Related
Since I was eleven, middle-grade books for drama kids have come a long way.
Travis: Back in June at the American Library Association Annual Conference in Philly, I sat down with Katie Kennedy to talk about her excellent middle grade nonfiction book Did You Hear What Happened in Salem? The Witch Trials of 1692. In this episode, Katie talks about what it was like to revisit one of the […]
Japan gets a new Venom-like symbiote spider hero in Shogo Aoki's original manga adventure starring Spider-Man and a swathe of his supporting characters.
This book is everything children need in a book: smart, funny, relevant, and surprising
A must-have for all collections serving young people, this tale pairs a brilliant sense of humor with great comedic timing. This instant classic will have children pondering their own fortunes as well as those of their friends.
PREMIUM
Thorn Season
For burgeoning romantasy collections, this one has a little less romance and a lot more intrigue, but it lays the groundwork for the volumes to come; hold space for all three.
PREMIUM
Wake the Wild Creatures
Teens who enjoy strong female characters and stories of survival will not want to miss this gemstone.
PREMIUM
He’s So Possessed with Me
A messy, magnetic exploration of queer identity, desire, and parental rejection that veers into supernatural melodrama. Best for older teens comfortable with dark themes and complex relationships.
PREMIUM
Where There’s Room for Us
Recommended where historical romance, LGBTQIA+ stories, and authors like Mackenzi Lee are popular.
PREMIUM
Undrowned
Hand this mythological-fantasy dystopia to readers who enjoy found families and moral ambiguity.
A unique perspective on social justice fatigue with a magical realism element that will have readers run the gamut of emotions. A necessary purchase for young adult collections.
PREMIUM
Cat Mask Boy
Despite being an enjoyable read, this book may struggle to find readers in a school library.
A suspense-filled hit for YA thriller readers. This whodunit won’t remain on the shelves for long.
PREMIUM
Here for a Good Time
A great historical fiction addition for libraries needing more books for reluctant readers.
Fans of books with politically active protagonists, such as A.S. King’s Attack of the Black Rectangles and any of Jewel Parker Rhodes’s novels, will love the new and emboldened Paul Fisher.
For fans of the works of Alan Gratz and Nathan Hale, as well as Lauren Tarshis’s “I Survived” series.
Highly recommended, especially for collections where horror is often requested by young readers.
PREMIUM
Special Teams
With an uncomplicated plot, this pleasant sports novel will appeal to every young reader who loves football and thinks they know the game from watching it on television.
PREMIUM
Fooled
A quick read that’s sure to find an audience, and a solid purchase for collections seeking stories centering diverse representations of ability.
A fun and colorful story for middle-grade readers who enjoy tales of magic, mystery, and family ties.
A highly recommended purchase for botany sections that are lacking a fun encyclopedic element.
A unique look at both the Apollo 10 space mission and the art of a notable African American artist integrated into one successful picture book, this is a solid introduction to both and sure to pique the interest of space and art lovers alike.
PREMIUM
Frog: A Story of Life on Earth
A powerful work covering the big and small story of the creation of the universe, this is an excellent addition to a classroom library with accessible language and illustrations that speak to both younger and older learners.
PREMIUM
Srta. Campista
Purchase where Raina Telgemeier’s graphic novels and Spanish-language middle school stories are popular.
PREMIUM
Los misterios del camino
Purchase this must-read Spanish-language adventure series for tween collections.
Budding meteorologists will be thrilled with the science facts and fun style of this. Even students who are not usually drawn to science will be intrigued by the fantastic photos and real-life situations. A must-purchase for all nonfiction collections.
A solid purchase for elementary and middle school sports nonfiction and ready reference collections.
Young biologists, thrilled with the photos and fun facts, will not want to put this one down. An excellent choice for browsing and research.
In our next guest post, Leonard Kim analyzes a beginner graphic novel featuring poetry and graphic novels, a dinosaur-sized feat!
"Where are your scary books?" That's what I hear all day long at school.
There can never be too many Halloween books! Check out these recently reviewed board books and picture books to round out Halloween displays and programs.
