Author Benjamin Alire Saenz Dies: Award-winning author Benjamin Alire Saenz died on July 28, 2026 at age 71. He was the first Latino to receive the PEN/Faulkner Prize for his writing. His is known for [continue reading]
Sky’s End: Above the Black Read-Alike
READ-ALIKES Sky’s End: Above the Black by Marc J. Gregson Barbosa, Tessa. The Moonlight Blade. Berwah, Tanvi. Monsters Born and Made. Berwah, Tanvi. Somewhere In the Deep. Brown, Pierce. Red Rising. Cole, Kamilah. So [continue reading]
Do It Yourself Programming Ideas: Zines
Zines are a popular hands-on program often aimed at teens, but tweens (ages 9-12) would also enjoy a workshop on making zines. Zines are self-published magazine-style books or booklets where the writer/maker can include stories, [continue reading]
Bad Badger: A Family Story Review
Wood, Maryrose. Bad Badger: A Family Story. Giulia Ghigini, Illus. Bad Badger; bk. 2. Union Square, 05/2026. 200pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-45495-348-7. GRADES 3–5. HIGH ADDITIONAL. In this sequel to Bad Badger: A Love Story [continue reading]
Alight: How Urban Parrots Found New Places to Belong Review
Torres, Jennifer. Alight: How Urban Parrots Found New Places to Belong. Molly Magnell, Illus. Atheneum, 06/2026. [36]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-66593-877-8. GRADES Preschool–3. ADDITIONAL. Using crisp, lively text, Torres describes parrots in the Los Angeles [continue reading]
Now You Know Your ABCs… (Or Do You)? Review
Salmon, Caspar. Now You Know Your ABCs… (Or Do You?). Matt Hunt, Illus. Nosy Crow, 04/2026. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 979-8-88777-224-0. GRADES Kindergarten–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL. An unseen narrator encourages readers to call out the [continue reading]
Fight of Our Lives Review
Levithan, David. Fight of Our Lives, The: AIDS in America. Addl. Creator Gabriel Duckels. Knopf, 04/2026. 466pp. Nonfiction. Trade $24.99. 978-0-593-71092-0. GRADES 9–Adult. OUTSTANDING. Both teens and adults will appreciate this history of the AIDS [continue reading]
Reaching Across the Sky Review
Hale, Christy. Reaching Across the Sky: A Celebration of Bridges. Christy Hale, Illus. Little, Brown / Christy Ottaviano, 05/2026. 41pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-316-57547-8. GRADES 1–5. OUTSTANDING. Following up Hale’s previous book Dreaming Up: A [continue reading]