BOOKLISTS

16 Middle Grade and YA Nonfiction for Burgeoning Feminists

Feminism receives barely a mention in most curricula. These titles for upper elementary to high school students delve deeper into the knowledge gaps and feature a diverse, international representation of women from the past and present who have made a mark on history.

BLOGS

TEEN LIBRARIAN TOOLBOX

What I’ve Learned Hosting the Middle Grade Matters Podcast, a guest post by Shannon Balloon

TEEN LIBRARIAN TOOLBOX

The Healing Power of Forgiveness by Elly Swartz

BOOKS & REVIEWS

33 Stellar Titles, Including a Zora Neale Hurston adaption by Ibram X. Kendi and 2 Nintendo Games | Starred Reviews, February 2024

BCALA Releases 2023 Best of the Best Books List

15 Middle Grade Nonfiction Titles About Dynamic Women for Women's History Month and Beyond

More Books & Reviews

BOOKS & REVIEWS

33 Stellar Titles, Including a Zora Neale Hurston adaption by Ibram X. Kendi and 2 Nintendo Games | Starred Reviews, February 2024

BCALA Releases 2023 Best of the Best Books List

15 Middle Grade Nonfiction Titles About Dynamic Women for Women's History Month and Beyond

SPONSORED

SPONSORED

Cracking the Code: High-Quality Decodable Books Help Children Learn To Read

SPONSORED

Exploring Big Emotions in Graphic Novels

SPONSORED

Cracking the Code: High-Quality Decodable Books Help Children Learn To Read

SPONSORED

Exploring Big Emotions in Graphic Novels

EXPLORE SLJ

BOOKLISTS

10 Recommended Feminist Books for Young Readers

2024 Rise Feminist Book Project Committee, Feb 27, 2024

Illustrated titles about strong women and self-empowerment for girls from the 2024 Rise Booklist.

CENSORSHIP

Unite Against Book Bans Launches Book Résumé Resource

SLJ Staff, Feb 20, 2024

In partnership with coalition members, including School Library Journal and dozens of publishers, Unite Against Book Bans today launched a free book résumé resource to help counter censorship attempts.

PROGRAMS & PROGRAMMING

Strike a Pose: Yoga for Young People, from Babies to Teens

Lisa Bubert, Feb 22, 2024

Downward dog, mindful breathing, and other practices enrich public library programming.

BLOGS

Using Well-Placed “Humour” As a Trojan Horse for Information: An Interview with Philip Bunting About Ants!

Betsy Bird, Feb 27, 2024

With a brand new book out in the States on March 19th, we talk with Philip Bunting about ants, nonfiction, comedy, and a whole lot more.

More Editors' Picks

INDUSTRY NEWS

From a Young Age, Children Tune in to Audiobooks | Survey

Marlaina Cockcroft, Jan 04, 2024

Children are eager listeners—of audiobooks, according to a new Library Journal / School Library Journal survey. Libraries are keeping up with the demand as formats evolve.

CENSORSHIP

Fewer Book Challenges, but a Sharp Rise in Titles Removed from School Libraries | SLJ Censorship Survey

Kathy Ishizuka, Oct 01, 2023

The incidence of books removed from school library shelves due to a book challenge has risen to 30 percent, up from 19 percent in 2022. The rise in book removals occurred across school levels: elementary, middle, and high schools.

OPINION

Turning a Page: SLJ will turn 70. How can we best serve readers? | From the Editor

Kathy Ishizuka, Oct 15, 2023

The editors are planning for 2024, SLJ's 70th anniversary year.

CENSORSHIP

What Subject Matter Has Led You to Pass on Purchasing a Book? | SLJ Survey

Kathy Ishizuka, Sep 30, 2023

School librarians in 2023 are more likely to decline purchasing certain titles based on the content of those books, according to SLJ's survey. The number of high school librarians naming sexual content has increased significantly, from 60% in 2022 to 75% in 2023.

CENSORSHIP

Nearly a Quarter of School Librarians Have Experienced Harassment Over Books | SLJ Censorship Survey

Kathy Ishizuka, Sep 30, 2023

Twenty-four percent of school librarians have been harassed this past year over books or displays in their library. That’s according to a recent SLJ survey, which found the rate even higher among high school librarians, 30 percent of whom have experienced harassment.

CENSORSHIP

First Book Studies Add Key Data to Book Ban Conversation

Kara Yorio, Oct 05, 2023

With the release of two educator surveys, the organization provides facts and figures on the detrimental impact of book bans on reading and literacy.

