Performers’ Showcase Update: Due to the ongoing challenges related to the COVID-19 health crisis, the annual ACL Performers’ Showcase will look a little different in 2021. Although we can’t gather as a community to enjoy [continue reading]
ALA Announces Youth Media Awards
The American Library Association announced its annual youth media awards, including the Newbery and Caldecott Medals, on Jan. 25, 2021. The full list is available at ALA announces 2021 Youth Media Awards | News and [continue reading]
A Wish in the Dark Wins Jane Addams Award
Jane Addams Awards Announced: The Jane Addams Awards were announced on January 15, 2021, celebrating children’s books that invite young people “to engage in the kind of dialogue that leads to active participation in change [continue reading]
Author Kathleen Krull Dies
Author Kathlee Krull Dies: Kathleen Krull, noted nonfiction author for children, died suddenly on January 16, 2021. Although she had been diagnosed recently with cancer, her death was unexpected. Most of her books were biographies, [continue reading]
My Storied Year
Proctor, Katie. My Storied Year. Fiction. Fawkes, 10/2020. 244pp. PB $10.99 978-1-9454-1952-2. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 5-7. Dragon is a seventh grader who struggles with dyslexia, a tumultuous home life in a trailer park, and emotions he [continue reading]
Bees Storytime – Revised
Normally, many of us begin planning our summer storytimes and other programs in January, but these are not normal times. Just in case we will be able to have “in person” storytimes to coincide with [continue reading]
Magic Fish Review
Nguyen, Trung Le. Magic Fish, The. Trung Le Nguyen, Illus. Graphic novel. Random, 10/2020. 256pp. $23.99, 978-0-5931-2529-8, PLB $26.99, 978-1-9848-5160-4, PB $16.99, 978-1-9848-5159-8. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 7-11. Thirteen-year-old Tiến lives with his Vietnamese immigrant parents in [continue reading]
Keep of the Lost Cities Read-alikes
“Keeper of the Lost Cities” series by Shannon Messenger Blackaby, Daniel. “Lost Cities Chronicles” series. Calonita, Jen. “Royal Academy Rebels” series. Chainani, Soman. The School of Good and Evil. Colfer, Chris. “The Land [continue reading]