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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!
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.
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.
Recommended for general purchase in a holiday board book collection.
A perfect book to include in any young adult holiday display year round.
Not an essential buy for libraries, but may be useful if additional holiday craft and family activities are needed.
Festive and educational, this title is an excellent choice for expanding holiday collections and introducing young readers to the traditions and spirit of Hanukkah.
PREMIUM
My Two Christmas Trees
This sensitive book addresses family change during an emotional time of year. A recommended purchase for social-emotional collections.
PREMIUM
Isabel’s Birthday Surprise
A sweet, realistic story of family, culture, and emotional resilience.
This book about an ambitious Nepali girl detective will capture readers’ attention before the first chapter is done; recommended.
A middle grade must-read highly recommended for fans science fiction and books like A Wrinkle in Time.
PREMIUM
Three Blue Hearts
This heartfelt story takes readers through one boy’s coming of age, and the joy of rescuing an animal mixed with the heartbreak of loving it enough to let it go. Highly recommended for youth fiction collections.
A skillful tale of family lost and found, one that skillfully weaves discussion of heavier and relevant topics into a comedic plot.
PREMIUM
Jane Stays Dreaming
An adventurous novel about family, friendship, love and self-discovery that will be enjoyed by older tweens who find themselves at a crossroads of who they are and who they wish to become.
International in scope, this book provides an opportunity for educators to examine previously held thoughts about the limits of children’s literature. Recommended for researchers.
Purchase this resonant and relevant work for all middle grade nonfiction, Spanish-language collections.
PREMIUM
Todos los besos del mundo
An excellent choice for Spanish-speaking communities and libraries.
PREMIUM
Cuando sepas nadar
A breathtaking picture book about the beauty of the water and the magic of swimming, perfect for Spanish-language collections for children.
The book’s anecdotes and chapter-specific discussion questions could be particularly useful in a classroom or book group setting to allow the sharing of ideas from multiple perspectives.
A must-buy for any school library (and many public libraries) where patrons are actively using AI tools or considering AI-related careers. This book is equally valuable for librarians (and teachers) developing instruction on research methodologies, digital literacy, or copyright ethics.
History lovers and budding political enthusiasts will enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at presidential history.
A deeply human, absolutely riveting, and expansively inclusive marine biology nightmare.
PREMIUM
A Curious Kind of Magic
A whimsical novel for readers who enjoy more character-driven work. Consider as an additional purchase.
PREMIUM
Mercy
While this story has an interesting conceptual premise around generational trauma, it lacks the thrills many mystery readers crave and an accurate representation of the groups it seeks to portray.
PREMIUM
Last Chance Live!
A serious commentary on the obstacles, institutions, and society that teens face, offering a mirror and important issues. To be recommended with caution.
PREMIUM
Truth Is
Give this to readers struggling with changing friend dynamics and those starting to ask questions that too often are answered with opinions rather than fact.
PREMIUM
If Looks Could Kill
This book will appeal to readers looking for a Christian faith-based historical crime thriller with fantastical elements.
PREMIUM
Canada: We Are the Story
Complex, beautiful, and thought-provoking. The eternal presence and voices of the Old Ones will be a spiritual paean to some and a ghost story to others.
Purchase for use as a teaching support or as independent reading to spark interest, recommended for libraries serving upper elementary students.
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!
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!
Chuseok is a Korean harvest festival on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. This year, it falls on October 6. Share these two books with little ones to teach them about Chuseok and celebrate the holiday.
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.
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.
Wherein I am taken to task for referring to beloved stuffed animals as "inanimate objects" by the inimitable (and very correct) Katherine Applegate.
COLBY: Barbara O’Connor is always one of the most popular authors in my fifth grade classroom. Kids cannot get enough of her stories. I am so excited to share my conversation with Barbara about her new book Dream (a companion to Wish). Subscribe below to catch every episode of The Yarn: iTunes Spotify Stitcher
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Tuck Everlasting from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux and Max, A Little Axolotl from Graphix.
Teen librarian reviews the debut novel LET'S SPLIT UP by Bill Wood
Next time you’re worried you’re not quite as alone as you think, remember that not all spooky encounters are what they seem. And you’ll maybe even get a fun story out of it.
A dual interview with two women deeply connected to the great novel TUCK EVERLASTING. If you ever loved the book, you're not going to want to miss this...
A dual interview with two women deeply connected to the great novel TUCK EVERLASTING. If you ever loved the book, you're not going to want to miss this...
A dual interview with two women deeply connected to the great novel TUCK EVERLASTING. If you ever loved the book, you're not going to want to miss this...
