Mahnaz Dar

The first celebrities I idolized weren’t actors or singers; they were children’s book creators—people who had never met me but somehow managed to see into my very soul. Poring over “about the author” sections of books, I loved finding parallels between th... See more

It’s been a maddening year for librarians—and anyone committed to young people’s literacy—as censors continue to wage war on children’s lit. The good news? Those of us fighting the good fight aren’t alone. I was reminded of that fact this October when I s... See more

Write what you know is advice that Candelaria Norma Silva takes seriously. She’s long drawn inspiration from her children and grandchildren; many of her young relatives now demand to know when it’ll be their turn to star in one of her stories. Her latest ... See more

In his latest novel, Daniel Nayeri explores a side of the Second World War that will be new to many readers young and old: the role of Iran. The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story (Levine Querido, September 16) centers on a 12-year-old Babek, who... See more

For many kids, there’s nothing better than hitting the field or stepping on a stage; the opportunity to perform is often empowering, rewarding, and just plain fun. But it can also be fraught, as the titular character of Derrick Barnes’ novel The Incredibl... See more