By Megan Ciskowski, Assistant Publicist
Check out April new releases from Lerner Publishing Group!
Picture Books
Beyond: Discoveries from the Outer Reaches of Space by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Sija Hong
Journey far beyond our solar system and explore the marvels of interstellar space. A wonder-filled poem and spectacular illustrations bring readers across the observable universe to encounter dwarf planets, black holes, brand-new stars, and other incredible phenomena. Award-winning author Miranda Paul and illustrator Sija Hong present a fresh and fascinating journey to the outer reaches of outer space.
Educator Resources
Find classroom activities and discussion guides here!
Praise for Beyond
“Hong’s digital artwork has an ethereal quality and flows from page to page . . . a beautiful introduction to primary units on space.”—Booklist
“[A] poetic trip into the universe and well beyond our solar system.”—School Library Journal
“[E]ach page is a beautiful swirl of color and depth—each page is worth framing.” – Kiss the Book
How to Build an Insect by Roberta Gibson and illustrated by Anne Lambelet
See what the buzz is about in this fresh, fun look at insect anatomy. Let’s build an insect! In the pages of this book, you’ll find a workshop filled with everything you need, including a head, a thorax, an abdomen, and much more. Written by entomologist Roberta Gibson and accompanied by delightfully detailed illustrations by Anne Lambelet, this wonderfully original take on insect anatomy will spark curiosity and engage even those who didn’t think they liked creepy, crawly things!
Educator Resources
Find origami, coloring, and more with these worksheets!
Praise for How to Build an Insect
★”Gibson and Lambelet provide a fun, instructional easy reader text and a science project for children. . . . A must-buy for elementary school and public libraries.”—starred, School Library Journal
“An ideal book for turning STEM into STEAM.”—Booklist
“Distinctive and fun.”—Kirkus Reviews
“A great builders manual for a simple craft or a craft lesson to supplement a longer lesson.” – Kiss the Book
Graphic Novels
The Spy Who Raised Me by Ted Anderson and illustrated by Gianna Meola
Josie Black 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.
Praise for The Spy Who Raised Me
“You think your parents are strange? While The Spy Who Raised Me is a really fun read, underneath it all is the quintessential feeling that your family either loves you or might just destroy you.” —Jason Walz, author-artist of Last Pick
“An action-packed secret-agent story showing that kids really can do anything! Perfect for fans of the Spy School and Alex Rider series.” —Leila Sales, author of This Song Will Save Your Life
The Winter of Walking Stone (A House Divided #3) by Haiko Hörnig and illustrated by Marius Pawlitza
After saving her house and her friends from a magical flood, Henrietta Achilles settles in for the winter. But as her allies depart the manor, a strange army of walking statues begins heading her way. . . .
Praise for The Winter of Walking Stone (Book 3)
“A fantastic continuation of an action-packed series.”—Kirkus Reviews
Nonfiction
Germs Up Close by Sara Levine
Have you ever seen a germ up close? Really, really close? Micrographs and illustrations combine with accessible text to introduce readers to bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses—including SARS-CoV-2—that can make people sick.
Praise for Germs Up Close
“After a paragraph introducing each category of germs, the presentation spotlights one after another with a pithy summary of its characteristics as well as an illustration. . . . and many highly magnified, surprisingly colorful images of germs, including coronavirus.”—Booklist
“[E]ven the smallest physical details of bugs from E. coli to coronavirus stand out in sharp, precise definition. . . . High-interest topic and eye-catching visuals . . .”—Kirkus Reviews
It’s Outta Here!: The Might and Majesty of the Home Run by Matt Doeden
For more than one hundred years, the home run has been the most exciting play in baseball. Read about the longest, strangest, and most important home runs in Major League Baseball history.
Praise for It’s Outta Here
★”Holy cow! It is high; it is far; it is gone! A game winner.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews
Parents Here and There: A Kid’s Guide to Deployment by Marie-Therese Miller
Parents have many different jobs. Some work in the military and are away from home for months or years. When your parent is gone, you miss what you did together. What are some things you can do while they are gone?
Praise for Parents Here and There
“A helpful resource for the many young children affected by military deployment.”—Booklist
“Essential reading for many, many families.”—Kirkus Reviews
No Way, They Were Gay?: Hidden Lives and Secret Loves by Lee Wind
History has often ignored men who loved men, women who loved women, and people who lived outside gender boundaries. Lee Wind examines primary source letters, poems, and more to rethink the lives and loves of historical figures.
Educator Resources
Start a classroom conversation with this discussion guide.
Praise for No Way, They Were Gay?
“Such an important book, both enlightening and entertaining. Highly recommended for readers age 10-110!”—Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medalist
“I think as a teen I might’ve chosen to major in History if I’d read Lee Wind’s fun, fast-paced, and thought-provoking book. I love how it lays out the evidence about some of our past’s greatest heroes, invites us to draw our own conclusions, and inspires us, regardless of our sexual orientation or gender identity to be true to who we are.”—Alex Sanchez, author of Rainbow Boys and You Brought Me the Ocean
“[S]olidly written, well-documented and organized . . . a modest, well-intentioned contribution to gay history.”—Booklist
“At a time where issues of social justice are often deemed either overinflated or ‘solved,’ Lee Wind makes a powerful case that queer historical erasure is an ongoing issue.”—Foreword Reviews
“Entertaining, illuminating, and an accessible antidote to dominant histories.”—Kirkus Reviews
Running on Empty: Sleeplessness in American Teens by Connie Goldsmith
Teens are one of the populations most affected by poor sleep. Investigate how lack of sleep impacts stress levels, academic performance, and physical and mental health. Learn why sleep is vital and discover how to get better sleep every night.
Praise for Running on Empty
“This worthwhile book offers both a wake-up call and a practical guide for teens who need sleep.”—Booklist
“A thoroughly researched and approachable introduction to an important subject.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Recommended for any young adult conducting research on the topic of sleep deprivation or simply curious about how to get a better night’s sleep.”—School Library Journal
Natural Satellites: The Book of Moons by Ron Miller
The moons of our solar system feature extreme and potentially life-hosting environments. Delve into the science behind the fascinating properties of various moons and learn why astronomers search for life on moons.
Praise for Natural Satellites
“The concise, crystal clear writing is supplemented by photography, photorealistic illustrations, and diagrams . . . an excellent resource for teen selenophiles.”—Booklist
“An illuminating journey through the moons of our solar system, presenting goals for future space exploration.”—Kirkus Reviews