Karina and Matthew talk about the heart of the school, the disheartening trend of diminishing school libraries, and the inherent value of school libraries and school librarians in supporting a school, raising readers, and building global citizens. Joining is special guest John Schumaker, author of the Mr. Schu Reads blog.

This episode is sponsored by

• Audible
• TBR, Book Riot’s new subscription service offering tailored book recommendations for readers of all stripes

Subscribe to the podcast viaRSS,Apple Podcasts, orStitcher.

To get even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for ourThe Kids Are All Rightnewsletter!

RELEVANT LINKS:

Spokane Eliminates School Librarians, Continuing Trend of Disappearing School Libraries by Kelly Jensen (Book Riot)

Schools See Steep Drop in Librarians, New Analysis Finds (Education Week)

New Bills in Michigan Would Make Librarians Essential School Staff (Book Riot)

Weeding is Fundamental (99% Invisible podcast)

The Room of Requirement (This American Life podcast)

Palaces for the People (99% Invisible podcast)

Mr. Schu Reads (website)

Simon Sinek on Circles of Safety (YouTube)

Dr. Sayatani DasGupta (The Practice of Narrative Medicine)

BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW:

Picture Books:

The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq by Jeanette Winter

That Book Woman by Heather Henson, illustrated by David Small

The Library by Sarah Stewart, illustrated by David Small

This Book of Mine by Sarah Stewart, illustrated by David Small

Write to Me: Letters from Japanese American Children to the Librarian They Left Behind by Cynthia Grady, illustrated by Amiko Hirao

Tomas and the Library Lady by Pat Mora, illustrated by Raul Colon

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpre by Anika Aldamuy Denise, illustrated by Paola Escobar

Biblioburro by Jeanette Winter

Chapter Books:

Lyric McKerrigan, Secret Librarian by Jacob Sager Weinstein, illustrated by Vera Brosgol

Middle Grade:

Booked by Kwame Alexander

The Tiny Hero of Ferny Creek Library by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Victoria Jamieson

Nonfiction:

Alia Muhammad Baker: Saving a Library from War (True Stories) by Lindsay Bacher

Library on Wheels: Mary Lemist Titcomb and America’s First Bookmobile by Sharlee Glenn

Let us know what books or topics you’ve been sharing this week, or if you have a suggestion or book recommendation for an upcoming episode. Find us on email (kidlitthesedays@bookriot.com), Twitter (@KarinaYanGlaser and @MatthewWinner), or Instagram (@KarinaIsReadingAndWriting and @MatthewCWinner).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.