Back to School: Your 2021 Guide | NoveList (2024)

#BacktoSchool2021 is ramping up, so we've made a back-to-school guide with a list of resources, ideas, tips, and tricks to help you have a great school year — whether you're an educator, librarian, parent, or student — and whatever this school year may bring.

Be a storytime superstar

• Last year we introduced a new juvenile genre, Storytime standouts! We wanted a simple way for librarians, educators, and patrons to find picture books for an enchanting, crowd-pleasing storytime.
• It's never too early to learn about social justice and the value of living in an equitable society. Introduce children to the concept that everyone deserves the same right and opportunities with a social justice storytime.
• If you're new to storytime or need some inspiration, check out 5 storytime tips for the uninitiated.

Engage those harder-to-reach readers

• Nontraditional readers often require an equally nontraditional approach. Reframe your thinking and energize your readers' advisory with tools and strategies from NoveList to help you reach those reluctant readers.
• Use graphic novels to get kids reading! No one can deny that graphic novels are gaining momentum in libraries and schools. While using graphic novels may seem counterproductive to promoting reading, they may be just the springboard you need.
• Libraries' collections are at the center of what libraries offer, even more so in times that still feel uncertain. As we approach the beginning of a new school year, knowing that the library is *there*, with its vast array of services and books, is a reassuring anchor. So, amp up your collection's visibility – whether you're promoting a new "For Fans Of" list or "Challenging Reads" for those above grade level readers, or anything in between.

Find windows and mirrors

• Help readers see themselves reflected in the stories they read with diverse and inclusive titles. We've pulled together Diversity Resources to help you better serve your community.
• Last year we put together the All Kinds of Lives Recommended Reads lists at the picture book level – to make it easier for you to find picture books that reflect your youngest readers' realities.
• We also added a new theme this year for our youngest readers. Say hello to Celebrating identity! These upbeat stories celebrate the varieties of identities, individuals, and experiences that make our world richer, fuller, and more interesting.

Add to the TBR

These blog posts will point you towards tips, advice, and inspiration for anyone who works with kids or their families.

• Partner with parents with a 1000 Books before Kindergarten campaign
• Intentional ways to audit inclusive youth collections
• The accidental children's librarian
• Introducing new theme: Magical girls
• Highlighting diverse families

Promote your programs and services

• If your school or library subscribes to LibraryAware, we have some ready-to-go templates for promoting back-to-school programs and materials. Search keywords like school, homework, or education.
• Give the kids (and yourself) a break from screen time and check out our Grab and Go Arts & Crafts Kits, available in LibraryAware.
• Learn about some ways you can use NoveList and LibraryAware to reach out to and support homeschooling families in your community.

Keep learning

We designed these materials to help you help your young readers, whether they're looking for a book for school or want to find something great to read.

• Sign up for a live training and make the most of your NoveList product subscriptions.
• Crack the code for finding just-right books to meet the needs of every reader.
• The Working with Youth page inside NoveList will help you sort through common reading questions, find books at the right age level, and more.
• The NoveList for schools and students YouTube playlist can help you brush up on finding what you need inside NoveList.
• PBS Books is dedicated to connecting books with audiences by engaging them in unique experiences to spark their curiosity and encourage a life-long love of reading and learning. Access over 700 PBS Books Author Videos through NoveList Plus.
• NoveList has materials that support your schools' curriculum, conveniently gathered together on a single page. You'll want to bookmark this!