INDUSTRY NEWS

SLJ, NCTE Launch Survey to Remake Summer Reading Lists

SLJ staff, Jan 19, 2022

Those dreaded summer reading lists. For eons, teachers have been handing out assigned reading, mostly comprised of old “classics.” With this survey, SLJ and NCTE invite teachers and librarians to choose the titles you’d like culled from required reading and those books you would urge students to read instead.

BOOKS & MEDIA

Time to Refresh the Canon: Here Are Our Picks

Shelley Diaz, May 10, 2022

SLJ and NCTE collaborated to create 18 booklists of titles to replace, or use as a companion to, canon "classics."

INDUSTRY NEWS

Under Pressure: Survey Provides Insight into Librarians' Job Satisfaction

Marlaina Cockcroft, Feb 21, 2023

More librarians find their work challenging, but most still love what they do, the latest LJ/SLJ Survey shows.

CENSORSHIP

Censorship Attempts Will Have a Long-lasting Impact on School Library Collections, SLJ Survey Shows

Kara Yorio, Sep 08, 2022

In the past year, school librarians have faced coordinated, hate-filled censorship campaigns that impact available books and collection development decisions. Here, they share their stories.

More Research

BOOKLISTS

Best Picture Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books

Kimberly Olson Fakih, Kerra Mazzariello, John Scott, Myiesha Speight, Nov 22, 2023

From a glittering party in Harlem to a dazzling parade in Tokyo, from a baba's small patch of soil to a cadre of children learning to love who they are or stand up for others, the very best of 2023's picture books invite readers into pages to meet the world head on.

BOOKLISTS

Best Middle Grade Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books

Emily Beasley, Monisha Blair, Kristin Brynsvold, Kristyn Dorfman, Ashleigh Williams, Nov 21, 2023

This year's best in middle grade includes fierce folklore-inspired adventures, powerful explorations of identity, and tender ruminations on loss and grief. Tweens of all reading levels and interests will find a novel that speaks to them in this curated collection.

AWARDS

YALSA Announces Finalists for 2024 Award for Excellence in Nonfiction

SLJ Staff, Dec 15, 2023

The winner of the award, which honors the best YA nonfiction title, will be announced during the Youth Media Awards ceremony on January 22.

BOOKS & MEDIA

SLJ's Reviews of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2022

SLJ Reviews, Oct 04, 2023

ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) puts out an annual list of Top 10 Most Challenged Books for the year. Here are SLJ 's reviews of titles on the 2022 list.

BOOKLISTS

Best Nonfiction Elementary 2023 | SLJ Best Books

Jonah Dragan, Kimberly Olson Fakih, Vi Ha, Florence Simmons, Nov 22, 2023

The beginning of life, the stars in the sky, the fungi around us, and some of the hottest topics in biology and science are on display in the best books of 2023 in the elementary nonfiction list. The facts are in: these writers and illustrators help kids connect with the real world in one thrilling book after another.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Top Booklists of the Year

SLJ staff, Dec 18, 2023

Who doesn't love a booklist? SLJ's got 'em. From Best Books and Refreshing the Canon—our joint effort with NCTE—to Spanish-language picture books and titles on non-apparent disabilities, our most popular booklists of 2023.

BOOKLISTS

6 Immersive Survival Stories to Bring Gary Paulsen's 'Hatchet' Alive | Refreshing the Canon

NCTE & SLJ Reviews, May 09, 2023

SLJ and NCTE have revealed the 2023 round of “Refreshing the Canon” selections. These 6 multimedia recommendations will enhance readers’ understanding of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet while offering them new stories of survival, both real and speculative.

CLASSROOM & CURRICULA

15 Coming-of-Age Middle Grade Novels and High-Interest Nonfiction for Tweens | We Are Kid Lit Collective

Sam Bloom, Edith Campbell, Sujei Lugo Vázquez, and Lyn Miller-Lachmann, Jun 08, 2023

There’s something for every middle grader in this roundup curated by the We Are Kid Lit Collective. Up-and-coming chefs, family and friendship drama, and propulsive informational texts will keep tweens engaged beyond the summer months.

CLASSROOM & CURRICULA

21 Fun Picture Books to Delight Young Readers | We Are Kid Lit Collective

Sam Bloom, Edith Campbell, Sujei Lugo Vázquez, and Lyn Miller-Lachmann, Jun 20, 2023

From traditional Indigenous stories to the truth behind the Mexican jumping bean, these picture books, selected by the We Are Kid Lit Collective, offer entertaining and memorable reading experiences for kids over the summer break.

