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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.
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
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
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
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.
Recommended for those who enjoy character-driven novels, fantastical settings, and elaborate alternative histories.
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
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.
To me, that’s the beauty of a great fictional monster. They hold up a mirror to our lives, and what we see might scare us, but it also provides the much needed sense that we’re not alone.
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Bounce Back Volume 3: So Totally Nala from Feiewl and Friends and The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur: A Graphic Novel Based on a True Story from Candlewick Press.
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Bounce Back Volume 3: So Totally Nala from Feiewl and Friends and The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur: A Graphic Novel Based on a True Story from Candlewick Press.
Our October Mock Newbery nomination list included 38 different titles. Two books lead the pack with 15 nominations: THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES by Kate Messner and THE UNDEAD FOX OF DEADWOOD FOREST by Aubrey Hartman. Check out the full list here.
Celebrate Diwali, Mid-Autumn Festival, and a wedding with these fun fall titles!
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.
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.
PREMIUM
Hurricane Heist
A winning mix of history, humor, and high-stakes sleuthing for returning fans of the series or new readers.
A stellar companion novel about one tween’s struggles and ambitions that can stand alone but will have newer readers sprinting to the rest of the books in this excellent series.
PREMIUM
The Academy
A solid purchase for soccer players and fans who are looking for middle grade books about their favorite game.
A tearjerking realistic fiction read about love and loss that should be added to all middle grade collections.
Time-traveling fans will devour this humorous tale that shows how humans are all connected.
PREMIUM
The Tear Collector
A novel that handles heavy topics with a light touch; recommended for upper middle grade.
PREMIUM
Wolf Club
An eye-opening window or mirror story for collections that need more stories involving Ojibwe beliefs, relationships, and a touch of the supernatural.
PREMIUM
The One About the Blackbird
Perhaps this is best for the shelves intended to help grandparents seeking to connect with the young generation.
PREMIUM
Sticky Hermana
This title is one any pair of sisters can relate to and encourages being honest with familial frustrations. A recommended general purchase for picture book collections.
PREMIUM
Waiting for Max: A NICU Story
A warmly illustrated, heartfelt resource that combines comfort with information, this is an essential purchase for libraries serving young families.
PREMIUM
Mazel Toes!
Though not for every collection, this bright and inclusive board book celebrating the value of family and community is an ideal selection for Jewish families welcoming a newborn.
Lilting prose and textured collage visually and lyrically represent big feelings in this powerful title. Highly recommended.
PREMIUM
House of Hearts
A lush, spooky page-turner perfect for readers of Arndt’s other novel, Together We Rot, or Stephanie Garber’s Once Upon a Broken Heart.
PREMIUM
Butterfly Heart
A powerful novel about family, friendship, love, and the indigenous culture of the Sámi people. Young adults living between multiple cultures will appreciate the rawness of self-discovery throughout.
PREMIUM
The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire
Recommended for collections where fairy romantasy is popular.
This book is inviting, making it appropriate for young adult mystery collections.
Strongly recommended for fans of Greek and Roman mythology, particularly feminist retellings such as Jennifer Saint’s Ariadne or Madeline Miller’s Circe.
A unique book among space-exploration titles, this is recommended for browsers and as a first step in the research process.
An important and well-done title that teachers will want to explore with their students.
Give this to fact fiends and fans of the “Science Comics” series.
Readers approaching adulthood need the reassurance, hope, and bravery that Budde provides. A strong purchase for middle grade and teen collections.
An excellent addition to earth science classrooms, elementary school libraries, and medium to large public libraries. Ideal for children who gravitate toward visual nonfiction and enjoy collecting interesting facts.
PREMIUM
World Soccer Kings
With a stealthy intention to bring poetry to sports-minded young readers, this book may be too light on sports facts to appeal to soccer fans and too basic in its execution to be a meaningful resource for aspiring poets.
The collection format makes it easy for libraries to offer multiple battles in one simple book and is a must-have for those serving elementary readers.
At a time when Messi biographies are in abundance, this one stands out for its celebration of the phenom’s dedication and resilience in the face of childhood struggles. A first purchase for school and public library biography shelves of an admirable role model.
With vibrant visuals and an incisive narrative, this compelling new look at the Age of Exploration is a first purchase for children’s nonfiction collections.
PREMIUM
To the Top of the World: Barbara Hillary, the First Black Woman to Reach the North and South Poles
Recommended for purchase for any collection wishing to spotlight a truly remarkable individual.
A remarkable tribute to those who made space travel possible in unexpected ways, this is a highly recommended STEM purchase to inspire a new generation of women.
An inspiring and energetic account of one man’s record-breaking journey around the world in a wheelchair, this is an uplifting and visually engaging biography of resilience and advocacy and a strong choice for classrooms and collections featuring changemakers and social justice role models.
A landmark work in the “kids love poop” genre, this is a must-buy for every collection.
PREMIUM
When Beavers Move In
A great read-aloud to celebrate Earth month, Indigenous innovation, and the resilience of the natural world.
A charming, tender story about making friends, sisterhood, and the importance of family and community.
PREMIUM
Sib Squad: Flying High!
A worthy follow-up that expands on the humor and heart of the first installment, and an excellent pick for fans of humorous graphic novels and family-centered storytelling.
National Geographic books are a trusted favorite for a reason: kids love them, parents and educators rely on them, and the learning happens almost effortlessly. This one is a must for home, classroom, or library shelves.
A thoughtfully designed book for adults to share with children or for young readers to explore on their own, with plentiful, stunning images of many African animals, sparse text, and helpful scaffolds for engaging with nonfiction works.
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.
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