I’ve noticed something about Daniel Nayeri. With every middle grade novel for kids that he writes he gets a little bit sharper. A little bit sleeker. A little bit funnier. A little bit faster. And this latest title? It’s a little bit one of the best books of the year
In reading stories about sleep for teens, they begin to feel less isolated as they maneuver their days through the foggy, unsettled feeling of perpetual tiredness.
This graphic adaptation stays true to its roots, with lively illustrations and an engaging story about two very different siblings.
If I wanted to belong, I had to be intentional about it. Somewhere along the way, I came into my own.
"For decades, I’ve published middle-grade books, but this time, the picture book format chose me. Picture books break down BIG feelings and ideas in quick, easy ways. The format helped me break down my big feelings." We talk with Torrey Maldonado about ALL the feels!
Today we look at two highly creative collections of poetry and consider their Newbery Medal chances.
Author and TikTok star Taylor Cassidy joins us to talk about her new book, Black History Is Your History.
The game is afoot! Give these chapter book and middle grade capers to fans of whodunits and thrillers.
In need of a picker upper? How about a book for kids that documents how Field Museum scientists do fieldwork to save the Amazon rainforest? A talk and a trailer premiere.
Today we have an exclusive announcement and preview of a new graphic novel featuring two sisters, a treasure hunt, and plenty of pancakes.
There’s not a dull moment in these transitional books for the main characters and their siblings!
Do you want the original Dog Man, chock full of authentic Aztec myths and a healthy dose of humor? Then are you in luck today!
Today we do a compare and contrast exercise where we put two 2026 Mock Newbery Titles against each other and see which stands out.
Check out what reviewers had to say about The Story of My Anger, You've Found Oliver, Good Old-Fashioned Korean Spirit and Fireblooms as part of our Penguin TBR: Penguin To Be Reviewed Galley Program
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Ten-Ton Titan Terrier from Papercutz and Asgardians Volume 3 Loki from First Second Books.
What would you do if you found a magical device that could turn back time—but only by five minutes?
Nine-year-old "nature nerd" Brooke fills her journal with drawings of the animals she sees, but she's yet to encounter a moose in the wild—although her new sister lucks into seeing one almost immediately.
An appealing title that touches gently on the Japanese immigrant experience in the United States.
PREMIUM
More Than a Million
This book is a suitable gift for Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day but is long-winded and lightweight for library collections.
Appealing only to children who want to understand the process of preparing a guide dog, this book creates considerable confusion around an important issue.
PREMIUM
The Dangerous Alphabet Book
Find room on the shelf for another abecedarium! Most collections will want to add this silly and fresh spin on a classic genre.
PREMIUM
I Am a Highly Dangerous Warrior!
Full of speech bubbles and humorous scenes, this very silly story has a great underlying thread for both kids and adults about listening and trusting each other’s abilities and knowledge. Sure to be a favorite.
PREMIUM
Xolo
Place this on the shelf next to Jon Klassen’s The Skull and recommend it to readers who love mythology, dogs, and books that break the mold.
PREMIUM
Hut! Hut! Hike!: A Branches Book
This first installment in a series of sports novels for emerging readers is a well-intended, well-designed start.
A touching yet humorous novel adaptation of a Webtoon-turned-graphic-novel that feels fresh, exciting, and fun.
PREMIUM
Not Today, Satan
Great for readers who enjoyed Becca Fitzpatrick’s “Hush Hush” series, those who prefer quick reads, and individuals who enjoy supernatural elements in their books.
A feel-good stand-alone for fans of time travel and romance, with an entertaining blend of science, humor, and feminist themes.
PREMIUM
Red Threads
A perfect light read for fans of magical boarding schools and Japanese mythology.
PREMIUM
Kissing Is the Easy Part
With its blend of romance, humor, and heartfelt moments, this book is perfect for those exploring the intricacies of relationships and personal growth. A great addition to a high school library.
PREMIUM
The Fangirl Project
A serviceable romance, but librarians with smaller YA romance collections will want to skip this one.
PREMIUM
A Matter of Murder
Those who love Jane Austen or mysteries will adore this version of the beloved couple Lizzie and Darcy. A superb addition to any library.
