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Book Focus – Middle Grade/Young Adult
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Get the story behind the book! Our editors work with the author from idea to manuscript to finished page. Here, each month, a different Scholastic editor discusses from their personal perspective a book they’re particularly excited about.
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Hotlanta
By Denene Millner, Mitzi Miller
The Duke twins, Sydney and Lauren, live the life: They attend the fanciest school in Atlanta, they live in Buckhead, the most exclusive neighborhood, and they only date the hottest guys. And their secrets? Are the darkest of all. When their estranged father is released from prison and a murder is committed... Read
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The Arrival
By Shaun Tan
“An astonishing wordless graphic novel blends historical
imagery with science-fiction elements to depict—brilliantly—the
journey of an immigrant man from his terror-beset land
of origin to a new, more peaceful home. Sepia-toned panels
and turn-of-the-last-century dress and architecture seem
to place readers in familiar territory—but fantastical
images, including monumental cities, various bizarre forms
of air transport and distinctly alien animals serve to
unsettle both protagonist and readers, plunging the latter
into the unsettling and often terrifying experience of
being alone in a new land…It’s an unashamed
paean to the immigrant’s spirit.” –
Kirkus Starred Review Read
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Paint The Wind
By Pam Munoz Ryan
Eleven-year-old Maya comes of age in this story in which
her destiny is intertwined with that of Artemisia, a wild
horse once ridden by her mother. “Ryan’s tale
is a beautiful portrait of a rugged land….Maya,
Aunt Vi and secondary characters are well drawn, as is
the world of wild horses. Readers will learn much about
horses, and even those who know nothing about them will
cheer as Maya learns to walk, jog, lope and gallop.”
– Kirkus Reviews Read
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The Invention of Hugo Cabret
By Brian Selznick
Brian Selznick discusses his latest title that is gaining
rave reviews and high-praising attention, The Invention
of Hugo Cabret. Read
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So Totally Emily Ebers
By Lisa Yee
Arthur A. Levine editor Cheryl Klein invites us into a
chat she had with Lisa Yee on her new title So Totally
Emily Ebers. Lisa tells us what she learned when
she discovered there are three sides to every story. Read
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Does My Head Look Big in This?
By Randa Abdel-Fattah
Orchard books editor Lisa Sandell talks candidly about
how Randa Abdel-Fattah's premiere novel, Does My Head
Look Big in This?, is a breakthrough piece of literature,
introducing readers to a seldom-heard voice: the contemporary
Muslim-teen living in Western society. Read
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A Dog’s Life: The Autobiography of a Stray
By Ann M. Martin
Scholastic editorial director Liz Szabla talks about why a book about a stray dog can hold a message for any reader. Read more
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Bone #1: Out From Boneville
written by Jeff Smith
We asked David Saylor, Creative Director of Editorial, to tell us about the comic book saga, BONE, the first series from Scholastic’s new graphic novel imprint, GRAPHIX. Read more
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Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy
by Jenny Nimmo
To celebrate the eagerly awaited third book in the bestselling Children of the Red King series, Publicist Clare McMahon writes about British author Jenny Nimmo and the growing popularity of Charlie Bone. Read More
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Chasing Vermeer
Blue Balliett
A richly detailed, fast-paced, imaginative, intelligent page-turner — a children's mystery that feels like a classic. Already the book is creating an incredible amount of "buzz." We know people are talking about it, because lots of people — including other publishers, and even movie companies! — have been calling us asking for copies to read! So we asked Liz Szabla, Editorial Director of Scholastic Press, to tell us why she thinks this book is so special. Read more
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The Cry of the Icemark
By Stuart Hill
Barry Cunningham, Publisher and Managing Director of The
Chicken House, talked with Stuart Hill about the influences
and inspiration behind his debut novel, The Cry of
the Icemark. Read
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Dear Miss Breed: True Stories of the Japanese American Incarceration During World War II and a Librarian Who Made a Difference
By Joanne Oppenheim
Liz Szabla, Scholastic Press Editorial Director, shares with us the story of how a collection of letters to a librarian became a book full of historical treasures that hold a poignant message for today. Read more
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Dragon Rider
by Cornelia Funke
We asked Barry Cunningham, Publisher and Managing Director of The Chicken House to tell us about one of today's most beloved writers of magical stories for children, Cornelia Funke. Her latest book, Dragon Rider is available this month. Read More
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Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie
by Jordan Sonnenblick
Scholastic editor Jennifer Rees explains why it is sometimes
okay to judge a book by its name - and why Drums,
Girls & Dangerous Pie is more than just a catchy
title. Read More
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The Land of Elyon Book 1: The Dark Hills Divide
written by Patrick Carman
Craig Walker, Editorial Director of Scholastic Paperbacks, shares the story behind The Land of Elyon Book 1: The Dark Hills Divide, which is already a self-published bestselling phenomenon in the Pacific Northwest. Read more
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The Legend of the Wandering King
By Laura Gallego Garcia, translated by Dan Bellm
The Legend of the Wandering King is a magical
fantasy, a meditation on destiny, and an utterly thrilling
adventure, inspired by a real king of pre-Muslim Arabia.
Read editor Cheryl Klein's inside story about publishing
this book. Read
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Promises to Keep
by Sharon Robinson
Scholastic Editor Sheila Keenan first worked with Sharon Robinson on Jackie's Nine: Jackie Robinson's Values to Live By. What are the challenges to working with an author who is sharing a personal family story? In this case, that family story includes an American icon, Jackie Robinson, and how his accomplishments impacted American life. Read more
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Raven’s Gate: Book One of the Gatekeepers
By Anthony Horowitz
What is it like to work on the thrilling new series, The
Gate Keepers, from Anthony Horowitz? Scholastic editor
David Levithan tells us about the latest page turner from
this acclaimed writer. Read
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Scholastic Children's Encyclopedia
Questions for Ken Wright
The Scholastic Reference imprint celebrates its tenth anniversary with the publication of a major new reference book, the Scholastic Children's Encyclopedia, for children in Grades 3-6. Here, Editorial Director Kenneth R. Wright answers questions about this exciting new reference tool. Read More
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Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars: The Fall of the Amazing Zalindas, Casebook No. 1
by Tracy Mack and Michael Citrin
Orchard Books Editor Lisa Sandell shares with us an interview with Tracy Mack and Michael Citrin, authors of the new Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars series, about how the husband and wife duo came to collaborate on the series. Read more
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The Singer of All Songs
by Kate Constable
What distinguishes a good fantasy from a mediocre one, and how does an editor work on a novel originally published in another country? Here Arthur Levine, Editorial Director of Arthur A. Levine Books, and Cheryl Klein, Associate Editor, write about The Singer of All Songs by Kate Constable. Read more
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Tales from Shakespeare
by Tina Packer
How did Scholastic come to work with the critically acclaimed, award-winning theater company Shakespeare & Company to create the book Tales from Shakespeare? Publisher and Senior Vice President of Scholastic, Inc. Jean Feiwel answers that and other questions about this book, which offers beautifully illustrated retellings of Shakespeare's most famous works as exciting, accessible stories. Read more
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Up Before Daybreak: Cotton and People in America
By Deborah Hopkinson
Orchard Books editor Lisa Sandell reveals how a book about cotton can indeed capture the imaginations of young readers as much as any dragon or wizard. Read more
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The Will of the Empress
By Tamora Pierce
Scholastic Press editorial director, Liz Szabla says,
“With Will of the Empress, I had the pleasure
of working with two of my favorite people, Tamora Pierce
and her editor, Kate Egan. Kate now works on Tammy's books
from her home in Maine, but their collaboration is stronger
than ever.” Read
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