Books hold many powers, as author Varsha Bajaj can attest. She credits books for helping her make the cultural transition to the United States after growing up in Mumbai, India. In turn, several of Bajaj’s middle grade novels and picture books now introduce young readers to intriguing details about her country of birth. Bajaj’s newest novel, Roar (Nancy Paulsen [...]

There are a lot of ways to describe Jason Reynolds’ books: Groundbreaking. Relatable. Gripping. Or as School Library Journal said recently in their starred review of Soundtrack: A Novel (Crown Books for Young Readers, 2026), “Librarians can’t go wrong putting any Reynolds novel on their shelves, and his latest is no exception.” The title came out in April as a [...]

Alicia D. Williams traces her love of storytelling back to her childhood when she listened to tales told by family elders and read books she borrowed from a bookmobile. Now the award-winning writer—whose recognition includes a Newbery Honor—creates titles ranging from picture books to middle grade novels. Williams’ newest picture book is Nani and the Lion [...]