Press Room
The Lost Forest: An Interview with Author Jennifer Swanson
After local fishers noticed a large swarm of fish in an unlikely area in the Gulf of Mexico, a team of divers found the remains of a forest deep beneath the waves. The ancient trees had been undisturbed for more than fifty thousand years before finally being uncovered by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The Lost Forest: […] View →
Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Plastic, Ahoy!
In 2014, Plastic, Ahoy!: Investigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch written by Patricia Newman with photographs by Annie Crawley captured the attention of young readers everywhere. Ten years have come and gone, and the discoveries shared in Plastic, Ahoy! are just as important today as they were back then. Try as we might, it’s almost […] View →
Just Another Story: An Interview with Author and Illustrator Ernesto Saade
Thousands migrate every year in search of a better life. Just Another Story: a Graphic Migration Account goes beyond headlines or statistics to provide a powerful individual account of this journey. When Carlos was nineteen, his mother decided to leave her life in El Salvador. Refusing to let her go without him, Carlos joined her […] View →
Cruzita and the Mariacheros: Author Interview with Ashley Granillo
Lighthearted and honest, Cruzita and the Mariacheros explores music, family, heritage, and legacy with a touch of sweetness from delicious treats. Cruzita dreams of becoming a pop star, but for now she has to help out at her family’s struggling bakery, where nothing’s been the same since her beloved great-uncle’s death. And when she’s not […] View →
Haiku, Ew!: An Interview with Author Lynn Brunelle
Nature is beautiful! And also super gross! Haiku, Ew!: Celebrating the Disgusting Side of Nature highlights thirteen animals (and a few fungi) and the exceptionally icky things they do! The haiku are accompanied by additional facts that will delight—and disgust—readers of all ages. Today author Lynn Brunelle joins us to talk about how she wrote […] View →
Board Book Roundup: Spring 2024 Board Books That Educate and Entertain
Join us as we explore our Spring 2024 collection of board books. From titles such as Lionel Is Just Like Dad, My First Dino-Boarding, Counting to Calm, and a handful of others! Each of our latest releases provides creativity and learning and is designed to grab the attention of young readers! Read on to catch […] View →
Mami King: An Interview with Illustrator Kristin Sorra
Ma Mon Luk left China and everything he knew behind to seek his fortune in the Philippines. Desperate to earn a living—and the approval of the parents of the woman he loved—he created a chicken noddle soup he called mami—”ma” for his name and “mi” for noodles. Peddling it as a street vendor, he earned […] View →
Librarian Prep Post: Engaging Young Readers
In the vibrant world of middle-grade literature, every book is a doorway to adventure, a mirror of real-life experiences, and a window into the imagination. In this blog post, we delve into the heart of middle-grade books, exploring their transformative power and highlighting new titles that promise to captivate, challenge, and cherish the curious minds […] View →
HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY: APRIL NEW RELEASES IN PICTURE BOOKS, GRAPHIC NOVELS, NONFICTION, AND MORE!
April is the perfect time for new beginnings…and new books! Check out our new releases to discover entertainment for the rainy spring days. New in Picture Books Haiku, Ew!: Celebrating the Disgusting Side of Nature by Lynn Brunelle and illustrated by Julia Patton Interest Level: Grade 2 – 5 These gross and engrossing haiku highlight […] View →
Celebrate National Poetry Month!
This April, join Lerner Publishing Group in celebrating National Poetry Month with a treasure trove of poetry resources designed for educators and librarians. Embrace the joy of verse with our engaging collection, featuring printable posters and interactive, downloadable activities from standout titles like Eating My Words: And 128 Other Poems, Haiku, Ew!: Celebrating the Disgusting […] View →
Nature Spy Guide: An Interview with Author Shelley Rotner
With spring on the horizon, children will be exploring the outside world. Encourage close observation and foster connection with nature with Nature Spy Guide by Shelley Rotner. With simple text and photos featuring kids in nature, this book invites children to search for colors, shapes, and more in the world around them. Today author and […] View →
Picture Perfect Picks Webinar Round-Up
Browse the eye-catching picture books featured in this webinar to explore a carefully curated selection of exceptional picture books from Lerner Publisher Services’ esteemed publishing partners—Andersen Press USA, Lantana Publishing, and Scallywag Press. These books cover vital themes like childhood disability, bullying, family bonds, and friendship, offering meaningful stories to engage and empower the young […] View →
The Color of Sound: An Interview with Author Emily Barth Isler
In The Color of Sound violin prodigy Rosie desperately wants the chance to experience a “normal” life and refuses to play her instrument for a summer. Upset, her mother sends her to her grandparents’ house where she meets another girl her age hanging out on the property. The girl is familiar, and Rosie quickly pieces […] View →
If I Were a Fungus: An Interview with Author and Illustrator Gaia Stella
Fungus is everywhere: cities, mountains, on food, and in deserts. Fungi are found around the globe, yet we know very little about them. Scientists even have a hard time defining what they are because they’re so contradictory. If I Were a Fungus by Gaia Stella is a playful and informative introduction to the fantastic world […] View →
The Rock in My Throat: An Interview with Author Kao Kalia Yang
Quiet, lyrical, and profound, The Rock in My Throat tells the true story of author Kao Kalia Yang’s experience as a young Hmong refugee navigating life at home and at school. Having seen the poor treatment her parents received when making their best efforts at speaking English, she no longer speaks at school. Kalia feels […] View →
Celebrate Earth Day with Books That Inspire Action and Awareness
As Earth Day approaches, it’s a great reminder that our commitment to the planet extends far beyond a single day. We have carefully curated a selection of books for Earth Day—and every day after that—to touch on crucial themes such as sustainability, wildlife conservation, climate action, and the simple steps we can all take to […] View →
Librarian Prep Post: Poetry Month
April is National Poetry Month! Celebrate the power of words with all kinds of poetry and discover new poets ever day. Below are some of Lerner’s top fiction and nonfiction poetry titles to expand students’ understanding of the genre and to encourage their own creativity and curiosity. Bo and the Poetry Lesson by Elliott Smith […] View →
Happy Book Birthday: March New Releases in Picture Books, Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, and more!
Spring is a time of new beginnings, new adventures, and new books! Peruse our March titles and find the perfect story for readers of every age. New in Picture Books The Rock in My Throat by Kao Kalia Yang, Illustrated by Jiemei Lin In this moving true story, Kao Kalia Yang shares her experiences as […] View →
Meet the Publisher: Red Chair Press
Today’s blog post features Lerner Publisher Service’s publishing partner of many years—Red Chair Press. Enjoy the following interview with Red Chair’s publisher, Keith Garton. What is Red Chair Press? Red Chair Press books support a child’s character, social-emotional, and academic development. Our fiction and nonfiction books are created to inspire children to be the best […] View →
Decodable Roundup: Introducing Red Rocket Readers Decodable Explorers
Decodable books are essential tools in early reading, offering structured, phonics-based text that aligns with a child’s growing phonetic skills. In this post, we are thrilled to spotlight a roundup of our latest decodable series, Red Rocket Readers Decodable Explorers. Join us as we explore this new series and the world of decodable books! Red […] View →
Pigeons at War: An Interview with Author Connie Goldsmith
Pigeons were the unsung heroes of both world wars. In Pigeons at War: How Avian Heroes Changed History by Connie Goldsmith, readers discover how these unassuming birds were crucial to communications between Allied troops. When phone, radio, and telegraph lines were cut or officers needed to send top secret messages, pigeons delivered information from the […] View →
Launch into Learning with The Planetary Society®
In 2024 Lerner Publishing Group embarks on a brand new journey with The Planetary Society®. The shared mission of educating and entertaining young scientists brought us together to create engaging STEM books. Read on to discover the first available title and series and to watch a message from The Planetary Society’s CEO Bill Nye! A Video […] View →
Unleash the Wild Within: Uncover Our Newest Roundup of Animal Tales!
Embark on a literary expedition where the charming, the curious, and the downright fascinating creatures of the natural world take center stage. Our brand-new Animal Book Roundup invites readers on a journey through the wild, unveiling a treasure trove of stories and facts that span from the heartwarming presence of our furry friends to the […] View →
Pangu’s Shadow: An Interview with Author Karen Bao
A lab, a murder, and two young scientists that risk it all. Pangu’s Shadow follows rival apprentices Ver and Aryl who work in the most prestigious biology lab in the Pangu Star System. One night they’re working late and find their brilliant but egotistical teacher, Cal, sprawled on the floor, dead. Murdered. And they immediately […] View →
Jump into Action with Our Spring Sport Books Roundup
In this blog post, we’re rounding up the most exciting sports books that not only highlight the adrenaline-pumping moments of these seasonal sports but also delve into the inspiring stories of athletes and teams who have left an indelible mark on their games. Continue reading to discover our standout sports books of the season that […] View →
Librarian Prep Post: Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month honors both the struggle that women have faced throughout time, as well as the many important achievements women have made that haven’t always been recognized. Books can give us extra insight into influential figures and the stories of women that aren’t always widely told. Join Lerner in celebrating this March by browsing […] View →
All Reads Event: A Blueprint for Community Reading Fun!
” If we want to help our students become lifelong lovers of text, we must engage the community in reading and writing. Our students must see literacy as a natural part of everyday life, not just a school thing.” Rita Platt A Community of Passionate Readers | Edutopia Imagine everyone reading the same chapter book over […] View →
Happy Book Birthday: February New Releases in Young Adult, NonFiction, Picture Books, and more!
Don’t let the winter cold get you down. This February we are releasing new titles in fiction, nonfiction, picture books, and young adult. Expand your imagination by reading about dinosaurs surfing, Super Potato’s cosmic battle, pigeons in the war, and much more! New in Board Books My First Dino-Boarding by Lisa Wheeler, Illustrated by Barry […] View →
A New Wave of Spanish-Language Titles
Lerner Books is proud to showcase our Spring 2024 collection of Spanish-language books. This season, our Ediciones Lerner imprint continues its tradition of offering titles and series translated with care and expertise by Spanish-speaking professionals and educators. Our Spring 2024 collection is a testament to our commitment to bridging cultures and expanding horizons through the […] View →
Explore, Learn, Create: Your Guide to the Lerner Maker Lab Database
Welcome to the Lerner Maker Lab, your digital gateway to hands-on learning and creative exploration. This unique database is akin to a virtual makerspace, brimming with diverse projects ranging from cooking and crafting to intriguing chemistry experiments. As with all Lerner Publishing Group offerings, our content is meticulously crafted with our readers in mind, offering […] View →
The 2024 ALA Youth Media Awards Afterglow
There’s no better way to start the year than with American Library Association’s presentation of the 2024 Youth Media Awards! A hearty congratulations to all ALA award winners. Monday was all about dancing in the street and shouting from the rooftops, but today we’d like to formally recognize the lauded Lerner titles and one very […] View →
Meet the Publisher: Cheriton Children’s Books
Lerner Publisher Services brings you our next publishing partner in our Meet the Publisher blog series: Cheriton Children’s Books. Cheriton, based in the UK, creates high-quality, engaging nonfiction series for middle and upper grade readers. Read on to learn more! What is Cheriton Children’s Books? Cheriton’s mission is simple: to create books that inspire a […] View →
Crack the Code with The Code Busters Club: Spring 2024’s Thrilling New Releases!
Get excited as we gear up for Spring 2024 because The Code Busters Club from Darby Creek is back with not one, not two, but four thrilling new titles! Releasing this spring, jump back into the world of code-breaking with Cody, Quinn, Luke, Mika, and M.E., the brilliant members of The Code Busters Club. Read […] View →
Imani’s Enchanting Adventures in Hair Magic: Celebrating Diversity with Read Woke™ Books
Embark on a magical journey with Hair Magic, a captivating series from Read Woke™ Books. Witness how Imani’s hair transforms as she discovers her inner strengths – from bravery to creativity. This series is not just a story; it’s a celebration of diversity and empowerment for young readers. In the enchanting world of Hair Magic, Imani’s […] View →
World Read Aloud Day: Fostering Community Through Shared Stories
Looking for book suggestions? Here are a few wonderful books for World Read Aloud Day: View →
Celebrate Black History Month!
2024 is starting off with two extremely significant events: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on January 15th and Black History Month in February. We’ve compiled a list of fantastic picture books, young adult nonfiction, series, and more that highlight some key figures and moments in Black history. Read on to find titles perfect for celebrating […] View →
Happy Book Birthday: January New Releases in Paperback, Spanish, YA, Graphic Novels, and more!
The holiday season may be coming to a close, but the new year is just beginning! We’re releasing titles in young adult, graphic novels, nonfiction series, and more. Whether you want to learn about huge animals, track your favorite athletes, or get lost in an exciting adventure, we’re bringing something for everyone. Celebrate 2024 with […] View →
Fall 2023 Titles from Lerner Publisher Services
We could not be more pleased to show you all the Fall 2023 titles from our publishing partners near and far. Enjoy this round-up of picture books, series nonfiction, graphic novels, young adult fiction, and more! The Bookshop Mice Astrid is a bookshop mouse. She has the most incredible adventures, but when her new friends […] View →
Stars of 2023: A Year of Star-Studded Success
Lerner Publishing Group is proud to celebrate another year of literary excellence in 2023, with our titles receiving 34 starred reviews and numerous awards with even more across our publishers and imprints. Reflecting on a year filled with high-quality nonfiction and fiction for children and young adults, we’re excited to share our list of acclaimed […] View →
The Power of Snow: An Interview with Author Bob Raczka
Snow and math. Both beautiful and overwhelming in their own ways, but when brought together they create the perfect picture book. The Power of Snow by Bob Raczka and illustrated by Bryony Clarkson introduces the concept of exponential growth with playful verse and intricate illustrations as a snowstorm builds snowflake by snowflake. Today author Bob […] View →
Ready, Set, Read: Our Picture Book Round-Up
We’re super excited to share some fantastic picture books with you. These aren’t just regular books; they’re little adventures packed with fun stories and excellent pictures. Each book is a mini journey, perfect for story time or just exploring on your own. So, we’ve got some great picks for you, whether you’re reading with your […] View →
Celebrating Innovation with the COVID-19 Vaccine’s Story
As we mark the anniversary of the COVID-19 vaccine, it’s vital to look into the stories behind this groundbreaking achievement. In this post, we will explore several books illuminating the journey of vaccine research and its heroes. The books in our spotlight are informative and real eye-openers, showing the power of persistence and science. Perfect […] View →
The Denim Diaries: An Author Interview with Laurie Boyle Crompton
Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s was full of hilarity and heartbreak, and The Denim Diaries: A Memoir is here to share it all with you. From relationships and makeup to parental divorce and disordered eating, young adult author Laurie Boyle Crompton recounts her coming of age in rural Pennsylvania and her early twenties […] View →
Celebrate Mental Wellness Month
With the combined weight of the COVID-19 pandemic, societal changes, and everyday anxieties, it has become increasingly difficult to feel emotionally and psychologically content. Mental health is something that affects us all, regardless of age, gender, race, or experience. Books are a wonderful way to increase awareness and take the time to discuss mental wellness […] View →
The Ultimate Book Gift Guide for Every Reader on Your List
Books make the best gifts, combining ease of wrapping and mailing with the joy of bringing laughter and knowledge to others during the holiday season. Whether you’re seeking the perfect read for a teacher, a new parent, a beginning reader, or a teen who devours graphic novels, our curated list has something for everyone. Read […] View →
Celebrating a Season of Stories: Our Fall 2023 Fiction Round Up
Can you believe 2023 is almost over? We sure can’t! But what a year it’s been, especially with our fall lineup of fiction titles that gave us endless adventures. From a silly wolf in underpants, stories about summer adventures in space, and more diverse stories. Let’s rewind and relive these incredible stories as we bid […] View →
Meet the Publisher: Creston Books
Next up in our Meet the Publisher series, we are pleased to introduce you to Creston Books. Creston was founded in 2013 by Marissa Moss, who had a vision for giving diverse voices a place to shine in picture books. Enjoy this interview with Marissa. What is Creston Books? Creston Books was featured in The […] View →
Forsooth: An Author Interview with Jimmy Matejek-Morris
Sometimes you just know you’re destined for great things. In Forsooth thirteen-year-old theater kid Calvin knows he’s going to be a star. All he has to do is prove himself as an actor and fix the awkwardness with his friends that started after the play where he got stuck on a single line. But nothing’s […] View →
Join Us in Celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, and the Hour of Code!
We’re quickly approaching the holiday season – a perfect time to come together with friends, family, and all the people we care about. Bringing Christmas, Hanukkah, and the Hour of Code, the month of December gives us plenty of reasons to celebrate. Whether it’s with dinosaur Santa, Mrs. Maccabee’s sons, or coding memes, ring in […] View →
The First Invasion: An Interview with Author Zack Soto
What would you do if you found a strange tunnel in the woods behind your house? Investigate of course! In The First Invasion: Book 1 Cousins Truly and Kaz discover a hideout full of treasures and slip on wristbands that summon a space knight named Trinn Cyclo. And he arrives just in time to help […] View →
Happy Book Birthday: New in Young Adult, Middle Grade, Graphic Novels, and Picture Books
As the leaves fall and the temperature drops, it’s a perfect time to add to your reading list! We’re releasing titles in multiple different genres that cover a wide range of topics from space adventures to mental health. Read on to see new books from Lerner this November! New in Young Adult Breakthrough: Katalin Karikó […] View →
Meet the Publisher: Ruby Tuesday Books
What is Ruby Tuesday Books? Ruby Tuesday is a nonfiction children’s publisher owned and run by best friends and business partners Ruth Owen and Shan White. At Ruby Tuesday our mission is simple – to publish beautiful and informative books that spark a love of reading and discovery. Read on to learn more about Ruby […] View →
Small Shoes, Great Strides: An Interview with Author Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Many students know the story of Ruby Bridges, but how about the McDonogh Three? Small Shoes, Great Strides: How Three Brave Girls Opened Doors to School Equality tells the powerful true story of how Leona Tate, Gail Etienne, and Tessie Prevost courageously integrated a New Orleans school on November 14, 1960. Today award-winning author Vaunda Micheaux […] View →
Social Studies Spotlight: Lerner’s All-Age Fall Collection
As the season shifts, Lerner Books proudly presents our newest Fall collection of social studies books. Crafted for readers of all ages, these selections offer a gateway into diverse cultures, histories, and societal narratives. Whether you’re an educator, student, or simply someone with a passion for understanding the world around us, these fall series and […] View →
Growing Literacy and Family Engagement: A Case Study
Superintendent Dr. Dana T. Bedden and his team inspired Centennial School District educators, families, and school board members to come together to select books for summer take-home kits, engaging families and students with literacy. Read on to see how they did it! Centennial School District (PA) wanted to use ESSER funds to support literacy and […] View →
All the Things We Never Said: An Interview with Author Yasmin Rahman
In All the Things We Never Said three girls with overwhelming depression meet through a website that binds them in a suicide pact. As they become friends, they realize their struggles aren’t insurmountable with the right support. But breaking the pact won’t be simple as the website continues to push them. Harrowing but deeply thoughtful […] View →
Lifting Diverse Voices: A Q&A with Authors Inspiring Discussion and Action with YA Nonfiction
On October 5th, we hosted the Lifting Diverse Voices webinar moderated by #ReadWoke founder and 2020 School Library Journal Librarian of the Year Cicely Lewis and featuring experts Talia Aikens-Nuñez, Lars Ortiz, and Dr. Artika Tyner. These three authors have all recently released Young Adult Nonfiction books that focus on prejudice, racism, and the ways […] View →
Strikers: An Interview with Author Kiel Phegley
The weather is turning colder and that mean’s hockey season has begun! Strikers: A Graphic Novel takes readers back to the season of 1986 in Flint, Michigan where one team of underdogs will learn how to stay on their skates when they only see Ls in the future. Even though they may not understand each […] View →
Sensitive: An Interview with Author Sara Levine
Renowned for her acclaimed books on animals and the natural world, Sara Levine joins us to reveal the inspiration and journey behind her latest title, Sensitive. A touching tale of a young girl constantly criticized for her heightened emotions, this story serves as a beacon for those who’ve been chided for being “too sensitive.” Read […] View →
Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month! Indigenous people are a vital part of the United States and have had a huge impact on the country. November is a perfect time to celebrate and appreciate this significance, as well as make sure that readers are educated on the history, traditions, and stories of Native American people. […] View →
I Ship: An Interview with Author Kelly Rice Schmitt
Cast off on a journey across the ocean with a container ship as a guide in the delightful picture book I Ship: A Container Ship’s Colossal Journey by Kelly Rice Schmitt and illustrated by Jam Dong. The crew encounters a stuck ship in a canal, reroutes, and weathers a mighty storm, but they are determined […] View →
Happy Book Birthday: New in Fiction, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, and Picture Books
New in Fiction ★ All the Things We Never Said by Yasmin Rahman Sixteen-year-old Mehreen is overwhelmed by her anxiety and depression, and she doesn’t believe anyone in her life will understand if she tries to talk about it. She’s been thinking about suicide for a while when she discovers a website called MementoMori.com. The […] View →
Meet the Publisher: Lorimer Children and Teens
Allow us to introduce you to Lorimer Children and Teens, a Canadian publisher who specializes in creating diverse books for reluctant and striving readers. Read on to learn more about Lorimer’s publishing program and unique vision to “get kids reading!” What is Lorimer Children and Teens? We’re a small publisher with over 500 in print […] View →
Lifting Diverse Voices – Free Webinar
Are your teen readers interested in social justice? Are they connecting to the nonfiction content they’re reading? Join moderator Cicely Lewis and authors Talia Aikens-Nuñez, Lars Ortiz, and Dr. Artika Tyner as they discuss three fascinating YA books featuring authentic voices and hidden figures in history, which are sure to inspire discussion and action. Read […] View →
Night and Dana: An Interview with Author Anya Davidson
Climate change, film, and coming-of-age: the new graphic novel Night and Dana pulls no punches. When special-effects obsessives Dana and Lily begin work on an eco-horror movie, tempers flare. But as everything starts going up in flames, Dana begins to forge her voice as a climate activist. Author and artist Anya Davidson joins us today […] View →
Gallows Hill: An Interview with Author Lois Ruby
Panic spreads as quickly as the rumors in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 when members of the community are accused of witchcraft Puritan Patience and Quaker Thomas are caught up in this climate of fear, but both begin to question their faiths and fight to protect their families. Gallows Hill takes a realistic, psychologically astute approach to […] View →
Weed: An Interview with Author Caitlin Donohue
Weed: Cannabis Culture in the Americas is a wide-reaching and inclusive collection of interviews which will satisfy young adult readers curious in the unique plant’s history and future. Culture writer and journalist Caitlin Donohue joins us today to discuss why a book like this is so important and what she hopes young readers will find […] View →
Lerner’s Book Résumés: Support and Insight for Banned Books Week
Mark your calendars for Banned Books Week October 1-7! Since 1982, the international book community has joined in this annual celebration of the freedom to read. And this year, it is especially significant. The attack on literature in the U.S. is intensifying as many states have enacted or drafted legislation to control access to books […] View →
The Beasts in Your Brain: An Interview with Illustrator Harshad Marathe
The Beasts in Your Brain: Understanding and Living with Anxiety and Depression by Katherine Speller is a clever, approachable, and empathetic read for young adults and their loved ones. Each chapter reminds readers that they are not alone in their feelings, teaches them the science of mental illness, and empowers them to quell the brain […] View →
A Pocketful of Stars: An Interview with Author Aisha Bushby
Heartfelt and magical, A Pocketful of Stars follows Safiya who has never seen eye-to-eye with her mother. When her mother falls into a coma, Safiya comes to terms with their complicated relationship and discovers more about herself through dreams that transport her to her mother’s childhood in Kuwait. Author Aisha Bushby joins us on the […] View →
Spooky Books from Lerner
It’s the season of monsters and haunted houses. Soon, people will begin planning scary costumes and stocking up on candy corn. Neighborhoods will be decorated with dancing skeletons, glowing tombstones, and thick spiderwebs. Stores will be filled with containers of fake blood, palates of zombie makeup, and collections of heavy pumpkins. As you’re cutting eyeholes […] View →
The Knight of Little Import: An Interview with Creator Hannah Batsel
Hear ye, hear ye! The new picture book The Knight of Little Import is out in all bookstores now! Young knight Charlie lives in the town of Little Import where nothing exciting ever happens. Until . . . she discovers there are monsters all around, and only she knows what to do to help her […] View →
Happy Book Birthday: New in Nonfiction, Fiction, Picture Books, Board Books, and Paperback
September is bringing loads of new books from Lerner! From YA nonfiction to board books, we are releasing a variety of fantastic reads. Check out our new titles below. New in Nonfiction Smashing Stigma: Dismantling Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination by Connie Goldsmith Stigma is everywhere, from mistrust of unhoused people to discrimination based on weight. […] View →
My Friend Julia: An Interview with Author Jennifer Cook
Everyone experiences the world a little differently! In the new book My Friend Julia: A Sesame Street ® Book about Autism young readers meet a very special friend named Julia. Julia is an autistic girl who loves art, building, and starfish hugs. Being autistic means she thinks and plays in her own wonderful ways. Continue […] View →
Share the Magic of Decodables
Let’s make reading an exhilarating adventure for every young mind! View →
It’s STEM-tember!
