The Subway Mouse
By Barbara Reid
0-439-72827-4, $15.95, Scholastic Press, Ages 4-8

A mouse living deep beneath the city in a subway station journeys to find Tunnel’s End, a mythical land where the air is sweet and the sky is blue. Barbara Reid’s plasticene illustrations are brilliantly colorful.

Dad, Are You the Tooth Fairy?
By Jason Alexander, illus. by Ron Spears
0-439-66745-3, $16.95, Orchard Books, Ages 4-8

How to tell the truth without spoiling the magic—in this book comedian Jason Alexander recounts a talk he had with his son. A heartfelt and imaginative story just in time for Father’s Day!

Rin, Rin, Rin, Do, Re, Mi: A Picture Book in Spanish and English
Words and Music
By Jose-Luis Orozco, illus. by David Diaz
0-439-64941-2, $16.95, Orchard Books, Ages 3-5

This lively bilingual Spanish-English picture book depicts how everyday family activities such as cooking, singing, and storytelling prepare children for reading and life.

The Lee y seras (Read and You’ll Be) literacy campaign was created by Latino researchers, community leaders, and educators to help prepare families and communities to support the reading development of Latino children.

A RealRead selection

Five Little Sharks Swimming in the Sea
By Steve Metzger, illus. by Laura Bryant
0-439-73767-2, $5.99, Cartwheel Paperbacks, Ages 3-5

This hilarious underwater romp adds a special, shark-filled twist to the popular children’s song, “No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed!”

Pirate Girl
By Cornelia Funke, illus. by Kerstin Meyer
0-439-71672-1, $15.95, The Chicken House, Ages 3-5

This high-seas story of a young girl defeating a band of pirates is wonderfully empowering! From the author of The Thief Lord and Inkheart!

Another picture book available by Cornelia Funke:
The Princess Knight
0-439-53630-8, $15.95

It’s Graduation Day!
By Grace Maccarone, illus. by Tammie Lyon
0-439-69384-5, $2.99, Cartwheel Paperbacks, Ages 3-5

An easy-to-read story about graduating from kindergarten!

My Daddy and Me
By Amy E. Sklansky, illus. by Ard Hoyt
0-439-74046-0, $3.50, Cartwheel Paperbacks, Ages 4-8

The New York Times bestselling artist Ard Hoyt brings this endearing story to life with beautiful illustrations featuring multicultural dads, sons, and daughters.

The Fire Within
By Chris D’Lacey
0-439-67243-0, $12.95, Orchard Books, Ages 7-10

The first in a two book series, The Fire Within is a smart and compelling fantasy story for dragon fans. David must unlock the magic within and believe in dragons…can you?

When Guinea Pigs Fly
By James Proimos and Andy Rheingold, illus. by James Proimos
0-439-51899-7 HC, $16.95 HC, Cartwheel Books, Ages 7-10
also available in Paperback: 0-439-51902-0, $3.99

Fans of the Captain Underpants series will embrace this hilariously funny, action-packed early chapter book series.

Raven’s Gate: Book One of the Gatekeepers
By Anthony Horowitz
0-439-67995-8, $17.95, Scholastic Press, Ages 9-12

Famous for drawing in both loyal and reluctant readers with his thrilling stories, the bestselling author of Stormbreaker and Eagle Strike plunges into Stephen King territory in this chilling first installment of a powerful new series.

A RealRead selection

This months From the Editor's Desk features Ravens Gate: Book One of the Gatekeepers

Plastic Angel
By Nerissa Nields
0-439-70913-X, $17.95, Orchard Books, Ages 9-12

Music speaks powerfully to young teens. Folk-rock singer and songwriter Nerissa Nields has written a lyrical novel of a young girl’s struggle to break free of everyone else’s expectations and find her own voice.

Absolutely, Positively Not
By David Larochelle
0-439-59109-0, $16.95, Arthur A. Levine, Ages 12 and up

Steven doesn’t know if he’ll pass his driver’s license test or if he’ll ever understand his parents, but there’s one thing he knows for sure: He’s absolutely, positively NOT gay. Riotously funny and with a die-cut jacket.

Heavy Metal and You
By Christopher Krovatin
0-439-73648-X, $16.95, PUSH Hardcover, Ages 12 and up

Christopher Krovatin is a PUSH Writing Intern, and is currently a student at Wesleyan University. In this debut book, he strikes some very loud chords about life, love, sex, and friendship.

