🎉 Congratulations to Raina J. León for being selected as the 2026-2027 Philadelphia Poet Laureate!
02.03.2026 19:31
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🎉 Congratulations to Raina J. León for being selected as the 2026-2027 Philadelphia Poet Laureate!
Thank you for the clarification!
Close-up photo of a stack of picture books with the "Baker's Dozen: 13 Best Family Literacy Books 2026" seal superimposed over the image.
Blurry photo looking over the shoulder of a woman with glasses reading a picture book.
Blurry photo looking over the shoulder of a woman with gray hair reading a picture book.
Blurry photo looking over the shoulder of a woman with braids reading a picture book.
📚 We recently hosted our second jury meeting for the 2026 Baker’s Dozen booklist!
The Baker's Dozen jury is tasked with identifying the top 13 books that support family literacy. During our February meeting, the jury reviewed 211 children's books!
The 2026 booklist will be available this spring.
Light blue graphic with sports icons and the text, "Sports Romances from Pennsylvania Authors." The white Pennsylvania Center for the Book logo is included in the lower right-hand corner.
Light blue graphic with sports icons. The cover of It's A Love/Skate Relationship by Carli J. Corson is above the text "Hockey & Figure Skating" and the cover of Pick Me by Victoria Schade is above the text “Pickleball.”
; Light blue graphic with sports icons. The cover of Claiming Carter by Jennifer Bonds is above the text "Football" and the cover of A Sharp Endless Need by Marisa Crane is above the text "Basketball.”
⛸️ Missing the Winter Olympics? Check out these sports romances from Pennsylvania authors:
🏒 It's a Love/Skate Relationship by @icarli.bsky.social
🏸 Pick Me by Victoria Schade @victoriaschade.bsky.social
🏈 Claiming Carter by Jennifer Bonds
🏀 A Sharp Endless Need by @mcrane12.bsky.social
No Pennsylvanian should go hungry. Graphic showing empty plate on a photo of different foods.
No Pennsylvanian should go hungry. If you are struggling, don't hesitate to get help. Find resources:
🥗 dhs.pa.gov/SNAP
🤝 www.pa-navigate.org
🥫 feedingpa.org
🍎 dhs.pa.gov/Ending-Hunger
🍼 pawic.com
White graphic with paw prints in different shades of blue and the text, "Books from Penn State Alumni." The white Pennsylvania Center for the Book logo is included in the lower right-hand corner.
White graphic with paw prints in different shades of blue and the text, "Nonfiction." The book covers of Take Care of Them Like My Own by Ala Stanford and Mind and Matter by Josh Urschel are featured.
White graphic with paw prints in different shades of blue and the text, "Poetry." The book covers of Spoil by Alyse Bensel and Pennsylvania Furnace by Julie Swarstad Johnson are featured.
🎉 Happy 171th birthday, Penn State! We are proud to call the University Libraries our home!
Celebrate with books by alumni:
📘 Take Care of Them Like My Own by Ala Stanford
📘 Mind and Matter by John Urschel and Louisa Thomas
📘 Spoil by Alyse Bensel
📘 Pennsylvania Furnace by Julie Swarstad Johnson
Blue graphic with white flowers and the text, "African American Stories from Pennsylvania." The white Pennsylvania Center for the Book logo is included in the lower right-hand corner.
Blue graphic with white flowers and the text, "Contemporary." The book covers of Discipline by Marc Avery and It's Me They Follow by Jeannine A. Cook are featured.
Blue graphic with white flowers and the text, "Nonfiction." The book covers of The Beauty in Breaking by Michele Harper and I: New and Selected Poems by Toi Derricotte are featured.
📚 Celebrate African American Read-In Month with these Pennsylvania based stories for adults following African Americans:
📗 Discipline by Marc Avery
📗 It's Me They Follow by Jeannine A. Cook
📗 The Beauty in Breaking by Michele Harper
📗 I: New & Selected Poems by Toi Derricotte
Photo of two smiling women sitting at a table with books and a blue tablecloth with the Pennsylvania Center for the Book logo.
📚 Earlier this month, we attended the State College Area School District's SCASD Reads: Building Stories Family Fun Night!
It was wonderful meeting so many families and helping them 'build' their young reader’s bookshelf with award-winning titles from the Center!
Collage of ALA Youth Media Award honorees. ALA Youth Media Awards: The top books and digital media for children and young adults. The 2026 ALA Youth Media Award honorees—featuring the Newbery, Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Printz, and more—have been announced Check out the books young readers will be talking about all year
Dear young readers,
Sorry not sorry for all the extra reading, but you aren't going to want to miss any of these winning YMA titles. Check out the full list and max out your library holds.
Sincerely, ALA
ilovelibraries.org/article/2026...
