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Let’s fight book bans on a personal level, one book at a time. Because bans aren't only about books; they’re working to erase people and their stories.
When the amount of property damage the Hulk causes while saving the day gets Dr. Banner in legal trouble, he's forced to do community service...as a middle school teacher.
These are five books I've got on my fall TBR and hope to find time to read soon (if I can learn how to keep my eyes open past 8:00).
Guest blogger Jessie Mae introduces WHAT FELL FROM THE SKY, a possible Newbery contender with an alien rescue, a military "takeover," and themes of community and empathy.
That first step to sparking the wonder of budding makers begins in the library, reading stories that inspire them to get hands-on and building their creative confidence.
Sometimes you need to watch out for the quiet books. They know how to sneak up on you.
Dark Horse unveils a new volume in its middle-grade Minecraft series.
A shy student begins a friendship with a popular werewolf in this fun manga.
20 books out this month just waiting to go on your TBR!
Distilling a Story Down to Its Very Essence. María Dolores Águila Talks About The Sea of Lemon Trees
"I live in a sea of lemon trees." In a time when Mexicans and Mexican-American suffer at the hands of our government, we talk about this National Book Award nominee and a historical moment of one injustice rectified.
"I live in a sea of lemon trees." In a time when Mexicans and Mexican-American suffer at the hands of our government, we talk about this National Book Award nominee and a historical moment of one injustice rectified.
The first of the six Newbery criteria is interpretation of theme or concept. Without a doubt, this year our most common thing is coping with grief and loss. Today Steven and Emily take a look at different titles addressing these themes and compare them.
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen reviews the recently released YA thriller THIS IS WHERE WE DIE by Cindy R. X. He
What do you do when you can't trust the adults around you? Jennifer L. Holm and I discuss her latest book and talk a little xenotransplantation here and a little love of doggies there.
At its heart, the practice of drinking tea is a joyful one. Tea enervates us and calms us. Tea asks us for patience and invites reflection.
Writing Lena and Dimas’s story was a healing process for me. Through them, I could explore the idea of what it would be like if fate could be controlled, if it was a tangible thing that could be woven to ones will – and what that would mean to the people of the world this was possible in.
An icon gets his picture book bio day in the sun. Alice Faye Duncan joins us today to talk about her latest creation and to reveal its cover too.
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Brume Volume 1: The Dragon Awakens from Hippo Park and Casey's Cases Volume 1: The Mysterious New Girl from Little Simon.
Author XiXi Tian joins us to talk about her new book, ALL THE WAY AROUND THE SUN.
The first round of our 2026 Mock Newbery nominations begins today. Let us know what your top three contenders are by October 4th.
With Robert Munsch in the news lately, we thought it an opportune time to visit one of his lesser known titles.
Travis: Back in June, I talked with author/illustrator Zeke Peña about his beautiful new picture book, SUNDUST. In this episode, Zeke talks about the unique way SUNDUST was created, and his unconventional path to making picture books. We hope you enjoy this episode. Subscribe below to catch every episode of The Yarn: iTunes Spotify Stitcher
Writing any picture book about an "issue" like divorce is a daunting prospect. Fortunately this new entry in the field is up to the challenge.
My dad understood the vast wealth that existed in those books and that library cards provided us with a share of that wealth.
The thing about making these lists is that I always end up wondering why a mysterious benefactor doesn't just somehow KNOW how much my school could use a surprise infusion of cash for all the books our on collection development list.
OLD SCHOOL by Gordon Korman is a realistic fiction title with strong description and rich characters. Guest blogger Elizabeth Johnson introduces the title.
"His uncompromising approach to making art, his refusal to back away from his principles and political engagement." The time has never been better to learn more about Tomi Ungerer.
In Michael Regina's newest horror graphic novel for kids, a regular fishing trip turns into a scary adventure for four friends after they discover a bizarre monster lurking in the river.
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen reviews the book LULA DEAN"S LITTLE LIBRARY OF BANNED BOOKS by Kirsten Miller
An experimental school, haunted homes, vampires, animal rescue, heroic unicorns, and more!
Open doors and hospitality is the name of the game today as we talk about the agency of turning the page in a book with two renowned picture book creators.
