Booklist

Booklist is the American Library Association’s nationally distributed book and media review publication. Since 1905, Booklist has been proud to publish thousands of book and audiobook reviews each year, helping library and education workers decide what to buy and how to guide patrons and students of all ages in choosing what to read, view, or listen to.

Adult Nonfiction

Reading and Listening Together • Print and Audio Standouts

Top 10 Book-Group Books • These ten titles, reviewed in Booklist from July 1, 2022,through February 1, 2023, will open up discussions of grief, injustice, and family relationships, making them all exceedingly book-group worthy. —Susan Maguire

Adult Fiction

Another Look at DiViNE DAYS LEON FORREST

Self-Published Books Showcase • These books are recommended by BlueInk Review, a fee-based review service. Every month, BlueInk will compile a list of their favorite self-published titles for Booklist, as a service to librarians hoping to incorporate self-published work into their collections. BlueInk was founded by Patti Thorn, former book review editor of Denver’s Rocky Mountain News, and Patricia Moosbrugger, a literary agent who represents several best-selling authors. The company delivers professional, unbiased reviews of self-published books written by critics drawn largely from major mainstream publications and by editors from prominent publishing houses. Stars reflect the decisions of BlueInk reviewers and editors. Booklist is happy to bring this curated collection of the best in self-publishing for adults and youth to our audience.

Youth Nonfiction

Carte Blanche • Yellow Means Hope

New SERIES NONFICTION SHOWCASE

Youth Fiction

Spotlight on Middle-Grade Fiction

Top 10 Novels for Tweens • Bridging the crevasse between kid- and teendom is hard both for young people and the librarians serving them. The novels below—all reviewed in Booklist between February 15, 2022, and February 1, 2023—represent our top picks for tween audiences. —Julia Smith

Notes from the Field Lindsey Tomsu on Series Fiction • This issue’s spotlight has had the Books for Youth team contemplating the hallmarks of middle-grade novels, which naturally led to discussions about series fiction and why it’s such a backbone of the category. To further this conversation, we sought out a true expert on the topic. Lindsey Tomsu is the Youth and Teen Services Supervisor at Nippersink Public Library in Richmond, IL, whose professional and academic pursuits have placed her at the crossroads of cultural history and youth series fiction. Here she shares her expertise to help contextualize our modern obsession with serialized stories—and middle-grade series, in particular.

Top 10 Epic Mythological Middle-Grade Fantasies • The past year brought with it a fresh roster of epic heroes, thanks to a surge in the middle-grade subgenre of epic fantasy inspired by cultural mythology. This list of titles, all reviewed in Booklist between February 15, 2022, and February 1, 2023, honors the ever-expanding wealth of diversity in this always-popular space. —Ronny Khuri

Spring 2023 Youth Preview • This announcement section offers readers a selected preview of notable new titles for young-adult, middle-grade, and young readers. All titles will be published in the spring or summer 2023 seasons.

Audio

Spotlight on Middle-Grade Fiction

Classics Corner • Classics Corner highlights new recordings of classic titles.

Top 10 Middle-Grade Fiction on Audio • Audiobooks for middle-grade listeners sparklewith energy. These Top 10 titles are filled with the heartfelt real-life stuff of middle-graders as well as astounding, fantastical adventures. All received starred reviews in Booklist between April 15, 2021, and February 1, 2023. —Heather...