The Horn Book

09/10/2026

: Adrienne L. Pettinelli on criteria: "The criteria remain the same year to year, but the ways different committees understand and apply those criteria can be surprising and sometimes expand or change our understanding of the award." https://www.hbook.com/story/caldecott-criteria-the-ghosts-of-posts-past

Some optional reading assignments.

09/10/2026

: Editor in Chief Elissa Gershowitz shares her latest library haul https://www.hbook.com/story/new-library-haul-bts-2026-edition

The kids have gone back to school, and I've got some pleasure reading to do!

09/10/2026

On September 24, we are excited to bring back Open Books, Open Minds: A Celebration of Reading & Literacy. 📖 A virtual co-production of 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘓𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭, 𝘓𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭, and 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬, this day-long event will convene authors, teachers, librarians, literacy experts, and other education leaders as well as product and services providers to elevate the love of reading and celebrate the process of fostering engaged reading environments.

Register today: https://hubs.la/Q04x3xL60

09/09/2026

From Sep/Oct Eugene Yelchin 's Writer's Page column on crafting a memoir and unexpected personal realizations: "Honest, authentic storytelling will be the place where we meet as human beings" https://www.hbook.com/story/the-writers-page-i-wish-i-didnt-have-to-tell-you-this Candlewick Press

From the September/October 2026 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.

09/09/2026

⭐ SILENCE SOUNDS SIMPLE: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF JOHN CAGE by Gary Golio; illus. by Andrea D’Aquino (Calkins/ Astra Books for Young Readers ): "Golio and D’Aquino present an imagistic snapshot of the life and legacy of avant-garde composer Cage"

Golio and D’Aquino present an imagistic snapshot of the life and legacy of avant-garde composer Cage (1912–1992). His work centered sounds and...

09/08/2026

: The list of titles we plan to cover + tell us: what's on your list?! https://www.hbook.com/story/presenting...the-list

Calling Caldecott's (tentative) list of eligible 2026 books! Did we miss anything?

09/08/2026

BLUE BEACH by Karyn Parsons ( Little, Brown Books for Young Readers ): "Parsons’s YA debut is a gripping, emotionally resonant mystery distinguished by a morally complex plot and an unforgettable young heroine."

In 1929 Santa Monica, fifteen-year-old Blue and her friend Ben spend their days at Blue Beach, the seaside resort owned by her family and the only...

09/08/2026

⭐ AXOLOTL-ELLA: A SORT-OF CINDERELLA STORY by Kate Messner; illus. by Lian Cho ( Ten Speed Press ): "Messner turns the well-known fairy tale on its feathery, gilled head in this appealing, science-informed remix."

Messner turns the well-known fairy tale on its feathery, gilled head in this appealing, science-informed remix. From the beginning, readers know that...

09/07/2026

We're celebrating 𝘓𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭's 150th anniversary with a FREE masterclass! 🎉 Whether you shelve, serve, teach, manage, govern, or support, this masterclass is for you.

This is one of five one-hour conversations that will be a part of the masterclass. Register here: https://hubs.la/Q04wrrqf0

09/03/2026

: Jul/Aug + Sep/Oct Table of Contents and Editorial; returns; for the 2026 Massachusetts Book Award winners; + more! https://www.hbook.com/story/blogs/week-in-review-august-31st-september-4th-2026