PREMIUM
How Girls Are Made
An emotionally rich exploration of the burdens, expectations, and realities for young women that will resonate with many, especially readers who also connected with Tiffany D. Jackson’s Grown.
This one is a can’t miss for fans of Shusterman.
PREMIUM
Shiny Happy People
Readers who liked Octavia Butler’s Dawn, Mira Grant’s Parasite, or M.R. Carey’s The Girl with All the Gifts will enjoy this book. A recommended purchase.
PREMIUM
The Cuffing Game
High school readers drawn to the K-pop aesthetic and an inclusive cast will enjoy this homage to Pride and Prejudice.
PREMIUM
Girls Who Play Dead
There’s a lot to unpack and explore within this text, so it’s great for book clubs or classroom use. A must-have for teen collections.
PREMIUM
We Fell Apart
The deeply nuanced, complex plot of legacy versus choice easily crosses into adult readership, but the richly developed characters and a quick-moving plot make it a perfect teen read.
This is a secondary purchase but may appeal to fans of Korean graphic novels.
PREMIUM
How We Play the Game
Gamers and non-gamers alike will enjoy this one; hand to those who enjoy Brittney Morris’s Slay and Eric Smith’s Don’t Read the Comments.
PREMIUM
Hear Her Howl
A great addition to collections, as the cross-genre will appeal to a variety of young women on their journey to find themselves.
PREMIUM
Dreki: My Icelandic Dragon
Recommended for readers who enjoy Norse mythology, fantasy, coming-of-age stories, and books with a strong sense of place.
PREMIUM
The Snowman Code
A delightful winter adventure and a thoughtful exploration of emotions and empathy; a great pick for readers looking for heart, humor, and a little bit of magic.
PREMIUM
Thrash Force
Fans of Dungeons & Dragons and the “Captain Underpants” series will enjoy this light, playful book.
PREMIUM
The Ink Witch
A fun and fresh take on traditional fantasy and witchcraft; highly recommended.
Be sure to check your local library or indie bookstores for all the other awesome new books out this month!
If we want kids to grow up reading for fun, then we need to give them books that captivate.
Today’s guest blogger is Quade Kelley, introducing THE FREEDOM SEEKER by Ruchira Gupta
Recommended for those who enjoy character-driven novels, fantastical settings, and elaborate alternative histories.
An additional purchase for middle grade collections in need of an eye-catching and accessible mythology anthology.
Recommended for high school libraries in need of a collective biography of prominent Latine figures to inspire further study.
An unforgettable, fast-paced survival story written in language that is both accessible and authentic. A must-purchase for middle-grade collections where adventure, resilience, and true survival tales are in demand. Perfect for Hatchet fans looking for their next read.
Dr. Whitney Casares discusses her book, One-of-a-Kind Body and body image with pre-teens and teens.
Mood swings, miscommunication, and music characterize this story of tween friendships.
Mood swings, miscommunication, and music characterize this story of tween friendships.
What started out as a simple way to provide a voice to my younger self by giving my main character autism became a rallying cry.
"I was gobsmacked by the new research of awe—how it can change the way you think and feel, lessening our anxieties and making us more generous and kind. And I knew I had to write a book for kids..."
"I was gobsmacked by the new research of awe—how it can change the way you think and feel, lessening our anxieties and making us more generous and kind. And I knew I had to write a book for kids..."
From an insightful memoir about reading struggles to a harrowing account of a mass suicide, several authors have used highly creative approaches to present information for kids. Today we look at several examples that might be considered for the 2026 Newbery Medal.
These adult titles with teen appeal feature a range of genres and topics, from magical adventures and mysteries to nonfiction explorations of everything Taylor Swift and John Green’s adult nonfiction debut.
In this graphic adaptation of his best-selling middle-grade novel, Alan Gratz weaves together three stories of refugees in different times and places and brings them to a stunning conclusion.
articles
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER? LOG IN
We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER? LOG IN
Thank you for visiting.
We’ve noticed you are using a private browser. To continue, please log in or create an account.
