School Library Journal Teen Live!

Photo from SLJ.com

Thursday, August 20th is the 15th annual SLJTeen Live! virtual event! Come hear about the latest and most exciting forthcoming titles for teens and tweens. From rom-coms and mysteries to graphic novels and classic coming-of-age stories, our daylong program of author panels, in-depth conversations, and keynote talks will keep you inspired and entertained.

You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the virtual exhibit hall to meet with leading publishers, and download digital galleys and other free resources.

Register for this free virtual event here.

More and More Manga: A Primer from School Library Journal

Looking to build a manga collection?  School Library Journal has your back!

Brigid Alverson's SLJ.com article, More and More Manga: An Updated Primer on Japanese Comic Books and Graphic Novels , introduces the basics: terminology, publishers, and more...  

Grow, collections, GROW!

Evaluating Children's Books About Police

In an opinion piece posted today on SLJ.com, Amy Martin from Oakland Public Library revisited the evaluation of police picture books.  In many, many cases, the representation is completely one-sided, depicting the police as community helpers and someone to be called upon for help.  While this is true for some police officers, it's not always the case and these books do a disservice to children and their families who have had very different interactions with law enforcement, invalidating their experiences.  "Presenting police as community helpers without a counterpoint available—that police might harm them—is gaslighting for children who see police brutality in their home, in their neighborhood, on TV, and on their parents’ phones."

Looking to make sure your police collection represents a wide range of experiences?  Consider utilizing Evaluating Children's Books about Police, a 2017 toolkit from Oakland Public Library.  

 

ICYMI: A Universe of Podcasts

Looking for kid-friendly podcasts for a variety of ages?  You're in luck!



Check out this School Library Journal article from May that not only offers curated podcast lists aimed at Elementary, Middle, and High School students...but also the information needed to curate your own, super rad podcast playlists!

Click here to start exploring: A Universe of Podcasts.

Bathroom Book Blurbs: Reading Recommendations in Every Stall

Captive audience taken to a whole other level!  Jaime Leroy over at School Library Journal touts an innovative way to advertise library books . . . in the bathroom!  She says "We all have students who love to read, tolerate reading, or avoid it at all costs. But they all have one thing in common—they go to the bathroom. I use this to my advantage."

And you can too!  Hang posters for upcoming programs and events, promote "New Reads," and even pin up your newsletter (Leroy's planned one is called "Potty Mouth") in the restrooms for a new way to capture the attention of library visitors.

See Leroy's full Bathroom Book Blurb post HERE.

Diversity in Reviews: Behind the Scenes with SLJ's "Gatekeeper"

 

Earlier this month, the blog Reading While White had Kiera Parrott, reviews director for School Library Journal and Library Journal and a former children's librarian, examine her role as gatekeeper: "helping determine what books are good, great, even distinguished."
She discussed the importance of acknowledging that the majority of the SLJ reviewers (around 350 total) are white, heterosexual, females.  Parrott delves into the effect this has on reviewing diverse materials and SLJ's ongoing efforts to diversify its reviewer pool.  Parrott's work to shine a light on a much needed topic could not come at a better time.  Hopefully, she and SLJ continue to address the need for diverse reviewers and that other review-based publications take notice and take action as well!  To read the entry in full, click HERE.