Here at Lerner, September is STEM-tember! The fields of science, technology, engineering, and math are essential to the fabric of our society. From robotics to chemistry, the STEM categories include a variety of fascinating subjects. Though historically these industries have lacked diversity, they are becoming more welcoming every year. Help encourage students to learn about […] View →
Digipalooza Recap: Or, what’s a book résumé?
I am recently back from OverDrive’s Digipalooza event and WOWZA. My head is spinning with all the interesting things we learned. I am also blown away by the live sketch artist who created cartoon takeaways for every single presentation! From sessions about how to maximize budgets using different access models to using Libby to merchandise […] View →
Introducing: Scallywag Press
We are proud to introduce one of Lerner Publisher Services’ newest publishers—Scallywag Press! Scallywag Press is a UK-based publisher who creates picture books that reflect on our lives and provide valuable perspectives which could be useful to readers of any age. Scallywag love books where words and pictures both play their different parts to convey […] View →
The Adventures of the PSS 118 Series Finale Is Here!: An Interview with Author Joshua Levy
There’s nothing more satisfying than an epic conclusion to a fan-favorite series. Jack, Ari, and Becka have been through a lot since their school catapulted across the galaxy into the clutches of aliens. In Last Summer in Outer Space the friends face a final showdown against the aliens who kidnapped the rest of humanity. With help […] View →
Introducing: Mayo Clinic Press Kids
We are thrilled to have added a new publisher to our Lerner Publisher Services roster–Mayo Clinic Press Kids! Mayo Clinic Press Kids provides engaging health and wellness content for children from the most trusted name in health. Captivating stories, diverse voices, and expert authority empower young readers to care for themselves and their communities. Books […] View →
Puag Saum Cov Ntsis Ntoo: An Interview with Author Kao Kalia Yang
Since its publication in 2021, the award-winning picture book From the Tops of the Trees has touched the hearts of young readers and adults alike. Now, there is a new way to read this inspiring true story as we welcome the Hmong edition, Puag Saum Cov Ntsis Ntoo, to the shelves. Today author Kao Kalia […] View →
Beyond the Panels: Your Ultimate Guide to Our Graphic Novel Fall Preview
We’re spotlighting our latest lineup of graphic novels set to rock your world this fall! Get ready to flip through pages packed with awesomeness as we take you on a wild ride beyond the panels. Read on to uncover the excitement that our Fall Graphic Novel Preview has in store for you! Krish and the […] View →
60 Years Later: Honoring the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Iconic Speech
As we mark another year since the resounding words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. echoing across the National Mall, it’s a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the enduring significance of his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. As part of our tribute, we’ll also be spotlighting a selection of titles that focus on the […] View →
Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15th! This month is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the beautiful contributions that Hispanic people have made both in the past and present. Celebrate Hispanic history and culture with these Lerner selections! The Mexican Dreidel by Linda Elovitz Marshall and Ilan Stavans, illustrated by Maria Mola Danielito loves Janucá, […] View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Nonfiction, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Books, Series, and Paperbacks
With a new month comes new books! Check out August releases from Lerner Publishing Group! New Nonfiction ★ The Bodyguard Unit: Edith Garrud, Women’s Suffrage, and Jujitsu by Clement Xavier, illustrated by Lisa Lugrin Winner of the North Star YA Award, Michael L. Printz Award, and more In the early twentieth century, women in England […] View →
Meet the Publisher: Lantana Publishing
Can we get a drumroll please? Allow us to introduce to you the next publisher in our excellent lineup of publishing partners – Lantana Publishing. Lantana is a UK-based publisher who tells under-represented and inclusive stories for all children. Check out the following interview with founder and publisher Dr. Alice Curry to learn more! What […] View →
Suggestions to Set the Stage for Back to School
As the new school year approaches, it’s essential to create a positive and welcoming environment for students. Here are some Classroom Book-a-Day suggestions to ease anxieties, build relationships, foster empathy, and lay the foundation for a successful school year. Get ready to gather your students, open a book, and embark on an enriching adventure of […] View →
Summer Constellations: 2023 Stars So Far
By Megan Ciskowski, Associate Publicist It’s time to look up and celebrate the stars! Keep reading to discover which 2023 titles have earned review recognition for excellence and quality from the first six months of the year. Picture Books The Babka Sisters Grade Level: PreK – 2Age Level: 3 – 8 Dueling baker sisters Esther […] View →
Meet the Publisher: Soaring Kite Books
The Meet the Publisher series is an opportunity for us to introduce our publishing partners to you one at a time. Next up is Soaring Kite Books. Read on to learn about publisher Ceece Kelley’s vision for creating diverse, uplifting stories for children. What is Soaring Kite Books? Soaring Kite Books is a small Black-owned […] View →
Nurturing the Nurturers: Educator Self-Care Over the Summer
As the summer break rolls around, educators find themselves with a well-deserved opportunity to recharge and rejuvenate after a demanding academic year. Read on for some tips on how to nurture yourself during this break and how to avoid overexertion! While it’s tempting to dedicate the entire vacation to planning for the next school year […] View →
The Magic of Graphic Novels
Graphic novels that will ignite a passion for reading! View →
What Is Juneteenth?
In this blog post, we’ll showcase the history of Juneteenth and how books have helped capture the struggles, triumphs, and the path to freedom. Featuring two titles that will explore themes like resilience, identity, and the fight for equality, all of which make Juneteenth a special occasion to highlight diverse voices, promote empathy, and deepen […] View →
Lerner Is Coming to ALA
By Megan Ciskowski, Associate Publicist Get ready for an amazing weekend with Lerner at the 2023 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition. This year the conference will be held in Chicago, Illinois, from June 22nd to the 27th, and we hope to see all of you there. So stop by Lerner booth #3620 to talk with […] View →
Get Ready for Shark Week!
Sharks have captivated our imaginations for centuries. These awe-inspiring creatures of the deep sea continue to be a subject of fascination and intrigue, and these shark books offer a range of perspectives and insights into their captivating world that will be perfect reading for Shark Week. Deep dive into the remarkable lives of sharks with […] View →
Book Your Adventure with Summer Reading
With the sun shining brighter and the days growing longer, there’s no better time to dive into a collection of thrilling books that will take you to far-away destinations and extraordinary experiences. To enhance your summer reading experience, we have a special surprise in store for you! We’ve created a checklist of topics to guide […] View →
Nearer My Freedom Cover Design Historic Topic, Contemporary Cover
By Athena Currier, Senior Designer Reluctant readers sometimes think of historical nonfiction as “vitamins”—more obligation than entertainment. But YA nonfiction can be so much more than that! Good books make history come alive. Yet frequently those books come packaged within covers that feel a little too historic. How can a book’s cover design be both […] View →
What Makes a Picture Book Bio Stand Out?
by Carol Hinz, Associate Publisher of Millbrook Press and Carolrhoda Books I love picture book biographies, both because of the fascinating range of people featured and because of the wide range of approaches authors use in writing them. Would I have known about Isatou Ceesay’s efforts to clean up her community in the Gambia if […] The post What Makes a Picture Book Bio Stand Out? appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
The Weight of Everything: An Interview with Author Marcia Argueta Mickelson
The new YA novel The Weight of Everything strikes the perfect balance between grief, romance, and self-exploration through the eyes of one girl’s personal experience. Six months ago, Sarah’s beloved mother died in a car accident. Her dad fell apart, and Sarah had to leave her fine arts boarding school to take care of him […] The post The Weight of Everything: An Interview with Author Marcia Argueta Mickelson appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Spring 2023 Titles from Lerner Publisher Services
To make sure you don’t miss the Spring 2023 line-ups from our publishing partners, distributed through Lerner Publisher Services, check out the highlights below. We’re thrilled to bring you some of our favorite books from publishers around the world. Hedge Lion Discover your inner-roar with Ida, and your inner kindness with Hedge Lion! Ida sees […] The post Spring 2023 Titles from Lerner Publisher Services appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
BOOKS TO CELEBRATE LGBTQIA+ PRIDE MONTH
“All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential.” Harvey Milk June marks Pride month for the LGBTQIA+ community. If you’re prepping book displays, looking for titles to support lessons and curriculum, or are simply seeking books that reflect LGBTQIA+ experiences, we’ve […] The post BOOKS TO CELEBRATE LGBTQIA+ PRIDE MONTH appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Sasquatch and Squirrel: An Interview with Author Chris Monroe
Have you ever had a rough start to a friendship? Strawberry the Sasquatch can relate. After years of being on her own, an extremely friendly squirrel named Nutty shows up. After a series of hilarious mishaps, Strawberry isn’t sure she and Nutty can get along. But thanks to some cloud watching, seed portraits, and stale […] The post Sasquatch and Squirrel: An Interview with Author Chris Monroe appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Men of the 65th: An Interview with Author Talia Aikens-Nuñez
Honor and Fidelity. That is the motto of the 65th Infantry Regiment, the only Puerto Rican unit in the United States Army. Discover their story in the new YA nonfiction Men of the 65th: The Borinqueneers of the Korean War. Today author Talia Aikens-Nuñez joins us on the Lerner blog to share her inspiration, a surprising […] The post Men of the 65th: An Interview with Author Talia Aikens-Nuñez appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Graphic Novels, YA, and Nonfiction
Check out May new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! Picture Books Sasquatch and Squirrel by Chris Monroe Strawberry the Sasquatch lives alone deep in the forest. Most animals are afraid of her, but she doesn’t mind. She’s happy doing all the alone things a sasquatch does—things like hiking and foraging as well as dance moves […] The post Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Graphic Novels, YA, and Nonfiction appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month With These Must-Read Books
May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month! This month provides an opportunity to reflect on the rich history, culture, and achievements of these communities and to celebrate their diversity and unique contributions to our society. One great way to celebrate is to read some of the amazing stories that showcase such rich history […] The post Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month With These Must-Read Books appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Meet the Publisher: Planting People Growing Justice
We’re back to introduce you to one of Lerner Publisher Services newer publishing partners–Planting People Growing Justice Press. We first began distributing PPGJ’s empowering books for future leaders in Spring 2023. Please enjoy this interview with founder Dr. Artika R. Tyner. What is Planting People Growing Justice? Founded in 2017 by award-winning author and nationally […] The post Meet the Publisher: Planting People Growing Justice appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Poop for Breakfast: Interview with Author Sara Levine
By Carol Hinz, Associate Publisher of Millbrook Press and Carolrhoda Books Eating poop is gross! So why do some animals do it? For lots of good reasons! Way back when I started working as a children’s book editor, I have to confess that I didn’t exactly aspire to edit a book about animals that eat […] The post Poop for Breakfast: Interview with Author Sara Levine appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Banned Books, 2023 Edition
It’s hard to avoid news of book bans and challenges around the country right now. We want to take this opportunity to remind you of some resources we’ve put together for librarians, educators, and others interested in preserving access to books. Resources for Handling Challenges Our blog post Be Prepared: Censorship Resources from 2021 has […] The post Banned Books, 2023 Edition appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Graphic Novel Roundup: New Adventure’s for a New Season
With spring coming around, it’s the perfect time to pick up a new, vivid adventure. From traveling back to the middle ages to making instruments from trash, these graphic novels offer new takes and twists to enjoy. Dig into these new additions from Lerner! Check out other graphic novels from Lerner! The post Graphic Novel Roundup: New Adventure’s for a New Season appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Librarian Prep List for Jewish American Heritage Month
May is Jewish American Heritage Month! Here’s a list of book display ideas or selections for your readers advisory group. The post Librarian Prep List for Jewish American Heritage Month appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Rise to the Sky: An Interview with Author Rebecca E. Hirsch and Illustrator Mia Posada
Trees are the tallest living things on Earth. But how do they grow to be so tall? Science writer Rebecca E. Hirsch presents a poetic introduction to the tree life cycle in Rise to the Sky: How the World’s Tallest Trees Grow Up. Accompanied by Mia Posada’s detailed collage illustrations, this book features the tallest tree […] The post Rise to the Sky: An Interview with Author Rebecca E. Hirsch and Illustrator Mia Posada appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Announcing the Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults Teaching Guide
Ever since the November 2022 release of Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, we’ve promised readers a resource to help them dive deeper into the rich material of the text. You’ve waited, patiently reading and watching…and now it’s finally here! We’re delighted to announce the official Braiding […] The post Announcing the Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults Teaching Guide appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Find Your Favorite Lerner Titles in Accessible Formats via Bookshare
Here at Lerner Publishing Group’s Lerner Digital imprint, our mission is to “reach readers of all needs with accessible, engaging content to instill a joy of reading in all.” Thanks to a new partnership with Benetech, we have expanded our accessibility goals by making our titles available in formats used by assistive technologies for readers […] The post <strong>Find Your Favorite Lerner Titles in Accessible Formats via Bookshare</strong> appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY: NEW PICTURE BOOKS, GRAPHIC NOVELS, MIDDLE GRADE, AND NONFICTION
Check out April new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! Picture Books Poop for Breakfast: Why Some Animals Eat It by Sara Levine and illus. by Florence Weiser Eating poop is gross! So why do some animals do it? For lots of good reasons! Male butterflies slurp up poop to give as a gift to females, […] The post HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY: NEW PICTURE BOOKS, GRAPHIC NOVELS, MIDDLE GRADE, AND NONFICTION appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Fun Decodable Books to Support Reading Instruction
Fun Decodable Books to Support Reading Instruction! The post Fun Decodable Books to Support Reading Instruction appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Nearer My Freedom: An Interview with Co-Author Lesley Younge
Nearer My Freedom: The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano by Himself by Monica Edinger and Lesley Younge has earned recognition with five starred reviews and praise from industry professionals. This new release explores Olaudah Equiano’s life story—his childhood in Africa, enslavement, liberation, and life as a free man—through “found verse,” a creative approach to primary […] The post Nearer My Freedom: An Interview with Co-Author Lesley Younge appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
YA Nonfiction Roundup
From space to genetics to history to politics, young people’s interests are vast and wide. Feed their cravings for knowledge with these new nonfiction titles specifically for young adults! Written to be both informative and simple, these books offer detailed facts and stories at a digestible level. Dive in! The Big Backyard Thousands of years […] The post YA Nonfiction Roundup appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Meet the Publisher: Gecko Press
Lerner has the extreme privilege of distributing unique and celebrated children’s books from publishers both national and international. We’d like to take this opportunity to begin introducing them to you one at a time. First up is Gecko Press! Gecko Press is an independent, small-by-choice, publisher of children’s books translated from some of the best […] The post Meet the Publisher: Gecko Press appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
The 5 Kinds of Nonfiction: A Tactical Deep Dive with FREE DOWNLOADS
The importance of teaching students to read nonfiction has never been more clear. To summarize NCTE’s Position Statement: “It is a rich and compelling genre that . . . empowers young people in the face of current and emerging challenges locally and globally, such as racial, cultural, social, and economic injustice, censorship and disinformation, and […] The post The 5 Kinds of Nonfiction: A Tactical Deep Dive with FREE DOWNLOADS appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Past Meets Present in YA and MG Fiction
By Editorial Director Amy Fitzgerald As a kid, I was obsessed with historical fiction. For me, it was an exciting escape from my generally comfortable but uneventful middle-class white life. Only later did I notice that it’s usually white people who fantasize about living in a different time. I had the luxury of seeing the […] The post Past Meets Present in YA and MG Fiction appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Reading Builds Strong Social-Emotional Skills
As a teacher, I have used picture books, poetry, memoirs, fiction and nonfiction books to help my students build empathy, social awareness, self-awareness, and self-management skills. Diverse texts and voices help students learn and develop the social and emotional skills they need to succeed not only in school, but in the world beyond. Here are […] The post Reading Builds Strong Social-Emotional Skills appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
NEVER GIVE UP: AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR DEBBIE DADEY AND ILLUSTRATOR JULIANA OAKLEY
Meet Hungarian American biochemist Katalin “Kati” Karikó. She became fascinated by science as a child and grew up determined to find a way to use messenger RNA—a copy of a part of DNA that provides cells with instructions to make proteins—to help fight illness. Never Give Up: Dr. Kati Karikó and the Race for the Future […] The post NEVER GIVE UP: AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR DEBBIE DADEY AND ILLUSTRATOR JULIANA OAKLEY appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent: An Interview with Author Ann Jacobus
Hopeful and compassionate, The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent follows eighteen-year-old Del as she discovers she cannot fully value life without accepting the realities of death. She’s in a healthier place more than a year after a suicide attempt. She’s sober, getting treatment for her depression and anxiety, and volunteering at a suicide-prevention hotline. But […] The post The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent: An Interview with Author Ann Jacobus appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Thought-Provoking Books for Earth Day and Every Day!
Students will be the first to say that Earth Day is every day! So here is a list of books to inspire ways to protect this beautiful planet Earth and celebrate budding environmentalism. The post Thought-Provoking Books for Earth Day and Every Day! appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Graphic Novels, Young Adult, and Nonfiction
Check out March new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! Picture Books Finding Family: The Duckling Raised by Loons by Laura Purdie Salas and illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis Discover the true story of an orphaned mallard duckling being raised by a pair of loons. On a lake in northern Wisconsin in 2019, loon researchers were surprised […] The post Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Graphic Novels, Young Adult, and Nonfiction appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
BRAND NEW HIGH/LOW BOOKS TO ENGAGE RELUCTANT TEEN READERS
Looking to engage struggling and reluctant teen readers? Provide gripping, action-filled stories written at a lower reading level to support striving readers. Take a look at these new and exciting high/low books that readers will reach for again and again: Sinkhole Series Ever since the first sinkhole appeared in Foggy Creek, Texas, weird things have […] The post BRAND NEW HIGH/LOW BOOKS TO ENGAGE RELUCTANT TEEN READERS appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Diversify Your Shelf with New Spanish Nonfiction
By Megan Ciskowski, Associate Publicist Whether Spanish is a reader’s first or second language, it’s important to provide engaging content and inspiring stories. This season Lerner is publishing Spanish-language versions of an award-winning nonfiction picture book, a graphic novel series, and three high-interest nonfiction series. Each title has been translated from Lerner’s English-language originals by […] The post Diversify Your Shelf with New Spanish Nonfiction appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
YA Fiction Round Up
There is nothing better than a good fiction novel that draws the reader into a new world and story. These new young adult fiction books, including two graphic novels, dive into deeper topics while layering in adventure, action, and emotion! The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent Eighteen-year-old Del finally feels balanced. Her suicide attempt is […] The post YA Fiction Round Up appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Learning is Fun on Sesame Street®
By Alice Meichsner Welcome to Sesame Street®! Home of Elmo, Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster, Grover and many more beloved characters, this neighborhood of fuzzy monsters has been teaching audiences for generations. Join your favorite furry friends this spring as they explore emotions, science, careers, and more! Young readers will learn essential life skills for […] The post Learning is Fun on Sesame Street® appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Enly and the Buskin’ Blues: An Interview with Author Jennie Liu
Meet Enly Wu Lewis, aspiring musician. He’s determined to go to band camp, but with his mother working two jobs and saving every penny for his older brother’s college tuition, he’s going to have to earn enough money himself. Enly decides to earn money busking on the streets of Altamont, but a series of misadventures […] The post Enly and the Buskin’ Blues: An Interview with Author Jennie Liu appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Books About Immigration
We’ve gathered an array of immigration-centric fiction and nonfiction, from real-world experiences of teen refugees and Dreamers, reflections on identities rooted in two distinctly different cultures, and a heart-warming picture book about welcoming a refugee family. These books reveal incredible courage and fortitude. The post Books About Immigration appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Stars of the Night: An Interview with Author Caren Stelson
On the eve of World War II, the Czech Kindertransport rescued 669 children from Nazi persecution. The new nonfiction picture book Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport by Caren Stelson and illustrated by Selina Alko sensitively tells the powerful true story of the children’s journey to safety from their collective […] The post Stars of the Night: An Interview with Author Caren Stelson appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
See the Green Comet and Teach with Augmented Reality
The green comet, also known as Comet 2022 E3 (ZTF), has been making headlines as it passes by Mars in the night sky. Discovered just 11 months ago, this comet is estimated to have a solar orbit of 50,000 years — meaning that we are the first humans to see it, and we may be […] The post <strong>See the Green Comet and Teach with Augmented Reality</strong> appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
REGISTER TO WIN A READ FOR A BETTER WORLD CLASSROOM LIBRARY!
