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2 weeks ago | 
slj.com | Brooke Newberry |Betsy Bird |Kathy Ishizuka
School Library Journal has proudly partnered with We Are Kid Lit Collective to share and promote the group’s 11th annual summer reading recommendations. In the next couple of weeks, SLJ will publish individual posts featuring their recommendations of board books, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and young adult titles. We Are Kid Lit Collective is pleased to present our 11th annual summer reading list.
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3 weeks ago | 
slj.com | Amanda MacGregor |Beth McIntyre |Betsy Bird |Edith Campbell
It’s the perennial question of teachers, librarians, and parents alike: How do you get kids to read more over their summer break? Research has shown that kids’ favorite books—and the ones they’re most likely to finish—are the books that they choose themselves. Understanding this, publishers focus on fun books for summer reading. David Glover, marketing director at Flowerpot Press, believes it’s all about sparking curiosity. “Unless you get the curiosity going, the children won’t read it,” he says.
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3 weeks ago | 
slj.com | Cat Miserendino |Amanda MacGregor |Betsy Bird |Edith Campbell
. May 2025. 384p. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9781536219234. COPY ISBN Gr 9 Up–Combs and Eakett do a fantastic job of providing readers an incredibly comprehensive and strongly researched—yet somehow compact—look into the history of trans identity. This vividly illustrated nonfiction graphic novel delves deep into the past, starting in the ancient world and explaining how trans identity has roots and connections to recorded historical figures from that era.
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1 month ago | 
slj.com | Betsy Bird |Kathy Ishizuka |Brooke Newberry |Rachel Payne
As board books continue to evolve, they’re cleverly expanding to meet the needs of readers even as they approach early school age. Board books are continuing to blossom in their nonfiction era. This roundup features a collection of fact-filled titles, offering a lot of nature exploration for our youngest readers. With developmentally appropriate text and interactive elements, these volumes provide early exposure to a rich vocabulary and a deeper understanding of the world.
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2 months ago | 
slj.com | Amanda MacGregor |Edith Campbell |Betsy Bird
Setting up new elementary school libraries is no small feat, but with the right support, it can be a transformative experience for students and educators alike. This was the case for Fitchburg Public Schools in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, where the establishment of first-ever libraries at its elementary schools marked a significant milestone.
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2 months ago | 
slj.com | Amanda MacGregor |Travis Jonker |Betsy Bird
Graphic novels, and manga in particular, have exploded in popularity with students, a recent SLJ survey revealed. As teens and younger readers eagerly devour graphic novels, publishers are responding with more books in graphic format to satisfy readers of all genres. As teens and younger readers eagerly devour graphic novels, publishers are responding with more books in graphic format to satisfy readers of all genres.
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2 months ago | 
slj.com | Amanda MacGregor |Edith Campbell |Esther Keller |Betsy Bird
When Rachel Weatherford joined Faldyn Elementary School in Katy, Texas, as its first-ever Library Media Specialist, she knew she was embarking on a significant journey. Building a library from scratch is no small feat, but Rachel embraced the challenge with enthusiasm. She understood that to create a thriving library, she needed a vendor that would be a true partner, supporting her every step of the way. Finding the Right PartnerRachel’s search for the perfect vendor led her to Follett Content.
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Jan 15, 2025 | 
afuse8production.slj.com | Betsy Bird
We’re doing something a little different today. You may already be familiar with my colleague and fellow School Library Journal blogger Travis Jonker. Travis writes over at the wonderful 100 Scope Notes site. Usually we don’t collaborate on much, but today we are pleased to reveal two sides of the same book. JIM! by Jerrold Connors is the story of James Marshall. Over at 100 Scope Notes, you’ll get an exclusive reveal of the book’s case cover, never before seen on this good green earth. And here?
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Jan 14, 2025 | 
afuse8production.slj.com | Betsy Bird
About ten years ago a family friend went to South America and came back with presents. For my daughter, he presented a t-shirt that looked something like this:I was instantly charmed. Even more so when he explained to me that in a lot of Spanish-speaking countries, Mafalda is huge. Think Peanuts but imbued with late 60s/early 70s Argentinian politics. Still, it seemed so odd that I’d never encountered her before. If she truly was so influential, where were the translations?
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Jan 8, 2025 | 
afuse8production.slj.com | Betsy Bird
I don’t usually do this, but sometimes when I’m offered the chance to interview an author and illustrator I like to see the cover of their book before I decide whether or not to talk to them. Here is the cover of New Shoes for Leo (out March 4th), written by Laura Agra Deedy and illustrated by Susan Gal:Well. I mean. I’m only human.