#ALAyma
📚💙
Blue graphic with the Centre County Reads logo and the text: "2026 Selection: Crow Talk by Eileen Garvin. Don't miss a virtual visit with the author Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 7-8pm." A headshot of Eileen Garvin and the cover of Crow Talk are also included.
🐦⬛ Looking for a book to start off the new year?
We recommend the 2026 Centre County Reads selection, Crow Talk by Eileen Garvin! It is an achingly beautiful story of love, grief, and friendship.
Eileen Garvin will also be participating in a virtual author visit on Wednesday, April 1st!
⭐ Applications for the 2026 Library of Congress Literacy Awards are now open!
The program recognizes U.S. and international organizations with innovative strategies to promote literacy. Applications close Tuesday, February 17 at 11:59pm EST.
For more information:
Nominate the educators who make a difference in your life for America's Favorite Teacher! The winner will receive $25,000, a trip to Hawaii, an appearance in Reader's Digest, and a school assembly with Bill Nye.
americasfavteacher.org
#AmericasFavoriteTeacher #billnyethescienceguy #ColossalImpact
Graphic with a light blue background and the text "New from Pennsylvania Authors” at the top. The cover of Better the Devil by Erik J. Brown is included with the book's publication information (book title, author, and publisher). The black Pennsylvania Center for the Book logo is included in the bottom right-hand corner.
🎉 Happy book birthday to Better the Devil by @erikjbrown.bsky.social from @epicreads.bsky.social!
This young adult psychological thriller follows a runaway teen who assumes the identity of a boy who went missing ten years ago, but soon learns his new home is anything but a safe haven.
Headshot of a smiling woman in a blazer with the text "Abby Rockovich, Intern." The book covers of The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden, Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand, and Ward D by Freida McFadden are included.
📚 We asked our staff for their favorite books of 2025!
Our intern Abby's picks were:
📕 The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
📕 The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden
📕 Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand
📕 Ward D by Freida McFadden
What were your favorite books of 2025?
Graphic of a family in a cozy home. Text reads - Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program - Help Keeping Your Home Warm and Safe
It can get very cold, very fast in PA. If you or someone you know needs help keeping your home warm and safe this winter, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can help. 🏠
Learn more: dhs.pa.gov/LIHEAP
Apply: dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS
Orange graphic with white flowers and the text "New to You Pennsylvania Authors." The black version of the Pennsylvania Center for the Book's logo is included in the bottom right-hand corner.
Orange graphic with white flowers and two book covers, Lilac and the Switchback by Cordelia Jensen and Mendel the Mess-Up by Terry LaBan. The name of each author is listed under their book cover.
Orange graphic with white flowers and two book covers, Street Cats & Where to Find Them by Jeff Bogle and The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes by Xio Axelrod. The name of each author is listed under their book cover.
🎉 Celebrate the start of 2026 with a book from one of these (potentially) new to you Pennsylvania authors:
📙 Cordelia Allen Jensen ( @cordeliajensen.bsky.social )
📙 Terry LaBan
📙 Jeff Bogle
📙 Xio Axelrod ( @xioaxelrod.bsky.social )
A noir-style illustrated poster titled “The Case of the Disappearing Copyright.” The Lockette—a cartoon character whose body is an open yellow padlock—cautiously steps out of an open vault marked with a copyright symbol. A strong beam of light shines from outside the frame, casting a large copyright symbol onto the floor. Floating eyes and a magnifying glass with a question mark evoke a detective mystery. Red footprints lead toward the open vault door. Text reads: “Public Domain Day 2026” and “Jan 21st @10am PT: Virtual.” Illustrated by Freya Morgan.
🎊 Celebrate Public Domain Day with us online January 21! Our virtual event brings together artists, librarians, scholars, & creators to explore what happens when culture becomes free again.
Revisit iconic characters & stories from 1930 now in the #publicdomain.
🎟️ www.eventbrite.com/e/1977502652...
Graphic with a light blue background and the text "New from Pennsylvania Authors” at the top. The cover of Hattie Mae Begins Again by Sharon G. Flake is included with the book's publication information (book title, author, and publisher). The black Pennsylvania Center for the Book logo is included in the bottom right-hand corner.
🎉 Happy book birthday to Hattie Mae Begins Again by Sharon G. Flake!
Hattie Mae sticks out like a sore thumb at her elite girls boarding school in Philadelphia, but she knows that she belongs.
She just has to prove it to the rest of the girls—and maybe even to herself.
You’re welcome! ☺️
Yay! They are great reads!
Headshot of a smiling woman in front of flowers with the text "Casey Sennett, Outreach and Social Media Coordinator." The book covers of Kissing Girls on Shabbat by Sara Glass. Weirdo by Tony Weaver, Jr. and illustrated by Cin Wibowo and Jes Wibowo, You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian, and The Prospects by K.T. Hoffman are included.
