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In this episode of The Book Faire Podcast, host Anthony provides an essential roundup of new children’s book releases and high-stakes library news from across the country. We explore the legislative progress of Alaska’s Freedom to Read Bill and provide a critical update on the Rutherford County Library System’s ongoing policy challenges. The conversation also dives into the legal battle in California, where a school district faces discrimination lawsuits over anti-LGBTQ+ practices, highlighting the vital role of intellectual freedom in the elementary and middle school classroom.

We feature a diverse selection of new titles, including a groundbreaking YA nonfiction book on the history and impact of the AIDS epidemic in America. Teachers and librarians will find valuable insights into using contemporary children’s literature to navigate complex historical and social themes while championing the freedom to read. From tracking modern publishing trends to defending diverse stories, this episode offers the curriculum-aligned resources and news updates you need to stay informed and empowered as an advocate for young readers.

New Releases:

• Can You Grow a Striped Banana? By Jill Santopolo, illus. by Momoko Abe (Ages 2-5)
• Found Sound by Meg Wolitzer and Charlie Panek
• Rayana Johnson’s Giant Leap by Jill Tew (Ages 8-12)
• The Genie Game by Jordan Ifueko (Ages 10-14)
• Gods & Comics by Kat Cho with illustrations by Robin Har (Ages12+)
• The Fight of Our Lives: AIDS in America by Gabriel Duckels and David Levithan (Ages 14+)