This document summarizes new and popular types of literature for young readers. It notes an increase in works featuring significant African/African American content and authors. Popular genres discussed include graphic novels, choose-your-own adventure books, historical fiction covering various eras, and nonfiction incorporating illustrations and compelling narratives. The document also addresses a growing focus on diversity and inclusion beyond race to encompass gender, ability, and cultural experiences. Resources for finding new titles and staying informed are provided.

1. WHAT’S NEW IN
LITERATURE FOR YOUNG
READERS?
Robin L. Gibson
Youth Librarian
Westerville Public Library
rgibson@westervillelibrary.org
March 10, 2016

2. Favorite
authors
Adult authors
writing for
younger
audiences
-James
Patterson

3. THE PERCY JACKSON
EFFECT
May 3
2016

5. AMAZING ANIMALS
April
2016!

6. CHOOSE YOUR OWN . .
.

7. HISTORICAL
FICTION
• Civil War/Underground RR
• World War II
• 1960s - Civil Rights
• Untold stories – Black
Panthers, Native stories

8. GRAPHIC
NOVELS (A.K.A.
COMICS)
Raina love

9. NOT THE NF YOU
REMEMBER!
• Illustrations, photographs (beautiful!)
• Engaging narrative – compelling,
mysterious, well-crafted, even poetic at
times
• Don’t dismiss “picture book” style non-
fiction – often explains high level
concepts in an understandable way, a
great introduction to a subject – often
more complex than you might think!

10. THE FACES OF NONFICTION

12. SCIENCE

13. SURE FIRE
WINNERS

14. FROM HIDDEN HISTORY TO
CURRENT EVENTS . . .
Tricksters, untold stories, new perspectives . . .

15. Why?
CCBC Statistics
The number of books with significant African or
African American content increased by almost
50%, from 180 in 2014 to 261 in 2015. The
number of books by Black authors and/or
illustrators made a more modest climb, from 84
in 2014 to 100 in 2015. Numbers of books with
First/Native Nations content or authors or
illustrators, books with Asian/Pacific or
Asian/Pacific American content, and books by
Latino authors and illustrators stayed virtually
static, while the count for Asian/Pacific heritage
authors increased from 129 in 2014 to 173 in
2015, and books with Latino content rose from
66 to 82 during the same time.
Publishing Statistics
Lee & Low Survey

16. DIVERSITY
“When we actually got into the classroom, the books were just mainly
about white boys and dogs,“ Marley Dias, 11.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/1000blackgirlbooks-social-media-book-
drive-movement-black-characters/

17. BEYOND RACE
Gender Ability

18. TWO WORLDS, TWO
CULTURES

19. USBBY -
Outstanding
International Books

20. It’s not just print books!
ebooks
• Books on CD
• Playaway (audiobooks on mp3 player)
• Playaway View (mini video player)
• Playaway Bookpacks (Playaway + Print Book)
• DVD movies, BluRay, music CDs
• Magazines for kids & teens (Otaku USA, MAD)
• Magazines for Parents & Teachers (School Library
Journal, VOYA, Horn Book - reviews popularity vs.
quality)
At the Library . . . .

21. WPL’s Educator page

22. Try our mobile app (or mobile web page - but the app lets
you check books out!)
Reviews. Find them in Novelist, print magazines such as
School Library Journal & Horn Book, Amazon, blogs
Shelves. New & advanced books at the library, bookstore
NetGalley (ebook ARCs)
Books about books (0.11-0.28 at the library)
Book Links (a supplement of Booklist magazine – connecting
literary resources to the curriculum)
Helpful Resources

23. Keeping Up: Social Media
(Pinterest example)

24. BLOGS
Reading Zone
Dublin Literacy Conference
Donalyn Miller