Book News & Features

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Legendary Manga Artist Kentaro Miura, Creator Of 'Berserk,' Has Died

5:51pm May 27, 2021

by Etalka Lehoczky

Miura was one of the most influential manga artists in the field; his signature series, Berserk, ran for over 30 years and melded sword fights, supernatural elements and knotty moral dilemmas.

Eric Carle with a cutout of his famously hungry caterpillar at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Mass.

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Arts

Eric Carle, Creator Of 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar,' Has Died

7:49pm May 26, 2021

by Neda Ulaby

The beloved author and illustrator drew more than 70 books for kids — often about friendly bugs like that famous caterpillar. He said he got his inspiration from nature walks with his father.

Derrick Young, co-owner of Mahogany Books in Washington, D.C., says his store has seen new customers in the last year who seem to be "willing to do the work" to educate themselves on issues of race in America.

A Moment Or A Movement? Black Bookstore Owners On Business One Year Later

11:30am May 26, 2021

by Jason Fuller

After last summer's surge in anti-racist book sales, NPR spoke to three Black bookstore owners across the country to ask if customers are still engaged with their businesses and anti-racist reading.

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Better, Not Bitter: Living on Purpose in the Pursuit of Racial Justice, Yusef Salaam

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One Of The Falsely Accused Central Park Five Tells His Story In 'Better, Not Bitter'

6:35pm May 18, 2021

by Ericka Taylor

In 1989, five kids were falsely accused of the brutal rape of a Central Park jogger. Yusef Salaam writes about systemic racism — and how his family and faith got him through seven years in prison.

The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet, John Green

Author John Green Explores How To Live In Uncertainty In 'The Anthropocene Reviewed'

11:45am May 18, 2021

by Adam Frank

The author of best-seller The Fault In Our Stars uses humor, wisdom and a keen sense of connections to offer guidance — as he reviews how humans are reshaping Earth.

Paris Bookstores Are Designated Essential — But These Landmarks Struggle To Survive

6:03pm May 16, 2021

by Eleanor Beardsley

Gibert Jeune, which held a prominent place in Parisians hearts, is one of the latest to close. The pandemic is only one pressure on independent bookstores, but some have found ways to survive.

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When I Grow Up I Want To Be A List Of Further Possibilities, by Chen Chen

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Engaging With Asian American And Pacific Islander Heritage Month: A Reading List

12:16pm May 14, 2021

Over the past year, stories surrounding Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have been full of violence and grief — here are some reading recommendations that'll take you beyond just suffering.

Facing the Mountain, by Daniel James Brown

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In 'Facing The Mountain' Japanese-Americans Sacrifice For A Country That Spurns Them

7:03am May 13, 2021

by Michael Schaub

Daniel James Brown writes a fascinating account of some of the bravest Americans who ever lived; it's also a sobering reminder of a dark history — of anti-Asian racism that never really went away.

A Kid's Guide to Fandom, by Amy Ratcliffe

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Fandom Can Be A Lot Like High School — Here's How To Avoid The Bad Stuff

1:25pm May 09, 2021

by Alan Yu

Finding a supportive fandom — a group of people who love what you love — is a great experience. But some fan communities can be toxic, so here are a few tips for kids looking for fan connections.

In addition to running for Georgia governor and registering some 800,000 voters, Stacey Abrams has written eight romance novels under the nom de plume Selena Montgomery. Now, her first three novels will be reissued.

3 Romance Novels Written By Stacey Abrams Will Be Reissued

1:00pm May 04, 2021

by Becky Sullivan

The novels, published under the nom de plume Selena Montgomery, have been out of print for years. They form a trilogy, each starring Black lead characters working for a U.S. espionage organization.