprehensive, this one comes close enough that it belongs in all collections serving teens, educators, and families.
Highly recommended for manga collections looking to add more captivating stories with strong female leads.
Positive messaging, as well as some adorable illustrations, make this a great addition for teen libraries. Recommended for purchase where romance readers are looking for hopeful and encouraging narratives.
In a sea of fantasies that start with characters being reborn, this is a fresh perspective and a fun take. Purchase where fantasy adventures are popular, or for collections looking for more stories with female leads.
This title doesn’t break much new ground in the genre of school-aged idol romances, but it is sweet enough that romance fans may find appeal from the building relationship between the two leads.
Any collection serving teens who prefer their murder mysteries with a heaping side of campy humor should feature this priority purchase.
Famous or not, the star of the story shines in this must-have for all YA collections.
A rewarding romantasy for those willing to brave the dense narrative.
A richly atmospheric fantasy with compelling themes of power and destiny, best suited for readers who enjoy immersive worldbuilding and introspective storytelling. Finn’s debut offers a strong foundation for what could become an exciting new fantasy series.
A haunting tale that mixes in supernatural and paranormal themes with what it means to love once more after losing a special someone.
A solid purchase for board book collections.
Not for the faint of heart, especially around a tragic time in history, but it will find its readers in fans of historical speculative fiction.
While the text is sparse, this small book will inspire much discussion about how we are connected and how within those connections, we are still individuals.
Huge fans of the series may delight in the holiday enchantment and a chance for a glimpse at the characters’ lives, but this novella is mostly fluff that the series could do without.
Perfect for rigid thinkers, this book will help children understand that play can be cooperative and imaginative rather than directive. Essential.
“Even if you haven’t studied art or math, even if you’ve never gone to college, you can make shapes yourself and change how the world looks.” A math-centric tale of discovery.
Pete Davidson and Dav Pilkey appear together on a recent episode of the Today show.
This story begins with two middle school librarians, miles and miles apart, who both feel passionately that what publishers call middle grade literature is not what their students need or want.
The action heats up in our preview of Wynd: The Power of the Blood #3.
Today's list feature biographies of influential Black men and women through US history.
Slowly but surely a story formed in my mind. It featured a mystery, ghosts, clever tweens, a notorious graveyard . . . and a countdown. A terrifying countdown.
LOTE4Kids is an online resource designed to strengthen language learning by providing access to digital children’s books in over 75 languages, including Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Arabic.
A near perfect toddler/preschooler storytime book, we talk today with Shawn Harris about bees, the waxiness of crayons, and more.
Eighth-graders Marcus and Izzy do so badly at their gym class swing dance that they'll need extra credit to pass. To earn it, they will have to perform at the talent show, while standing up to a bully and learning to be themselves.
Fast Five is an author interview series. The author is sent 10 questions and is asked to answer five of them. If you are an author interested in participating in the Fast Five Author Interview series, please fill out this form. Kalyn Josephson is a fantasy author living in California. She loves books, cats, books […]
Teen librarian Karen Jensen reviews Neal Shusterman's latest YA novel, ALL BETTER NOW
We create the place we live in, but it also creates us, and it’s impossible to tell where one influence starts and the other begins.
Travis talks with Ruth Chan about CABOOSE.
Our latest batch of board book reviews are quite the treasure chest for little lap-sitters and other pre-readers! From basic concepts and to understanding emotions, this collection celebrates inclusion and is perfect for sparking conversation and imagination.
These 12 recent YA titles celebrate romantic Black love in many forms, in different periods of history, and in real and fantasy realms. They include humor, queer love, and paranormal/sci-fi encounters, expanding the much-needed diversity within the romance genre.
Whether to deliver information in an enjoyable format, provide analysis of historical events, or dispense an innovative look at the future, multimedia continues to grow as a meaningful component of curriculum.
What new series blends magic, action, and heritage alongside a celebration of Ghanaian culture? Meet the latest Scholastic Branches series and the man behind the stories.
What makes you believe that Black lives matter?
Here's a look at the graphic novels that publishers have been acquiring, and when we can expect to see them.
Most people can’t imagine a world without the worst of human nature because that would be the purview of a different species: a post-miserable humankind.