BOOKLISTS

15 Joy-Filled Latinx Books for Emerging and Independent Readers

Sujei Lugo Vázquez, Aug 31, 2023

From board books to middle grade graphic novels, these illustrated narratives celebrate Latinx children and their communities.

BOOKLISTS

7 Multimodal Picks for Exploring Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' | Refreshing the Canon

NCTE & SLJ Reviews, May 04, 2023

'Romeo and Juliet' is ubiquitous in English lit classes and in modern society. As you consider ways to bring Shakespeare's verse to life for students, here are multimedia works that can serve as both supplements and mirrors to the original text.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Nine Funny Graphic Novels About Talking Animals | Stellar Panels

Brigid Alverson, Sep 19, 2023

In these works, silly creatures impart wise messages.

AWARDS

BCALA and SLJ Announce 2023 Children and YA Literary Award Winners

SLJ Staff, Mar 27, 2023

Star Child by Ibi Zoboi and Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas are among the winners of the annual awards that honor outstanding children's and YA books by African American authors.

AWARDS

'When You Can Swim,' 'Warrior Girl Unearthed' and 'Sunshine' Win 2023 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards

SLJ Staff, Jun 21, 2023

The titles by Jack Wong, Angeline Boulley, and Jarrett J. Krosoczka earned the annual award in the picture book, fiction and poetry, and nonfiction categories, respectively.

BOOKLISTS

30 Picture Books to Celebrate the Diversity of Latinx Heritage

SLJ Reviews, Sep 14, 2023

Read one book a day for Latinx Heritage Month, from September 15 to October 15, and every month after that. From migration and history to food and family, these works capture the many complexities and joys of the Latinx culture.

CLASSROOM & CURRICULA

How to Read Wordless Picture Books with Children

Sarah Pousty, Sep 06, 2023

Tips for engaging young kids with these works, which can build visual literacy and foster social-emotional skills, plus a video demonstration.

BOOKS & MEDIA

8 Picture Books About Animals to Help Ease Back-to-School Jitters

SLJ Reviews, Aug 24, 2023

Reading about animals who have the same fears and other feelings about going back to school can help young readers face their own.

More Classroom & Curricula

BOOKS & MEDIA

Graphic Novels, Manga Explode in Popularity Among Students | SLJ Survey

Marlaina Cockcroft, Oct 03, 2023

If graphic novels are flying off the shelves at your library, that reflects a remarkable trend: The format’s popularity has shot up at over 90 percent of school libraries in the last few years, according to a new SLJ survey.

BOOKLISTS

Graphic Novels Bring Principles of Government and Politics to Life

Brigid Alverson, Jan 31, 2024

Eight books for elementary through high school readers center issues of democracy with engaging examples and stories.

BLOGS

Four Reasons Why Comics and Graphic Novels are Key to Student Literacy | Sponsored Post

Brigid Alverson, Feb 09, 2024

Four ways that comics can be used in the classroom to improve students' reading skills.

BLOGS

Sunny Makes Her Case | This Week’s Comics

Lori Henderson, Feb 20, 2024

Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Sunny Makes Her Case from Graphix and Zor #1 from Keenspot Entertainment.

BOOKLISTS

Best Graphic Novels 2023 | SLJ Best Books

Jasmine Amiri, Jenny Arch, Shelley M. Diaz, Andrea Lipinski, Carla Riemer, Nov 21, 2023

From stunning memoirs to sustainability guides, this year’s Best Graphic Novels list features 25 unforgettable works that take comics to new heights.

BLOGS

31 Days, 31 Lists: 2023 Graphic Novels (Comics!) for Kids

Betsy Bird, Dec 22, 2023

These days, kids say "comics" and "graphic novels" interchangeably and maybe it's time for adult to do the same. Today, we look at those comics and gns that stood out this year.

BLOGS

Take Five: Realistic Middle Grade Graphic Novels

Amanda MacGregor, Feb 16, 2024

There are SO MANY graphic novels these days, which is great!

NEWS & FEATURES

Sammy Savos on Making a Graphic Memoir with Holocaust Survivor, the late Estelle Nadel | Guest Post

Sammy Savos, Jan 26, 2024

In this guest post, artist Sammy Savos details her creative process and discusses her collaboration with Holocaust survivor Estelle Nadel to create the graphic memoir The Girl Who Sang. "I’m very grateful that she was able to see the finished book, hold it in her hands, and tell me how happy she was with it."

