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An interview with author Neil Gaiman is presented. When asked about winning the 2009 Newbery Medal for his book "The Graveyard Book," Gaiman comments on responses from such media outlets as the "Guardian" and the "School Library Journal." Gaiman discusses his surrealist literary style, his inspiration from "The Jungle Book," and going to awards banquets.

The author talks about a blog post at the periodical by a librarian, focusing on the U.S. President Donald Trump's administration's priority of education. Topics discussed include the several books written by Dr. Seuss sent to top-performing schools in the U.S. by the President and his wife Melania Trump, the lack of focus on public education by the President, and the periodical's support for librarians around the U.S.

The author reflects on the Newbery Medal awarded by the journal to the winning books. Topics discussed include an outline of the Newbery Medal in 1996, the winners of the medal, the responses to the editorial "A Wider Vision for the Newbery" in the 1996 issue, the criteria of the medal, and the 2016 winner "Last Stop on Market Street" by Matt de la Peña.

The article introduces the 2015 annual issue of "The Horn Book Magazine" dedicated to the American Library Association (ALA) book awards.

The author discusses the We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) campaign in the U.S. to promote books by authors and illustrators of color. Topics addressed include a call for libraries to support the effort, the spread of the campaign via the microblogging site Twitter with the hashtag #WNDB, and the need for libraries to make available all kinds of books for all kinds of readers. Also mentioned are "The Horn Book Magazine" selections for the best children's and young adult books of 2014.

An editorial is presented in which the author discusses how the U.S. educational standards Common Core State Standards (CCSS) might impact books and reading in the classroom. He explores how nonfiction books are being promoted through CCSS, discusses the CCSS exemplary appendix, and examines several books from that index including "This Is Not My Hat," "I, Too, Am America," and "Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America."

The author suggests that the U.S. First Lady Laura Bush discuss the importance of British naturalist Charles Darwin's theory of evolution to the parents and teachers of the country's school children. The author suggests two books on the topic including "Life on Earth: The Story of Evolution," by Steve Jenkins and "The Tree of Life: Charles Darwin," by Peter Sis. Details are given from the author explaining why Bush is the perfect candidate for the task.

The author comments on the decision by U.S. First Lady Laura Bush to postpone indefinitely a symposium celebrating American poetry because the poets invited were planning to protest President Bush's policies toward Iraq. It is suggested that Mrs. Bush, a former librarian, has forgotten that poetry is written by "troublemakers." The article contains comments from poet Sam Hamill regarding the event.

The author reflects on various articles in the November/December 2001 issue of "Horn Book" magazine. Article topics include the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, the editor's reasons for choosing politics and religion as the focus of the magazine's issue, as well as the common principles of politics and religion.

The article considers the right of the press to ask book award committees about their evaluation procedure. The criteria for prize selection for the Caldecott, Newbery and Sibert awards are ambiguous; many books qualify for multiple awards. The article praises the overlap in prize nominees, saying it helps to establish quality in books.

The author focuses on a proposal intended for the Young Adult Library Services Association. The author provides an argument for an award given to young adult literature that stretches the imagination and demands an exciting orientation to new hypotheses, new ideas, and new dimensions. The article offers criteria for the award as well as implications of the inception of the award.

The author reflects upon the Newbery awards. He discusses the phrase "most distinguished" and believes the phrase is biased at best. The author ponders the impact of a Newbery award on the book and its author. Details are given for the criticism editors face from the Newbery committee if they offer their opinions in their respective magazines and journals about what book titles they would like to see win.

Comments on the proposal to include a young adults section in the design of the Chicago Public Library in Illinois. Goal to attract more teenagers to the library; Collection of resources suitable for young adults; Understanding of the needs of the target group to provide adequate library services.

Relates the experience of a branch librarian with gang members hanging out in a Chicago, Illinois library. Imposition of library rules.

Comments on issues regarding the selection of the best books for young adults in the United States in 1985. Complaints against the selection process; Range of topics covered by the books; Concerns regarding the balance of titles included in the list of best books.

Reports on Illinois-based Chicago Public Library's application for a grant-writing process to its book budget. Allocation of a lump sum based on past circulation and potential demand on branches and departments; National Endowment for the Humanities' grant for a project called 'Library-Based Programming in the Humanities for Young Adults; Encouragement for librarians to apply on various workshops.

Discusses the issue concerning young adult participation in library book evaluation and selection in the U.S. Commentary on the American Library Association's Young Adult Services Division's annual list of 'Best Books for Young Adults'; Effectiveness of a formalized body of patrons being so closely tied to the book selection process.

Focuses on proliferation of romance books for young adults in the United States. Janice Radway's study of the conventions of formula romance; Encyclopedic nature of romance fiction; Stories of good girls learning to be better.

Features 'Airplay,' the radio program for teenagers heard on Chicago, Illinois public radio station. Topics and segments of the program; Challenges encountered by the hosts of the show; Complaints usually made by older listeners.