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Love, Family, and Mental Health, a guest post by Rajani LaRocca

March 21, 2023 by Amanda MacGregor

I hope this story helps young readers recognize that anxiety and depression are not weaknesses or flaws, but a part of life—and something that can be treated.

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Recent Posts

New Reports Show a Decline in YA Book Sales and I Have Some Thoughts as to Why That Might be Happening

Teen librarian Karen Jensen shares her thoughts on recent reports of the decline in YA book sales

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Don’t Ban Them. Don’t Silence Them. The Importance of Writing About the “Tough Stuff” in Teen Fiction, a guest post by Lila Riesen

To some readers—mostly adults, who are under some fallacy that teenagers will remain innocent so long as we shelter them from difficult themes—my book will be one giant red flag.

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Trending Posts

What Do Teens Mean When They Talk About an Aesthetic

Turning Voice Recordings into Sound Wave Art and QR Codes

2022 Middle Grade Books to Have on Your Radar, Part Two

Book Gallery: YA Readalikes for fans of the Netflix series WEDNESDAY

THAT Scene in Divergent

What to Read if You Like Stranger Things . . . A Book Gallery

Book Review: After the Shot Drops by Randy Ribay

2023 Middle Grade Books to Have on Your Radar

2022 Middle Grade Books to Have on Your Radar, Part One

The Difference Between YA and NA and Why It Matters, Part II: A Teen Librarian Perspective

Programming with Constructive Destruction, a guest post by Austin Ferraro

The Necessity of Writing Queerness Without Romance, a guest post by Maria Ingrande Mora

Crafting Villains and Antiheroines in YA, a guest post by Rachel Menard

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Recent Comments

Mar 9, 2023

Kathy Ishizuka on DIY: An attempt to recreate the Whole Foods commercial aesthetic, but with books (a bookshelf silhouette)

"Love it, Karen. I'm interested in doing more coverage of display ideas. ..."

Jan 4, 2023

Michelle on Cindy Crushes Programming: New Year Same Cindy

"Trivia using the Kahoot! app (both live and virtual events) have gone well. Teens in the Kitchen (always virtual due to ..."

Jan 2, 2023

Mary Ann Cappiello on A New Beginning: A Reflection on 2022 and How Things Are Different Going Into 2023

"Thank you for sharing your story, Riley. It's so important for others to hear, so that we can normalize mental health ca ..."

Dec 10, 2022

cat on Book Gallery: YA Readalikes for fans of the Netflix series WEDNESDAY

"You should add the T. Kingfisher book “What Moves the Dead,” as it’s a pretty good retelling of “Fall of the Hou ..."

Oct 19, 2022

Llyr Heller on An A to Z Look at YA Horror: So you want a spooky book for spooky season? A YA horror master list

"How can you forget Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé under deadly boarding schools?! ..."

Aug 31, 2022

Karen Jensen, MLS on Trend Watch: Discussing the Value of Reader’s Advisory and Creating an RA Menu

"You can buy them off of Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Office-AdjustaView-10-Pocket-Reference/dp/B07L3RG23G/ref= ..."

Aug 30, 2022

Jea on Trend Watch: Discussing the Value of Reader’s Advisory and Creating an RA Menu

"What is that display stand? I love it! ..."

Aug 18, 2022

Emily Schneider on Let’s Talk About Antisemitism and THE BOOK OF ELSIE, a guest post by Joanne Levy

"Joanne, Thank you very much for this post and for your books. I agree wholeheartedly that we need books reflecting a v ..."

Jul 27, 2022

Jennifer L Dudley on DIY Perler Bead Earrings

"Be sure to use PARCHMENT paper, not WAX paper between the iron and the beads ..."

Jul 19, 2022

Lisa Krok on Sunday Reflections: On being a Librarian and a Christian parent to an LGBTQ kid with a uterus in 2022

"Sending love to Riley and I am glad she has a mom who is so supportive. ..."

Jul 8, 2022

Kirsten on Here Have Some College Tips: Five Essentials for College

"Thank you for these suggestions! One of my fondest memories is of the librarians at my local public library, where I ..."

Jul 7, 2022

Julie on Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby: A Case for Including Sex in YA Books, a guest post by Anna Gracia

"Teenagers are going to find out about sex regardless and sex can take many forms. Of course, having an open and communic ..."

Book Reviews

Book Review: Different for Boys by Patrick Ness with illustrations by Tea Bendix

This raw, emotional, experimental story is a powerful read. In turns melancholy, brutal, and funny, this is an innovative look at loneliness and sexuality.

Book Review: The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent by Ann Jacobus

An extremely thoughtful and moving examination of death that focuses on the honor of being with someone when they die. A complex read that isn't easy but is worth it.

Book Review: For Lamb by Lesa Cline-Ransome

Back matter, as well as a nod in the publisher's description, explains that often female victims of white supremacy and lynching are overlooked in history. Here, they take center stage, and the stories of Lamb, Marion, and their family will stick with me for a long time. A brutal but [...]

See More Reviews »

More Recent Posts

Programming with Constructive Destruction, a guest post by Austin Ferraro

March 17, 2023 by Amanda MacGregor

I decided to try something ridiculous. If the teens were going to come in like chaotic whirlwinds and leave destruction in their path no matter what we did…why not just encourage it?

The Necessity of Writing Queerness Without Romance, a guest post by Maria Ingrande Mora

March 17, 2023 by Amanda MacGregor

The nature of Brynn and Skylar’s relationship doesn’t make Brynn or the book less queer. Giving Brynn a meaningful relationship that was neither romantic nor sexual was a very intentional move on my part.

Crafting Villains and Antiheroines in YA, a guest post by Rachel Menard

March 16, 2023 by Amanda MacGregor

Once we let go of the concept that characters can only be inherently good or inherently bad, we can start creating complex book characters who are both and neither. 

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Cindy Crushes Programming: Teen Services Showcase

March 15, 2023 by Cindy Shutts

Teen librarian Cindy Shutts shares her recent Teen Services Showcase

Writing in the Time of Covid, a guest post by Dana Alison Levy

March 15, 2023 by Amanda MacGregor

We need scientists, and we need diversity in science, and we need books for kids, and we need citizen science projects, but most of all…we need hope.

Book Review: Different for Boys by Patrick Ness with illustrations by Tea Bendix

March 14, 2023 by Amanda MacGregor

This raw, emotional, experimental story is a powerful read. In turns melancholy, brutal, and funny, this is an innovative look at loneliness and sexuality.

Centering Central America in Children’s Fiction: A journey home, a guest post by María José Fitzgerald

March 14, 2023 by Amanda MacGregor

I grew up knowing that books could take us places. Outer space. California. Narnia. What if I wrote a book that could take readers to my home, Honduras?

Read More Posts »

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Archives

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From the Archives (2018)

Post-it Note Reviews of Recent YA Releases

“All American Boys” Authors Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely Discuss Racism, White Privilege, and Censorship in Today’s Civic Landscape, a guest post by Lisa Krok

Sunday Reflections: Classroom Libraries are a Stark Reminder that Not All Schools are Created Equal

Friday Finds: July 6, 2018

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