BOOKS & MEDIA

20 Graphic Novels and Comics Inspired by Webtoons

Brigid Alverson, Oct 30, 2023

Witches, orphans, gods, and some ordinary folks populate these compelling stories for grades 5 and up.

BOOKS & MEDIA

Witches Take Center Stage in These Manga for Tweens and Teens

Brigid Alverson, Oct 04, 2023

In these seven manga works for grades five and up, affable characters cast gentle spells.

BLOGS

Recent Graphic Novel Deals, Late October and November 2023 | News

Johanna, Dec 21, 2023

Here's a look at some recently signed graphic novel deals—and what we can expect coming up!

BLOGS

Oshi no Ko, vol. 1-4 | Review

Renee Scott, Dec 20, 2023

An OBGYN and an idol pop star find their lives intertwined in a bizarre way in this hit series.

BOOKS & MEDIA

15 Visual Books to Help Students Grapple with Big Feelings

Jess DeCourcy Hinds, Sep 12, 2023

These picture books and graphic novels for elementary students through high schoolers show the power of illustration to convey complex emotions.

OPINION

Turning a Page: SLJ will turn 70. How can we best serve readers? | From the Editor

Kathy Ishizuka, Oct 15, 2023

The editors are planning for 2024, SLJ's 70th anniversary year.

More Graphic Novels

INDUSTRY NEWS

Announcing a New Project: “Reasons to Love Libraries”

Kathy Ishizuka, Feb 12, 2024

“Reasons to Love Libraries” is a yearlong editorial project and campaign to engage the public in reflecting on libraries to reveal their impact on people and communities.

BLOGS

ESSER Funds Sunset in September 2024. What Does That Mean for School Libraries?

John Chrastka, Feb 07, 2024

If you’re involved in public schools, you’ve probably heard by now that the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds will end in September 2024. The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds were created to assist schools in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While a statutory end to pandemic relief funding has […]

CENSORSHIP

My Book Was Segregated by Scholastic Until It Wasn’t. Will Anything Change? | Opinion

Emma Otheguy, Nov 15, 2023

Emma Otheguy's "I Can Read!" book Reina Ramos Works It Out was among the 64 titles in Scholastic's controversial "Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice" collection.

INDUSTRY NEWS

In the Fight Against Book Bans, Retired Librarians Are Making a Difference | From the Editor

Kathy Ishizuka, Jan 07, 2024

They care deeply and can't be fired. Retired librarians are bringing experience and passion to the cause of intellectual freedom. With advocacy skills training and opportunities to mentor, retirees could become even more powerful assets.

ED TECH

What Will It Take to Fix AI's Bias Problem? | Opinion

Jean Darnell, Oct 18, 2023

School librarian Jean Darnell prompted ChatGPT to write a paper on Black history, and the result had glaring omissions. That's just one part of the problem, she says.

CENSORSHIP

Is There a Looming 'Dog-Man' Crisis? | Soapbox

Chris Barton, Jan 04, 2024

Censorship is delaying the delivery of books to school library shelves. Cue the civics lesson.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Serving Blind and Low-Vision Children Well Benefits All Students. Here Are Suggestions.

M. Leona Godin, Oct 02, 2023

Librarians should be attuned to alternative reading options so that blind and low-vision students have the same access to books as their sighted peers.

OPINION

Turning a Page: SLJ will turn 70. How can we best serve readers? | From the Editor

Kathy Ishizuka, Oct 15, 2023

The editors are planning for 2024, SLJ's 70th anniversary year.

BLOGS

Parents’ Perceptions of School Libraries Survey Report Released

John Chrastka, Dec 20, 2023

EveryLibrary Institute and Book Riot fielded the “Parents’ Perception of School Libraries and Librarians” survey in December 2023 to get a new understanding of how parents and guardians think and feel about our role in education. We asked 616 parents and guardians and aimed to understand their perceptions on various topics related to school libraries: […]

INDUSTRY NEWS

Let's Use AI in Schools to Complement Human Judgment and Practical Wisdom. In Star Trek Terms, What Data was to Picard.

Kathy Ishizuka, Sep 18, 2023

If our goal is to prep students for high-stakes tests, they won't stand a chance against AI. Changing the outcomes of education becomes the imperative, says Christopher Dede.

More Opinion

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

BOOKS & MEDIA

16 Middle Grade and YA Nonfiction for Burgeoning Feminists