From board books with kids and dogs sharing Valentine's wishes to YA novels about Valentine's dances and do-overs, these titles will warm young readers' hearts this holiday season.
Let’s allow ALL young readers to sample from all the great storytellers who nurture our curiosity, inform our intellect, and help us feel loved. I hope I’m not being too ambitious by trying to do this every day in February!
By introducing readers to themes of love and loss while fostering an appreciation for wildlife, this stunning book is sure to inspire curiosity and empathy.
What a joyful way to impart information, complete with a female-heavy group of workers, and make children rethink what they know about tools.
A tale of feminine magic, power, and strength. A must-purchase and a wonderful read.
A perfectly lovely picture book for the owl obsessed.
An exuberant love letter to all sorts of bellies and the people they belong to. Highly recommended for all collections.
There are many stories about standing up to an overbearing friend, but the fanciful twist on this one makes it stand apart. Recommended for most collections.
A heartfelt book that will resonate with families familiar with the struggles that come with chronic illness.
Taylor’s debut is recommended for most teen collections.
An affirming and nuanced graphic novel about a queer teen’s journey from fear to acceptance.
A page-turning story about high school drama, emotions, and mental and physical health that is sure to resonate with teenagers.
A deliciously heart-wrenching romantasy.
Considering this series’ fresh take on dystopian fiction with themes of mental health and eugenics, it is a must-have for library collections worthy of its place next to Lois Lowry’s The Giver and Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games.
A cutthroat boarding school story recommended for purchase where murder mysteries are particularly popular.
A strong entry point into dark academia fantasy, recommended for all libraries serving YA readers.
Sharp and satisfying, this duology belongs in all teen collections.
A fun, feel-good romance about a sports star falling for a book nerd. Recommended for libraries looking for entertaining romance graphic novels.
Recommended as a purchase for libraries seeking more stories with queer characters, or for those who want lighter sci-fi.
A treacherous, seaworthy tale full of adventure.
This unputdownable adventure is highly recommended for all collections and perfect for fans of V.E. Schwab’s “Shades of Magic” series.
The amount of sexual innuendo, dangerous situations, and strong language make this work for older teens and adults, and otherwise not an essential purchase.
A great pick for thriller fans who enjoy slasher horror movie vibes as well.
Recommended, this is a strong addition to YA mystery offerings.
An essential book for any middle school and high school collection.
Fantasy lovers and art lovers alike will make this graphic version of the classic novel a highly sought-after addition to library shelves, though it should be in addition to the original, not in place of it.
Using the backdrop of a school musical, Morrow integrates a whole cast of characters with a variety of backgrounds to create wonderful scenes and dialogue that gets straight to the heart of teen issues and wanting to fit in; the sweetly written romance is lovely in how it surprises both protagonists.
This exploration on identity, religion, and relationships highlights the courage it takes to leap, especially when it means being willing to fall.
A good choice for teen readers looking for a fun, LGBTQIA+, high-octane romp.
A time-bending, twisted tale that will intrigue readers needing reassurance in grief while unraveling a mystery.
A moving love letter to courage, connection, and the long fight against oppression.
Recommended, a unique standalone for fantasy fans.
A mild introduction to dark academia that will leave seasoned readers wanting more.
Fast and furious; a must-buy anywhere gritty murder mysteries circulate.
This thoughtful collection rewards repeat readings, begs to be shared or read aloud, and will resonate with a wide audience of readers and educators.
A solid addition to any collection, providing a pairing of arts and STEM.
A visually stimulating counting book that engages young children both in small and large group settings.
A visually stunning and unique addition to poetry collections.
Sure to be read and enjoyed again and again, this is a highly recommended addition for all library collections.
A recommended addition to library and classroom collections.
Add to collections in need of updates, but catalog it with the joke books rather than poetry to reach the right readers.
A handy tool for extending skill with poetry and word play. While it seems unlikely that most children able to both read and do the writing would be attracted to the cheerful animal stories, the clear and well designed writing and thinking exercises could build poetry interest and ability in the early grades.
An excellent introduction to our awesome planet for novice geographers and poets alike.
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