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Everywhere we go—home, school, the grocery store, downtown, parks, playgrounds—we witness the products of engineering. From the roads we build to the skyscrapers we design to the can opener in the kitchen drawer, engineering is in use all around us.
Despite their reputation for producing quirky travel guides with hidden gems and travel itineraries, these “Lonely Planet Kids Guides” books will not help readers navigate their way around the respect...
These vibrant nonfiction companions from “TIME for Kids” deliver fast-paced, engaging science content in a format that’s as fun as it is informative. Spectacular Sea Creatures reads like a compact oc...
The final suggestion season for Hevay Medal Mock Newbery closes with 96 total titles. We have a lot of narrowing down to do.
Gibson single-voicedly transforms an already electrifying read into a polyphonic marvel.
PREMIUM
Fine Young People
Clearer distinctions between Frankie’s narration and the 18-year-old interstitials of what happened then would have elevated Powers’s performance.
PREMIUM
Another
De Campo expertly captures Tremblay’s creepfest, adroitly building momentum as Casey’s alarm—and Morel’s transformation
PREMIUM
The Gingerbread Monster
Berman’s performance is an aural delight, but a read-along. Hugo L. Cuellar’s enthralling art shouldn’t be missed and could be even more satisfying.
Van Ness gloriously elevates these pages into empowering, enlightening entertainment.
Author and narrator jointly honor an extraordinary American hero.
PREMIUM
Hermana pegajosa
This Spanish-language picture book is a fun and humorous demonstration of the realities of sisterhood and a first purchase for all libraries.
PREMIUM
No quiero ir a la escuela
A great purchase for libraries serving Spanish-speaking communities or with bilingual programs.
This work is another wonderful addition to Spanish-language collections for children.
PREMIUM
Baby Beluga/Bebé beluga
Perfect for bilingual households, early language learners, or any family wanting to share a beloved song across cultures, this edition is a joyful celebration of nature, music, and connection.
A must-purchase for Spanish-language YA collections, this first volume in a planned trilogy will draw readers in from the start.
This vibrant Spanish-language picture book is an excellent choice for children’s collections.
PREMIUM
La vuelta a un año
A beautiful addition to Spanish-language collections for children, with a compelling view of the passage of time.
PREMIUM
Tate Tuber, Space Spud
A fun pick for the early reader section. Readers will enjoy Tate and his offspring’s zaniness and the passion they apply to everything they do.
Exuberant storytelling through the endearing voice of a headstrong heroine continues the playful legacy of this thoughtful series; returning and new readers will be enchanted by this latest addition.
PREMIUM
Twins, but Different
A sweet and subtle story that may especially resonate with twins. Not an essential purchase but a thoughtful addition to collections seeking more varied representation of sibling bonds.
A standout among early readers. Every library should have a copy of this one on the shelves.
Song’s standalone adventure is a recommended purchase and will delight readers who are ready to move on from easier graphic fare like “Pizza and Taco” and “Pea, Bee, & Jay.”
The high jinks of a younger brother will be enjoyed by children, especially those with siblings.
A heartwarming, hilarious gem that young readers will return to again and again. A must-have for any collection serving young readers.
An excellent addition to any collection for its beautiful illustrations and rich history lesson. An added bonus is that its lessons of inclusivity could be a real lifeline for any child navigating difficult times.
An unusual and inspiring variation on the archetypal hero’s journey in which personal courage, family loyalty, and the broader cultural context all play equally strong roles.
Emotive illustrations and honest language capture the story of a young girl’s journey. Highly recommended for all collections, this tale shines light on the enduring impact of colonization but also the transformative power of love and connection.
Recommended for all biography collections, this book would work beautifully in lockstep with any classroom unit on Where the Red Fern Grows.
Ades treats questions of identity with a light touch, which only gives the story more power. A necessary addition to the shelves.
Unique in its approach to the discussion of environmental conservation, this is a compelling, important addition to nonfiction collections for older elementary readers.
An exceptional choice for libraries that cherish the stories of unsung, exceptional American people.
This book is a fine choice for supplementing and supporting studies of plants, animals, and natural settings. It is also useful for examining how written text and illustrations can work successfully together to inform and surprise readers.
PREMIUM
This Is My Wonderful Face
A colorful book that celebrates potentially infinite diversity, this will be a story time hit for preschool and kindergarten audiences.
Recommended for general purchase for early reader collections.–Kristen Todd-Wurm
An ideal addition to collections where STEM titles fly off the shelves.
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