Book Mail: 24 New Books to Check Out
Teen Librarian Toolbox
by Amanda MacGregor
1d ago
Now is the time of the year where I can see the glimmer of summer ahead of me (like, far ahead still, but I can see it) and know I’ll be able to make a bigger dent in my book mail than I have been making (she writes, despite having read 33 books last month). Always grateful to all the publishers who send me so many books to consider for coverage on Teen Librarian Toolbox. All finished copies of books go back out the door eventually to find new homes where they will be appreciated. All descriptions from the publishers. Just Us, Platypus! by Michelle L. Brown, Rayanne Vieira (Illustrator) (ISB ..read more
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From Exclusion to Belonging, a guest post by Sarah-SoonLing Blackburn
Teen Librarian Toolbox
by Amanda MacGregor
2d ago
Over the past few years, the STAATUS index survey has asked Americans to name a famous Asian American. For three years in a row the most common response has been “I don’t know.” Number 2 has been Jackie Chan, who is not American, and number 3 has been Bruce Lee, who has been dead for more than fifty years. I speak with many Asian American kids and adults across the United States, and a common theme that comes up in these conversations is invisibility. This includes feeling overlooked, having others make assumptions about their personalities and skill-sets based on stereotypes, and being regul ..read more
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Books with a Soundtrack, a guest post by Meg Whittaker
Teen Librarian Toolbox
by Karen Jensen, MLS
3d ago
Soundtracks bring an extra layer to a film and strengthen emotional moments, pace the story line, and add intensity. Soundtracks evokes the audience and a layer to the storyline. There are authors who embed music into their books not just as a reference but instead it plays out like a soundtrack to deepen the substance of the book. This adds an extra sensory component to a character’s development, chapter, or conflict. When authors reference music, or as I am calling it add a soundtrack, they seek reader connection by activating prior knowledge. When a character is mad in a story and then put ..read more
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Post-It Note Reviews: 12 Quick Reviews of New Books
Teen Librarian Toolbox
by Amanda MacGregor
3d ago
In an ideal world, I’d be able to write long, thoughtful reviews of every book I read. That world would also come with more hours in each day—specifically, more hours afforded for reading and writing. As it is, that ideal world doesn’t exist. BUT! I can write quick reviews to help make sure these books get some extra attention. Here are a dozen recent reads that you don’t want to miss. All descriptions from the publisher. Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renée Watson, Ekua Holmes (Illustrator) (ISBN-13: 9780593461709 Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group Publication date: 02/13/2024, Ages 12-17 ..read more
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Take Five: Middle Grade Fantasy
Teen Librarian Toolbox
by Amanda MacGregor
6d ago
As part of our Mind the Middle project focusing on middle grade books, I’m going to try to do weekly Take Five lists, which is to say, five books on a certain theme.  These Take Five lists can help you with collection development, displays, reading lists, and more. I have a pretty giant list of potential Take Five themes, but if there’s something you’re desperate for a list for, let me know! All descriptions come from the publishers. Today’s list is of new and forthcoming middle grade fantasies. Lulu Sinagtala and the City of Noble Warriors by Gail D. Villanueva (ISBN-13: 9780 ..read more
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Harmonizing with History, a guest post by Monisha Blair
Teen Librarian Toolbox
by Amanda MacGregor
1w ago
“Music is the best means we have of digesting time.”  – W.H. Auden By blending historical facts and creative storytelling, historical fiction readers are transported to different eras, gaining insight into the lives of people who came before us. While we as librarians often point to historical fiction to help readers contextualize the past, a multimedia approach to the past can further elevate the reading experience – specifically, music. Music can set a tone, evoke emotions, and provide context to the characters’ lives in historical fiction novels. Music has a unique way of triggering ..read more
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In and Out the Window, An Interview with Author Jane Yolen
Teen Librarian Toolbox
by Karen Jensen, MLS
1w ago
If you asked me to name some of the greats of children’s and YA literature, Jane Yolen would be at the top of that list. Today, it is my honor to share and interview that I got to have with the renowned author. Briar Rose, published in 1992, just as I was beginning my career as a Teen Librarian First, let me say this, I am such a huge fan of your writing. I’ve been a youth/teen librarian for 30 years now. One of the most profound reading experiences I had was reading Briar Rose. It’s such hauntingly beautiful writing. It is an honor to get to interview you, truly. Question 1: Your new book, I ..read more
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The Importance of Middle Grade Fiction Today, a guest post by Dawn Dagger
Teen Librarian Toolbox
by Amanda MacGregor
1w ago
In 2022, over 4 million books were released via traditional publishers and via self-publishing. According to author Sam Subity, less than .02% of those published were middle-grade books. Middle-grade book sales were down 16% in the same year. According to Publisher’s Weekly, however, there was an overall increase in sales of Young Adult novels. (See Karen Jensen’s TLT post Mind the Middle: Middle Grade Fiction by the Numbers for the First Half of 2024 for more stats.) Middle-grade books target the golden age of reading, ages 8-12. Phenomena like Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Harry Potte ..read more
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Self-Published Authors Fill the Gap with Books Featuring Characters Ages 13-15, a guest post by Katie L. Carroll
Teen Librarian Toolbox
by Karen Jensen, MLS
1w ago
In traditional publishing, middle grade characters are typically 12 and younger, while young adult characters have been trending into 16 and over territory. Though there are traditionally published books with characters ages 13-15, there is still a need for more books in this upper MG/lower YA category. Self-published authors are stepping in to fill this gap. In my novel Pirate Island, 13-year-old Billy is on the hunt for Captain Kidd’s lost pirate treasure, largely due to the influence of his best friend. He obsessively dives into the research to the point where he believes he’s possessed by ..read more
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Take Five: Cooking and Baking in Middle Grade Fiction
Teen Librarian Toolbox
by Amanda MacGregor
1w ago
As part of our Mind the Middle project focusing on middle grade books, I’m going to try to do weekly Take Five lists, which is to say, five books on a certain theme.  These Take Five lists can help you with collection development, displays, reading lists, and more. I have a pretty giant list of potential Take Five themes, but if there’s something you’re desperate for a list for, let me know! All descriptions come from the publishers. Today’s books feature stories with elements of cooking and baking. The Takeout by Tracy Badua (ISBN-13: 9780358671732 Publisher: HarperCollins Pu ..read more
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