Lerner Publishing Group has teamed with AdoptAClassroom.org! To celebrate this new partnership, Lerner will fund two Read for a Better World classroom library prizes for teachers. The post REGISTER TO WIN A READ FOR A BETTER WORLD CLASSROOM LIBRARY! appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Finding Family: An Interview with Author Laura Purdie Salas and Illustrator Alexandria Neonakis
In May 2019, researchers on a lake in northern Wisconsin made a strange discovery: a pair of loons seemed to be raising a mallard duckling! Normally loons and mallards are rival species, but somehow these three—two childless parents and an orphaned chick—found each other. Finding Family: The Duckling Raised by Loons, by author Laura Purdie […] The post Finding Family: An Interview with Author Laura Purdie Salas and Illustrator Alexandria Neonakis appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Spring Sports Roundup
By Alice Meichsner Need more after Super Bowl Sunday? Learn about your favorite athletes, teams, and more with some top sports picks from Lerner! With titles for fans of all types: study the sports, the stats, the players, and learn more about your favorite games along the way! Do you know the story of the […] The post Spring Sports Roundup appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
LOOKING FORWARD TO SUMMER READING: BOOK LISTS FOR YOUR PROGRAM
Whether you’re participating in the CSLP or iREAD program this year, we’ve got books that inspire joyful reading. Here are some wonderful book lists that support your library’s theme: The post LOOKING FORWARD TO SUMMER READING: BOOK LISTS FOR YOUR PROGRAM appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Board Books, Middle-Grade, Graphic Novels, and Nonfiction
Check out February new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! Picture Books Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport by Caren Stelson and Selina Alko “When we were seven or eight or nine or ten, our home was the old city of Prague.” So begins this powerful story of the children who […] The post Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Board Books, Middle-Grade, Graphic Novels, and Nonfiction appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
What’s Missing from History? Explore the New Read Woke™ Books to Find Out
Left Out of History Have you ever considered what’s missing from the history books? What isn’t mentioned regarding major events and massive turning points in the past? Find out just that in the Left Out of History series where the underexamined and misunderstood are explored. This series belongs to the Read Woke™ Books brand that […] The post What’s Missing from History? Explore the New Read Woke™ Books to Find Out appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Congratulations to our ALA YMA Award Winners and Notable Recipients!
This Monday the 2023 American Library Association (ALA) Youth Media Awards were held in New Orleans at the LibLearnX program. Today it’s our pleasure to share the following awards and recognition for Lerner titles. From the Tops of the Trees named the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature winner in the Picture Book Category From the […] The post Congratulations to our ALA YMA Award Winners and Notable Recipients! appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
BOOKS TO CELEBRATE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
In celebration of all the awesome things women and girls can do, here is a roundup of Lerner titles that feature notable women. The post BOOKS TO CELEBRATE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Middle-Grades to Read in March
While the winter lingers, the school year carries on and middle-graders can get a bit antsy waiting for spring. I know I’m impatiently waiting for the snow to melt, myself. So we’ve compiled a list of middle-grade fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels to soothe the most restless of reader. The irresistible middle-grade fiction will charm […] The post Middle-Grades to Read in March appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Meet the Imprints: Lerner Publications
With exceptional print and digital resources, Lerner Publications is the flagship imprint of Lerner Publishing Group. Kid-friendly, dynamic designs and engaging text explore topics such as STEM, animals, sports, history, holidays, biographies, hands-on activities, and more. Striking designs and eye-catching photography deliver high-interest presentations that delight readers and educators alike. Innovative features, diagrams, and digital […] The post Meet the Imprints: Lerner Publications appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Creating a Buzz: New Read Woke ™ Chapter Books
Read Woke ™ branches out this season to fiction in the new chapter book series Bo at the Buzz! The series follows Bo, whose life is always buzzing. And not just because he lives upstairs from The Buzz, a barbershop. Young readers will love following Bo’s daily life and adventures in these early chapter books. Today […] The post Creating a Buzz: New Read Woke ™ Chapter Books appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
What It’s Really Like to Have Your Book Banned as an Author
Today’s guest post comes to us from Lee Wind, author of No Way, They Were Gay? His book, a fascinating look at the hidden lives and secret loves of twelve well-known historical figures, came out in April 2021. Since then, it has been challenged or banned in a number of school districts despite meeting Social […] The post What It’s Really Like to Have Your Book Banned as an Author appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Sex Ed Books
It’s a tricky topic, but kids deserve to know the facts about reproduction, sex, gender, relationships, and consent. Here’s a collection of books that your shelves should hold for kids to educate and empower themselves. The post Sex Ed Books appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Fiction February: Read-Aloud Videos for Every Day of the Month!
A few months ago we celebrated Nonfiction November and shared read-aloud videos of some of our favorite nonfiction books. We had so much fun we thought we’d show some love to fiction next! Throughout the month of February, we’re sharing read-aloud videos of twenty-eight different fiction picture books! The videos are yours to share with […] The post Fiction February: Read-Aloud Videos for Every Day of the Month! appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Foster Equitable Access to Engaging Books this Summer!
“Summer is a critical time for literacy skills. Things like decoding, letter knowledge, and word reading skills are very susceptible to decay without frequent practice.” James Kim, an assistant professor of education at Harvard University The weather outside may be frightful, but planning summer reading can be delightful. ESSER and Title I Funding makes it possible to […] The post Foster Equitable Access to Engaging Books this Summer! appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Librarian Prep List for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Black History Month
Next week we mark the 28th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a day set aside to honor and commemorate the great civil rights leader. And next month is the 46th annual Black History Month, when we celebrate and explore Black History. Read on for more great books to support your planning, programming, and […] The post Librarian Prep List for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Black History Month appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Books to Promote Early Literacy
The more opportunities students have to hear, grasp, and manipulate the sounds of words, the easier it will be for them to decode new words and become fluent readers. Beginner books in the classroom and at home help early readers build the literacy skills they need to become joyful readers. Early Bird Readers Charming illustrations […] The post Books to Promote Early Literacy appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
A Rawr-Some Valentine’s Day
by Megan Ciskowski, Associate Publicist The winter holidays have come to a close, but that doesn’t mean more aren’t on the way. Lerner has come prepared to give young readers a dino-mite Valentine’s Day with the newest title of the Dino-Holidays series. Read on to find out what our favorite dinosaurs are up to now […] The post A Rawr-Some Valentine’s Day appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Paperback, Series Fiction and Series Nonfiction
By Associate Publicist, Megan Ciskowski Check out January new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! New in Paperback Clasificado (Classified): La carrera secreta de Mary Golda Ross, ingeniera aeroespacial cheroqui (The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer) by Traci Sorell and illustrated Natasha Donovan Mary Golda Ross designed classified projects for Lockheed Aircraft […] The post Happy Book Birthday: New Paperback, Series Fiction and Series Nonfiction appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Poetry for the Hearth
By Megan Ciskowski, Associate Publicist Snow keeps falling here in Minneapolis, and if I had a fireplace, I’d be lounging in front of it. Personally, I think poetry is perfect for days like today. When blizzards swirl the snow into a frenzy, I seek shelter in fuzzy socks and beautiful verse. Poetry occupies the mind […] The post Poetry for the Hearth appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Spring Series Nonfiction Sneak Peeks
Here are some of the most exciting series nonfiction you can see just a little early! Read about Holidays (Read for a Better World™) Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 2 Reading Level: Grade 1 Give young readers a peek inside various holidays we celebrate. With questions that encourage connection, and social and emotional supports for […] The post Spring Series Nonfiction Sneak Peeks appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
A Spring Sneak Peek
Can you believe that the year is almost over? If you’re already thinking about all the wonderful books you’ll read next year, you’re not alone! In today’s blog post we’re giving you a sneak peek at our spring titles. Read all of these fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels on the Lerner NetGalley shelf! Picture Books […] The post A Spring Sneak Peek appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Feet on the Ground, Eyes on the Stars
By Megan Ciskowski, Associate Publicist Lerner Publishing Group always strives to provide the highest-quality nonfiction and fiction content for children and young adults that will help them navigate the real world. This year, our titles have received thirty-two starred reviews and we’d like to celebrate these stars with you! Read on to find a complete […] The post Feet on the Ground, Eyes on the Stars appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Find the Perfect Fit for Your Young Adult Readers
In this time of abundance, it’s sometimes difficult to wade through the infinite options for your young adult reader. So how do you find the best book for gifting or even for yourself? Luckily, Lerner Publishing Group has a wide variety of titles every season. Peruse our new young adult fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels […] The post Find the Perfect Fit for Your Young Adult Readers appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Calling All Biographies
Give readers crucial context for current events with must-have biographies. Dive into the stories behind important leaders and the experiences that defined them, from politicians making headlines today to under-celebrated historical figures and celebrities. Gateway Biographies Grade Level: 4 – 8 Age Level: 9 – 14 Discover the human side of key newsworthy and historical […] The post Calling All Biographies appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Dino-Thanksgiving and Dino-Football: Important Changes
by Carol Hinz, Associate Publisher of Millbrook Press and Carolrhoda Books We all know that dinosaurs are extinct. They don’t celebrate Thanksgiving and they most definitely don’t play football! But in the fictional picture book series Lisa Wheeler and Barry Gott created, they do all of these things and more. After the publication of Dino-Thanksgiving, […] The post Dino-Thanksgiving and Dino-Football: Important Changes appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Don’t Miss These Fall 2022 Titles from Lerner Publisher Services
It is our mission to bring you the best books we can for all the young readers in your life, and one way we do that is through our distribution arm, Lerner Publisher Services. Here is a roundup of all the amazing titles we’re thrilled to bring you this fall from our publishing partners both […] The post Don’t Miss These Fall 2022 Titles from Lerner Publisher Services appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
High/Low Books to Engage Striving Readers of All Ages
Many students are not reading at grade level. Help striving readers build reading stamina and stay engaged with high-interest/low-level content. The more a student reads, the better reader they will become. This roundup highlights a wide range of dynamic titles for elementary, middle, and high school audiences. From graphic novels and celebrity biographies to survival […] The post High/Low Books to Engage Striving Readers of All Ages appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Books, Nature, Art, and Travel, Intersecting
Post from Danielle Carnito, Sr. Art Director, Trade Some of my favorite things intersected recently: How so, you might ask. Let me tell you! Making Books It starts with books, as many good things do. I do enjoy making books. When I first read the A River’s Gifts manuscript from Patricia Newman, a nonfiction picture […] The post Books, Nature, Art, and Travel, Intersecting appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Timothy Dinoman Saves the Cat: An Interview with Author and Artist Steve Thueson
Timothy Dinoman Saves the Cat is a colorful middle-grade graphic novel which drops a talking dinosaur into an outrageously funny spy adventure. Some suspected supervillains have stolen a satellite! To learn why, Timothy Dinoman will visit a mountain fortress, a giant blimp, and diner with excellent pancakes—and run into a really cute cat along the […] The post Timothy Dinoman Saves the Cat: An Interview with Author and Artist Steve Thueson appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Middle Grade Fiction: From Fantastical to Historical Fiction
Middle grade readers have a plethora of fantastic fiction to choose from this season. See what’s new! The post Middle Grade Fiction: From Fantastical to Historical Fiction appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Meet the Imprints: Kar-Ben Publishing
We continue our stroll through Lerner Publishing Group’s many imprints with a look at Kar-Ben Publishing, the largest publisher of Jewish children’s books in the world. Read on to learn more about the broad publishing program Kar-Ben enjoys and some of our most familiar and popular books in the imprint. What is your editorial vision […] The post Meet the Imprints: Kar-Ben Publishing appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Notes from a Sickbed: An Interview with Author Tessa Brunton
In 2009, Tessa Brunton experienced the first symptoms of myalgic encephalomyelitis (also known as chronic fatigue syndrome). Notes from a Sickbed recalls the next eight years of her life—largely housebound—with honesty, a pointed wit, and a lively visual imagination. Today Tessa joins us to reveal her inspiration for the book, why she doesn’t shy away from dark […] The post Notes from a Sickbed: An Interview with Author Tessa Brunton appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Holiday Gift Guide!
Books make the best gifts! They are easy to wrap, to mail, and bring laughter and joy to others during the holiday season. Who is on your gift list? A teacher? A new parent? A beginning reader? A teen who devours graphic novels? Check out our recommendations below highlighting new releases and old favorites that […] The post Holiday Gift Guide! appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Not Done Yet: An Interview with Author Tameka Fryer Brown and Illustrator Nina Crews
Today is election day and no one believed more in the power of voting than activist and politician Shirley Chisholm. Not Done Yet: Shirley Chisholm’s Fight for Change chronicles Shirley’s journey from teaching to entering politics, eventually becoming the first Black woman ever elected to Congress—and, in 1972, the first woman of any race to […] The post Not Done Yet: An Interview with Author Tameka Fryer Brown and Illustrator Nina Crews appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Torch: An Interview with Author Lyn Miller-Lachmann
Set in 1969 Prague, Torch explores the devastating impact of a totalitarian regime and the different ways young people carve out futures for themselves against impossible odds. The story is told from the perspective of three characters after 17-year-old Pavol fatally sets himself on fire to protest the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. Author Lyn Miller-Lachmann […] The post Torch: An Interview with Author Lyn Miller-Lachmann appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Eight Teen Nonfiction Books: One for Each Thing to be Thankful for This Fall Season
With autumn comes the change of weather, the start of school, and the holidays. One of the best ways to enjoy this time of the year is to cozy up with a new book! Below is a list of eight teen non-fiction titles that offer insightful perspectives about appreciating and being thankful for nature, family, […] The post Eight Teen Nonfiction Books: One for Each Thing to be Thankful for This Fall Season appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, YA, Graphic Novels, and Nonfiction
by Megan Ciskowski, Associate Publicist Check out the November new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! Picture Books Dino-Valentine’s Day by Lisa Wheeler and illustrated by Barry Gott Cheery rhyming text from Lisa Wheeler and delightfully goofy illustrations from Barry Gott invite readers to celebrate Valentine’s Day in true dino style! Raptor and Leso decorate card […] The post Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, YA, Graphic Novels, and Nonfiction appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Ice Cycle: An Interview with Author Maria Gianferrari
Pancake ice, floebergs, glaciers, icicles . . . cold temperatures create an astonishing variety of ice forms! Welcome winter with a poetic exploration of ice on land and at sea in Ice Cycle: Poems about the Life of Ice by Maria Gianferrari and Jieting Chen. Please help us in welcoming author Maria Gianferrari to the […] The post Ice Cycle: An Interview with Author Maria Gianferrari appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Books for Veterans Day
In the United States, Veterans Day is the annual holiday on November 11th that honors military veterans who have served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The United States Armed Forces include: U.S. Army (USA), established June 14th, 1775 U.S. Navy (USN), established October 13th, 1775 U.S. Air Force (USAF), established June 26th, 1947 U.S. Coast […] The post Books for Veterans Day appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
A Long Way from Home: An Interview with Author Laura Schaefer
There’s a lot to worry about in the current day, and twelve-year-old Abby holds it all in her head. In A Long Way from Home, Abby meets two boys from the future who need her help, so she decides to escape the depressing present by traveling to their time with them. But that’s not as […] The post A Long Way from Home: An Interview with Author Laura Schaefer appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
We Have Answers!: Follow up to the Webinar 5 Ways to Increase Nonfiction Circulation and Create Passionate Nonfiction Readers
Lerner was thrilled to sponsor this SLJ Webcast on October 13, 2022, featuring eight library leaders talking about how librarians can get kids more interested and excited about the nonfiction books in their collection. The speakers had such great ideas for generating excitement and enthusiasm for books—ranging from March madness brackets and virtual field trips […] The post We Have Answers!: Follow up to the Webinar 5 Ways to Increase Nonfiction Circulation and Create Passionate Nonfiction Readers appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Yuck, You Suck!: An Interview with Authors Heidi E. Y. Stemple and Jane Yolen
Prepare to get sucked into a hilarious poetry collection in Yuck, You Suck!: Poems about Animals That Sip, Slurp, Suck. Sixteen slurpy poems introduce a suction-filled selection of animals, and spectacularly sticky illustrations from Eugenia Nobati spotlight these stupendous suckers. Today we’re joined by the incredible author team Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple to […] The post Yuck, You Suck!: An Interview with Authors Heidi E. Y. Stemple and Jane Yolen appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
The Lady and the Octopus: An Interview with Author Danna Staaf
Jeanne Villepreux-Power was never expected to be a scientist. In the early 1800s she took up natural history and solved the two-thousand-year-old mystery of how of the argonaut octopus gets its shell. Follow her story in the new nonfiction The Lady and the Octopus: How Jeanne Villepreux-Power Invented Aquariums and Revolutionized Marine Biology. Today author […] The post The Lady and the Octopus: An Interview with Author Danna Staaf appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Great Graphic Novels for Indoor Adventures
By Megan Ciskowski, Associate Publicist Graphic novels have been a staple in children’s literature for years and they only continue to grow in popularity among readers. Read on to discover the graphic novel titles being published this season and follow the links to read them on NetGalley. Two of them will disappear at the end […] The post Great Graphic Novels for Indoor Adventures appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Ready for A Sports Roundup?
By Alice Meichsner It’s football season folks! But really every time of year has dozens of sports for fans to enjoy. Study the sports, the stats, the players, and learn more about your favorite games along the way! Do you know the story of the GOAT in your favorite sport? How about the biggest success […] The post Ready for A Sports Roundup? appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Where We Come From: An Illustrator’s Perspective
Where We Come From is a visually striking exploration of family, history, and identity from four authors who collaborated to create a single, poetic text. The richly layered illustrations from illustrator Dion MBD connect past and present in this accessible picture book. Today Dion MBD joins us to talk about his art, his biggest influences, […] The post Where We Come From: An Illustrator’s Perspective appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Resources and Events Coming Soon!
By Megan Ciskowski, Associate Publicist In less than a month Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults will hit the shelves! If that wasn’t exciting enough, we have some more news that will shake up your fall season. Read on to find out what we have planned. Attend the Author Talk The New York Public Library will […] The post Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Resources and Events Coming Soon! appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
INDIGENOUS WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
From award-winning picture books to nonfiction and young adult, here is a list of books by indigenous writers and illustrators: The post INDIGENOUS WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY: NEW PICTURE BOOKS, GRAPHIC NOVELS, MIDDLE-GRADE, AND NONFICTION
by Megan Ciskowski, Associate Publicist Check out the October new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! Picture Books Where We Come From by John Coy, Shannon Gibney, Sun Yung Shin, Diane Wilson and illustrated by Dion MBD In this unique collaboration, four authors lyrically explore where they each come from—literally and metaphorically. Richly layered illustrations connect […] The post HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY: NEW PICTURE BOOKS, GRAPHIC NOVELS, MIDDLE-GRADE, AND NONFICTION appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Funeral Girl: An Interview with Author Emma K. Ohland
Sixteen-year-old Georgia Richter feels conflicted about the funeral home her parents run—especially because she has the ability to summon ghosts. Funeral Girl follows Georgia as she reckons with her relationship to grief and mortality. Today author Emma K. Ohland joins us on the blog to answer some questions about her writing process and her hopes […] The post Funeral Girl: An Interview with Author Emma K. Ohland appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Revising the Backlist: Africa Is Not a Country, 2nd Edition
by Carol Hinz, Associate Publisher of Millbrook Press and Carolrhoda Books When I was in college, I studied abroad in Dakar, Senegal, as part of a program through my university’s French department. While my French speaking and comprehension skills definitely improved, I got so many other amazing things from my three months there–including a whole […] The post Revising the Backlist: Africa Is Not a Country, 2nd Edition appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Meet the Imprints: Carolrhoda Books & Carolrhoda Lab
We kick off our Meet the Imprints feature with Carolrhoda Books (middle grade fiction) and Carolrhoda Lab (young adult fiction). The mission of Carolrhoda Books is to publish distinctive books with heart, including picture books (which we’ll cover later) and middle grade novels that tackle tough and timely subject matter, in stories told with fresh […] The post Meet the Imprints: Carolrhoda Books & Carolrhoda Lab appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Hear Me: An Interview with Author Kerry O’Malley Cerra
The new middle-grade novel Hear Me is a sensitive and authentic portrayal of a girl experiencing progressive hearing loss written by Kerry O’Malley Cerra who has also experienced progressive hearing loss. The story follows Rayne, who resists her parents’ efforts to “fix” her and rethinks her own assumptions about what her condition means for her. […] The post Hear Me: An Interview with Author Kerry O’Malley Cerra appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Sesame Street ® Reads!
Reading opens so many opportunities for learning and growing. Learn with your favorite Sesame Street characters with these new fall titles! Let’s Talk about It!: A Sesame Street ® Guide to Resolving Conflict by Marie-Therese Miller Everyone experiences conflict, even on Sesame Street! This guide comes with simple steps to help readers become kind and […] The post Sesame Street ® Reads! appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
A River’s Gifts: An Interview with Author Patricia Newman
The story of the Elwha River in Washington State is one of both environmental harm and restoration involving advocacy, persistence, cooperation, and hope. Author Patricia Newman and illustrator Natasha Donovan tell this story in the new nonfiction picture book A River’s Gifts: The Mighty Elwha River Reborn. Patricia Newman joins us today to share how […] The post A River’s Gifts: An Interview with Author Patricia Newman appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Teen Innovators: An Interview with Author Fred Estes
“When will I ever use this?” Every STEM teacher has heard this question before and will likely hear it again. Answer your students with Teen Innovators: Nine Young People Engineering a Better World with Creative Inventions. This new nonfiction profiles nine YA innovators who discovered a problem, conducted research, and used STEM to solve the […] The post Teen Innovators: An Interview with Author Fred Estes appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Book an Adventure with Lerner: Animals!
Learn about animals from around the world! Predators, Pangolins, and and more! The post Book an Adventure with Lerner: Animals! appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Unretouchable: An Interview with Author Sofia Szamosi
In the new YA graphic novel by debut author Sofia Szamosi, readers follow Olive as she spends the summer before art school at a coveted internship helping one of the fashion industry’s elite digital-imaging specialists. After a glamourous New York photoshoot, she learns that taking pictures is only the first step andis thrown into the […] The post Unretouchable: An Interview with Author Sofia Szamosi appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Stand with the Banned: Observing Banned Books Week
September 18-24, 2022 marks Banned Books Week, the annual celebration of the freedom to read. Recent years have seen a significant rise in the number of book bans and challenges in both school and public libraries in the United States. In support of access to books, we’ve previously compiled a list of resources to combat […] The post Stand with the Banned: Observing Banned Books Week appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Turning Heads with TeenTober
By Megan Ciskowski, Associate Publicist What do young adults get really excited about? Art, music, cosplay? The library is the perfect place to introduce teens to their next great love. In 2020, the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) launched the TeenTober™ program to replace the Teen Read Week™ and Teen Tech Week™ events. Held […] The post Turning Heads with TeenTober appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Big Bear and Little Fish: An Interview with Author Sandra Nickel
Big Bear and Little Fish is a sweet story of unexpected friendship between Bear (who is very big!) and Fish (who is very little!), told in accessible prose that’s just right for beginning readers. Today on the Lerner blog, author Sandra Nickel joins us to discuss influential books, the emotive illustrations, and who she relates […] The post Big Bear and Little Fish: An Interview with Author Sandra Nickel appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY: NEW PICTURE BOOKS, PAPERBACKS, GRAPHIC NOVELS, YA, MIDDLE GRADE, AND NONFICTION
by Megan Ciskowski, Associate Publicist Check out September new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! Picture Books Big Bear and Little Fish by Sandra Nickel and illustrated by Il Sung Na At the carnival, Bear wants a teddy bear. And not just any teddy bear—she wants the biggest one of all. But instead she gets a […] The post HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY: NEW PICTURE BOOKS, PAPERBACKS, GRAPHIC NOVELS, YA, MIDDLE GRADE, AND NONFICTION appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Activity Books Young Readers Will Love
Take a deep dive into sound and word formation with the Phonics Fun Activity Book and Words Are CATegorical ® Activity Book! Designed to help early learners discover and practice different kinds of sounds and words, these workbooks feature fun and accessible activities by award-winning children’s author Brian Cleary. Phonics Fun Activity Book: Reading and […] The post Activity Books Young Readers Will Love appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
New Pull Ahead Readers Fiction and Nonfiction Paired Series
Pull Ahead Readers are sets of thematically linked fiction and nonfiction series that help in building early literacy skills. Simple text patterns support emergent readers as they build their recognition of high-frequency sight words. Nonfiction titles are illustrated with colorful photos, and the fiction titles showcase charming illustrations. Both photos and illustrations are carefully matched […] The post New Pull Ahead Readers Fiction and Nonfiction Paired Series appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Introducing the New and Improved Lerner Digital Platform!
