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In this guest essay, debut author Susan Azim Boyer speaks with five fellow debut authors about why they write kid lit and how it can act as a powerful force against harmful narratives and stereotypes.

SLJ shares an exclusive cover reveal for Grounded by Aisha Saeed, S.K. Ali, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, & Huda Al-Marashi, which publishes in May 2023. Additionally, we chat with some of the authors about the inspiration to write the story, the process of collaborating among four co-authors, and their initial cover reactions.

Normalizing physical disability can and should begin in childhood. These creators are doing just that.

Authors Dhonielle Clayton and Julian Randall discuss creating magic from the margins in their highly anticipated middle grade debuts.

The We Need Diverse Books co-founder and author of Finding Junie Kim talks about mental health in fiction, her family, and the need for children to know help is available.

Scholastic is celebrating Black History Month with Share Black Stories, an initiative to amplify books that center Black lives and Black joy and stories that will resonate far beyond this one month. Build your bookshelf by sharing these books that explore Black history, experiences, and achievements all year round!

Readers who loved Shang-Chi's action, adventure, and lore should enjoy these three titles.

A Twitter campaign organized by #FReadom prompted authors—including Cynthia Leitich Smith, Laurie Halse Anderson, Alex Gino, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, and others—to share the heartfelt messages they have received from young people who connected with their books.

Debut novelist Elisabet Velasquez talks with SLJ about weaving joy into the heaviness of life, helping young people feel heard, and how stories can give readers a mirror to see their reflections.