There may be 96 suggested Mock Newbery 2026 titles on Heavy Medal, but there's still many more possibilities for Newbery gold.
Nefarious bluebirds, hilarious waterfowl, historical comics and more in our latest preview of some of the smaller publishers.
The graphic adaptation of the second volume in the Junie B. Jones keeps the humor of the originals and lets the reader see Junie B.'s vivid facial expressions as well.
It’s my hope that young readers, whether you have a name for yourselves or not, feel seen and held by Briar and Finn. Like them, you’re here, and you exist.
A dog's true best friend stars in its own show in this ludicrous and wonderful picture book readaloud. I interview its creator (dog lovers - this one's for you).
Author Gail Jarrow talks about her book about medical lies and cover-ups.
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Hooves of Death Volume 1 from Harper Alley and Rise of the G.E.M.S. from Roaring Brook Press.
Today we'll look at direct quotes of passages from 2026 Newbery contenders to see how the author's actual words might merit Award consideration.
Keezy Young joins us to talk about their new graphic novel, HELLO SUNSHINE.
Just in time for her 20th anniversary, Kate and I tackle the fanciest nanciest gal in picture bookdom. WILL Kate think she's a brat? IS this the first book we've done with glitter on the cover? Listen and find out!
COLBY: I am always on the lookout for great middle grade nonfiction. It is a hole in both my classroom library and in my own personal reading. I’m thankful that authors like Nicholas Day are creating books that are filling that hole. In this episode, I chat with Nicholas about his new book A World […]
This came out early in the year, but I'd like to remind you to give it a close look. Highly sophisticated art with an incredible batch of storytelling. Galligan's greatest is here.
Sonora Reyes joins us to talk about their new book. THE GOLDEN BOY'S GUIDE TO BIPOLAR.
BULLDOZER'S BIG RESCUE by Elisa Broach is shorter than most books in our Mock Newbery discussions, but the clever, concise, and funny text could make it a contender for the award.
All summer I basically just pet my dogs, read my books, and text my friends way too much. But you what I definitely did NOT do in July? Read any of these interesting books on this list, so onto my TBR list they go!
Come for the wacky promotional video for one of the greatest graphic novels of 2025. Stay for the celebrity picture book cameo at the very end.
Here's a look at the graphic novels that publishers have been acquiring, and when we can expect to see them.
To echo Guatemalan Archbishop Gerardi’s words, “Knowing the truth is painful, but liberating. Without it, the scars will never heal.”
It may be a one-of-a-kind picture book, at least in the history of American publishing. A picture book about a mayoral candidate put out by a major publisher? How did this happen?
John John is the perfectly imperfect teen who is struggling to shape his own identity but can’t avoid the antiquated reach of his dad.
2025 is a very strong year for fantasy and today we highlight FOUR more potential Newbery fantsy contenders.
Why do none of us, including many, if not most, Puerto Ricans, know so little about our own mythology?
Our penultimate prediction post before final considerations. Here are the titles I think have the best show at the two major literary awards. Do you agree? Disagree? Find out!
This story set in the Canadian internment camps during World War II is set in a specific historical moment but also embodies universal themes of family, loss, and hope.
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen reviews MAKE ME A MONSTER, the newest release by YA horror and thriller author Kalynn Bayron.
Books shaped my life, and in gratitude, I try to make books for young readers that show what it’s like to live under an oppressive regime.
An inspiring story and a powerful look at what is happening not just to Yuli but in real-life classrooms all around our country. A good addition to high school collections.
Seems to me the more books we can devise that confront racism, the better. But how do you confront a hate crime in a picture book? Today's title does precisely that.
Author Wayne D. Kramer talks about conservation and Pangolins
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12-and-under featuring Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales Volume 13 Bones and Berserkers from Abrams Fanfare and Ghosts of Wreckers Cove from Papercutz.
2025 looks like a particularly strong year for children's fantasy, with characters ranging from sentient dolls and fairy-like creatures to an undead fox and an assortment of ghosts. Will any of these be contenders for the 2026 Newbery Medal?