This August, we launched our new and improved Lerner Digital platform! With a refreshed modern design and enhanced functionality, the upgraded platform will make accessing your library of digital books a better experience. Keep reading to see what enhancements are available! Access All user access in the browser remains the same—no changes to your credentials, […] The post Introducing the New and Improved Lerner Digital Platform! appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Welcome to the Table: Meeting the creators of BRAIDING SWEETGRASS FOR YOUNG ADULTS
by Megan Ciskowski, Associate Publicist While writing can be a lonely process, it takes a community to make a book ready for a new audience. This was the case with Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. Each step in adaptation process informed the next, building a continuity […] The post Welcome to the Table: Meeting the creators of BRAIDING SWEETGRASS FOR YOUNG ADULTS appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
History in Pictures: The New Series Bringing History to Life
In the new History in Pictures series, readers will take a close look at the past. These books go beyond the basics and inform readers how historical events relate to social justice issues today. As part of the Read Woke™ Books collection, these titles were created in partnership with the Read Woke librarian, Cicely Lewis. […] The post History in Pictures: The New Series Bringing History to Life appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Get Ready to Read for a Better World
Are you in need of solid nonfiction content that is accessible for beginning readers? Look no further than our Read for a Better World books. This brand was designed specifically with first grade learners in mind. Readers will be drawn in by the attractive design and photos that reflect the diversity of our world, while […] The post Get Ready to Read for a Better World appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Books provide the perfect gateway to conversations that educate and empower students for Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month, September 15 – October 15. From picture books and biographies to YA fiction, you’ll find great reads for everyone on your radar below. Picture Books Hair Story Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 3 Reading Level: […] The post Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Classroom Book-a-Day Recommendations
“Reading aloud and talking about what we’re reading sharpens children’s brains. It helps develop their ability to concentrate at length, to solve problems logically, and to express themselves more easily and clearly.” Mem Fox Here are Some Read-Aloud Book Suggestions to Get You Started: The post Classroom Book-a-Day Recommendations appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
We’re Turning September into STEM-tember!
This September we’re celebrating books that highlight science, math, and real-world problem solving! When you sign up to participate you’ll receive free STEM and STEAM author videos and activities that will electrify lesson plans. We’ll send an email each week in September with links to videos and activities. Make it an exciting STEM-tember and click […] The post We’re Turning September into STEM-tember! appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Be a Bridge: An Interview with Authors Irene Latham and Charles Waters
Inclusivity, respect, and connection: these are the keys to a positive environment and healthy relationships. The brand new picture book Be a Bridge uses upbeat rhyming verse and colorful illustrations of a diverse group of students to help bring young readers together. Acclaimed authors Irene Latham and Charles Waters use this book to bring key […] The post Be a Bridge: An Interview with Authors Irene Latham and Charles Waters appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Paperbacks, Nonfiction, and Series
Check out August new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! Picture Books Be a Bridge by Irene Latham and Charles Waters and illus. by Nabila Adani Upbeat rhyming verse and colorful illustrations of a diverse group of students help readers take action to foster inclusivity, respect, and connection. A Page Plus QR code includes a Bridge […] The post Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Paperbacks, Nonfiction, and Series appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Young Adult Nonfiction Round-Up
Nonfiction for middle and high school readers serves an important purpose in challenging, informing, and equipping our leaders of tomorrow. Whether you’re looking to expand your YA nonfiction collection or to fill specific gaps, we’ve got superb options for you below. Read on for a star-studded list of titles from Spring 2022, followed by an […] The post Young Adult Nonfiction Round-Up appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
5 Kinds of Nonfiction – Evaluate Your Collection
Assess Your Collection with the 5 Kinds of Nonfiction Since so many of you take time over the summer to evaluate and update your collections to make sure they will best serve your students, we wanted to remind you of the 5 Kinds of Nonfiction classification system, created by author Melissa Stewart. The 5 Kinds […] The post 5 Kinds of Nonfiction – Evaluate Your Collection appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Literacy + STEM = A Perfect Pairing
Spark curiosity, creativity, and joyful reading with STEM Text Sets. The post Literacy + STEM = A Perfect Pairing appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Graphic Novels Belong in the Classroom!
Graphic novels offer tremendous opportunities for building and practicing literacy skills. Gone (mostly) are the days when they were considered “not real books.” Are you using graphic novels to their full potential in your classroom? Lerner recently had the privilege of hosting a powerhouse panel of experts—Betsy Bird, Shveta Miller, Susannah Richards, and Ted Anderson—on […] The post Graphic Novels Belong in the Classroom! appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Participating in #ClassroomBookaDay? Get Read-Aloud Suggestions
Do you have the goal to read aloud a picture book every day of the school year? Whether you’re experienced or new to this amazing challenge, Lerner has resources you don’t want to miss. We’ve got a list of incredible picture books to delight readers of all ages and interests. We’re also sharing ideas for themes, […] The post Participating in #ClassroomBookaDay? Get Read-Aloud Suggestions appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Back-to-School Roundup
Every student deserves to start a new school year with confidence, and what better way to help kids prepare for the leap from summer to school than . . . you guessed it—books! Common themes in many of the books below are inclusivity and how to be a good friend, particularly to those who are […] The post Back-to-School Roundup appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Fall Picture Book Preview
Keep an eye out for these highly anticipated titles! We’re excited to launch some really beautiful picture books into the world this fall. From fictional stories of unlikely friendships to true tales of heroism and upbeat calls to inclusivity, there are inspiring pages here for every reader. Take a look at our upcoming fall picture […] The post Fall Picture Book Preview appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Heat-Beating Sports Titles
Fun and Important Reads for Summer Days If you’ve never been to Minnesota in the summer, you might be surprised to learn that our frozen tundra actually experiences 100+ degree weather sometimes! So while we make sure to stay hydrated as it heats up here, we also need air conditioned breaks to read about the […] The post Heat-Beating Sports Titles appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Does Back Matter Matter? A Peek at New Picture Books and their Back Matter
Does back matter . . . matter? If you’re reading our blog, you probably already know that yes, of course it does! Who doesn’t love a good context-exploring author’s note, an events-organizing timeline, or a pronunciation guide that helps make sure you’re not butchering unfamiliar terms? Back matter can be useful for the curious adult […] The post Does Back Matter Matter? A Peek at New Picture Books and their Back Matter appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Visit Lerner at ALA Annual!
By Megan Ciskowski, Associate Publicist After a long period of virtual events, educators and publishers from around the nation will gather in Washington, DC for this year’s ALA Annual. We want to see you at the Lerner booth 1307! Come meet some of our authors and illustrators, learn about our upcoming titles, and grab some […] The post Visit Lerner at ALA Annual! appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Try Lerner Audiobooks for Free this Summer
School’s out for the summer! If you’re a school librarian that means you might (finally) have a moment to catch up on cataloging, weeding, or taking time to explore books and releases you might have missed during the busy school year. And with students gone, it’s the perfect time to test drive audiobooks! This summer […] The post Try Lerner Audiobooks for Free this Summer appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
A Summer for Sweetgrass
by Megan Ciskowski, Associate Publicist In 2013, Milkweed editions published Braiding Sweetgrass by Indigenous botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer. Since that time, the book has become a New York Times Bestseller and continues to earn recognition in both the literary and science fields. This November, Zest Books ™, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, will release […] The post A Summer for Sweetgrass appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
New YA for Historical Fiction and Paranormal Fans
These new and upcoming young adult fiction titles open readers’ eyes to lives and experiences far beyond their own (and even beyond the grave!). Some you can pick up now, and others you can pre-order for your fall shelves, but once they’re in your hands, we bet you won’t be able to put them down. […] The post New YA for Historical Fiction and Paranormal Fans appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Beach Reads and Road Trip Recommendations
Summer is the perfect time for pleasure reading. Whether the readers in your life are looking to pass the time on a road trip, relax at the beach with a new novel, or find a cure for summertime boredom, we’ve got recommendations for all ages! Check out our picks below including sci-fi adventures, escapist fantasy, […] The post Beach Reads and Road Trip Recommendations appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Looking Back: 5 Years of Incredible Middle-Grade Books
From magic and time travel to stink bugs and monster guts, these books are sure to keep your middle grade readers turning page after page. With so many great new books out there, it’s easy to miss gems, even when they can fill important thematic gaps on your shelves. To that end, here’s a round-up […] The post Looking Back: 5 Years of Incredible Middle-Grade Books appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
World Refugee Day: Books that Highlight Refugee Rights & Experiences
June 20 is World Refugee Day, observed to acknowledge the right of anyone, anywhere, to seek safety. Below, discover nonfiction books that recount true stories of refugees around the world and discuss refugee rights, along with fiction picks that reflect refugee experiences. Learn more about World Refugee Day here. NONFICTION The Rabbi and the Reverend: […] The post World Refugee Day: Books that Highlight Refugee Rights & Experiences appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Be the First to Read Fall Books
By Megan Ciskowski, Associate Publicist New books await on our NetGalley shelf! Be among the first to read and review our Fall 2022 titles. Picture Books Be a Bridge by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, illustrated by Nabila Adani Upbeat rhyming verse and colorful illustrations of a diverse group of students help readers take action […] The post Be the First to Read Fall Books appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Launching 2022 into the Stars
By Megan Ciskowski, Associate Publicist The year has started with a smattering of starred titles. Today we share our books that received starred reviews in the first half of 2022! Titles from Lerner Publishing Group Fiction Amazona Grade Level: 9 – 12Age Level: 14 – 18 This singular graphic novel by Canizales follows Andrea, a […] The post Launching 2022 into the Stars appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Who Are Lerner Illustrators?
Post from Danielle Carnito, Sr. Art Director, Trade Who are the illustrators of Lerner? A talented group, that’s who! A large part of my job is matching and hiring many different illustrators throughout the year to our book projects. With all of the Lerner Publishing Group imprints combined, we* can work with somewhere in the […] The post Who Are Lerner Illustrators? appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Addressing Race and Racism with Readers
This week and throughout the coming month, the United States marks several notable anniversaries: The 2nd anniversary of George Floyd’s death on May 25, the 101st anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre on May 30, and Juneteenth on June 19 commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas. These events are emblematic of a […] The post Addressing Race and Racism with Readers appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
New Spanish-Language Series for Elementary Readers
Did you know that our ediciones Lerner imprint publishes Spanish-language editions of some of our incredible fiction and nonfiction books? Each book is translated from Lerner’s English-language originals into approachable, universal Spanish by Spanish-speaking professionals and educators. If you’re looking for books for Spanish speakers in your library, books to support Spanish-language learners, or paired English/Spanish […] The post New Spanish-Language Series for Elementary Readers appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
AMAZONA: The Process Behind the Graphic Novel
In Amazona, a graphic novel by author-artist Canizales, Andrea, a young Indigenous Colombian woman, returns to the land she calls home. She hopes to capture evidence of the illegal mining that displaced her family—and one of the area’s guards may be a help or a final obstacle. This story has a social conscience, but it […] The post AMAZONA: The Process Behind the Graphic Novel appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
How to Be a Difficult Bitch: Empowering YA Readers
Warning: the following post contains strong language. Being a powerhouse is a choice, a lifestyle, a code of ethics. It takes work, a thick skin, and perseverance. In How to Be a Difficult Bitch: Claim Your Power, Ditch the Haters, and Feel Good Doing It young adults learn the basics of being a Difficult Bitch, […] The post How to Be a Difficult Bitch: Empowering YA Readers appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Attention Hijacked: An Interview with Author Erica B. Marcus
Technology is constantly at our fingertips, and sometimes we don’t realize how too much screen time negatively impacts our health. Attention Hijacked: Using Mindfulness to Reclaim Your Brain from Tech explores exactly how technology affects consumers, dispels misinformation, and helps readers make personal usage decisions. Today author Erica B. Marcus joins us to discuss what sparked […] The post Attention Hijacked: An Interview with Author Erica B. Marcus appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Spring Titles from Lerner Publisher Services
Here are the highlights from our publishing partners’ Spring 2022 lists! From picture books to graphic novels, nonfiction about perennial favorite topics like space and dinosaurs, diverse eReadalongs, board books, and high-low fiction, there’s something for everyone from our favorite publishers. Happy Times From sunrise to sunset, breakfast time to playtime, time to go to […] The post Spring Titles from Lerner Publisher Services appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
The Art of Magic: An Interview with Author Hannah Voskuil
When ZuZu and Andrew discover a set of enchanted art supplies that allow them to create magical creatures, they find themselves drawn into a supernatural struggle for control of their town. Perfect for imaginative young readers, The Art of Magic: A Novel features a unique magic system set in the real world, with powers explicitly […] The post The Art of Magic: An Interview with Author Hannah Voskuil appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Glowing Bunnies!?: An Interview with Author Jeff Campbell
Modern genetic technology has the potential to remake animals in almost any way we can imagine. With reassuring, wry humor, Glowing Bunnies!?: Why We’re Making Hybrids, Chimeras, and Clones explores the possibilities, dangers, and ethical issues of bioengineering. Today author Jeff Campbell joins us to discuss genetic engineering, eco-disasters, and the importance of discussing bioengineering with teens. […] The post Glowing Bunnies!?: An Interview with Author Jeff Campbell appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
AMAZONA: The Process Behind the Graphic Novel
In Amazona, a graphic novel by author-artist Canizales, Andrea, a young Indigenous Colombian woman, returns to the land she calls home. She hopes to capture evidence of the illegal mining that displaced her family—and one of the area’s guards may be a help or a final obstacle. This story has a social conscience, but it will also strike readers with its stark visual style. Its pages feature textured grays and blacks with occasional bold flares of color, projecting a unique sensibility. Talking to the Lerner Blog, Canizales explained his process for creating such distinctive images and shared some behind-the-scenes art. View →
How to Be a Difficult Bitch: Empowering YA Readers
Being a powerhouse is a choice, a lifestyle, a code of ethics. It takes work, a thick skin, and perseverance. In How to Be a Difficult Bitch: Claim Your Power, Ditch the Haters, and Feel Good Doing It, young adults learn the basics of being a Difficult Bitch, from school to friends to body to life. View →
Attention Hijacked: An Interview with Author Erica B. Marcus
Technology is constantly at our fingertips, and sometimes we don’t realize how too much screen time negatively impacts our health. Attention Hijacked: Using Mindfulness to Reclaim Your Brain from Tech explores exactly how technology affects consumers, dispels misinformation, and helps readers make personal usage decisions. View →
Spring Titles from Lerner Publisher Services
Here are the highlights from our publishing partners’ Spring 2022 lists! From picture books to graphic novels, nonfiction about perennial favorite topics like space and dinosaurs, diverse eReadalongs, board books, and high-low fiction, there’s something for everyone from our favorite publishers. View →
The Art of Magic: An Interview with Author Hannah Voskuil
When ZuZu and Andrew discover a set of enchanted art supplies that allow them to create magical creatures, they find themselves drawn into a supernatural struggle for control of their town. Perfect for imaginative young readers, The Art of Magic: A Novel features a unique magic system set in the real world, with powers explicitly rooted in creativity. View →
Behind The Button Box: A Time-Travelling, Cross-Cultural Adventure
The Button Box is a new middle-grade novel about cousins, one Jewish and one Muslim, who travel back in time to ancient Morocco. Below, co-authors Bridget Hodder and Fawzia Gilani-Williams discuss their hopes for the book, what inspired them, and more. Where did you get the inspiration for The Button Box? BH: It began with […] The post Behind The Button Box: A Time-Travelling, Cross-Cultural Adventure appeared first on The Lerner Blog. View →
Essential Books for Earth Day and Beyond
April 22 is Earth Day, and we’re preparing for the occasion by collecting books that cover topics like the environment, animals and conservation, climate change, and more. Whether you’re planning an Earth Day celebration in your classroom or library or looking for books to support environmental education all year round, we’ve got celebrated picks for every grade K-12. View →
The Deep Blue Between: Author Interview with Ayesha Harruna Attah
The Deep Blue Between begins in 1890s West Africa when twin sisters Hassana and Husseina are torn apart by violence. After their separation, each girl finds freedom and new opportunities. But despite their very different lives and choices, the sisters remain linked by their dreams, and slowly they are drawn back together. View →
We Belong: An Interview with Author Laura Purdie Salas
Explore and celebrate who you are and who others are too! The new picture book We Belong by Laura Purdie Salas and illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aquilera invites others to notice the diversity of our world and affirm that we all belong, just as we are. View →
Rena Glickman Kicked Like a Girl. And She Always Won.
March is Women’s History Month, but if you’re not part of the judo world you may never have heard of “the mother of women’s judo,” Rena “Rusty” Glickman Kanokogi. Glickman’s story is told in the upcoming picture book Rena Glickman, Queen of Judo. Read on to for a fascinating overview of her story and to take a peek inside the book. View →
Freshly Picked Poetry for National Poetry Month
As publishers, we know how easy it is to get lost in the sea of narrative fiction, informational nonfiction, and engaging novels. We often neglect to take the time to sit down and enjoy some of the finer forms of literature. However, April is National Poetry Month and we intend to give you the choice to do just that, with a well-rounded, highly diverse list of poetry and poetry-related titles. From old classics to new hits, you can find a poem for every age in this carefully handpicked collection! View →
The Future Gets Built by the Dreamers: Celebrating Architect Frank Gehry on His Birthday
Celebrated architect Frank Gehry once described his creative process: “If you know where it’s going, it’s not worth doing.” As a child, Gehry was a dreamer. He spent hours of his young life building cities out of scraps of wood. He was mesmerized by the pliable nature of dough in his grandmother’s hands or the graceful movements of fish. These forms would inspire him throughout his life. View →
Bringing Read Woke Books to Ghana: Guest Post from Dr. Artika Tyner
We’re thrilled to share a guest post from Dr. Artika Tyner. Dr. Tyner is a passionate educator, award-winning author, a civil rights attorney, a sought-after speaker, and an advocate for justice. She is the founder of the Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute and an author of many incredible Lerner titles including books in the series The Fight for Black Rights and the biography Stacey Abrams: Champion of Democracy. Below, Dr. Tyner shares some details from her recent visit to Ghana. View →
Social and Emotional Learning with Sesame Street
SEL (social and emotional learning) is a critical component of education. Prioritizing respect, inclusion, and community awareness are all essential to being a good neighbor. Who better to teach kids these important values than everyone’s favorite, furry friends from Sesame Street? View →
This Last Adventure: An Interview with Author Ryan Dalton
When Archie’s beloved grandpa is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Archie desperately wants to slow the progression of his grandpa’s memory loss. Using Grandpa’s old journal entries as inspiration, Archie creates shared role-playing fantasies with epic quests for them to tackle together. But as Grandpa’s condition gradually worsens, Archie must come to terms with what’s happening to his hero. View →
Meet the Unique Creatures of Artur Laperla
Longtime fans of Artur Laperla’s Super Potato series know that these graphic novels have no shortage of memorable creatures. Book two, Super Potato’s Galactic Breakout, introduced readers to the Rogg, the Pollo, the Morgundian Air Worm, and a spaceship’s worth of other aliens . . . View →
Roundup: Books to Support Information Literacy
Students have no shortage of information at their fingertips. How can educators and librarians instill in readers the capability to discern fact from fiction, interpret data, and navigate and evaluate the information they receive? View →
The Lerner Menagerie: Explore ARCs for Animal Lovers
From badgers to pteropods, kids can’t get enough of animals! Today we’ll share some of our upcoming titles that combine our love of interesting creatures with cool concepts like art, conservation, and bioengineering. Continue reading to find upcoming titles for all grade levels and the links to take a sneak peek on NetGalley! View →
Books to Celebrate Women's History Month
This March, we’re celebrating Women’s History Month with a wonderful list of new and past titles. With great suggestions that celebrate women’s contributions, both big and small, to history and to contemporary society, you should have all the resources you need to start putting together your March bookshelf. Titles range from grades PreK-12 and cover a wide variety of topics, including pertinent historical nonfiction, that everyone should know about! View →
Celebrating Our ALAYMA Award Winners and Honor Recipients
We’re thrilled to share the following awards and honors, announced on Monday morning at the 2022 American Library Association (ALA) Youth Media Awards. View →
Call Me Miss Hamilton: An Interview With Creative Team Carole Boston Weatherford and Jeffery Boston Weatherford
Civil Rights activist Miss Mary Hamilton was found to be in contempt of court after she demanded that an Alabama judge address her with the same honorifics used to address white people. Her case ultimately went to the Supreme Court of the United States, which ruled in her favor in 1964 and brought about a permanent change in courtrooms nationwide. View →
When Comics and Science Intersect
In the following post, designer Mary Ross shares her experience working on the Medical Breakthroughs graphic novel series and explores why the graphic novel medium offers a unique way to teach history and science! View →
The Stars of 2021
The end of the year is quickly approaching, and we’d like to take a little time to reflect and celebrate all the incredible titles published in 2021. Continue reading to find a complete list of Lerner titles that received starred reviews or awards this year and then add them to your bookshelf! View →
Gift Guide: Books for Every Reader on Your List
Books make the best gifts, but finding the perfect book for the reader on your list isn’t always easy! We’ve compiled our picks for readers of all kinds, including books to satisfy the teen who devours graphic novels, picture books for elementary-aged animal lovers, novels for action and adventure fans, and more! Check out our recommendations below highlighting new releases and old favorites you might have missed. View →
Be Prepared: Censorship Resources
Every year, there are dozens of challenges to literary works. If you are a student, educator, parent, author or librarian battling a censorship controversy, below are some resources for guidance. View →
The Rabbi and the Reverend: An Interview with Author Audrey Ades
Audrey Ades, author of The Rabbi and the Reverend, joined us to talk about their own literary inspirations and reveal the inspiration they had for this impactful title. View →
Eddie Whatever: An Interview with Author Lois Ruby
Today Lois Ruby, author of Eddie Whatever, joins us to discuss her approach to writing contemporary middle grade, her narrative technique, and her upcoming projects. Read on to find a discussion guide and teaching guide! View →
Jaguars in America? The Surprising History Revealed in American Jaguar
The Wild West may be a little wilder than you think. For thousands of years, jaguars roamed portions of Arizona, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana, and sometimes ventured into Colorado, Oklahoma, Virginia, and North Carolina. But today, jaguars are mostly absent from the United States. American Jaguar: Big Cats, Biogeography, and Human Borders by wildlife biologist Elizabeth Webb takes a deep dive into the jaguar’s current predicament and highlights the work of field scientists searching for ways to restore their populations. View →
A Hot Mess: An Interview with Author Jeff Fleischer
Over the next several years, the world can expect to see some drastic changes thanks to the climate crisis. A Hot Mess: How the Climate Crisis Is Changing Our World by journalist Jeff Fleischer takes an informed, approachable look at how our world will likely change as a result of our actions, including suggestions on what we can still do to slow down these unprecedented effects. View →
Hispanic Heritage Month is Here Again!