Hook, Line, & Sinker:
A Beginner’s Guide to Fishing, Boating, and Watching Water Wildlife
Written and illus. by Jim Arnosky
0-439-45584-7, $19.95, Scholastic Nonfiction, Ages 9-12

Renowned for his knowledge of and respect for the natural world, Jim Arnosky has written an everything-you-need-to-know guide for anyone who enjoys being on or near the water.

Scholastic Book of Firsts
By Jim Buckley Jr., illus. by David Sheldon
0-439-67607-X, $8.95, Scholastic Reference, Ages 8-12

Whether it’s the first automobile rolling off the assembly line or the first manned space mission, kids can find out how just about anything go started!

Next Summer: A Summer Boys Novel
By Hailey Abbott
0-439-75540-9, $8.99, Scholastic Paperbacks, Ages 12 and up

All the girls—and SOME of the boys—from the original Summer Boys are back, and ready for more summer intrigue!

Also available by Hailey Abbott:
Summer Boys
0-439-54020-8, $8.99

Where We Are, What We See:
Poems, Stories, Essays, and Art From the Best Young Writers and Artists in America
0-439-73646-3, $7.99, PUSH, Ages 12 and up

Startling stories, poetry, essays, reportage, and artwork from across America, the best and the brightest from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

Guardians of Ga’Hoole #7: The Hatchling
By Kathryn Lasky
0-439-73950-0, $4.99, Scholastic Paperbacks, Ages 9-12

A new chapter opens in this bestselling series, with a battle between good and evil in the heart of one young owl. He must embrace a monstrous inheritance—or live in exile from all he’s ever known and loved.

Explore the world of the Ga’Hooles

Also available by Kathryn Lasky:
Guardians of Ga’Hoole #1: The Capture
0-439-40557-2, $4.99

Inkheart
By Cornelia Funke
0-439-70910-5, $7.99, Scholastic Paperbacks, Ages 9-12

“Delectably thick and transfixing fantasy…Funke once again proves the power of her imagination.” –Publisher Weekly, STARRED

Find this book and more at www.scholastic.com/corneliafunke

Also available by Cornelia Funke:
Inkheart (hardcover)
0-439-53164-0, $19.95
Dragon Rider (hardcover)
0-439-45695-9, $12.95
The Thief Lord (hardcover)
0-439-40437-1, $17.95
The Thief Lord (paperback)
0-439-42089-X, $6.99

Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane:
Book Two in the Underland Chronicles
By Suzanne Collins
0-439-65076-3, $6.99, Scholastic Paperbacks, Ages 9-12

“Fast-paced adventure and endearing characters make this book an excellent selection for younger fantasy readers.” –Voice of Youth Advocates

Also available by Suzanne Collins:
Gregor the Overlander (paperback)
0-439-67813-7, $5.99
Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane (hardcover)
0-439-65075-5, $16.95

Chasing Vermeer
By Blue Balliett
0-439-37297-6, $6.99, Scholastic Paperbacks, Ages 9-12

“Thick with devilish red herrings, this smart, playful story never stops challenging (and exhilarating) the audience. –Publishers Weekly

Also available:
Chasing Vermeer (hardcover)
0-439-37294-1, $16.95

The Young Man and the Sea
By Rodman Philbrick
0-439-36830-8, $5.99, Scholastic Paperbacks, Ages 9-12

“Wide open adventure, heart-pounding suspense and just the right amount of tear-jerking pathos.” –School Library Journal, STARRED

Also available:
The Young Man and the Sea (hardcover)
0-439-36829-4, $16.95
Freak the Mighty (paperback)
0-439-28606-9, $5.99
Max the Mighty (paperback)
0-590-57964-9, $5.99

The Beast
By Walter Dean Myers
0-439-36842-1, $7.99, Scholastic Paperbacks, Ages 12 and up

“Myers tells a powerful story of first love and the profound ways that drugs touch everyone…Spoon’s sharp observations about race and love will resonate deeply with teens, as will his ambivalence about the future.” –Booklist

Also available by Walter Dean Myers:
The Beast (hardcover)
0-439-36841-3, $16.95
Somewhere in the Darkness (paperback)
0-439-52356-7, $5.99
Slam! (paperback)
0-590-48668-3, $5.99