📚 We asked our staff for their favorite books of 2025!
Casey's picks were:
📕 Kissing Girls on Shabbat by Sara Glass
📕 Weirdo by Tony Weaver, Jr. and illustrated by Cin Wibowo and Jes Wibowo
📕 You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian
📕 The Prospects by K.T. Hoffman
What were your favorite books?
📣 Help spread awareness of the Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP) this month!
LAMP is challenging community and school libraries in Pennsylvania to create a display promoting LAMP services for Braille Literacy Month in January!
For more information:
Graphic with a light blue background and the text "New from Pennsylvania Authors” at the top. The cover of Late Invocation for Magic by Jim Daniels is included with the book's publication information (book title, author, and publisher). The black Pennsylvania Center for the Book logo is included in the bottom right-hand corner.
📣 New from Pennsylvania author Jim Daniels!
📖 Late Invocation for Magic
In his new poetry collection, Daniels focuses on issues of class, race, and justice in Rust Belt cities. He examines cultural and economic divides, often focusing on those who can’t afford or have access to “magic.”
Close-up photo of children's book spines with the "Baker's Dozen: 13 Best Family Literacy Books" seal superimposed over the image with the year 2026.
Blurry photo looking over the shoulder of a woman with braids holding a picture book.
Photo of two older women sitting down and reading picture books.
Blurry photo looking over the shoulder of a person in a pink sweater. The person is holding a picture book open to a page with a butterfly illustration.
📚 Last month, we hosted our first jury meeting for the 2026 Baker’s Dozen: 13 Best Books for Family Literacy booklist! Jurors reviewed an initial 250 children's books published in 2025.
The 2026 booklist will be available this spring!
Dark blue graphic with light blue lines and the text "Science Fiction Books from Pennsylvania Authors." The white version of the Pennsylvania Center for the Book's logo is included in the bottom right corner.
Dark blue graphic with light blue lines and the text "Middle Grade." Two book covers, The Star of Moon Village by Jennifer Ann Richter and The Mighty Odds by Amy Ignatow, are featured.
Dark blue graphic with light blue lines and the text "Young Adult." Two book covers, Proxy by Alex London and Jane, Unlimited by Kristin Cashore, are featured.
👽 Celebrate National Science Fiction Day with one of these sci-fi books from Pennsylvania authors:
📘 The Star of Moon Village by @jenniferannrichter.bsky.social
📘 The Mighty Odds by Amy Ignatow
📘 Proxy by @alexlondon.bsky.social
📘 Jane, Unlimited by Kristin Cashore
Graphic with a light blue background and the text "New from Pennsylvania Authors” at the top. The cover of The White Hot by Quiara Alegría Hudes is included with the book's publication information (book title, author, and publisher). The black Pennsylvania Center for the Book logo is included in the bottom right-hand corner.
📣 New from Pennsylvania author Quiara Alegría Hudes!
📖 The White Hot
April finds herself spiraling one day and decides to walk away from her family. In The White Hot, a letter from April to her daughter, she explains why she left, but does not apologize.
Graphic with a light blue background with the text "Nominate a book for the Pennsylvania Great Reads 2026." Part of a single bookshelf is visible on the right-hand side with books spine of different colors. The logos of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Endowment for the Humanities, Chief Officers of State Library Agencies, and Pennsylvania Center for the Book are at the bottom.
📖 We are currently searching for books to represent Pennsylvania in the Library of Congress' 2026 Great Reads from Great Places program!
The books must have some relevancy to Pennsylvania and be published in either 2024 or 2025.
Submit your nomination to pacftb@psu.edu by Wednesday!
Photograph of a hand holding the cookbook A Kwanzaa Keepsake and Cookbook in front of blurry bookshelves.
🎉 We are celebrating Kwanzaa with A Kwanzaa Keepsake and Cookbook by Jessica B. Harris from @scribnerbooks.bsky.social!
A Kwanzaa Keepsake provides a themed feast for all seven days of Kwanzaa that reflects the principle of each day.
Happy Kwanzaa!
Photograph of a hand holding the picture book An Anishinaabe Christmas in front of blurry bookshelves.
🎄 We are celebrating Christmas with An Anishinaabe Christmas by Wab Kinew and illustrated by Erin Hill!
This festive picture book explores both Christmas traditions and Anishinaabe culture.
Merry Christmas!
Graphic with a light blue background and the text "New from Pennsylvania Authors” at the top. The cover of Evensong by Stewart O'Nan is included with the book's publication information (book title, author, and publisher). The black Pennsylvania Center for the Book logo is included in the bottom right-hand corner.
📣 New from Pennsylvania author Stewart O’Nan!
📖 Evensong from @groveatlantic.bsky.social
The novel follows members of the Humpty Dumpty Club, a group of older women living in Pittsburgh, as they support one another through life's challenges.