“Robert McCloskey: The Art of Wonder,” currently on display at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, Maine, through October 15, 2023, makes for a delightful daytrip from the Boston area. This past weekend, I attended one of the exhibit events, a reading of Blueberries for Sal by Sally McCloskey herself....
There’s lots to learn for the protagonists of these five school-set novels for middle- and high schoolers — and, in many cases, for the other characters around them. All You Have to Do by Autumn Allen; lyrics by Kahlil AkNahlej Allen High School Kokila/Penguin 432 pp. 8/23 9780593619049 $19.99 e-book...
These seven summer-set novels for middle-grade and middle-school readers are perfect for this time of year. (Or save them for winter when you’re ready to escape from the cold!) See also our Five Questions interview with Maxwell Eaton III about Lost in the Mountains (Roaring Brook, 7–10 years), the first entry...
Garvey’s Choice: The Graphic Novel by Nikki Grimes; illus. by Theodore Taylor III Intermediate, Middle School Wordsong/Astra 144 pp. 6/23 9781662660023 $22.99 Paper ed. 9781662660085 $12.99 e-book ed. 9781662660092 $9.99 “Why can’t he put those books down, play football or basketball?” Garvey’s father wants to turn him into an athlete,...
Navigating school can be tricky for some middle-graders and middle-schoolers, especially when they’re also facing big life changes, as is the case for the protagonists of these seven books. Sincerely Sicily by Tamika Burgess Intermediate, Middle School Harper/HarperCollins 304 pp. 1/23 9780063159600 $17.99 e-book ed. 9780063159624 $8.99 Sicily Jordan had...
Not all deserving books bring home ALA awards. Our annual Mind the Gap Awards pay tribute to our favorite books that didn’t win. Here’s how we reviewed our 2023 winners. Every Dog in the Neighborhood by Philip C. Stead; illus. by Matthew Cordell Primary Porter/Holiday 40 pp. g 6/22 ...
Jonda C. McNair and James E. Ransome in 2001. Photo: James J. Bishop. One of the highlights of my time as a doctoral student was serving as a hostess for esteemed authors and illustrators when they came to town to participate in the now-defunct The Ohio State University Children’s Literature...
Good Sunday morning! It is so good to be together with family, friends, and colleagues in Chicago. I am appreciative and honored to stand before you to respectfully accept the 2023 Coretta Scott King–Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement as Practitioner. Past winners of this distinguished award include Dorothy L....
Photo: John Halpern. Thank you, American Library Association, for honoring my work with this incredible award. But, just to be clear, the Children’s Literature Legacy Award is for my previous body of work — correct? Because I’m not done yet! I have plans, ideas, and contracts, so, God willing, I...
Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tang; illus. by the author Intermediate, Middle School Graphix/Scholastic 288 pp. 4/23 9781338832693 $24.99 Paper ed. 9781338832686 $12.99 For many immigrant families, the American dream is a journey paved with countless obstacles; this struggle plays out in the lives of three Taiwanese siblings in Tang’s...