Picture books are read by adults to children, while early readers are books children read independently as they learn to decode words on their own. That single distinction drives almost every other difference between the two formats, from vocabulary and font size to illustration style and page count. If you have ever stood in a … Read more
If you’ve stood in a library’s children’s section wondering what those short, illustrated, chapter-divided books actually are, you’re not alone. Early chapter books are designed for children ages 5 to 9 who are moving from picture books into longer stories. They use shorter chapters, larger print, illustrations on most pages, and manageable vocabulary to give … Read more
A tall tale is a story with exaggerated characters and impossible events that could not really happen, told for fun and entertainment. Think of a lumberjack so tall he used pine trees as a comb, or a cowboy who lassoed a tornado. Those are tall tales. If you have ever heard your five-year-old swear they … Read more
If you have ever watched a child or teen stare at a dense, text-heavy novel with visible dread, you already understand the challenge. Traditional prose can feel like a wall of words to a struggling reader, and that single page can be enough to shut down the whole reading experience. This is where fiction in … Read more
If you’ve ever finished a true story and felt like you read a novel, you’ve experienced narrative nonfiction. It is nonfiction writing that uses the storytelling tools of fiction – characters, scenes, and a narrative arc – to bring real events to life on the page. That single idea is the heart of this guide. … Read more
The William C. Morris YA Debut Award is an annual literary honor given to a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens. First given in 2009, the award celebrates impressive new voices in young adult literature and signals that a debut novel has earned recognition from librarians and the broader YA community. … Read more
The Alex Award exists because some of the best books for teen readers are written for adults. Each year the American Library Association, through its Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), honors ten adult titles with special appeal to young adults ages 12 through 18. I have followed this list for years as a parent, … Read more
If you’ve ever wondered exactly how the American Library Association decides what counts as an informational book for the Robert F. Sibert Medal, you’re not alone. Librarians, authors, and educators ask this question constantly because the definition shapes everything from which books get nominated to how children learn nonfiction. In this guide, I’ll walk you … Read more