Books

Henry Huggins Turns 75: A Childhood Classic That Shaped Generations

SMGN Publishing September 10, 2025

A simple boy and his dog In 1950, author Beverly Cleary introduced readers to Henry Huggins, a third grader whose ordinary life changed when he adopted a stray dog named Ribsy. This moment marked the beginning of a friendship that became central to six books and captured the imagination of

NEA ends long-standing Creative Writing Fellowship in the United States

SMGN Publishing August 28, 2025

A program with more than 50 years of history comes to a close The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced the cancellation of its long-running Creative Writing Fellowship. This program, for decades, supported influential authors in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Over the years, the fellowship became a vital

From Insult to Identity: The Evolution of the Word “Nerd”

SMGN Publishing August 21, 2025

The uncertain origins The term “nerd” has been part of everyday language for more than seventy years, though its exact origins remain unclear. A widely accepted theory suggests it first appeared in the 1950 children’s book If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss, where it was listed among imaginary

Boston Public Library launches AI-assisted project to digitize historic public records

SMGN Publishing August 11, 2025

Partnership to expand access to government archives The Boston Public Library, one of the nation’s oldest and largest public library systems, has begun a project with Harvard University researchers and artificial intelligence specialists to expand access to its extensive collection of historic government documents.The archive includes congressional reports, oral histories,

New Book Recounts Life Inside a WWII Japanese American Concentration Camp

SMGN Publishing July 22, 2025

A Family’s Journey Through a Difficult Historical Chapter Together in Manzanar: The True Story of a Japanese Jewish Family in an American Concentration Camp, by author Tracy Slater, presents a true account of life inside the Manzanar camp, one of several facilities where the U.S. government confined individuals of Japanese

Hungarian Monastery Battles Insect Infestation to Protect Centuries-Old Books

SMGN Publishing July 14, 2025

Hungary’s Oldest Library Takes Emergency Action to Preserve Cultural Heritage At the Archabbey of Pannonhalma, a thousand-year-old Benedictine monastery in northwestern Hungary, conservation teams are racing against time to save nearly 100,000 books from a beetle infestation. The monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, holds around 400,000 volumes, including codices

New Book Releases Explore Sports Icons, Ancient History, and the U.S. Legal and Political Systems

SMGN Publishing July 9, 2025

This week’s literary highlights offer insight, inspiration, and suspense As summer heat intensifies across many regions of the U.S., this week’s book releases provide a welcome escape into compelling stories and historical explorations. From groundbreaking sports achievements to immersive archaeology and political retrospectives, the latest titles span a wide range

“Endling”: A Debut Novel That Blends Social Critique and Humor Amid War

SMGN Publishing June 24, 2025

Author Maria Reva weaves ecology, conflict, and cultural identity into a story that questions survival and representation. Endling, the debut novel by Canadian author Maria Reva, offers a dynamic narrative that blends sharp social commentary with dark humor. Set initially in Ukraine, the story centers on Yeva, an unconventional ecologist

10 Years After Mother Emanuel: Memory and Legacy

SMGN Publishing June 16, 2025

June 17 marks ten years since the tragic mass shooting at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. During a Wednesday evening Bible study, a white man with racist motivations opened fire, killing nine Black worshippers in an act that left a lasting scar on the community

Mediterranean Diet Cuts Stroke Risk for Women

Felipe Cardona February 8, 2026

As women age, their risk of stroke rises steadily, with a notable acceleration after menopause. Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability among women, affecting roughly one in five between the ages of 55 and 75 in the United States, according to data from the

Trump Warns of Tariffs Over Iran Trade

Felipe Cardona February 7, 2026

US President Donald Trump has moved to intensify economic pressure on Iran by signing an executive order that threatens additional tariffs on countries that continue commercial ties with Tehran. The measure authorizes penalties on goods entering the United States from any nation deemed to be trading directly or indirectly with

Bad Bunny Set to Redefine the Super Bowl Halftime Show with Music, Culture, and Protest

Sarah Olivella February 6, 2026

Bad Bunny is preparing for one of the most consequential performances of his career as he steps onto the Super Bowl halftime stage, carrying not only the weight of global stardom but also the responsibility of representing Puerto Rican culture and Latino identity before an audience that regularly surpasses 115