Today’s post comes to you from Laura Simeon When it comes to international literature for young people, works by contemporary writers from Africa deserve more attention. While “young adult” as a publishing category isn’t as widely established in many countries as it is in the U.S. and U.K., there’s a pool of literary talent from across … Continue reading #IntYALitMonth: The Richness of African YA Fiction
Today’s post comes to you from Laura Simeon: This marks the 21st year that the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY), a division of the International Board on Books for Young People, has selected some of the very best titles from around the world for children and teens. Our dedicated committee of … Continue reading #WORLDKIDLIT: USBBY’S OUTSTANDING INTERNATIONAL BOOKS 2026
May GLLI Blog Series: Japan in Translation, No. 22 Editor's Note: Soon after Laura Simeon became Kirkus' YA Editor in January, she penned the following appeal for more translated literature: I clearly remember the first YA book in translation I ever read: Kazumi Yumoto’s 2002 title The Letters, translated from the Japanese by Cathy Hirano. … Continue reading Examining cultural messages in Japanese picture books — by Kirkus YA Editor Laura Simeon
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 