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School Library Journal
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School Library Journal is the premiere publication for librarians and information specialists who work with children and teens. A source of quality, award-winning journalism and reviews for 70 years, SLJ publishes 5,000+ reviews annually.
I Want Freedom Now! by Claudette Colvin was a 2025 Irma Black Award silver medalist.
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January 13, 2026 at 9:46 PM
On Writing Girls Who Don’t Have to Shrink to Be Loved, a Teen Librarian Toolbox guest post by Estelle Laure
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On Writing Girls Who Don’t Have to Shrink to Be Loved, a guest post by Estelle Laure
The spirit of a teen girl is always formidable. There’s so much to explore. It’s a gift to spend time inside the mind of one who has a lot to say, who wants many things, who gets plenty wrong—and who ...
teenlibrariantoolbox.com
January 13, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Betsy Bird's Newbery/Caldecott 2026: Final Prediction Edition
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Newbery/Caldecott 2026: Final Prediction Edition
Am I right? Does it matter? Let's have some fun blindly throwing darts at a wall.
afuse8production.slj.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Teaching the Stories of America
School librarian Tom Bober created a unit of picture book read-alouds and primary sources for the country’s 250th birthday.
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Teaching the Stories of America
School librarian Tom Bober created a unit of picture book read-alouds and primary sources for the country’s 250th birthday.
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January 12, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Entering the Home Stretch: What’s next in our Heavy Medal Mock Newbery process?
heavymedal.slj.com/2026/01/11/e...
Entering the Home Stretch: What’s next in our Heavy Medal Mock Newbery process?
The announcement of the Newbery Medal is just a couple weeks away. Find out what's coming up on Heavy Medal before then, including book discussions, a webcast, and three Mock Newbery votes.
heavymedal.slj.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Cover Reveal and Q&A: A Place to Dance by Eric Rosswood with Richard Lamberty, and illustrated by Vincent Chen
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Cover Reveal and Q&A: A Place to Dance by Eric Rosswood with Richard Lamberty, and illustrated by Vincent Chen
afuse8production.slj.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Good Comics for Kids Review: The Space Cat
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The Space Cat | Review
Periwinkle, a “space cat,” explores the world with a creative, curious spirit.
goodcomicsforkids.slj.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Empowering Engaged Citizens | Social Justice Series Nonfiction
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Empowering Engaged Citizens | Social Justice Series Nonfiction
Knowledge is the first step toward making a difference, and these titles provide perspectives on a variety of topics.
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January 8, 2026 at 6:57 PM
In a time of deep distrust and widespread propaganda, news and media literacy skills are more vital than ever.
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Fact-Finding: Teaching News and Media Literacy Skills
In a time of deep distrust and widespread propaganda, news and media literacy skills are more vital than ever.
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January 8, 2026 at 2:35 PM
59 Stellar Picture Books by Tracey Baptiste, Sophie Blackall, Lane Smith, and More
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59 Stellar Picture Books by Tracey Baptiste, Sophie Blackall, Lane Smith, and More
These timeless selections range from rollicking adventures and stirring looks at the past to intergenerational stories and celebrations for all-things kid.
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January 7, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: THE TEACHER OF NOMAD LAND by Daniel Nayeri
heavymedal.slj.com/2026/01/07/h...
Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: THE TEACHER OF NOMAD LAND by Daniel Nayeri
Next up in our Heavy Medal Mock Newbery discussions is the book that already won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature: THE TEACHER OF NOMAD LAND by Daniel Nayeri
heavymedal.slj.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Mitigating Misinformation: Librarian creates FAQs for current events
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Mitigating Misinformation: Librarian creates FAQs for current events
Virginia librarian IdaMae Craddock is using her professional research skills to keep facts at the forefront for her students and fellow educators.
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January 6, 2026 at 9:57 PM
42 Nonfiction Picture Books on Extreme Weather, Black History, Groundbreaking Figures, and More
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42 Nonfiction Picture Books on Extreme Weather, Black History, Groundbreaking Figures, and More
STEM titles cover lunar phases, turtles, and carbon atoms. Picture book biographies celebrate artists, such as Matisse and Yo-Yo Ma, and current changemakers, such as Ketanji Brown Jackson and Lionel ...
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January 6, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES by Kate Messner
heavymedal.slj.com/2026/01/06/h...
Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES by Kate Messner
THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES has received positive buzz and led the Heavy Medal suggestion list all year. Does the buzz hold up? Is it truly worthy of the 2026 Heavy Medal Mock Newbery?
heavymedal.slj.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:31 PM
34 Memoirs, Unearthed History, Self-Help, and More Nonfiction Titles for Middle and High Schoolers
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34 Memoirs, Unearthed History, Self-Help, and More Nonfiction Titles for Middle and High Schoolers
The latest history books from Ann Bausum, Gail Jarrow, and Kate Messner will astonish. Empowering offerings about incredible women will inspire. And high-interest cookbooks will entice young foodies.
slj.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:59 PM
20 Must-Have Spanish-Language Titles for All Ages
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20 Must-Have Spanish-Language Titles for All Ages
This roundup includes YA, poetry, nonfiction, and picture books about first love, monkeys, and influential Latine people who made an impact on history.
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January 6, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas The Shiver of Christmas Town #1 tops this week's comics releases | Good Comics for Kids
goodcomicsforkids.slj.com/2026/01/05/t...
The Shiver of Christmas Town | This Week’s New Comics
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas The Shiver of Christmas Town #1 from Dynamite Entert...
goodcomicsforkids.slj.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Reposted by School Library Journal
I think I've started a thing: a blogcast. My recordings are starting to say more than my post.
BLOGCAST. you heard it here first

pearlsandrubys.slj.com/2026/01/04/s...
So Begins 2026 in Books
What am I looking forward to reading in 2026?
pearlsandrubys.slj.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:48 PM
So Begins 2026 in Books
Find out what Edith Campbell is looking forward to reading this year.
pearlsandrubys.slj.com/2026/01/04/s...
So Begins 2026 in Books
What am I looking forward to reading in 2026?
pearlsandrubys.slj.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:30 PM
SLJ's new Book Pulse begins today. Read the latest kid lit book news and sign up for the daily newsletter.
‘Sweet Valley Twins: Three’s a Crowd’ by Francine Pascal Tops Holds List | Book Pulse
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‘Sweet Valley Twins: Three’s a Crowd’ by Francine Pascal Tops Holds List | Book Pulse
Sweet Valley Twins: Three’s a Crowd by Francine Pascal, illustrated by Claudia Aguirre and adapted by Nicole Andelfinger, leads holds this week. “Teen Librarian Toolbox” features their most anticipate...
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January 5, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Travis Jonker's 2026 Caldecott Medal Predictions
100scopenotes.com/2026/01/05/2...
2026 Caldecott Medal Predictions
My predictions for 2026 Caldecott glory
100scopenotes.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Authors Kate DiCamillo and Kelly Yang Launch a Podcast
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Authors Kate DiCamillo and Kelly Yang Launch a Podcast
StoryKind aims to connect with readers, spark an interest in reading and writing, and help wean kids off a steady diet of short-form video.
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January 2, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: WILL’S RACE FOR HOME by Jewell Parker Rhodes
heavymedal.slj.com/2026/01/02/h...
Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: WILL’S RACE FOR HOME by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Today's Mock Newbery Finalist is WILL'S RACE FOR HOME by Jewell Parker Rhodes, a historical fiction novel set during the 1889 Oklahoma Land Rush.
heavymedal.slj.com
January 2, 2026 at 8:29 PM