Let’s celebrate Hispanic and Latinx Heritage through literature! From graphic novels and YA fiction to series nonfiction about places and cultures, we’ve got something for everyone. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Middle Grade, YA, and Nonfiction
Check out September new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
Fall Into a World of Color with Crayola®!
Fall is the perfect time for students to explore the natural world. Luckily, we have the perfect releases of Crayola ® titles to help your classroom jump back into learning. The Crayola ® Makers series offers activities to challenge and engage young readers. Or supplement science lessons with the Crayola ® Creatures series, featuring vivid, full-color photographs that perfectly match the text. The possibilities are endless with an infinite supply of inspiring colors around the world! View →
Build At-Home Libraries and Build Brighter Futures
Books provide comfort, inspiration, reflection, and joy. More than ever, students need access to diverse and inclusive books not only in the classroom, but at home. Helping families build and expand home libraries benefits students in the classroom and into the future. View →
Celebrate International Dog Day With Sesame Street's Newest Character
August 26th marks International Dog Day so we’re celebrating the beloved, furry companions that bring us so much joy. What better way to start the party than to celebrate the latest addition to the Sesame Street family? Read on to discover the name of Elmo’s new best friend! View →
Books to Welcome Fall
As the seasons change, our reading habits do too. Here are some books to help your students learn about fall, think about changing seasons, and prepare for a new school year. View →
Amazing Inventions: An Interview with Author Blake Hoena
Who played the the first video game? Where did the first electric guitar play on stage? The Amazing Inventions series will fly off the shelf as readers discover true stories of invention behind coveted pop-culture objects—from sneakers to smartphones. With high-interest graphic novel art, these books profile the products’ creators and innovators, as well as the scientific or technical developments that made the inventions possible. The books also cover social history, revealing how people’s needs in a particular period led to creative solutions.
Today author Blake Hoena shares insight into writing a graphic nonfiction series and his research process. Read on to find out more! View →
Support Literacy for Remote Learners or Homeschoolers in Your Community With LightSail
As we enter a third school year disrupted by the pandemic, you may be looking for more resources to support remote learners or homeschoolers in your community or for parents looking for additional literacy tools to make up for learning loss. We’re proud to partner with LightSail, a leading ed tech provider for the classroom, as they extend their services to families around the country. View →
Books for Back to School
It’s hard to believe it’s that time of year! Some of you have already started back to school; some of you will be going back soon. Here are some books to welcome your students back to the classroom and library. View →
Read Woke ™ Books Launches with the "Issues In Action" Series
In 2017 Cicely Lewis began developing a program called Read Woke that encouraged readers to explore books written by diverse voices and with diverse characters. Since that time the program has taken off and found great success with librarians across the United States. In 2020 Lewis won School Library Journal’s School Librarian of the Year for her ingenuity and resourcefulness. View →
Celebrate the Last Weeks of Summer
It’s the last few weeks of summer here in the northern US, and we have a list of books to help you and your readers make the most of it. Get outside, learn about nature, celebrate the things you find outdoors, make some neat projects, and soak up some sun! View →
Go Beyond the Printed Page
Page Plus™ takes readers beyond the book and connects them to online multimedia content – photos, videos, audio, and augmented reality that add to the reading experience. Readers simply scan a QR code or type in a URL to listen to elephants communicating, watch videos of vehicles in action, get extra step-by-step instructions for makerspace and coding titles, see augmented reality demonstrations, and more! View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Graphic Novels, YA, and Nonfiction
Check out August new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
Books for Africa Celebrates New Warehouse Opening In Atlanta Under the Leadership of Board President Joni Sussman
Books For Africa (BFA) dedicated its new Atlanta warehouse with a grand opening on June 26, 2021. Millions of donated books from all over the country are sorted, packed and shipped each year from the Atlanta warehouse to the Port of Savannah, where they are sent by cargo ship to students throughout Africa. Approximately 10,000 volunteers pack books at the Atlanta warehouse each year. View →
Paired Fiction and Nonfiction for Beginning Readers
Help young readers build literacy skills with paired nonfiction and fiction series! View →
12 Great Series for Middle Grade Readers
Middle grade readers love to dive into a series and spend some time with the characters. Read on to find a list of great middle grade fiction series your readers can binge! View →
Fall Graphic Novel Preview
July is Graphic Novel Month, which is the perfect time to share some sneak peeks of our Fall 21 graphic novels from Graphic Universe. View →
10 Books That Will Help Students Write Better
Writing is an art and a science . . . and we’ve got books that can help your students become better at the both sides of the craft. Read on for 10 books that help with all parts of the writing process from research to putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard)! View →
Unparalleled: Floyd Cooper, A Literary Remembrance
“There is no greater gift than the truth.” -Floyd Cooper View →
Not Just for Kids: Using Picture Books with Teens and Tweens
Are you pigeonholing your picture books, limiting them to just primary grades? Gain insights from librarians and literacy luminaries Betsy Bird, Cicely Lewis, and Susannah Richards as they discuss the benefits of and strategies for using picture books with older students—including middle grade and high schoolers. View →
I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Books
It’s deep summer in the northern hemisphere, and what better way than to cool off than with books featuring ice cream? Read on for a list of titles that cover how ice cream is made, experiments that help you make your own, or stories that include everyone’s favorite sweet treat. View →
Multicultural Voices in Our First Avenue Classics Line
First Avenue Classics transform unabridged editions of literary staples into compelling digital layouts, making the books accessible from any digital device. We’d like to highlight some of the multicultural voices available from the First Avenue Classics line. View →
Travel Around the World From Your Living Room!
This week, we’re exploring our great planet from the comfort of our homes – via books! Read on for great series and titles that will take you around the world. View →
Books Celebrating BIPOC Joy
So often, “diverse books” seem to mean struggle. Oppression. Pain. We’d like to highlight some books that celebrate BIPOC life or show BIPOC characters having wonderful everyday experiences. Everyone deserves to see themselves in the pages of a book! View →
10 Books That Will Make You Say Whoa!
Each of the books in the list below will make you say to someone else, “Did you know . . .?” Did you know the 2014 World Cup had such bright lights astronaut Reid Wiseman was able to take photos of the stadium from space? Or that there might be life on the moon, since a spacecraft full of tardigrades crashed there in 2019? Check out our book list below to find more things that will make you say WOAH! View →
Free Teaching Resources From Lerner: eSource
Did you know we have oodles of free resources available to download, from lesson plans to activity sheets to discussion guides? We sure do! Summer is a great time to browse through these resources and find ways to get students more engaged with the books in your library. View →
Fall Novel Preview
It may just be June, but we’re looking forward to curling up with a great book this fall. Check out our fall middle grade and YA novel highlights from Carolrhoda Books and Carolrhoda Lab. View →
19 Books for Refugee Week
Yesterday kicked off Refugee Week, culminating in Refugee Day on June 20. Here’s a summer reading book list celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. View →
Fall Picture Book Review
Summer’s here and you know what that means, right? FALL PREVIEWS! Take a look inside to get the scoop on all our forthcoming illustrated and photographic picture books from Carolrhoda and Millbrook Press. View →
Juneteenth is Coming!
Juneteenth is this week! What are the origins of this holiday, and why do we celebrate it? View →
10 Books About Friendship
We’re kicking off 12 Weeks of Summer with book lists to celebrate all sorts of topics. Today’s theme is friendship. Read on for great books about friendship, making friends, and being a friend. View →
Spring Super Stars!
We are almost at the halfway mark for the year. Can you believe it? Before jumping into the summer season, let’s take some time to reflect on those exceptional fiction and nonfiction from the spring. We have gathered all the titles from Lerner Publishing Group and our publishing partners that have received starred reviews in the list below. Discover the best titles for your young readers and still have time to enjoy the sunshine! View →
Pride Round-Up
June is Pride Month! We’ve got books for your readers to educate, entertain, and acknowledge LGBTQIA+ history and rights. Check out our list below! View →
Brontë: An Interview with Author and Illustrator Manuela Santoni
Brontë, Manuela Santoni’s graphic telling of the lives of Emily, Charlotte, and Anne Brontë, arrived in the United States earlier this month. This sweeping work of graphic biography, originally published in Italy and translated by Matteo Benassi, explores the sisters’ tumultuous family and literary awakenings. To celebrate the occasion of its stateside release, the Lerner Blog asked Santoni about bringing the Brontës to life. View →
Middle Grade and YA Summer Reads
It’s been a rough school year, but summer is looming. And if ever there was a summer to keep kids well stocked with fun books to read . . . well, it was the summer of 2020, but 2021 has to be a close second. Here are some suggestions for middle-grade and young adult readers looking for a change of pace. View →
Unspeakable and the 100th Anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre
For almost seventy-five years the history behind the Tulsa Race Massacre was undocumented and omitted. Now with the 100th anniversary approaching on May 31st and June 1st, it’s crucial we take time to remember the victims and share their stories with readers of all ages. View →
Spring 21 Favorites from Lerner Publisher Services
n addition to the books that we publish, did you know that we distribute other publishers’ books too? We love finding the best books from around the world and bringing them to libraries, bookstores, classrooms, and ultimately to the readers who love them. Here are the highlights from our publishers’ Spring 2021 titles! View →
Celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is the time when we celebrate the rich cultural diversity, historical achievements, and traditions of Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders. This year, it holds particular importance and significance, and we are pleased to highlight books that uphold the AAPI experience, and our AAPI creators. View →
HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY: NEW PAPERBACK, MIDDLE-GRADE, AND GRAPHIC NOVELS
Check out May new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
It’s Outta Here! The Might and Majesty of the Home Run Chat with Author Matt Doeden
From baby animals and blooming flowers to rainstorms and galoshes, signs of spring have finally arrived after a typically long Minnesota winter. For many sports fans, spring also signals the start of Major League Baseball (MLB). With baseball on my mind, I asked Doeden a few questions about the book and what he thinks about the current state of MLB. View →
How To Build an Insect: An Interview with Author Roberta Gibson
See what the buzz is about in this fresh, fun look at insect anatomy. In the pages of How to Build an Insect, you’ll find a workshop filled with everything you need, including a head, a thorax, an abdomen, and much more. This wonderfully original take on insect anatomy sparks curiosity and engages even those who didn’t think they liked creepy, crawly things! View →
Browseable Nonfiction Hotlist
Browseable nonfiction contains eye-catching design, lavish illustrations or photographs, and straightforward text. The books can be read from cover to cover for readers who want to know absolutely everything, but other readers have the freedom to focus on the content that really interests them. Read on for our best-selling browseable nonfiction titles! View →
Books about How Things Work
Life is pretty amazing when you look at it with childlike wonder. We harnessed that wonder in creating the Step by Step and Food Field Trips series, both of which focus on the amazing ways that everyday things are made, produced, or grown. View →
The Spy Who Raised Me: An Interview with Author Ted Anderson
The Spy Who Raised Me by Ted Anderson and illustrated by Gianna Meola is a super-spy adventure and hilarious satire about the demands parents place on children. The story follows teenager Josie Black who can infiltrate any building and move like a martial artist. But no one told her that. When she discovers her mom secretly programmed her to be a special operative, spy family drama breaks out. View →
Beyond: An Interview with Author Miranda Paul
Beyond: Discoveries from the Outer Reaches of Space takes readers on a profound journey beyond our solar system and explores the marvels of interstellar space. A wonder-filled poem and spectacular illustrations explore everything from dwarf planets and black holes to dark matter and brand-new stars. Today author Miranda Paul joins us to discuss her inspiration for Beyond, the picture book’s unique format, and her favorite celestial body! View →
Extend Learning with Picture Books
What a wonderful webinar “Not Just for Kids, How to Use Picture Books with Tweens and Teens” was!! So many interesting, diverse books for all levels of readers!! Teachers, now that you have great reading suggestions for students, what are you going to do with it? How can you maintain students’ interest and extend the learning? Read on for some suggestions that I have! View →
Germs Up close Q&A with Sara Levine
This book came about in a somewhat unusual way–a little over a year ago as it became clear that the COVID-19 pandemic was about to change our lives, award-winning science writer Sara Levine and I began talking making a book about the science behind not only SARS-CoV-2 but also many other infectious diseases. In this interview, Sara shares more about how Germs Up Close came together as well as some of the challenges she faced along the way. View →
Graphic Universe Spring 2021 Releases as Easter Candy
Easter candy—it’s the snack on everyone’s mind this month, with selections wide-ranging enough that every variety has a perfect literary counterpart. With Lerner’s Graphic Universe imprint in the process of rolling out this spring’s graphic novel releases, we’ve also found the type of Easter candy with which each new graphic novel pairs best. View →
Traditional Nonfiction Hotlist
Traditional nonfiction is made up of survey/”all-about” nonfiction books. They provide a general overview of a topic, are often part of a larger series, and use clean, straightforward language. They are best for an introduction to a topic, and often used early in the research process to build understanding. Keep reading for a list of our best-selling traditional nonfiction titles! View →
No Way, They Were Gay?: An Interview with Author Lee Wind
History has often ignored men who loved men, women who loved women, and people who lived outside gender boundaries. In No Way, They Were Gay?: Hidden Lives and Secret Loves, author Lee Wind examines primary source letters, poems, and more to rethink the lives and loves of historical figures. Today Lee joins us to give readers insight into the inspiration and purpose of this fascinating YA nonfiction! View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Graphic Novels, and Nonfiction
Check out April new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
The Design of Natural Satellites
f you ever wonder if a designer really looks at every single aspect of a book when designing….yes. Yes we do. For this post I asked designer Lindsey Owens to give us some insight on choices behind the design elements in our new Twenty-First Century Books title Natural Satellites: The Book of Moons by Ron Miller — here’s the scoop: View →
Spring Sesame Street® Roundup
Sesame Street® has always been a place of friendship and love. As we round out a full year of pandemic living, give young readers encouragement and self-care advice with everlasting friends like Elmo, Big Bird, and Cookie Monster. This spring’s Sesame Street title lists include new activities, healthy habits, and good character practices. Read on to find out more! View →
Expository Literature Nonfiction Hotlist
Expository literature is a form of nonfiction that uses a strong voice and rich, engaging language to creatively share information about a focused topic. It usually demonstrates carefully chosen text and an innovative presentation. Here’s an overview of expository literature, and a look at some of our best-selling expository literature titles! View →
Social and Emotional Learning Roundup
With Spring rolling in and the weather warming up, we better start discussing social and emotional learning before the kids (safely, of course) fill the playgrounds back up! How can we, as adults, show the youth around us the importance of friendship, kindness, and acceptance? These themes are fundamental to our daily interactions and it’s up to us to make sure that the children in our lives understand how to navigate the nuances of human interaction. View →
Exploring North American Biomes
Cones from a spruce tree crunch under your boots. You pause to rest on a rock covered in green moss and colorful lichens. From a nearby treetop, you hear the high-pitched song of a magnolia warbler. To an experienced explorer, the signs are obvious. You’re in a boreal forest! View →
Celebrating Asian Heritage and Asian American Stories
During this difficult time, it’s more important than ever to listen to and learn from diverse stories. Empathy, joy, and education are powerful forces we can use to stand up to hate. Celebrate stories of Asian and Asian American experiences with these picture books, young adult fiction, and graphic novels.
Read on to find titles that raise Asian and Asian American voices and support their work. Nonfiction titles about racial violence and inequality are also listed below to help begin crucial conversations. View →
The Story Behind When Dogs Heal
Through powerful images and compelling narratives, explore extraordinary stories of ordinary people overcoming stigma and grief and the unwavering bond between humans and canine companions. Written by Christina Garofalo, award-winning dog photographer Jesse Freidin, adolescent HIV+ specialist Dr. Robert Garofalo, and LGBTQ advocate and journalist Zach Stafford, When Dogs Heal shows how the best medicine isn’t always found at a pharmacy or in a doctor’s office. Sometimes it comes in the form of a four-legged friend. View →
Into the Fire with Hothouse Earth
Climate change is not simply a problem for future generations. Hothouse Earth examines how science, politics, and social justice must all be part of the equation to counteract climate change. View →
Spring Fun With Crayola®!
Spring is on its way and so are all the Crayola® colors! The refreshing green of budding leaves and the joyful yellow of daffodils can all be reflected on your bookshelf with the latest titles from Crayola®! View →
On Artist Shortlists and The Floating Field
Making a list of possible artists for picture books is standard procedure here. We make shortlist through searching for style, through thought, through discussion, through sharing top picks with the author, through Ooohs and Aaaahs and “Wouldn’t it be great if (insert famous illustrator name) could work on this book?” We — in this case designer Viet, editor Carol, and Art Director me — spend time carefully finding and talking through the many possibilities and narrow to shortlist of artists, whom I then start reaching out to with the illustration proposal. View →
Earth-Shaking News: Ten Years After the Fukushima Disaster
Today marks the tenth anniversary of the nuclear disaster at Fukushima, Japan. Dr. Fred Bortz, author of Meltdown: The Nuclear Disaster in Japan and Our Energy Future, returns to share his thoughts regarding the event’s impact on sustainable energy resources. To learn more about the disaster and subsequent clean up, find resources and articles at the end of the post! View →
Active Nonfiction Hotlist
Active nonfiction teaches skills that readers can use to engage in an activity. Craft books, cookbooks, books of scientific experiments all fall into this category. Here’s an overview of Active Nonfiction and a look at some of our best-selling active nonfiction titles! View →
Librarian Prep Post for April
We’ve put together our reader’s advisory and booklists for April! Again focused on bringing you as many solutions as possible to the dilemma of providing online book displays for your children, we hope that you can find something that inspires you to inspire them! View →
Resource Roundup: The Secret Life of Kitty Granger
Make your own invisible ink or learn Morse code! Read on to find amazing free resources for the classroom, and your students can become super spies just like Kitty Granger! View →
Classified: an Interview with Author Traci Sorell
In Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer, Cherokee author Traci Sorell and Métis illustrator Natasha Donovan trace Ross’s journey from being the only girl in a high school math class to becoming a teacher. Ross continued onward to earn an engineering degree, join the top-secret Skunk Works division of Lockheed, and become a mentor for Native Americans and young women interested in engineering. Find out how Ross’s passion for math and the Cherokee values she was raised with shaped her life and work. View →
Rissy No Kissies: An Interview with Author Katey Howes
A lovebird who doesn’t like kisses? Rissy’s friends and family wonder if she’s sick, confused, or rude. But kisses make Rissy uncomfortable. Can one little lovebird show everyone that there’s no one right way to show you care? View →
HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY: NEW PICTURE BOOKS, GRAPHIC NOVELS, YA, AND NONFICTION
Check out March new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
Narrative Nonfiction Hotlist
Narrative nonfiction reads like a novel, but the stories are true. It’s a great way for kids to learn about the world, and appeals to to lovers of fiction and whatever topic a given book covers. Here’s an overview of Narrative Nonfiction and a look at some of our best-selling narrative nonfiction titles! View →
Wait…Pigeons were Spies? Enter the Secret World of Spying
You’re moving through a dense crowd as counterintelligence agents follow you. If you cannot escape, you will be arrested. So what do you do?
In Lerner’s new nonfiction series Spy Secrets, readers will get a glimpse into the world of spying, uncovering true fascinating stories of spies, the people they worked for, and the methods they used to complete their missions. View →
The Secret Life of Kitty Granger: An Interview with Author G. D. Falksen
The Secret Life of Kitty Granger is a suspenseful thriller and a nuanced portrayal of neurodivergence set in 1967 London. Sixteen-year-old Kitty Granger hates noise and crowds, tends to fixate on patterns, and often feels acutely aware of her surroundings even as she struggles to interpret the behavior of people around her. When Kitty’s keen observation and quick thinking help her survive a dangerous encounter, two secret agents working for Her Majesty’s government offer her a job in their espionage operation. On her very first mission, she must foil a fascist plot and save the country! Today author G.D. Falksen discusses his writing process, research strategies, and creative life. View →
Creating the Perfect Reading Nook for Kids
Editor’s Note: We shared some tips from How to Do It Now Because It’s Not Going Away about how to create great reading spaces with Redfin, the real estate website. They’ve allowed us to republish the post on our site, and we hope you’ll share these great ideas with your patrons! View →
A Closer Look: What’s the Deal with Back Matter?
Last summer as we were making the final tweaks to our Spring 2021 picture books before they went off to the printer, I was struck by the fascinating range of back matter found in these six books. But what exactly is back matter and why does it, well, matter? View →
Paired Fiction and Nonfiction for Literacy
Paired fiction and nonfiction can help students learn to think critically while comparing text types – and enjoying fun stories! View →
Join Lerner and Zoobean for a Nonfiction Reading Challenge in March!
For the month of March we’re partnering with Beanstack to bring you the 5 Kinds of Nonfiction Reading Challenge! This challenge is designed to encourage PreK-12 readers to explore their favorite nonfiction topics and themes all month long. All U.S. libraries and schools are eligible to join the challenge with their communities and read to win some amazing prizes, including a selection of Lerner books. View →
Mission to Mars: Books for the Landing of NASA’s Perseverance
NASA’s Perseverance rover is scheduled to land on Mars in one week. Get your readers ready for this momentous occasion with our Mars booklist! View →
Hack Your Kitchen with Science Buddies: Free Activity!
