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.
Can you name these 3 books by their LEGO-fied covers?
A quick dip into the eight titles Eerdmans Books for Young Readers will have out this coming fall. See them first!
Rounding up 2024 books from past Robert F. Sibert Medal and Honor winners
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!
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.
Over the past few years, the STAATUS index survey has asked Americans to name a famous Asian American. For three years in a row the most common response has been “I don’t know.” Number 2 has been Jackie Chan, who is not American, and number 3 has been Bruce Lee, who has been dead for […]
Called "a lyrical gem", "touching", "beautiful", and more by its three starred reviews, we discuss a new historical fiction picture book set during the Korean War.
Educator Meg Whittaker discusses books that have music built into the bones
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.
I chat with Grant Snider about his latest book: Poetry Comics.
With it being spring and all, we decided to tackle our first Sarah Stewart title.
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.
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.
Rounding up 2024 books from past Newbery Medal and Honor winners!
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.
Giving away three copies of LOUDER THAN HUNGER!
"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.
It's the Year of the Dragon so we tackle our first dragon-related text in quite a while. It's our first Jack Kent book. How has it fared since 1975?
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 really nice look at how independence is often hard-fought and can come through unexpected paths. A solid upper middle grade read.
At last! The only major award out there that honors excellence in environmental literature has been released! Revel in the winners!
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.
A guide for making book spine poems!
Today we're continuing our Spring 2024 publisher preview of some of the smaller publishers of children's books out there, in the seventh part of our series.
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.
A roundup of 2024 unicorn books.
This marks my 15th spring prediction edition of the Newberys and Caldecotts, and by gum we're going to kick this year off right!
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.
2024 books from past Geisel Medal and Honor winners.
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.
Why should this book have actually been called Oona MacCoul and Her Baby Man? For our St. Patrick's Day episode we dive deep into a fun Irish folktale and all that entails.
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.
Teen Librarian Cindy Shutts shares her recent Olivia Rodrigo Fan Party event and reminds us all that sometimes even the best ideas sometimes don't hit it out of the park
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.
Today, we're talking with Lynn Brunelle about poetry, the appeal of the gross and disgusting, and why she gets my 2024 Backmatter of the Year Award.
Authors Kirby Larson and Quinn Wyatt discuss their newest middle grade book that almost wasn't, GUT REACTION
Careful research shatters the myth of the American West but it opens us up to the untold and important stories of people whose lives were as varied and vast as the landscape under which they traveled.
An absolutely fantastic read about period equity, friendship, direct action, and good trouble.
These days great swaths of books fill our shelves, full of scintillating facts and jaw-dropping images. The book we're talking about today, I Am Gravity? Case in point.
TLT contributor Riley Jensen shares some new YA coming out in March 2024 on her TBR list
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Blue Stars Volume 1 The Vice Principal Problem from Candlewick Press and Nothing Special Volume 1 Through the Elder Woods from Ten Speed Press.
We're 10 months away from the 2025 Newbery Medal announcement, but it's never too early to start reading. If you've read any early 2024 publications that might have a chance at the Medal, add your suggestions to our monthly list between now and March 9th.
Let’s continue to shine as many lights as we can on middle grade books and their authors. Read their books. Recommend them to your friends. Post reviews online. Talk about them.
Stories enable readers to connect with and learn from the healing power of forgiveness. To see and understand its benefits. Stories enable readers to see themselves on the page. Give them an opportunity to practice the art of forgiving.
Remind me not to cut this person off in traffic.
Kate wants blood. I give her an ogre. But what's gross about this book has nothing to do with his eating habits.
A Golden Age character returns to Riverdale, and an ill wind blows all the students some good in our newest Archie preview.
Today's list is new books coming out in March. I swear there are one million middle grade books coming out on March 5 alone. It was a challenge to pick just a few new titles to include!
Tabletop RPGs, by design, encourage social interaction, problem solving and conflict resolution.
Some thoughts on the 2023 bestsellers.
Two girls get unexpected superpowers in this graphic novel by the co-creator of Miles Morales.
Join us for a cover reveal and learn about Giddy, who vows to spend 11 days doing the opposite of everything she would normally do.
3 of my favorite posts from the past month.
Dive in to even more astounding children's books coming out this spring. We have futuristic titles, Caldecott AND Newbery winners, and so much more.
articles