Scott Sussman highlights the year’s award-winning books, includes links, and also suggests great books to be read in a lifetime.
Here is a list of a lot of wonderful middle grade books published in 2020. 100 to be exact. Want a good glimpse at what to pick up at the bookstore or library next time you visit? The list should narrow down your choices … or not. Everything from history and historical fiction, biography and…
Click here for a peek at the longlist for the 2020 National Book Awards. Our favorite, When Stars Are Scattered, written by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed is a
The theme for many picture books scheduled for Fall 2020 publication is positivity. Amongst the scores of new picture books coming soon, the messages are uplifting and positive with stories of encouragement. Wonderful! The more the merrier. We always need strong words for young readers and pre-readers, but with current circumstances being what they are,…
For teachers and parents seeking material to share with students and children, our FREE children’s short story, CHAMPION OF THE MARSH, will soon be available along with lesson plans and activity pages. Written by Scott Sussman and illustrated by Yves Margarita, CHAMPION OF THE MARSH is a story about two boys who bet whether or…
Over 40 titles have been suggested as possible Newbery contenders. Linda Sue Park’s PRAIRIE LOTUS leads with 11 nominations. Park won the Newbery in 2002 with A SINGLE SHARD. A personal favorite is Ernesto Cisneros‘ debut novel, EFRÉN DIVIDED, about seventh-grader Efrén Nava who must take care of his twin siblings after their mother is…
“My Hero is You” illustrated by Helen Patuck explores children’s questions and fears about COVID-19. The book, which targets 6- to 11-year-olds, was developed in collaboration with multiple humanitarian organizations, including the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund and Save the Children. “My Hero is You” and others are available as downloads and…
Children’s author Ernesto Cisneros debut is a grand slam homerun. Efrén Divided is easily one of the best MG novels of the year. Solid plot, solid pacing, solid from first word to last. You’d think Cisneros is telling a real story about real people and, in a way, he is. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll be…
Swedish author Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking, originally Pippilotta Viktualia Rullgardina Krusmynta Efraimsdotter Långstrump, will celebrate her 75th birthday on May 21, 2020. First published in 1945, the series is now among the most translated children’s books in the world, with more than 70 million copies sold in 77 languages. Not familiar with the books? Click…
Which books have been checked out the most from the New York Public Library in the 125 years of its existence? Believe it or not, more than half of them are children’s books. The number one book, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keat’s has been checked out almost 500,000 times. Click here for the…
Congratulations to this year’s ALA award winners. Beautiful books meriting recognition and waiting to be read . . . by you and your children. Buy the books. Check them out from the library. Share their wealth of knowledge. Click here for a list of Newbery Medal and Honor Winners since 1922.