My upcoming novel, If Looks Could Kill, pits a modern yet mythical Medusa against the real-life, true-crime, name-unknown murderer we call Jack the Ripper.
Our first Rosemary Wells on the podcast? How is this even possible? We meet Max & Ruby for the first time and have a LOT to say on the matter.
We asked readers to rank their favorite Newbery contenders so far and share observations about current trends in children's literature. Here are the results:
A teenage girl pulls a sword out of a stone and ends up engaged to a bodyguard in this fast-paced shojo manga.
In creating these Take Five posts, I'm seeing so many books I wish I had read, so the TBR tower grows!
Abigail Hing Wen joins us to talk about her new book, THE VALE.
A childhood manuscript makes good. ND Stevenson discusses the origins of his debut middle grade fantasy while I fall over myself trying to get you to read it.
When their home is threatened, young monster Poe attempts to lead her siblings to a perhaps legendary safe place in this charming book in which "monster" really just means "somewhat different".
The only way to protect teens is to continue loving and nurturing them, but in ways that provide them space to be seen and heard while they continue to grow.
This season's Heavy Medal Mock Newbery process will include guest posts from readers. Learn more and consider applying to write about a 2026 Newbery contender.
A big thanks to the publisher for letting me dig into these 8 books.
A Steven Weinberg! A Q&A! A Cover Reveal! And a Special Secret Guest?!? We Discuss I Am the Mountain
Is it too early to start calling Caldecott 2027 contenders? That's not an idle question since today we're talking to Steven Weinberg about a book that, honestly? You're going to need to see this thing.
Apologies to everyone in my life is going to be so sick of me asking if they've heard of Tambora and the climate shock that followed. Tambora might be my whole personality now.
Courage reaches very directly to the heart of why I write. It’s not easy navigating the teen years.
A picture book character returns to us in a middle grade novel. Though it's not out until March 2026, we talk with Carole Lindstrom into her new foray into older fiction for kids.
A picture book character returns to us in a middle grade novel. Though it's not out until March 2026, we talk with Carole Lindstrom about her new foray into older fiction for kids.
Here we are with one of my favorite annual Heavy Medal posts. The NUMBER BREAKDOWN! I love looking at the titles and seeing what we have in different categories- what is overflowing this year and what we aren’t seeing so much of. And of course I love debating what categories titles are in, because it’s […]
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring C.O.R.T: Children of the Round Table from DC Comics and Dear Jackie from Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Obviously, every parent has their own version of these issues; these are just some of ours. But it’s a delicate balance, and we’re well aware of our risk of wobbling a bit as we try to strike it.
I was almost finished writing “The Picasso Curse” when the theme of the book occurred to me—decision anxiety.
"Horrendously honest" is not a term I usually use but can you imagine writing an entire picture book about your own parenting fails? John Steptoe was working on another level here, man.
A sixth-grader feels overwhelmed by... everything in today's exclusive preview from Damian Alexander's Absolutely Everything.
Emily and Steven share some thoughts about early Newbery favorites and invite readers to chime in with their own top picks so far.
When an author bears witness to the experience of adolescence through a real, living, breathing, complicated, messy protagonist caught in a web of complicated, messy relationships, readers notice.
Join me in the Not-So-Way-Back Machine to catch up on a few May titles!
Dissected tongues, fruit trends, space microbes, and more all appear in this remarkable preview of some of our very favorite small publishers.
In sisterhood, you see various versions of yourself, souls raised in the same forage yet emerging in various shapes and conditions.
Not only has the creator of Strange Planet written a bedtime book, but it's chock full of science, humor, and some seriously sweet backmatter for the younger set. We talk!
The longer I live, the more I understand how science and math perfect art and music as much as engineering and technology.
Here's a look at the graphic novels that publishers have been acquiring, and when we can expect to see them.
Teen Librarian Cindy Shutts has long shared her programming outlines with us here at TLT. Today, she is sharing a more personal post.
In eighth grade, I was scared of the world finding out the truth about me. But I think, even scarier, was admitting that truth to myself.
It's time to officially start our 2026 Mock Newbery discussions on Heavy Medal. Here's a look ahead at what to expect over the next few months.
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