Dance as a creative outlet
By the LJ and SLJ editors
Watching a beautiful ballet or modern dance performance online is a great way to expand your horizons and find joy during these difficult days. Many dance companies have stayed connected with fans by streaming new performances and posting recordings of prior shows. We highlight a collection of dance resources that feature free live and prerecorded performances for people to watch at their convenience.

On the bookish side, we spotlight virtual book clubs for reading during challenging times, while those looking for suggestions on what to read next will be interested the latest LJ starred reviews. 

As the seasons change, we feature how-to grilling guides for Labor Day cookouts as well as podcasts for tweens and teens drawn to spooky stories. Creativity comes in all forms, and we keep that in mind as we offer advice on implementing an online maker space that will help students thrive.

Lift Your Spirits With Dance
By Melanie Kletter
These performances highlight different kinds of styles and types of shows, some of which were created during the pandemic. To keep things fresh, several companies have added extra online content, such as classes for dancers at home. 

15 Guides to Grilling
By Phillip Oliver
There are countless barbecue experts, TV shows, and websites—books on the subject include a wide range of titles to satisfy everyone from novices to experts. Here are just a few titles to keep the backyard grillers busy.

Buzz-worthy Books of the Week

• We're Better Than This: My Fight for the Future of Our Democracy
• Alone Together: Love, Grief, and Comfort in the Time of COVID-19
• Agent Sonya: Moscow's Most Daring Wartime Spy
• The Book on Pie: Everything You Need To Know To Bake Perfect Pies

Family Bonding Over Books in Turbulent Times
By Linda Jacobson
While intergenerational reading has always involved a valuable shared experience on many levels, the pandemic has drawn more people to all-ages book clubs and programs, many organized virtually by nonprofits and libraries.

The Latest from Tana French, Alix E. Harrow & More
By LJ Editors
Essential titles reviewed in our September 2020 print issue, spanning mystery & suspense, sf/fantasy, romance, fiction, social sciences, and more.

10 Virtual Maker and STEM Resources for Students
By IdaMae Craddock
Moving making online doesn’t make it less engaging. Rather, it brings joy, whimsy, and the spirit of experimentation to the table in a new and innovative way. These resources will help smooth the path from in-person to online making.

Laying a Foundation for Reading Joy
By Donalyn Miller
It’s difficult to anticipate how this school year will unfold, but focusing on young readers’ need for time, access, choice, and community support is a powerful starting point. No matter the learning configurations, you can foster reading engagement.

Eight Podcasts for Kids Craving Scary Stories
By Anne Bensfield
Podcasts let imaginations run wild, with intense music and stirring sound effects ratcheting up the fright factor. This playlist of scary stories, from very friendly to spectacularly spooky, will appeal to a range of tween and teen patrons.