-
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.
-
2 months ago | 
goodcomicsforkids.slj.com | Esther Keller
Each year, the American Library Association celebrates the best children’s literature for that year. It has become my habit to pick out the graphic novels honored during the Youth Media Awards. It is very possible I have overlooked some titles, feel free to add them into the comments. “Brownstone” – Written by Samuel Teer, illustrated by Mar Julia (Michael L.
-
Oct 3, 2024 | 
goodcomicsforkids.slj.com | Esther Keller
Chickenpox by Remy LaiHenry Holt Books for Young Readers, January 2025, $14.99Grades 4 and upI don’t remember having chickenpox, but there is a constant reminder above my nose, between my brows, on the right. I must have scratched and scratched one of the pox and left a tiny scar. Growing up, having chickenpox was a rite of passage. One family member had it? Then a mother dreamed that all the children went through it simultaneously.
-
Sep 26, 2024 | 
slj.com | Jeremy Lambert |Esther Keller
Gr 5-8–This eerie graphic novel for middle school and beyond will add range to collections. The moon is stuck in the sky and there has not been daylight for a long time. Barnubus Tock worries for his adopted daughter, Madeline, who helps her father dig graves, for she can hear the whispers of the dead. However, Madeline is less concerned. But when she spots an unknown person on their side of the island—someone who is alive—it reveals truths and mysteries that Madeline was not aware of.
-
Sep 18, 2024 | 
goodcomicsforkids.slj.com | Esther Keller
We celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month from mid-September through mid-October. It’s a time to celebrate Latino culture and the great accomplishments that have come from our country. When pulling together a library display… I realized that several graphic novels deserved a prominent spot in my display. I share them here with you.
-
Aug 23, 2024 | 
goodcomicsforkids.slj.com | Esther Keller
This Land is Our Land: A Blue Beetle StoryBy Julio Anta and illustrated by Jacoby SalcedoOctober 2024, DC Comics, $16.99Grades 7 and upAs they have done with other superhero characters before, DC Comics is revamping an old character for a new audience. The Blue Beetle story isn’t even that old, because I remember it from my early days as a comics reader (which was still in my adult life), but I guess a lot has happened since I started to read comics.
-
Aug 16, 2024 | 
slj.com | Tony Weaver |Esther Keller |Kim Ji Hyun
Gr 5-8–This semi-fictionalized premise based on Weaver’s life is one that sadly may ring familiar, with Tony Jr. being the victim of bullying in his new middle school, and the hurt and trauma eventually bringing him to a suicide attempt. A cry for help allows Tony to forge ahead and rewrite his own story. Fortunately, with love, nurturing, a sense of self, and a school transfer, Tony finds peers who share his interests and who he can call friends.
-
Aug 8, 2024 | 
goodcomicsforkids.slj.com | Esther Keller
First Test: Protector of the Small (Boook 1)By Tamora PierceAdapted by Devin Grayson and Becca FarrowRandom House Graphic, July 2024, $24.99Grades 5-8Growing up, I never ventured into the world of fantasy. It wasn’t until I read Harry Potter, all those years ago, that I realized how exciting and relatable fantasies were, and I began venturing into the genre. Tamora Pierce was high on the list: A feminist of sorts demonstrating girl power with much imagination and captivating young fantasy readers.
-
Aug 1, 2024 | 
goodcomicsforkids.slj.com | Esther Keller
VisitationsBy Corey EgbertFarrar Straus and Giroux, November 2024, $17.99Grades 8 and upWhen I read praise for a book in a publisher’s description, I usually pooh-pooh it. How accurate can it be? They’re just trying to sell some books. But after reading Visitations by Corey Egbert, I thought the publisher’s comparison to Hey Kiddo was spot on.
-
Jul 26, 2024 | 
slj.com | Esther Keller |Osamu Tezuka
Gr 5-8–Esteemed graphic novelist Escabasse brings readers along a ride from Brooklyn to Montreal through the story of a young girl named Adéle who is embracing her recently discovered abilities, despite familial pressure to ignore them. During winter break, Adéle is surprised to learn she can see and communicate with ghosts. It’s an ability passed down to the women of her family when a young woman gets her period.