Earlier this month, we released our latest book in partnership with Science Buddies, Hack Your Kitchen: Discover a World of Food Fun with Science Buddies. Young scientists will learn all about many different scientific principles and properties using everyday tools and ingredients from their own kitchens – and today you can get a sneak peek at one of the projects right here! View →
Updating Into the Streets
Lerner Publishing Group is based out of downtown Minneapolis, in the North Loop neighborhood. The murder of George Floyd just a few miles from our headquarters hit very close to home, and to our hearts, last summer. We immediately moved up the publication date of Into the Streets: A Young Person’s Visual History of Protest in the United States. We also began planning an addition for the next printing that would cover the protests that broke out across the country in response. That addition is now available in print copies, as well as for download here for those who bought the first edition. View →
Books to Know for March
Below is our reader’s advisory and collection of booklists for March, complete with quick descriptions of how our titles can work in your library and how you might be able to get those kids invested in reading again (along with some additional resources)! View →
#MeToo and You: An Interview with Author Halley Bondy
The #MeToo movement has changed the way many people view the world, but how well do tweens understand it? #MeToo and You: Everything You Need to Know about Consent, Boundaries, and More explores the nuances of emotions, comfort, and discomfort in sexually charged and emotionally abusive situations. Tween readers will learn about consent, harassment, abuse, and healthy boundaries in all types of relationships. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Middle-Grade, Graphic Novels, and Nonfiction
Check out February new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
Biographies for a New Year
Give readers crucial context for current events with must-have biographies. Dive into the stories behind important leaders and the experiences that defined them, from politicians making headlines today to under-celebrated historical figures. View →
Kar-Ben Publishing Receives Sydney Taylor Honor and Notable Commendation by the Association of Jewish Libraries
The virtual American Library Association’s (ALA) Midwinter concludes with the Youth Media Awards, and Kar-Ben has received two commendations from the Sydney Taylor Book Awards! Awarded annually by the Association of Jewish Libraries, a division of the ALA, these awards are given to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. View →
Coronavirus Round Up
New books and key backlist explaining the coronavirus for all ages. View →
Picture Books about Trauma and Recovery
How do we prepare our children for hard times? And how do we help them recover from trauma? As a parent, I don’t like to think about my children–or any children–experiencing bad things. Many of the picture books in our home prompt smiles, spark curiosity, and inspire empathy. Yet children also need books that gently, respectfully tell them the truth about difficult experiences and offer them tools that might help as they navigate their own difficult times. And honestly, these books do not speak only to children. The following books have something to offer us all. View →
Audisee eBooks with Audio Continue to Delight and Educate
As many schools continue to meet virtually in 2021, Lerner Digital products are prepared to encourage learning in multiple formats and multiple locations. The latest additions to our Audisee list cover a wide range of curricular and high-interest topics; combined with the flexibility of digital formats, they’re sure to fit your needs at home, school, and in-between. Let’s take a look! View →
Civics Round-Up
With the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States scheduled for next week, as well as the unprecedented events we’ve seen in our country in 2021, we’ve rounded up some important social studies titles on civics, government, and history to help you provide context to your students. View →
Introducing: The Fight for Black Rights
Examine the struggle for justice for Black Americans, from voter suppression and the controversy over Confederate monuments to the protests against police brutality and racially motivated violence. Gain historical and current context to understand why the fight for Black rights continues today, through our brand-new series The Fight for Black Rights (Alternator Books®) View →
How To Do It Now Because It’s Not Going Away: On-Demand Study Skills Webinar for Educators
Whether your students are learning remotely or in-person, their study skills almost certainly need help. Learning to overcome procrastination is not just a study skill, it’s a life skill – and Leslie Josel is here to help. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Fiction, and Nonfiction
Check out January new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
5 Kinds of Nonfiction: Karen Latchana Kenney
On the final stop of this year’s 5 Kinds of Nonfiction tour, we visit Karen Latchana Kenney and her latest YA title Folding Tech: Using Origami and Nature to Revolutionize Technology. Researchers use folding technologies to create everything from nanobots to telescope lenses that unfold to the size of a soccer field. The engineers behind these inventions take inspiration from an unusual source—origami! This book examines how the ancient art intersects with STEM. Keep reading to learn more about Karen’s writing process, Expository Literature, and the 5 Kinds of Nonfiction. View →
5 Kinds of Nonfiction: Blake Hoena
Graphic novels are some of the most popular stories for young readers, and graphic nonfiction is no exception. Today we visit the 5 Kinds of Nonfiction with author Blake Hoena. His most recent graphic novel series, Athletes Who Made a Difference, follows four legendary sports heroes from their early years to pro careers. Through grit, leadership, and resistance these individuals were able to change the world around them. Read on to discover how the graphic novel format is perfect for these athletes’ stories and to learn more about Narrative Nonfiction. View →
The Stars of the Show: Top Titles of 2020
Studded with starred reviews and awards, this list of books from Lerner Publishing Group is the cream of the crop! Check out our best titles from 2020. View →
A World of Hands-On STEM Discovery: Active Nonfiction
What can kids learn by dropping bouncy balls into a container filled with flour? This simple activity brings the formation of craters to life for kids. As they try balls of different sizes, they see science in action and add to the information they know about the world around them. View →
Guest Post: Patricia Newman
By Patricia Newman, Sibert Honor-winning author of Sea Otter Heroes, Plastic Ahoy!, Eavesdropping on Elephants, Planet Ocean, and many other books View →
Bionic Beasts Author Interview with Jolene Gutiérrez
By Carol Hinz, editorial director of Millbrook Press and Carolrhoda Books
I still recall how excited I was when I read Jolene Gutiérrez’s initial idea for the book Bionic Beasts. I don’t often see middle grade nonfiction that brings together engineering and biology in this way. Bionic Beasts highlights the innovation and problem-solving skills people around the globe are using to build prosthetic body parts for animals including a sea turtle, an elephant, and a goose. Jolene was kind enough to answer several questions about her book. View →
5 Kinds of Nonfiction: Candice Ransom
Candice Ransom writes series nonfiction for Lerner, including the Bumba Books Discover Your Senses series. These fall into the Traditional Nonfiction category in Melissa Stewart’s 5 Kinds of Nonfiction framework. Read on to learn about how Candice does her research and writing, and more about Traditional Nonfiction and the 5 Kinds of Nonfiction. View →
Librarian Prep Post for February
December is here, which means 2020 is on its way out the door. Discover books for February now! View →
Taking Readers on a Science Adventure: Narrative Nonfiction
Today we explore Narrative Nonfiction with Kate Messner, author of Tracking Pythons: The Quest to Catch an Invasive Predator and Save an Ecosystem. This engaging middle-grade nonfiction takes a deep dive into the science of pythons and their role as invasive predators. Keep reading to learn more about how Kate began her adventure in the Florida wetlands, and about Narrative Nonfiction and the 5 Kinds of Nonfiction. View →
Titles You Might Have Missed This Fall
Here’s a roundup of some delightful titles that we don’t want you to miss! View →
Animals Eat What?: Disgusting Meals in Bite-Size Pieces (Browseable Nonfiction)
This spring, Lerner Publications launched the browseable nonfiction series Animals Eat What? This series takes a look at the nasty and unusual elements of animal diets, and fits into the browseable category of Melissa Stewart’s Five Kinds of Nonfiction. Read on to learn more about these awesomely disgusting books, and the just-plain-awesomeness of browseable nonfiction. View →
Unspeakable: A Visit to Tulsa’s Black Wall Street
In April 2019, editorial director Carol Hinz and art director Danielle Carnito traveled to Oklahoma to gather information related to several books they were working on. One of them was Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Floyd Cooper, which will release on February 2, 2021. We asked Carol and Danielle to share a little about how their trip shaped their work on this book. View →
Active Coding for Sports Fans
What does sports have to do with coding? As it turns out, a lot. Because once you learn about coding concepts, you can see them everywhere. A play on the soccer pitch, for example—players passing the ball to one another—is just like an algorithm, or lines of code put together to tell a computer what to do. A repeated part of that play, like passing the ball back and forth, is a loop. Perhaps one player passes the ball only if the other has a clear shot at the goal—that’s a conditional. And if something goes wrong, say the ball is intercepted by the opposing team, that’s a bug in the code! View →
Ready for Summer Reading?
Here in Minnesota, winter is starting to set in – which is the perfect time to begin planning summer reading 2021! We have perfect picks for your library’s summer reading theme below – keep reading for title preview videos, book lists, and more. View →
Top 5 Things for Grads to Do Now That COVID-19 Has Tanked Their Plans
The coronavirus has changed plans for high school students across the country, and what will happen when they graduate? Genevieve Morgan’s new book Undecided, 2nd Edition: Navigating Life and Learning after High School, has the information to help teens navigate the difficult process of deciding among a gap year, college, enlisting in the military, and more. View →
Librarian Prep Post for January
There’s a lot going on right now; we’re here to help! This holiday season, don’t forget to sit down, take a deep breath, and center yourself. It’s easy to forget about our own needs in these unprecedented times, but don’t forget – you matter! Hopefully, we can help you weather the storm with our January booklists and reader advisory. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Young Adult, and Non-Fiction
Check out November new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
5 Kinds of Nonfiction: Jeff Fleischer
In preparation for election day, we explore Traditional Nonfiction with Jeff Fleischer, author of Votes of Confidence 2nd Edition: A Young Person’s Guide to American Elections. This updated edition provides the next generation of voters with essential guidance about the past, present, and future of American elections. Continue reading to learn more about Jeff’s research process, Traditional Nonfiction, and the 5 Kinds of Nonfiction. View →
5 Kinds of Nonfiction: Nonfiction Writers Dig Deep
Many teachers and students seem to think that writing nonfiction requires nothing more than doing some research and cobbling together a bunch of facts, but nothing could be further from the truth. To dispel this alarming myth, fifty of today’s most celebrated authors for children have come together to share a critical part of the nonfiction writing process that often goes unseen. The result is the illuminating anthology Nonfiction Writers Dig Deep: 50 Award-winning Children’s Book Authors Share the Secret of Engaging Writing View →
New Audisee and Audiobook Titles Bring The Natural World to Life
Here at Lerner, our Digital imprint is always looking for ways to deliver our award-winning educational content to audiences in all formats. Our enhanced eBooks are a great way to keep your students reading in the classroom and at home. Read on for a quick overview of new Audisee eBook with Audio and Audiobook titles out this fall. View →
A Bowl Full of Peace: An Illustration Timeline
Picture books aren’t that quick to make. Sure, there can be exceptions, but mostly they involve a lot of time and love and work. It can be years from start of a project to the book release, when you hope that thing you worked on for so long gets a good reception when it finally makes out into the world. I took a look back at events in the timeline of one of our new Fall picture books; A Bowl Full of Peace by Caren Stelson, illustrated by Akira Kusaka. View →
5 Kinds of Nonfiction: Sara Levine
We explore Expository Literature with Sara Levine, author of Eye by Eye: Comparing How Animals See. The playful picture book keeps readers guessing as they learn wonderfully weird and gross facts and find out how different animal’s eyes are like—and unlike—those of starfish, owls, slugs, and more! Keep reading to learn more about Sara’s process, and about Expository Literature and the 5 Kinds of Nonfiction. View →
Genomics and Covid-19, Emerging Research
This is a guest post by Whitney Stewart and Hans C. Andersson MD, co-authors of Genomics: A Revolution in Healthcare and Disease Discovery. To listen to Whitney and Dr. Andersson discuss Genomics and the importance of genetics and genomics to our modern lives, listen to their episode on The Lerner Podcast. View →
Q&A with Dan Jolley and Jacques Khouri, Creators of Mega-Dogs of New Kansas
We’re thrilled to introduce author Dan Jolley and cartoonist Jacques Khouri, the brilliant team behind the middle-grade graphic novel Mega-Dogs of New Kansas! View →
Librarian Prep Post for December
Leaves are falling off the trees, the air is crisp, and sweater season is in full swing. With winter right around the corner and the snow soon to fall, it’s high time for us to give you all the books you need to survive the ice. Grab a cup of cocoa, curl up by the fire, and check out our booklists and reader advisory for December! View →
5 Kinds of Nonfiction: Kao Kalia Yang
We begin our tour of the 5 Kinds of Nonfiction with Kao Kalia Yang. Her most recent picture book, The Most Beautiful Thing, draws from her childhood experiences as a Hmong refugee and offers a window into the life of a family with little money and a great deal of love. Read on to find out how important storytelling is to sharing the truth of nonfiction, and learn more about Narrative Nonfiction. View →
In Praise of Untidy Endings
One question I consider when I’m deciding whether I want to publish a book is “Does it have a satisfying resolution?” Satisfying can have many different meanings, but in general I want readers to walk away from a book feeling that they had a complete experience—that they weren’t left hanging or cheated out of the climactic moments they anticipated. View →
Creating a Garden : An Interview with Masha d’yans
Your belly is full of tiny creatures! A Garden in Your Belly: Meet the Microbes in Your Gut by Masha D’yans uses striking watercolors and lively text teach kids about the garden of microscopic flora growing inside them, how it keeps them healthy, and how they can help it thrive. View →
Ever After: The Perfect October Read
Full of vivid, colorful artwork, Olivia Vieweg’s YA horror graphic novel Ever After is a poetic take on an enduring genre. View →
Teaching Study Skills Webinar + Book Sweepstakes
Register for an educators-only interactive webinar from award-winning time management coach Leslie Josel and be entered to win copies of her new book for your school. View →
Introducing: 5 Kinds of Nonfiction with Melissa Stewart!
A guest post by Melissa Stewart
Back in 2017, I proposed a five-category system for classifying children’s nonfiction on my blog, and the response was incredible. Teachers loved it. So did librarians and children’s book authors and editors. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Middle-Grade and Nonfiction
Check out October new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
Monkey with a Tool Belt: Interview with a Young Fan
The original Monkey with a Tool Belt book by Chris Monroe came out in 2008, and I don’t think anyone who worked on that first book ever dreamed that twelve years later, we’d be on book #6 in the series and that there would be a show streaming on Netflix! View →
Librarian Prep Post for November
Whether returning to school, working from home, or anything in between, everyone is faced with the uncertainty of today’s world. We hope that, amid the craziness of this year, you have all kept good health and taken time to take care of the person that matters most: you! Hopefully, we can appease a little of the uncertainty with our booklists and reader advisory for November. View →
An Interview with Barbara Lowell, Author of “Behind the Bookcase”
Today we welcome Barbara Lowell to the blog to share her inspiration and hopes for her new picture book Behind the Bookcase: Miep Gies, Anne Frank, and the Hiding Place in which the story of Anne Frank is retold from the unique perspective of her protector, Miep Geis. View →
A Chat with She Represents Author Caitlin Donohue
In a complicated political era when the United States feels divided, women are being elected at record rates and government is beginning to more accurately reflect the people it represents. View →
Just For You! Coding Infographic
Did you know? Learning to code has other benefits for students beyond the technology aspect. Even if students don’t grow up to be programmers, learning to code also teaches them how to collaborate, communicate, think critically and logically, problem solve, edit, and pay attention to details. View →
It’s Hispanic Heritage Month!
Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 because it is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico’s independence day is September 16 and Chile’s is September 18. It’s a time to celebrate and learn about Americans with ancestral roots in Spain, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. View →
New Articles Available NOW on Lerner Sports!
We’ve added even more of your readers’ favorite athletes to our ever-growing collection of profiles on the Lerner Sports Database! Plus, reading activities to get students engaged. View →
Q&A with Author Ginger Garrett
We spoke with Ginger Garrett about the inspiration for her new middle-grade novel, Name Tags and Other Sixth-Grade Disasters, which follows twelve-year-old Lizbeth’s quest to make friends, thwart nemeses, and figure out how to express herself through art in time to participate in a mandatory school talent show. View →
Help at Home, Back to School Edition
Whether you’re back to school online, in real life, or a hybrid, we’re still collecting resources to help you and your learners.
First of all, we’ve extended our read-aloud permissions through the end of the year… View →
Coding Is Definitely a Literacy
“School librarians are especially pivotal in coding literacy because, as with any other language, the age of acquisition for any language matters. Librarians are uniquely placed in schools with students from their early years, long before children have access to computer science electives,” writes IdaMae Craddock, a librarian at the Albemarle (VA) Lab Schools. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Middle-Grade, YA, and Nonfiction
Check out September new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
Lizard in a Zoot Suit: A Graphic Novel For Our Time
This diverse sci-fi graphic novel reimagines a lesser-known moment in history, and takes young adult readers on the adventure of a lifetime! Discover what others have to say about Lizard in a Zoot Suit and enjoy an excerpt. View →
How to Live on the Edge of Past, Present, and Future
…why I find Sarah Scheerger’s young adult novel How to Live on the Edge so compelling. Cayenne, the eighteen-year-old protagonist, is nothing like Teen Me (and nothing like Teen Sarah, she’ll be quick to tell you). She deals with her fear of dying young—as her mother did—by courting danger and making light of risks. View →
Librarian Prep Post for September & October
Welcome to the end of summer, and in some areas of the country, back to school time. Whatever your location is deciding or struggling with, we wish you all health, safety, and as little upheaval as possible. To help with your planning, here are some booklists and readers advisory for September and October. View →
What Would You Put in a Bowl Full of Peace?
August 9, 2020, marks the 75th anniversary of the extraordinary survival of Sachiko Yasui in Nagasaki. Caren Stelson, author of two books featuring Sachiko, shares her thoughts about how Sachiko’s story is relevant as students begin returning to school (in whatever form it may take) in the midst of a global pandemic. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Middle Grade, YA, and Nonfiction
Check out August new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
Six Books You Don’t Want to Miss
Here’s a roundup of some delightful titles that we don’t want you to miss! View →
HELP AT HOME, 07/16/2020
It might be summer, but we’re still helping students learn at home! Here are resources ranging from math and science, reading and writing to anti-racism resources and projects to document this strange time for future generations. View →
More Hands-on Books for Fun at Home
These books are great for Elementary-school-aged kids. All of the projects (and snacks!) are super fun to make! Some may need help from an adult. View →
Calling All Hamilton Fans!
Hamilton has been out on Disney+ for a whole week now! Have you watched it? If you or someone you know are looking for more of a Hamilton fix, well….we’ve got some books for you! Check out books about Alexander Hamilton himself, “Dear Theodosia” in her own words, and Hamilton’s creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda. View →
Escapist Middle-Grade Reads
by Amy Fitzgerald, Editorial Director, Carolrhoda Books
I always tell people that my mission is to publish stories that reflect the real world honestly for young readers, and that’s true. But sometimes, leaving the world as we know it has its upsides. Here are a few books that offer readers alternate universes to explore. View →
PODCAST INTERVIEW WITH JEFF FLEISCHER, AUTHOR OF VOTES OF CONFIDENCE, 2ND EDITION
Listen in as Votes of Confidence author Jeff Fleischer covers what teens, young adults, and voters in need of a civics refresher ought to know about government, politics and elections. From the importance of primaries and mid-term elections to how student council can prepare participants for a life in politics to why teens should care about local politics even if they think they’re not interested, Jeff presents a compelling portrait of politics in everyday life. View →
PODCAST INTERVIEW WITH HANNAH BATSEL, AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR OF A IS FOR ANOTHER RABBIT
Today on The Lerner Podcast, we’re joined by Hannah Batsel, author and illustrator of A Is for Another Rabbit, a hilarious picture book in which a rabbit-obsessed narrator makes an owl increasingly irate by refusing to play by the rules of a conventional alphabet book. View →
K-3 Book Design: Deceptively Easy?
In our Millbrook imprint, we recently started publishing highly visual expository nonfiction specifically geared toward young readers in grades K-3. Anytime we start a new type of book, working through the design aspects to figure out what we really need to communicate visually is always a fun exercise. View →
Four Faves for Mysterious Fun
Do you like a little mystery on your bookshelf? Check out these four titles for the little sleuths in your life! View →
19 Books for a Better World for Elementary Readers
Everyone wants to build a good life for their children. It’s clear that the work needed to complete that goal for all people by eliminating racism has not been finished. We’ve put together a list of books for younger kids that may help to start and continue talking about the road ahead. View →
18 Books to Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride Month
June is celebrated as Pride Month by the LGBTQIA+ community, and many Pride events occur on the last Sunday in June to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion in New York City on June 28, 1969. View →
Five Books for Father’s Day
Father’s Day was first celebrated in the United States in 1910, but it only became a nationally-recognized holiday in 1972. This year, it falls on Sunday, June 21. Some families might be spending more time than usual with their dads right now. Others are giving up some time with their fathers to help slow the spread of coronavirus. We have put together a list of titles to help celebrate the day. View →
Sample Chapters to Help Make Sense of Troubling Times
Many might be struggling to explain current events to teens. Or, maybe teens are looking to help explain the situation! We hope this list of titles might help. We’ve also created sample chapters with relevant information that you can download and use immediately. View →
Guest Post from Lois Ruby, Author of Red Menace
We’re excited to share this guest post from Lois Ruby, with a peek at what it was like to grow up in the 1950s and how it influenced her new book! View →
Help at Home, 5/27/20
In this installment of Help at Home, we have drawing Totoro, music resources, and the art of building forts with your furniture!
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Six Books for Stay-At-Home Fun
Sara Hoffmann, School & Library Series Managing Editor, created a list of books to keep kids busy as we officially enter summer! Ideal ages for these books are from preschool through sixth grade.
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Six Books for When You Need Pet Therapy
Our School & Library Series Managing Editor, Sara Hoffmann, put together this list of books to help younger kids celebrate pets or just enjoy reading about them! View →
Sesame Street Goes Green
The weather is getting warmer and everything is about to be green—or, in the case of our friends on Sesame Street, go green. View →
A Map into the World: Saying Goodbye to Bob
In A Map into the World, the character of Bob was based on author Kao Kalia Yang’s real-life neighbor Bob, an unassuming man in his early 90s who certainly never imagined he’d one day be in the pages of a children’s book. It is with much sadness that Carol Hinz shares the following remembrance, in which Kao Kalia Yang says a final goodbye to Bob. View →
A Book Trailer, Podcast, and Mia Siegert’s Playlist for Somebody Told Me
Today we welcome Mia Siegert to the blog to share their playlist for their new YA novel Somebody Told Me. We also have a podcast featuring Mia and a book trailer! View →
Fly Back, Agnes and the Gift of an Imperfect Protagonist
Editorial Director Amy Fitzgerald shares her thoughts on Agnes as a character. She loves her partly because she probably wouldn’t have liked her in real life! View →
Six Books for Hands-On Activities and Kitchen Fun
These books are great for kids from preschool age up through 5th grade. All of the projects (and snacks!) are super fun! Some may need help from an adult. View →
A House Divided Book Trailer, Buzz, and a Podcast
The exciting new graphic novel, A House Divided, has a book trailer and has been getting a lot of attention! View →
Help at Home, 5/6/20
This week, we have resources for a DIY city, out-of-this-world coloring with NASA, bedtime stories, and more! View →
Seven YA Books for Music Lovers
If your pile of books to read is getting low, check out our list of music-minded novels! View →
Help at Home, 4/29/20
This week, we’ve got resources about history, art, and a little help in the kitchen!
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Podcast Interview with Chris Monroe on Monkey with a Toolbelt – And a Netflix Trailer!
Don’t miss this podcast interview with Chris Monroe, the author and illustrator of the Monkey with a Toolbelt book series. The series has been turned into a Netflix original animated show, and today the trailer was released! View →
Help at Home, 4/22/20
This week, we have a call for kid illustrators, financial literacy games, STEM, and more! View →
More: What We’re Reading Right Now
We asked a few more members of our editorial team about what they’re reading to relax, escape, or just rest! View →
Podcast Interview with MariNaomi
In this edition of The Lerner Podcast, editor Greg Hunter interviews cartoonist MariNaomi, creator of the Life on Earth graphic novel series. The most recent book, Distant Stars, came out this spring. View →
Help at Home, 4/15/20
This week, we have a lot of online art resources, STEM, dance classes, and more!
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What We’re Reading Right Now
It’s no surprise that we’re book people. We love books. We love reading books. In uncertain times, a lot of us are leaning on our books. Here’s a short list of what’s in some of our hands and minds to give our hearts a rest. View →
Help at Home, 4/9/20
We’re continuing to gather up free resources for distance learning and social distancing. Our new roundup includes a coloring book to help explain coronavirus to kids, celebrity read-alouds, history projects, and more. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Middle Grade and YA
Check out April new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
Librarian Prep List of Free Digital Books for Summer Reading or Distance Learning
June may seem far away. However, just in case you can’t reach your local librarian for help with a summer reading program, we’ve made a quick list of some of our favorite digital resources. These are available for free through June 30, 2020. Of course, you don’t have to wait until June. You could use any of these books right now as distance learning sources! View →
Help at Home, 4/1/20
This week, we have art lessons, several read-alouds, craft ideas, and much more! View →
Sheltering in Place: My Kids on Their Lives Now & Books They Recommend
Editorial Director Carol Hinz interviewed her kids, ages 6 and 9, about sheltering in place (and got some book recommendations.)
