Back-to-School Picks for Young Readers

Back-to-School Picks for Young Readers

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Teachers and librarians, we appreciate everything you do and want to help you gear up for the school year! Five sweeps winners will receive a collection of books perfect for kicking off the 2023-2024 school year plus a $100 gift card to Staples and a $15 giftcard to Starbucks to restock and recharge. Find a full list of Social Emotional Learning books perfect for reading and sharing during this time of change below.

DISCOVER BOOKS PERFECT FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL →

Discussion Guide: A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix by C.B. Lee

Discussion Guide: A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix by C.B. Lee

Download the discussion guide for A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix, part of our new Remixed Classics brand! In Remixed Classics, authors from diverse backgrounds take different literary classics from centuries past and reinterpret them through their own unique cultural lens. This collection will serve YA readers as both a series of fun, engaging reads as well as a subversive overall look at what our society has deemed “classic” works that are overwhelmingly cishet, white, and male.

A clash of steel

A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix by C.B. Lee
On Sale September 7, 2021
Ages 12 to 18

Two intrepid girls hunt for a legendary treasure on the deadly high seas in this YA remix of the classic adventure novel Treasure Island.

1826. The sun is setting on the golden age of piracy, and the legendary Dragon Fleet, the scourge of the South China Sea, is no more. Its ruthless leader, a woman known only as the Head of the Dragon, is now only a story, like the ones Xiang has grown up with all her life. She desperately wants to prove her worth, especially to her mother, a shrewd businesswoman who never seems to have enough time for Xiang. Her father is also only a story, dead at sea before Xiang was born. Her single memento of him is a pendant she always wears, a simple but plain piece of gold jewelry.

But the pendant’s true nature is revealed when a mysterious girl named Anh steals it, only to return it to Xiang in exchange for her help in decoding the tiny map scroll hidden inside. The revelation that Xiang’s father sailed with the Dragon Fleet and tucked away this secret changes everything. Rumor has it that the legendary Head of the Dragon had one last treasure the plunder of a thousand ports that for decades has only been a myth, a fool’s journey.

Xiang is convinced this map could lead to the fabled treasure. Captivated with the thrill of adventure, she joins Anh and her motley crew off in pursuit of the island. But the girls soon find that the sea—and especially those who sail it are far more dangerous than the legends led them to believe.


Praise for A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix:

Vividly realized and brimming with romantic adventure. Rooted in the legend of Chinese pirate queen Ching Shih, C.B. Lee’s A Clash of Steel is richly imagined and thrilling to the end.”
Malinda Lo, bestselling author of Last Night at the Telegraph Club

“Lavishly drawn and studded with jewels from the original, C.B. Lee has written a remix that delves deep into questions of family, love, and treasure. This is a book I wish I’d had as a young, queer teen and it deserves a spot in any collection.”
Natalie C. Parker, author of the Seafire trilogy

A Clash of Steel is an action-packed tale of fierce friendship and queer found family, with a playful sapphic romance that will make your heart flutter! C.B. Lee immerses you in the world of the Qing dynasty with vivid and authentic detail you will feel the danger of the waves and yearn for the tastes and smells of the markets.”
Julia Ember, author of Ruinsong

Teacher’s Guide: The Skybound Saga

Teacher’s Guide: The Skybound Saga

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The Skybound Saga by Alex London is a young-adult fantasy trilogy about the memories that haunt us, the histories that hunt us, and the bonds of blood between us.

★“London’s world-building is exceptional, and the story has twists and turns to keep readers engaged . . . A well-crafted fantasy featuring diverse characters, this book is a strong selection for all libraries serving teens.” —School Library Journal, starred review

★“With political intrigue, epic battle sequences, jolts of romance, and strong female and queer characters, there’s a lot to pique readers’ interests here. But it’s the unique world-building and beautifully complex sibling relationship that make this a must-read. Readers will be swept away in this book’s talons.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“With dynamic world building . . . this trilogy opener is a captivating, layered adventure that explores the bonds of siblings in an unforgiving world. Stock up—this one will make the rounds.” —Booklist

Download the teacher’s guide here →

Check out TLA’s Summer of Learning, featuring author panels and more resources!

Check out TLA’s Summer of Learning, featuring author panels and more resources

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Texas librarians! You can keep learning all summer long with new sessions & resources from the Texas Library Association. TLA launched its first-ever Summer of Learning – an extension of the TLA 2020 Virtual Conference.

Don’t miss author panels with Anna-Marie McLemore, Ngozi Ukazu, Christian McKay Heidicker, Echo Brown, and Karen Blumenthal. These pre-recorded sessions will be available for registrants to watch on demand through August 31. These sessions are free to those who already registered for the TLA Virtual Conference. Register or log-in here.

Plus, mark your calendar for their final live events on August 4, featuring a Q&A with New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu about her new YA fantasy, Skyhunter!

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Find more event details here →