Paper Towns readalong – part two (The Grass) and part three (The Vessel)

Welcome to the second part of our Paper Towns readalong! We’re discussing part two (The Grass) and part three (The Vessel) of John Green’s book all this week! You can share your thoughts on Twitter and Facebook using #PaperTownsRead or email us at childrens.books@theguardian.com and we’ll feed into this blog

The Voyage of QV66 by Penelope Lively

A children’s book that makes no concessions to younger readers, this superlative animal adventure leads you on an unforgettable trip

Which books can help us after the killing of Cecil the lion?

After the heartbreaking death of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe, the Book Doctor recommends children’s books that explore the complexities of conservation and the threats to the natural world

Paper Towns readalong – prologue and part one

Welcome everyone to our Paper Towns readalong! We’re discussing the prologue and part one (The Strings) of John Green’s divine tale all this week! You can share your thoughts on Twitter and Facebook using #PaperTownsRead or email us childrens.books@theguardian.com and we’ll feed into this blog

The Sonar System: a children’s book about sound systems, Tesfarians and the power of music

You’re more likely to encounter a Gruffalo than a BME person in literature aimed at kids, but Ras Mykha’s new book places black characters front and centre

Why we need to be honest about OCD and teen mental health

Sometimes young people with mental health problems get better. Sometimes they don’t. Sometimes they get better but then they get worse. Holly Bourne explores OCD and relapse in her new book Am I Normal Yet?

The best horrible history facts ever

Horrible Histories author Terry Deary and the stage-adaptor and actor Neal Foster got together to pick their all time favourite horrible history facts…

Picture books that draw the line against pink stereotypes of girls

Don’t despair at the tide of cultural glitter swamping young girls today. There are still writers producing funky female characters who don’t get their knickers in a twist at the prospect of a difficult challenge

I Am Malala – cover reveal

Malala Yousafzai’s inspiring story has been retold for teens. It’s not in the shops until November but you can see the new cover and read the first chapter now!

The 10 best Hunger Games quotes that show Katniss’s strength

She inspired a revolution, outwitted the Capitol and remains the most skilled female archer in literature. As the last film of the series The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 hits the screens, we’re celebrating Katniss Everdeen’s heroicism with our 10 favourite Katniss quotes from all three books

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling – review

Emilypotter: ‘I love this book SO much because when you are reading it, you feel like you are inside the book’

Miguel Arteta set to direct film of YA novel All the Bright Places

Book’s author Jennifer Niven will write the film’s script, and Elle Fanning is already cast as lead character Violet Markey in ‘heart-wrenching’ romance

Guardian children’s fiction prize book club: A Song for Ella Grey by David Almond

David Almond has made a video specially for us about A Song For Ella Grey – the third book under the spotlight in the Guardian children’s fiction prize series

Does the age of an author matter when writing YA fiction?

The Book Doctor goes right back to beginnings of YA and teen fiction in the 1950s and 1960s to investigate whether author age has anything to do with reader experience

Our hopes and fears for the film version of John Green’s Paper Towns

Can the movie of Paper Towns possibly live up to the expectations of fans of John Green’s book? Will it be even nearly as good as The Fault in Our Stars? Teen site member CaraErica kicks off the discussion, please share your thoughts too!