Together Into the Unknown: 16 Stories of Kids Coping with Lockdown and its Aftermath | Great Books As we mark five years since COVID-19 emerged in the United States and consider the lasting impacts of the global pandemic, this list of books for young readers of all ages features representations of ...

Together Into the Unknown: 16 Stories of Kids Coping with Lockdown
Five years after COVID emerged in the U.S., these 16 books offer stories about anxiety, grief, and finding hope in the aftermath of a global pandemic:
www.slj.com/story/togeth...
#exclusivetoBlueSky #COVID #mentalhealth

Adventure Awaits | SLJ’s Video Game Reviews This video game roundup features Mario and Luigi, Astro Bot, and more to boost collections and keep players of all ages entertained.

Adventure Awaits | Video Game Reviews
Level up your library's collection with our latest video game reviews. Find age-appropriate, engaging titles supporting literacy and critical thinking.
Read the reviews:
www.slj.com/story/advent...

#exclusivetoBlueSky #libraries #videogames #gamingineducation

Finding Our Way: How We Navigated the Chaos and Challenges of COVID-19 | 5 Years On SLJ asked librarians, authors, and illustrators to reflect on their pandemic experience: the impact on them, their students, and readers; the innovations that stuck; the memories that linger; and the ...

A Look Back at the Pandemic
📰 Finding Our Way | Reflections on the Chaos of COVID-19
Five years on, educators, authors, and illustrators are still assembling context for the tumultuous pandemic era.
Read more: www.slj.com/story/Findin...
#exclusivetoBlueSky #libraries #mediaethics

Reasons to Love Libraries

SLJ Special Project: Reasons to Love Libraries
Our ongoing celebration of what makes libraries essential, innovative, and beloved community institutions. Share yours!
More: slj.com/page/reasons...

#exclusivetoBlueSky #libraries #LibraryLove #advocacy @staceyabrams.com @mychal3ts.bsky.social

35 Engrossing New Titles From Tomie dePaola, Candace Fleming, and More This month's starred selections include nonfiction and reference books, along with the latest Legend of Zelda video game.

March Stars Are In!
35 Engrossing New Titles From Beloved Authors Such as Tomie dePaola, Candace Fleming, and More
Discover your young readers' next must-reads!
See all the stars: www.slj.com/story/review...
#exclusivetoBlueSky #libraries #bookreview #childrensliterature

23 Hefty Titles for Small Hands | Board Books Roundup As board books continue to evolve, they’re cleverly expanding to meet the needs of readers even as they approach early school age.

ICYMI for the Youngest Child:
23 Hefty Titles for Small Hands | Board Books Roundup
Facts, fun, and fabulous artwork comprise the newest batch of board books, perfect for early literacy.
Reviews: www.slj.com/story/childr...
#exclusivetoBlueSky #libraries #boardbooks #earlyliteracy #picturebooks

Our Blogs
A Fuse #8 Production: The Vanishing Kingdom: Jonathan Auxier and Courtney Code in Conversation and a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the making of "The Vanishing Kingdom"
afuse8production.slj.com/2025/04/08/t...

#exclusivetoBlueSky #libraries #publishing #editing #authorinterview

Building a New Database for Women Women’s History Month reminds us that, although they are sometimes overlooked in history classes, women are very much a part of American history. They’ve been key players both out front and behind the...

Building a New Database for Women's History: Eight Inspiring Stories
A new database is making these narratives more accessible.
Learn more: www.slj.com/story/buildi...

#exclusivetoBlueSky #libraries #womenshistory #databases #digitalresources

Now on The Yarn: Jing Jing Tsong I talked with Jing Jing Tsong about her excellent 2024 graphic novel Fake Chinese Sounds. In the episode Jing Jing talks about how the book was inspired by a real-life event, and how she went about tu...

From 100 Scope Notes: Jing Jing Tsong
Don't miss the latest episode of The Yarn podcast featuring illustrator Jing Jing Tsong discussing her creative process and inspirations.
Listen now: 100scopenotes.com/2025/04/08/n...

#exclusivetoBlueSky #libraries #TheYarn #illustration #kidlitart

23 Hefty Titles for Small Hands | Board Books Roundup As board books continue to evolve, they’re cleverly expanding to meet the needs of readers even as they approach early school age.

📚 SLJ Reviews: 23 Hefty Titles for Small Hands | Board Books Roundup
Discover standout board books for the youngest patrons. Durable, engaging, and perfect for early literacy.
Read more:
www.slj.com/story/childr...
#exclusivetoBlueSky #libraries #boardbooks #earlyliteracy #picturebooks

The Influence of My Students on Fires Burning Underground, a guest post by Nancy McCabe I appreciate their clear-eyed distrust of many long-held ideas and conventions. I’m encouraged about the future when I hear their incisive analyses and their validation of a variety of identities.

From Our Blogs
Teen Librarian Toolbox: The Influence of My Students on Fires Burning Underground
Nancy McCabe discusses how her students inspired her latest work in this illuminating post.

teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2025/04/07/t...

#exclusivetoBlueSky #libraries #YAlit #authorsandstudents #writing

10 Things I Love About Starred Reviews | Opinion Starred reviews are always good news, for what they mean and for what happens next.

🔍 SLJ Perspective: 10 Things I Love About Starred Reviews
A lighthearted look on the value of starred reviews in children's literature. Why do they matter to libraries?
Read the full article: www.slj.com/story/ten-th...
#exclusivetoBlueSky #libraries #bookreview #publishing #libraryleadership

Teen Librarian Toolbox - A School Library Journal Blog A School Library Journal Blog

From Teen Librarian Toolbox: An Unexpected Sequel in Unexpected Times
Author Jonathan Hill shares insights on creating a sequel during challenging times in a thoughtful guest post.
Full post: www.slj.com/KIM TBD
#exclusivetoBlueSky #libraries #graphicnovels #authorinsights
teenlibrariantoolbox.com

17 Passover Books for Toddlers to Teens In these titles, young readers will attend Seder meals on the side of the road and Mount Everest, follow the Sarajevo Haggadah throughout history, search high and low for the afikoman, and more.

Passover Books for Toddlers to Teens
The season of Passover can be somber and celebratory; these board books to young adult novels offer 17 titles of stories of the Jewish observance for all ages.
#exclusivetoBlueSky #libraries #Passover #diversebooks #religiousdiversity

www.slj.com/story/17-pas...

Author The author of Joyful Song, Heather Has Two Mommies, and Hachiko Waits shares the questions, anxiety, and outcome of a planned school visit in Missouri.

📰 In The News: Author's School Visit Postponed "Until Better Times"
Another disappointment for book-lovers: a scheduled author visit has been postponed indefinitely. Read about the impact.

www.slj.com/story/Author...
#exclusivetoBlueSky #libraries #censorship #authorvisits #intellectualfreedom

'All Boys Aren't Blue' Tops List of Most Challenged Books of 2024
George M. Johnson's memoir takes the #1 spot after 'Gender Queer' held it for three years. Two Ellen Hopkins titles also made the list. www.slj.com/story/All-Bo...

#exclusivetoBlueSky #libraries #fightingcensorship #bannedbooks