The Wolving Time
By Peter Jennings
0-439-39556-9, $5.99, Scholastic Paperbacks, Ages 9-12

“This page-turner delivers a fascinating commentary on what constitutes true goodness.”
– Publishers Weekly, STARRED

Also available by Peter Jennings:
The Wolving Time (hardcover)
0-439-39555-0, $15.95
Out Standing in My Field (hardcover)
0-439-46581-8, $16.95
The Beastly Arms (paperback)
0-439-16590-3, $5.99

The Fish in Room 11
By Heather Dyer
0-439-57976-7, $3.99, Scholastic Paperbacks, Ages 7-10

“Enchanting…Dyer makes a sparkling debut with this droll tale.” –Publishers Weekly, STARRED

Also available by Heather Dyer:
The Fish in Room 11 (hardcover)
0-439-57975-9, $15.95

Keeping you informed about major highlights of the author visit program in the school and library markets.

Pam Muñoz Ryan will be the featured speaker at three major regional conferences this summer, in addition to her appearances at the national BEA and ALA Conventions:

Effie Lee Morris Lecture, San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco, CA, May 24, 2005
Approximately 200 children’s book enthusiasts will be attending this lecture, which pays tribute to Effie Lee Morris, a trailblazer in Children’s Services across the country and the first coordinator of Children’s Services at the San Francisco Public Library. Pam Muñoz Ryan will be giving the keynote presentation and signing copies of her critically acclaimed titles: Becoming Naomi León, When Marian Sang, Esperanza Rising, Mice and Beans, Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride, and Riding Freedom

Children’s Literature Conference, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN, June 20, 2005
Pam Muñoz Ryan will be giving the keynote presentation to approximately 150-200 teachers, media specialists and librarians, as well as signing copies of her critically acclaimed titles: Becoming Naomi León, When Marian Sang, Esperanza Rising, Mice and Beans, Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride, and Riding Freedom

Children’s Literature Conference, Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA, June 29, 2005
Another group of teachers and librarians will get to see Pam Muñoz Ryan as she works her way across the country in the month of June! She will participate in two round table discussions, as well as signing copies of her critically acclaimed titles: Becoming Naomi León, When Marian Sang, Esperanza Rising, Mice and Beans, Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride, and Riding Freedom

Melvin Berger, Annual Early Childhood Celebration, Union City, NJ , May 10, 2005
Approximately 200 primary grade teachers and administrators will be attending the Union City, New Jersey Board of Education annual year-end event. Melvin will be speaking during a dinner presentation and afterwards, he will be signing copies of his popular Scholastic Question and Answer series, as well as books from his Speedy Facts series.

Deborah Guarino-Jumpstart, California State University, Fresno, CA, May 11, 2005
Deborah Guarino, the author of the perennial favorite Is Your Mama a Llama? will be speaking to approximately 100 tutors and autographing copies of her book.

These authors and illustrators will be making school and library appearances in the months of May and June:

Jim Arnosky Margery Cuyler Debbie Dadey Marcia Thornton Jones Eric Kimmel Elizabeth Levy Jean Marzollo Kate McMullan Rodman Philbrick Sandra and Myles Pinkney Pam Munoz Ryan Todd Strasser Walter Wick

East Islip, NY Parsippany, NJ Columbus, OH Cincinnati, OH Pittsburgh, PA Piscataway, NJ Newburgh, NY Valley Stream, NY Avon, CT Tolland, CT Knoxville, TN Burlingame, CA Wyckoff, NJ The Woodlands, TX

May 6, 2005 May 13, 2005 June 15, 2005 May 13, 2005 May 15-16, 2005 May 17, 2005 May 26, 2005 May 26, 2005 May 4, 2005 May 5, 2005 May 6, 2005 May 23, 2005 May 19, 2005 May 2-6, 2005

To find out about Scholastic authors and illustrators, please visit Authors & Books.

We hope that you have enjoyed reading our monthly newsletter. We welcome your comments and suggestions. We would appreciate hearing what you think! Please email us at BookUpdate@Scholastic.com

To order Scholastic books, you may:
Visit your local bookstore,
Order through a wholesaler, or
Call Scholastic @ 1-800-SCHOLASTIC (in the U.S.)

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P.O. Box 7502
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Don't forget to look for the July BookUpdate. Until then, Happy Reading!