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Help At Home, 3/25/20
We are continuing to use this space to share resources. This week, we have several read-alouds, DIY makerspace ideas, virtual field trips, and much more! View →
Help at Home, 3/18/20
As lifelong learners, we know we don’t know everything. We are planning on using this space to share online resources that could help keep everyone learning and engaged as we navigate this unprecedented time.
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The Design Behind Follow Those Zebras (and Online Zoo Visits)
We at Lerner recognize that the spread of COVID-19 and the need to practice social distancing during this time have made many routines, such as visiting a zoo or even going to school, unsafe. We plan on continuing to use this space to talk about books, but also share online resources that could help keep everyone learning and engaged. View →
A Spark of Inspiration: How Flash and Gleam Came to Be
For those who are stuck at home, I wanted to try to shed a little light on your day with this new book. I enjoy editing picture books because each one is different. And each one also comes about in a unique way, which makes it fun to ask, “Where did the idea for this book come from?” View →
If We Were Gone: Students Lead the Way
John Coy and Natalie Capannelli’s new picture book, If We Were Gone: Imagining the World without People, is not your average picture book. In a review, Publishers Weekly called it a “disturbingly beautiful dystopian meditation.” When John, Natalie, and those of us at Lerner were working on the book, we certainly didn’t imagine that it would be released just as a global pandemic was spreading. View →
Lerner Digital Can Help You Plan for and Respond to School Closures
School districts facing closures due to coronavirus or other epidemics may have to look for ways to help their students continue to learn even during a relatively lengthy time away from their school building. Lerner Digital has elearning resources that could help. View →
Jeff Fleischer on Electability, Voter Suppression, Electronic Voting, and More
To celebrate the March release of the Zest Books YA nonfiction title Votes of Confidence, 2nd Edition: A Young Person’s Guide to American Elections, Ashley Kuehl asked Jeff Fleischer to explain some terms and trends we’re seeing in the news. View →
Tracking Pythons: Science Up Close
For her new middle-grade nonfiction book, Kate Messner made several trips to Florida and shadowed scientists as they worked. This enabled her to include lots of great sensory details as well as photos and videos of the scenes she describes. View →
Librarian Prep List for Jewish American Heritage Month
May is Jewish American Heritage Month! Here’s a list of book display ideas or selections for your readers advisory group. View →
All of a Sudden and Forever
Trade Art Director Danielle Carnito shares some details of illustrator Nicole Xu’s visit to better understand the site of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. In fact, for the new nonfiction picture book, the author, illustrator, art director, and editor all visited the memorial, the museum, and the site. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Middle Grade and YA
Check out March new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
New Digital Formats Deliver Your Favorites in Science, Sports, and Social Studies
From print to digital and beyond, we’re working to reach readers of every skill level, ability, and interest. Let’s take a look at what’s now on offer in Audisee ebook with audio and audiobook formats. View →
Elizabeth Wein and Amber Lough on Women Soldiers In World Wars I and II
Young adult authors Elizabeth Wein and Amber Lough are here to talk to you about their research trip to Russia and about the role of women soldiers in World War I and II. View →
What IS a Pandemic?
Have you been asked about the possibility of a coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic? We pulled together some resources to help you talk to kids, reduce the risk of transmission, and brush up on a little vocab. View →
Podcast Interview with Nina Crews
Today on The Lerner Podcast, we talk with Nina Crews, illustrator of A Girl Like Me, about how the book came to be, her hopes for young readers to continue making the world a better place, and artists whose children’s books she loves. View →
Picture Books + Social and Emotional Learning
CASEL concisely defines social and emotional learning as, “the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.” View →
Red Menace and the Historical Fiction Sweet Spot
Amy Fitzgerald, the Editorial Director of Carolrhoda Books, shares that she looks “for historical fiction that resonates with the present on more than a fashion level — making me feel simultaneously transported to foreign territory and more deeply connected to the problems, questions, and feelings of my own time.” View →
Garfield’s Taking STEM by Storm
STEM, with its four branches—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—has been a mainstay topic at Lerner for decades. Our customers and readers can’t get enough, so it was a no-brainer for us to add more STEM-related books to our Spring 2020 season. With an irreverent, orange cat. And a few of his friends. View →
Where Have All the Bees Gone?
We may all be busy bees, but it may be time to take a break and read Rebecca Hirsch’s new book, Where Have All the Bees Gone? Why should we care? View →
Earth Day Books to Read and Discuss
Is the Earth better off without us? If you’re checking your calendar and see that April 22, 2020 is Earth Day, these books might help start or continue conversations about conservation. View →
A Girl Like Me: Creating Photocollage Illustrations
In today’s blog post, Carol Hinz shares some of the process behind the wonderful photocollage illustrations Nina Crews created for A Girl Like Me. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Middle Grade and YA
Check out February new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
Author Karen Cherro Quiñones on Theodosia Burr: Teen Eyewitness to the Founding of the New Nation
Theodosia Burr is the daughter of Aaron Burr, a former vice-president, lawyer, colonel, and controversial killer of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. View →
Two Kar-Ben Publishing Titles Commended by Association of Jewish Libraries’ Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee
The Key from Spain: Flory Jagoda and Her Music, a picture book written by Debbie Levy and illustrated by Sonja Wimmer, and A Scarf for Keiko, a picture book written by Ann Malaspina and illustrated by Merrilee Liddiard, were named a Sydney Taylor Honor Book and Notable Book, respectively. View →
Author Chris Barton on All of a Sudden and Forever and Healing After Tragedy
Today we’re sharing a guest post by Chris Barton, author of All of a Sudden and Forever: Help and Healing after the Oklahoma City Bombing, illustrated by Nicole Xu and available February 4, 2020. View →
Get Ready for the Super Bowl with the Lerner Sports Database
For sports fans, part of the thrill of watching the National Football League (NFL) playoffs is trying to guess what’s going to happen next. View →
The Art of Dictionary for a Better World
Every book has its own mix of creators bringing their voice to the process, making the project the best it can be. With Dictionary for a Better World, we had an amazing team. View →
Try Augmented Reality with Lerner AR and Space in Action
We’re kicking off the New Year (and new decade) with some really snazzy tech! Officially announcing our brand new augmented reality app Lerner AR and companion print book series Space in Action! View →
Introducing Lerner’s Spring 2020 Diverse Books Catalog
In the 60 years that Lerner Publishing Group has been creating children’s books, inclusion and diversity have been important considerations for our company. Our latest blog post introduces a new resource we’ve created to help readers find what they want, need, and love to read. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Series and Nonfiction Books!
Check out January new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
Librarian Prep List for March: Purim and St. Patrick’s Day
This list will get you geared up for March! We’ve got a robust group of Purim titles and a few books about St. Patrick’s Day, including one in Spanish. View →
2019’s Best and Brightest: Top Titles from Lerner
Check out this year’s Lerner titles that have garnered the most stars and awards! View →
New Titles from Darby Creek
These Darby Creek books are full of action and suspense, with dashes of humor and emotional depth to further engage reluctant readers. View →
14 Books You May Have Missed from Lerner Publisher Services Partners
Here’s a roundup of some delightful titles that we don’t want you to miss! View →
Librarians We Love: Craig Dunlap
This installment of Librarians We Love started out with a very interesting question: How can children who are just learning to read choose a book they will want to read? View →
A Chat with Sometimes You Barf Author Nancy Carlson
Everybody barfs. Dogs, cats, chickens, alligators, and even you. It happens to everyone, and sometimes it even happens . . . at school.
In Sometimes You Barf, Nancy Carlson helps young readers through what is often a scary and embarrassing rite of passage. Sometimes you barf. But it’s OK. You get better! View →
Get ready for Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day with our Librarian Prep List!
Our Librarian Prep List for Black History Month came out in November, so this month, let’s focus on Valentine’s Day (February 14, 2020) and Presidents’ Day (February 17, 2020). View →
Ella McQueen, Kickball Queen: Q&A with Beth Mills
Editorial Director Carol Hinz lets us all take a peek at how Beth Mills’ Ella McQueen, Kickball Queen came to be. View →
Podcast Interview with Beth Mills
Today on The Lerner Podcast we talk to Beth Mills, creator of Ella McKeen, Kickball Queen. View →
“Who Needs A Story Like This?” An Editor’s Take on Fugly by Claire Waller
Editorial Director Amy Fitzgerald shares how she realized she needed this story…and suspected that many teen readers did too. View →
Librarians We Love: Tamara Cox
Tamara Cox is a high school librarian at Wren High School in South Carolina. She was nominated to be a Librarian We Love through our web form. We’re very excited to share some details about her advocacy! View →
It’s Raining STEM!
New STEM books for Spring 2020 include Space in Action: Augmented Reality, Discover Your Senses, Sports Coding Concepts, Celebrating Failure, and Cutting-Edge STEM series! View →
Editor’s Notes on Topside
Let the art do the talking. That’s usually sound advice for a graphic novel creator—embrace the visual nature of the form. View →
Cicely Lewis, Kao Kalia Yang, Melanie Gillman, and NoNieqa Ramos on #ReadWoke, #OwnVoices and Diversifying Library Collections
In mid-October, Lerner and SLJ hosted an enlightening #ReadWoke webinar with librarian, SLJ columnist, and #ReadWoke founder Cicely Lewis and three #OwnVoices authors, Kao Kalia Yang, Melanie Gillman, and NoNieqa Ramos. In this post, they answer more questions about #ReadWoke, #OwnVoices, and diversifying library collections. View →
Podcast List from You Do You: Figuring Out Your Body, Dating, and Sexuality and Websites from Body 2.0 The Engineering Revolution in Medicine
We published two very different nonfiction titles earlier this month. They both feature the human body, but that’s about where the similarities end! View →
Librarian Prep List for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Black History Month
Book ideas for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 20, 2020, and Black History Month in February. View →
Get Your Summer Reading in Shape with Lerner's Summer Reading Webinars
Mark your calendar for our two upcoming summer reading webinars, featuring the iREAD® and Collaborative Summer Library Program™ summer reading themes. View →
Happy Book Birthday! New YA from Lerner
Check out November new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
A Map into the World: The Story Behind the Book
Carol Hinz, Editorial Director of Millbrook Press and Carolrhoda Books, shares a fun story about A Map into the World by Kao Kalia Yang. View →
Audiobooks Directly from Lerner!
Here’s how you can listen to your favorite Lerner titles as multi-user audiobooks through Lerner Bookshelf on the web, and on your mobile devices using our Lerner Digital eReader apps for iOS and Android. View →
Art Director Notes: A Map into the World
Associate Art Director Emily Harris shares some notes on finding the perfect cover illustrator for Kao Kalia Yang’s A Map into the World. View →
Diversity, Audits, and Choosing Books
We are excited to see more and more people becoming educated, excited, and involved in creating collections of books that help encourage all students to read books that challenge social norms and build understanding of disenfranchised groups. View →
Podcast Interview with Nicole Valentine
In this episode of The Lerner Podcast, listen in on a conversation between author Nicole Valentine and her editor, Amy Fitzgerald. View →
Q&A with Kathy Belge and Marke Bieschke, the authors of Queer, 2nd Edition: The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide for Teens
Mark Bieschke and Kathy Belge are the authors of Queer, 2nd Edition: The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide for Teens. We asked them about the inspiration behind their book, coming out, how things have changed since they were teens, and how best to encourage and help queer teens today. View →
Video: Author Kao Kalia Yang Discusses A Map into the World
Kao Kalia Yang shares some of the history of Hmong story cloths, how A Map into the World was inspired by a true story, and a little more background of both Hmong and her personal history. View →
Pets In Books: A Lerner Retrospective
Cat and dog people will agree that this roundup of Lerner pets that have made it into books we published over the years is super cute! View →
Librarians We Love: Anna Zbacnik
This edition of Librarians We Love features Anna Zbacnik, who shares the details of a podcasting project she did – with 3rd graders! View →
NoNieqa Ramos on Coming Out in YA Literature
In honor of National Coming Out Day on October 11, Editorial Director Amy Fitzgerald talked with author NoNieqa Ramos about LGBTQA+ advocacy and representation in YA literature. View →
Librarian Prep List for December: Hanukkah, Hour of Code, and Christmas
The end of the year is quickly approaching! Here’s a list of book display ideas or selections for your readers advisory group for December, to help you bring 2019 to a close. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Middle Grade, Nonfiction, and YA
Check out October new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
Listen to Sasha Dawn Read a Chapter from Panic
In today’s episode of The Lerner Podcast, author Sasha Dawn reads the first chapter of her latest YA novel, Panic, available October 1, 2019. View →
Link List from Vote!: Women’s Fight for Access to the Ballot Box
Backmatter is always an important part of our nonfiction books. Vote! has so much backmatter that it’s broken into six sections. To help you get a jump-start on your web browsing, here’s the list of websites and links from one of them. View →
Fall Sesame Street Books: A Peek Behind the Curtain
With the Sesame Street Welcoming Words series, children can learn simple words and phrases in Spanish, French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Hebrew, and Arabic. View →
Podcast Interview with Carlyn Beccia
In this episode of The Lerner Podcast, we talk to Carlyn Beccia, author of Monstrous: The Lore, Gore, and Science behind Your Favorite Monsters. View →
Debunk It! Fake News Edition
Fake news, misinformation, lies, hoaxes, spin, disinformation, and falsehoods. What do these terms have in common? Read more to find out! View →
Librarians We Love: Jenny Lussier
Jenny Lussier is a PreK-4 Library Media Specialist at Brewster Elementary School in Connecticut who generously shared a few details on how she integrates technology into her school.
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A Deep Dive into the NEW Lerner ™ Sports Database
Lerner™ Sports Database is our new offering for grades 2-5 — with 100+ articles, 2,000+ fast facts, 2,000+ photos, 1,500+ glossary definitions, and growing. View →
New Kar-Ben Publishing Titles for Fall 2019
September always feels like a new beginning—the start of the school year, the launch of a new book season, and the start of the Jewish New Year. View →
Librarian Prep List for Thanksgiving
Looking for Thanksgiving book display ideas or maybe selections for your readers advisory group? Look no further! Here’s a cornucopia of books! View →
Inclusivity that Doesn’t Pigeonhole Own Voices Writers
To improve representation in kids’ books, publishers and other gatekeepers should seek out underrepresented authors writing all kinds of content. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Middle Grade, and YA
September new releases from Lerner Publishing Group View →
Melanie Gillman on Researching Stage Dreams
Melanie Gillman, the creator of Stage Dreams, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the importance of the research process, even in fiction. View →
NoNieqa Ramos on Decolonizing YA Literature
Today, we have a guest post from NoNieqa Ramos. View →
Summer Green to Autumn Gold: Q&A with Mia Posada
Editorial Director Carol Hinz asked Mia Posada about how she wrote and created the gorgeous watercolor and collage illustrations for her recently-released nonfiction book Summer Green to Autumn Gold: Uncovering Leaves’ Hidden Colors.
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Podcast Interview with Shing Yin Khor
We talk to Shing Yin Khor in today’s episode of The Lerner Podcast. Shing is the author of the graphic memoir The American Dream? A Journey on Route 66 Discovering Dinosaur Statues, Muffler Men, and the Perfect Breakfast Burrito. View →
Interview with Cardslinger Author M.G. Velasco and Agent Dawn Frederick
What’s really fun and got started with a gong show? This agent/author relationship! View →
Librarians We Love – Michelle Osborne
Michelle Osborne was kind enough to share some details about a sign language project she was part of at the Gaston County Public Library. View →
Fiction and Nonfiction Pairs of Pull Ahead Readers
Jenny gave you some of the background on how to grow early literacy with our Pull Ahead Readers pairs of fiction and nonfiction titles. I thought it might be useful and fun to make a “cheat sheet” of sorts, to make it easier to see how these titles look side by side. View →
Garfield’s Guide to Creating Your Own Comic Strip
Calling all Garfield fans—and all fans of comics in general! Lerner and Paws, Inc. (the company behind everyone’s favorite orange feline) have published an exciting new book about comic strips and the elements that go into them, from characters and settings to plots and punchlines. View →
Lerner Podcast: Interview with Whitney Stewart, Author of Mindfulness and Meditation
Today on The Lerner Podcast, Mindfulness and Meditation: Handling Life with a Calm and Focused Mind author Whitney Stewart shares mindfulness exercises with us. View →
Discover Outer Space, Learn How to Code, and Bust Fake News with New Page Plus Titles
At Lerner Digital, another season means more additions to digital initiatives and programs, such as Page Plus. Here’s a look at what you can expect to hit shelves this month. View →
Lerner Sports: Stay Up to Date with New Books and a Database!
In sports, things change quickly. Dynasties fall, great coaches retire, and players join new teams and alter the balance of power in their sport. That’s one reason we’re so excited about the new Lerner Sports database. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Middle Grade, and Nonfiction
Check out August new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
Librarian Prep List for Halloween
If Halloween is your favorite holiday (or, even if it’s not) you might want to use some of these books for displays, featured reads, or anything else for the spookiest day of the year. View →
9 Books You May Have Missed from Lerner Publisher Services Partners
Here’s a roundup of some delightful titles that deserve a close look. View →
Read the True Story behind Colson Whitehead’s The Nickel Boys in The Dozier School for Boys
Colson Whitehead’s new novel, The Nickel Boys, came out this month. It’s a fictional story based on the Dozier School for Boys in Florida. Check out this Twenty-First Century Books title for the true story. View →
Millbrook’s New STEM-themed K-3 Photo Books: Author Interview, Part 2
Part two of authors Jenna Grodzicki and Marcie Flinchum Atkins interviewing each other is focused on I See Sea Food: Sea Creatures That Look Like Food. View →
Millbrook’s New STEM-themed K-3 Photo Books: Author Interview, Part 1
Rather than me telling you about Wait, Rest, Pause and I See Sea Food, I thought it would be more fun to have the authors interview each other. So without any further ado…here they are! View →
Librarians We Love: Regina Bell
Regina Bell, a Library Media Specialist at Murch Elementary in Washington DC, shared a little information about a friendly reading competition she works on with Holly Hope, ELL teacher. View →
Real-World Anchors in A Time Traveler’s Theory of Relativity
We asked author Nicole Valentine to talk about her love for “Easter eggs” and reveal a few from her debut middle-grade novel A Time Traveler’s Theory of Relativity. View →
NoNieqa Ramos on Writing Diverse Characters and Resisting the Status Quo
Last month at an ALA Annual librarian dinner, author NoNieqa Ramos talked about her YA novels, diversity, and resisting the status quo. She shared a version of her speech on our blog this week. View →
Interview with The American Dream? author Shing Yin Khor
Which came first, the plan for the road trip or the idea to make a road-trip book? And what surprised you most during the course of this project? View →
Grow Early Literacy with Pull Ahead and Early Bird Readers
This season we have two exciting early literacy offerings: our new Pull Ahead Readers and an addition to our popular Early Bird Readers. Both programs are perfect for use in classrooms, guided reading groups, and in libraries. View →
Librarian Prep List for September
September is Hispanic Heritage Month and Rosh Hashanah begins on September 29. To help you get ready for either (or both!) of those, here’s a list of books you may want to consider for displays, featured reads, or anything else! View →
Video: Authors Say “Happy 60th, Lerner!”
Some of our authors have been generous enough to share their thoughts on our milestone 60-year anniversary. Check out the video! View →
Listening Is Reading: The Power of Audiobooks
Digital Products Coordinator Kate Schefer discusses the benefits of listening to audiobooks. View →
Introducing Zest Books
Have you heard the news? Lerner recently acquired a new YA nonfiction imprint called Zest Books. View →
Podcast Interview with Mélina Mangal, Author of The Vast Wonder of the World
Today on The Lerner Podcast we talk about researching, picture book biographies, summer reading, and more with The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just author Mélina Mangal. View →
Happy 50th, CSK Awards!
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Coretta Scott King Awards. Here are the Lerner titles that have been honored. View →
Librarians We Love: Dawn M. Rivers
The second installment of our Librarians We Love series features Dawn M. Rivers. She is a School Library Media Specialist at Onaway and Mercer Elementary Schools for Shaker Heights City Schools and the owner of Daybreak Yoga! View →
Three Amazing Things about Aly Raisman
As a big gymnastics fan, I was thrilled to edit Lerner’s Gateway Biography on Aly Raisman. But even more impressive to me than Raisman’s gymnastics talent is her status as an activist for victims of abuse and a spokesperson for body positivity.
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Podcast Interview with John Coy, Author of Their Great Gift and Hoop Genius
In this edition of The Lerner Podcast, we talk to author John Coy about school visits, writing picture books about basketball, and what he’s working on now. View →
Q&A with The Manic Pixie Dream Boy Improvement Project Author Lenore Appelhans
Today we talk with the author about her latest YA novel, The Manic Pixie Dream Boy Improvement Project. View →
Something for Everyone in Alternator Books
What do JavaScript, aliens, and space robots have in common? They’re all part of our new season in Alternator Books! View →
Librarian Prep List for August
I know it may seem a little early for it, but this list of books looks forward to August and getting back to school! View →
Librarians We Love: Robbie Reasoner
This week, we are kicking off a new feature on our blog: Librarians We Love. View →
Happy 60th Anniversary, Lerner!
2019 marks the 60th anniversary of Lerner Publishing Group. Harry Lerner founded the company in 1959, and it’s been going strong ever since! View →
Throwback Thursday: The Illustrator with Four Names
A little secret shared by George Overlie, Mark Springer, Rov Andre, and Joseph Folger. View →
Reflections: Teen Lit Con 2019
On April 27th, Lerner headed to the sixth annual Teen Lit Con, a yearly event put on by Minneapolis/St. Paul area libraries to promote literature, reading and writing, and to connect readers and authors. View →
Cover Reveal: Owl’s Outstanding Donuts by Robin Yardi
Designer Emily Harris and illustrator Kelsey King talk about their creative process for Owl’s Outstanding Donuts, coming this Fall! View →
Build Comprehension and Confidence with New Audisee eBooks with Audio
A new season means new Audisee eBooks with Audio titles are on the way! Check out this rundown by Digital Products Coordinator Kate Schefer. View →
Notes on a Cover: Fugly
Claire Waller’s debut YA novel, Fugly, explores that weird space between the online and real world, and what happens when they collide. Emily Harris, Senior Graphic Designer, shares a few notes on the cover design. View →
Video: Be a Maker Author Katey Howes
Who can be a maker? We all can! Author Katey Howes shares more about her wonderful new picture book Be a Maker in this video clip. View →
Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds Excerpt
Jeremy Lachlan’s Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds is a twisting adventure of a middle-grade fantasy novel. Read on for an excerpt! View →
Who’s a Good Dog?
Each title in this series answers the question posted in the series title: Labrador retrievers, Yorkshire terriers, German shepherds, pugs, golden retrievers, and Pembroke Welsh corgis are all good—nay, fantastic!—dogs. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Middle Grade, and YA
Check out May new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
A Colorful Spring with Crayola®
In the spirit of the spring season, we are announcing new releases in our popular Crayola® brand. This season includes three new exciting series, including one in Spanish. View →
Little Monsters of the Ocean: Book Design
Trade Art Director Danielle Carnito shares some of the design details behind Monsters of the Ocean.
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Podcast Interview with Joshua S. Levy, Author of Seventh Grade vs. the Galaxy
Our second episode of The Lerner Podcast features author Joshua S. Levy, whose middle-grade debut novel, Seventh Grade vs. the Galaxy, came out in March. We talk about hamsters in space, Supreme Court cases, and more! View →
NIU STEM Read Presents Quarantine: The Summer Camp
The STEM Read program at Northern Illinois University has created a “Quarantine: The Summer Camp,” program based on the popular young adult novel by Lex Thomas. I checked in with STEM Read director Gillian King-Cargile for more details. View →
Halloween in April: 5 Books Featuring Animals in Disguise
Libby Stille gives us the rundown on some fun books about hiding in plain sight. View →
Schedule a School Visit with a Lerner Author
Planning your 2019-2020 school year? Head to Lerner’s new author school visit map to discover authors and illustrators around the world. View →
Q&A with Edgar® Awards Nominee Sasha Dawn
Sasha Dawn’s latest YA novel, Blink, is a 2019 Edgar® Award nominee! View →
Darby Creek High/Low Fiction Imprint Meets Teens Where They Are
We understand that not every reader is voracious. But there is a way to reach every type of reader! View →
Scientist Katie Bouman Featured in Sara Latta’s Black Holes
In honor of this week’s reveal of the first ever image of a black hole, we’re posting the profile of scientist Dr. Katie Bouman from Sara Latta’s Twenty-First Century Books title Black Holes: The Weird Science of the Most Mysterious Objects in the Universe. View →
A Common Thread Between the Guthrie Theater and Lerner
If you visit the office spaces at Lerner, you might notice that we have a few quilts hanging up on our walls. View →
Saying a Fond Farewell
After twenty seven years with Lerner Publishing Group, Domenica Di Piazza bids us adieu as she retires. View →
Resources for No More Excuses: Dismantling Rape Culture + Podcast Interview
For the first episode of The Lerner Podcast, we interviewed Amber J. Keyser, author of No More Excuses: Dismantling Rape Culture, about what teachers, librarians, and everyone else can do to dismantle rape culture. View →
Librarian Prep List for June
To help you get ready for LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, we’ve put together a list of books that include characters and nonfiction accounts of people along the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Middle Grade, and Graphic Novels
Check out April new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
Gravity's Pull
MariNaomi Introduces book two in Her Life on Earth YA graphic novel series. View →
Flower Talk Q&A with Author Sara Levine
Author Sara Levine was kind enough to answer a few questions about how this book came to be—and how she hopes it will be used. View →
Interview with Castle of Lies Author Kiersi Burkhart
Where did the idea for this epic tale start? View →
Books for Africa
Kar-Ben Publisher Joni Sussman shares some fun details about Lerner Publishing Group book donations and Books for Africa. View →
Take Learning Off the Page with Science Buddies
Our newest digital feature, Page Plus, launched last Fall, and we expanded it further this Spring, including a partnership with Science Buddies. View →
One Step Forward…
Domenica Di Piazza shares some of the sources of ideas for her timely titles. View →
Librarian Prep List for May
April showers bring May flowers, so here are some spring-time books for your displays or featured reads. Also, the 14th annual Endangered Species Day is May 17, 2019, so we’ve got some recommendations for that! View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Middle Grade, and YA
Check out March new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
Friend or Foe?
As Americans contemplate the fictions and facts, and pros and cons of a wall along our southern border, we rethink our national heritage and values. View →
Introduce Young Readers to the Green Book with Ruth and the Green Book
Last night, Green Book won the 2019 Academy Award for Best Picture at the Oscars. The movie’s title comes from The Negro Motorist Green Book travel guides that were printed to help black people travel safely during the Jim Crow era. View →
Guest Post by Rosanne Parry, author of Last of the Name
We talked to Rosanne Parry, author of Last of the Name, which is scheduled to come out on April 2, 2019, about her process. She was also kind enough to build a very detailed timeline for us, for context. View →
Coding in the Real World
We’re constantly applying the basic principles of coding in everything we do. Let’s take examples of professions and see how people doing them put coding concepts into practice every day. View →
The Story of the Parkland Activists Who Inspired a Nation (And This Editor)
Editing Eric Braun’s Never Again: The Parkland Shooting and the Teen Activists Leading a Movement hit extremely close to home and brought up some difficult feelings. View →
Prompts, Notes, and Sketches for Seventh Grade vs. the Galaxy
Seventh Grade vs. the Galaxy is scheduled to come out on March 5. I talked the designer of the cover, Kimberly Morales, into opening her files to share some notes and sketches! View →
Librarian Prep List for April
April is Poetry Month and April 22 is Earth Day this year, so we’ve made a list to help you get ready for both of them!
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Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Graphic Novels, and YA
Check out February new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
Think Spring with Disney Learning
It certainly doesn’t feel like spring in Minneapolis, but we’re excited to announce the release of our Spring 2019 titles in our partnership with Disney Learning! View →
I Am Farmer: An Illustrator’s Journey
Today’s post comes courtesy of illustrator Elizabeth Zunon, who shares her process for creating the magnificent collage artwork in the new picture book I Am Farmer: Growing an Environmental Movement in Cameroon. View →
Lerner Receives a Printz Honor and a Batchelder Honor at ALA Midwinter
This morning at ALA Midwinter in Seattle, Lerner received two ALA awards! I, Claudia by Mary McCoy was awarded a Michael L. Printz Honor, and My Beijing: Four Stories of Everyday Wonder by Nie Jun picked up a Mildred L. Batchelder Honor. View →
In the News with TFCB: Speaking Up for What Is Fair and Right
Over the years, TFCB has tackled some extraordinarily tough topics for YA readers. Our Spring 2019 list is no exception, with Fake News and Exposing Hate coming out from Mike Miller. View →
Q&A with Flight of a Starling Author Lisa Heathfield
Lisa Heathfield’s latest YA novel, Flight of a Starling, will be available in the US on February 5 and was called a “gem of a novel, one that is sure to be savored” in a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. View →
New Year, New Audisee eBooks with Audio
Every season we work to expand our current collection of Audisee® ebooks with Audio. Read on to see a few of our highlighted titles, and what makes Audisee eBooks with Audio so special. View →
Makerspace Roundup
Today is a red-letter day in the world of STEAM! It’s Ben Franklin Day and Kid Inventors’ Day. Libraries can celebrate these days today—and all year through!—by encouraging kids to try their hand at their own inventing and/or creative projects. View →
Flight of a Starling: Cover Thoughts
Danielle Carnito, Trade Art Director, shares some of the thoughts that went into Flight of a Starling’s cover. View →
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and Gordon C. James Discuss Their New Picture Book, Let ‘Er Buck!
Author and retired children’s librarian Vaunda Micheaux Nelson loves telling stories from forgotten moments in history. View →
#ReadWoke Pin Giveaway
There’s still time to enter for a chance to win! View →
Librarian Prep List for March
This list will get you geared up for March! We’ve got a little history, a little St. Patrick’s Day, and a robust group of Purim titles. View →
Blending Nonfiction and Fiction: 4 Recent Picture Books
Carol Hinz shares some thoughts on 4 recent picture books that are fiction-y nonfiction. Or is it nonfiction-y fiction? View →
Enjoy the Classics in a Modern Format
Every Spring we release a handful of classic works in the public domain. These range from novels, to essays, poems, short stories, and plays for use in any kind of classroom. View →
Are You Looking Forward to Summer Reading?
It’s never too soon to start getting ready for summer reading! If you’re still developing your plans, check out two webinars from Lerner that can help you prepare. View →
Patrons Interested in Publishing? Suggest an Informational Interview!
Perhaps you have patrons who would love the idea of working in publishing but don’t know where to start. Read on for some tips to share! View →
Celebrating With 60 Throwback Thursdays!
Lerner Publishing Group will celebrate 60 years of publishing in 2019, but we’re starting early online so that we can have 60 Throwback Thursday posts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook! View →
9 Books You May Have Missed from Lerner Publisher Services Partners
I shared a list of maybe-new-to-you books last summer. Here’s a short roundup of a few more delightful titles that deserve a close look. View →
Librarian Prep List for February
To help you get ready for February, we have some Valentine treats and also history to go along with Presidents’ Day. View →
Sign Up for Our Email Newsletters!
Like a lot of blogs, we have had a link to sign up for email newsletters on the sidebar of our site for a while. But, if you haven’t clicked it recently, you may be missing out on more than you think. View →
Seeing Stars (and Awards): Top Titles from 2018
Today we share this year’s best and brightest books from Lerner Publishing Group. View →
The Art (Award) of the Vast Wonder of the World
I was so happy to help celebrate the opening reception of the Society of Illustrators 2018 Original Art show with this year’s Dilys Evans Founder’s Award winner Luisa Uribe, who won that award for her illustrations in our Millbrook Press title The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just. View →
Quick Tips for a Successful PledgeCents and Lerner Fundraiser!
Lerner Publishing Group is excited to be part of the PledgeCents marketplace, which makes it easy for educators to raise money for school and library purchases through PTAs or community fundraisers! View →
The Ebola Outbreak in DRC: What You Need to Know
With a new outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in central Africa, Domenica Di Piazza asked TFCB medical writer Connie Goldsmith to investigate and share more with us about what’s happening there. View →
High/Low Titles – What Does That Mean?
Those of us who publish books can sometimes be (accurately!) accused of developing our own language, of sorts. One example is the term “high/low.” Roughly, we use it to mean books that are highly engaging, but are still easy to read. Fast-paced stories on high-interest themes draw in kids and keep them reading, even if they’ve previously been reluctant readers. View →
Some of Our Most Talked-About Titles in 2018: Part 2
Carol Hinz, Editorial Director of Millbrook Press and Carolrhoda Books, shares a few of the titles she’s been involved with in 2018. View →
Some of Our Most Talked-About Titles in 2018: Part 1
Greg Hunter, the Associate Editorial Director for Graphic Universe, and Amy Fitzgerald, the Associate Editorial Director for Carolrhoda Novels, have stopped by the blog to share a few notes about some of their most talked-about titles for this year. So, without further ado, here they are! View →
A Valentine for Frankenstein Creators Leslie Kimmelman and Timothy Banks in Conversation
Earlier this month, we released A Valentine for Frankenstein, written by Leslie Kimmelman and illustrated by Timothy Banks. This adorable picture book follows Frank as he attends the monsters’ Valentine’s Day Bash and receives a mysterious valentine from another monster. View →
A Few Thanksgiving Faves!
Turkey Day is coming soon! (Better known as Mashed Potatoes and Pumpkin Pie Day in my world … my two personal Thanksgiving favorites.) In preparation for the big celebration, here’s a fun list of Lerner books to get young ones in the Thanksgiving spirit. View →
Librarian List Prep for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Black History Month
This list will help you get ready for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 21 and Black History Month in February. Simply use it to quickly pull together displays, featured reads or anything else you need! View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Middle Grade, and YA
Check out November 1 new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
Lerner Remembers: Our Favorite Halloween Memories
Halloween is almost here, so I thought I’d ask my co-workers what they enjoy most about Halloween! View →
Cover Design for Girls on the Line
Senior graphic designer Emily Harris discusses the cover design for Jennie Liu’s debut YA novel, Girls on the Line. View →
Attitude of Gratitude Journals
#attitudeofgratitude is a trend I’ve seen going around social media over the past months. The idea was that gratitude is a sentiment that we can (and should) express more often. View →
Behind the Scenes of Making a Picture Book: The Vast Wonder of the World
To celebrate the upcoming release of The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just, I wanted to share a behind-the-scenes peek at how the book came together. View →
The Three Stages of Editing a Novel
There’s no one right way to edit a book, but when I tackle a middle-grade or YA novel, I usually divide my editorial process into three stages. View →
Meet the Authors: Christy Mihaly and Sue Heavenrich
It’s not every day that you meet someone who says, “How about publishing this manuscript about eating bugs?” The book is complete with recipes and interviews with chefs and ordinary people who love getting creative with unusual sources of food. View →
Q&A with Graphic Novelist Manuela Santoni
Meet Manuela Santoni, Italian graphic novelist and author of YA graphic novel Jane Austen: Her Heart Did Whisper, an imagining of Jane Austen’s young life. View →
Roundup: Our Favorite YA Titles for Teen Read Week
Every year, YALSA promotes teen literacy and engagement with a week celebrating books for teens. This year, as you may know, the theme is “It’s Written in the Stars: READ,” which puts the focus on sci-fi, fantasy, and other extraordinary books. View →
Postcards from an Octopus
It’s International Octopus day! To celebrate, Libby Stille shares a few of the postcards from Love, Agnes: Postcards from an Octopus which did not make it into the book. View →
Librarian List Prep for December
We’re posting this list in October so that you can get ready for December! Use it to quickly pull together displays, featured reads or anything else you need. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, and YA
Check out new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
Can I Touch Your Hair? and the N-Bomb: What is appropriate for children?
Coauthors Charles Waters and Irene Latham and editor Carol Hinz share their thoughts about the poem, the word, and tackling difficult topics with children. View →
Happy 60th Anniversary, NASA!
Next week, the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) will be 60 years old. To help celebrate, here’s a top five list of unexpected challenges, surprises, and delights in making books related to space. View →
Guest Post: Allyssa Loya
Elementary librarian Allyssa Loya created a technology-forward library that includes a makerspace and coding club. Read on for her tips on how to follow her lead! View →
Cover Design, Eating, and Leaving Your Comfort Zone (To Save Our Planet!)
While for most teens (and adults!) the idea of eating bugs sounds like an episode of Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre Foods or a horror movie, the fact is that these creatures are a part of an ecologically sound idea of how to sustain humans. View →
Sketches and Photos from My Beijing
Earlier this fall, we released My Beijing: Four Stories of Everyday Wonder by Nie Jun, his English-language debut. Today we’re sharing sketches and photos that inspired this graphic novel. View →
Yep, I’m a Fan!
Editorial Director Domenica Di Piazza gives us the skinny on Fandom: Fic Writers, Vidders, Gamers, Artists, and Cosplayers. This YA book is devoted to the big, shall we say huge, world of fandom. View →
Book Trailer Premiere: Foul Play at Elm Tree Park
Check out the book trailer for Q & Ray Case 3, Foul Play at Elm Tree Park to get ready for next month’s World Series! View →
5 Ways to Get Involved in Banned Books Week 2018
The theme for 2018’s Banned Books Week (which is next week!) is “Banning books silences stories. Speak out!” View →
Author Spotlight: Allyssa Loya
I met Disney Coding Adventures author Allyssa Loya at the 2017 TLA (Texas Library Association) conference when she presented to a packed house about how she got a coding club up and running in her library. View →
Lerner Digital Launches Page Plus Feature This Fall
Our newest digital feature, Page Plus, launched this season. It includes 15 new titles to enjoy and explore. But what does Page Plus even mean? View →
Mary Amato’s Inspiration for Open Mic Night at Westminster Cemetery
Today YA author Mary Amato shares her inspiration for Open Mic Night at Westminster Cemetery. View →
Carol's 5-Year-Old Asks Calef Brown Questions about The Ghostly Carousel
As I mentioned in yesterday’s interview on the blog, my 5-year-old is a bit obsessed with Calef Brown’s new poetry collection, The Ghostly Carousel: Delightfully Frightful Poems. View →
Meet PW Star Watch Honoree Carol Hinz
Meet Editorial Director Carol Hinz, one of Publishers Weekly‘s 2018 Star Watch Honorees! Carol’s list includes National Book Award Longlist selection Sachiko, Sibert Honoree Sea Otter Heroes, and Orbis Pictus Honoree Dazzle Ships. View →
Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Nonfiction, and YA
Check out September 1 new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
Of Fall and Frankenstein
Today is Frankenstein Day! August 30 was Mary Shelley‘s birthday in 1797, so it has become the day to unofficially celebrate her most famous character.
View →
Meet A Lerner: Lara Neel
Meet Lara Neel, Lerner’s Trade Marketing Manager! View →
Shark Talk
It’s really “Talking about Sharks,” because that’s exactly what science writer Karen Romano Young will be doing tomorrow on New England Public Radio’s Back-to-School Book Series program! View →
Meet The Magic of Melwick Orchard Author Rebecca Caprara
Rebecca Caprara’s debut middle-grade novel, The Magic of Melwick Orchard, centers on 12-year-old Isa, whose family fractures after her little sister Junie is diagnosed with cancer. View →
Open Mic Night: Cover Design Auditions
It is generally creative law that a best idea is either your very first idea or your very last idea, the one that you almost didn’t pursue. View →
Nevertheless, They Persisted
If you’re interested in political resistance, you may want to pick up our brand-new Alternator BooksTM series, Movements That Matter, along with a few other titles. View →
How to Get the Most Out of Interactive Books
Every season, there are more ways to enjoy and learn from Lerner books! In the Digital Department, we create enhanced eBooks like Interactive Books. Let’s take a walk through one of our newest titles, Discover Cryobiology, and look at each aspect of it. View →
Gooooooooaaaaaaaal!!!
Have you been watching women’s soccer’s 2018 Tournament of Nations? Who will kick the winning goal tonight? Australia? Brazil? Or our very own US team? View →
Radiolab, Obama, and an Out-of-This World Picture Book: Guest Post by David Zeltser + Book Trailer Reveal
Today we welcome author David Zeltser to discuss what inspired him to write his new picture book, The Universe Ate My Homework. Plus, watch the book trailer created by illustrator Ayesha L. Rubio and narrated by Radiolab‘s Robert Krulwich! View →
August New Releases
Check out today’s new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! View →
Remembering Biologist Lincoln Brower, Advocate for the Monarch Butterfly
Author Rebecca E. Hirsch remembers Dr. Lincoln Brower, an influential biologist who devoted his life to the study and conservation of monarch butterflies. Hirsch talked with Dr. Brower while researching The Monarchs Are Missing: A Butterfly Mystery. View →
Flying Your Way this August: The Epic Origin of Super Potato
The history of superhero comics is full of stories that tease—or even appear to implement—drastic changes to a character’s status quo. What happens when the change sticks? View →
6 Books You May Have Missed from Lerner Publisher Services Partners
It’s impossible for us to choose the “best” book for any reader, but it’s always fun to check out new books. Here’s a short list of some that you may want to look at more closely. View →
3 Right Things that Look Wrong
One thing about editing is that, no matter how many books you’ve edited, you still find yourself consulting the dictionary All. The. Time. throughout your workday to make sure that you’re spelling certain words correctly. View →
On (Some) Girl Stereotypes in Picture Books
I’m currently in the midst of organizing a presentation about “keeping your eyes open” when creating illustrations for kids’ books. So I’m revisiting various projects, noting times when we have specifically directed art to avoid certain stereotypical representations. View →
3 Great Tips for Sharing Seeing into Tomorrow: Haiku by Richard Wright
A collection of haiku poetry might sound a bit sophisticated for the youngest readers, but each time I have read the book with this age group, they’ve been completely engaged. View →
“This Award Has Undone Me”: Patricia Newman’s Sibert Honor Speech
Today we share the speech author Patricia Newman gave last month at the Sibert Committee lunch at ALA. She received the Sibert Honor for Sea Otter Heroes: The Predators That Saved an Ecosystem. View →
On Volunteering, Good Apples, and Bad Apples
We recently had the opportunity to volunteer at Second Harvest Heartland. This organization collects food from farmers, manufacturers, and retailers around our home state of Minnesota. View →
NEW Audisee® eBooks with Audio Coming this Fall
Great news for teachers and librarians trying to reach reluctant and struggling readers! This fall we’re expanding our award-winning Audisee® collection to include 905 eBooks with audio. Audisee eBooks with Audio help readers build key literary skills by pairing voice narration with sentence highlighting, making it easier to engage students with high quality stories. View →
4 “Quiet” Books for the Sensory-Sensitive Student
For some kids, “loud” books with lots of bright colors and action-packed plot lines work great. They pull kids right into their pages and keep them there in an exciting, brand-new world from cover to cover. For other kids, such books may be overwhelming. View →
Domenica’s Summer Reading List
You don’t have to stick to just one book at a time! Instead, let yourself roam a little bit. You may find you enjoy your summer reading more when it turns into a longer list! View →
Visit Lerner at ALA!
Headed to ALA Annual this weekend? In between jockeying for a seat at Michelle Obama’s keynote and stargazing at Emilio Estevez’s film screening, visit Lerner in booth 3522 to learn more about our books and to meet some of our authors and illustrators! View →
Notes on Cover Design
There is a lot resting on how the covers of our books look at first glance. For that reason, there are quite a few people involved in the cover design approval process. And the process is different depending on what kind of product we’re looking at. View →
3 New Series for Makers
I don’t know if you’ve heard, but makerspaces are kind of a big deal these days. Because we always like to supply our customers with what their young readers need and want, here’s a quick roundup of our new series for makers. View →
Reading Like a Writer: What Authors Read for Inspiration [Part Two]
Recently, Laura Purdie Salas, Chris Barton, and Sara Levine talked a little about their reading habits. Today I’m pleased to share three more contributions to this series! View →
Combating 5 Common Excuses Not to Read This Summer
The end of the school year is imminent, and most students can’t wait to trade their backpacks for bathing suits. But don’t despair! Summer vacation can be full of educational experiences: traveling to new places, learning a hobby or sport, or interacting with nature at camp. But no matter their plans, there is always time to squeeze in some reading. Read on for our creative responses to some typical excuses to skip summer reading. View →
Makerspace Takeaways from a Library Field Trip
Who doesn’t love a good field trip? We at Lerner recently had a great one thanks to librarians Anna Jacobson at Falcon Heights Elementary and Anna Zbacnik at nearby Brimhall Elementary. View →
Books on Ramadan for Young Readers
Last week, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began with the sighting of the new moon. The holiday will last 29 or 30 days, depending on visibility of the next new moon. Muslims will fast and pray from sunrise to sunset. At the end of Ramadan, a multi-day festival called Eid al-Fitr begins. View →
The Evolution of the Prom
April, May, and June are the months of prom every year in the United States. The season can be a time of excitement, fun, and dressing up (or down), and inviting a cool person to be your date. At least that’s what it’s meant to be. View →
Meet A Lerner: Kjersten Piper
Meet Kjersten Piper, Lerner’s Sales Coordinator! View →
Meet Graphic Novel Author Marinaomi
Meet cartoonist MariNaomi! She’s the author of Losing the Girl, the first title in the Life on Earth YA graphic novel series. View →
Make Every Day Earth Day With “Plarn” Crafts For Kids
Earth Day was, of course, April 22, but this year’s message really translates into something you can do every day: reduce plastic waste. The best way to deal with plastic waste is to use less plastic in your daily life. However, for plastic bags that have already entered your home, there are some ways to put it to good use. Many of those ways use plarn. View →
5 Things I Learned at TLA
Earlier this month I had the pleasure of attending my first Texas Library Association (TLA) conference in Dallas. What an amazing experience! From wandering the exhibit hall to sitting in on sessions to talking with librarians from all over the state, I learned so much in the three days I was there. It was an excellent reminder of why I wanted to get into the publishing industry in the first place. View →