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 Builder Pledge.
Praise for Be a Bridge
“A charming and welcome read bound to help cultivate a kinder next generation.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Latham and Waters reteam for this rhyming exploration of how children can learn to be a “bridge,” building key connections through kindness.”- Publishers Weekly
Africa Is Not a Country, 2nd Edition by Margy Burns Knight and Mark Melnicove, illustrated by Anne Sibley O’Brien
The revised edition of this picture book updates information for the many countries of modern Africa, including flags, statistics, and illustrations. Countering stereotypes, this book showcases the daily lives of children and celebrates the extraordinary diversity of this vibrant continent.
Praise for the first edition
“The title says it all. Instead of the ‘vanishing tribes’ view of one Africa with tourists from different countries photographing the animals and primitive people, this informative picture book celebrates the diversity of the 53 nations that make up the continent today. . . readers will want to go on from here to explore in depth particular countries that interest them. The essential differences and connections are here.”-Booklist
New in Paperback
I, Claudia by Mary McCoy
Claudia never expected to be in charge of Imperial Day Academy. With her limp and stutter, she’s just hoping to survive high school. But Claudia discovers that power can be intoxicating . . . and that her prestigious school has some dark secrets.
Praise for I, Claudia
★”Smart, witty, and featuring an unforgettable (and possibly unreliable) narrator, as well as a seamless stream of political history, the audience that finds this novel will be unable to put it down.”—starred, Booklist
★”[A] gripping political thriller . . . about power, corruption, and the choices we make both for ourselves and the ones we love.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews
“A must-read for YA fans of political thrillers . . .”—School Library Journal
Michael L. Printz Award
Kirkus Best Teen Books of the Year
Children’s Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year
A Time Traveler’s Theory of Relativity by Nicole Valentine
After his mother goes missing, twelve-year-old science lover Finn discovers that the women in his family are time travelers. To find his mom, he’ll have to put his trust in something bigger than logic.
Praise for A Time Traveler’s Theory of Relativity
“Valentine’s debut is an emotionally compelling and heartfelt tale of love and family that is reminiscent of Tuck Everlasting and A Wrinkle in Time.”—Booklist
“This soft-science-fiction debut will resonate with Madeleine L’Engle fans.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Any young reader who wants to believe that magic can change the harsh realities of life will find much to enjoy here. Recommended for all middle grade fantasy sections.”—School Library Journal
Masters of Disguise: Amazing Animal Tricksters by Rebecca L. Johnson
In the animal kingdom, survival is the name of the game—and not everything is as it seems. Learn more about the animals that use tricks beyond your wildest imagination to stay safe—and stay alive!
Praise for Masters of Disguise
“This biology guide wastes no time, digging with relish into some of the weirder aspects of animal camouflage. . . . Extensive back matter provides further resources for budding scientists interested in digging a little deeper.”—Booklist
“[M]ost of the lineup here will be new even to well-read young naturalists. . . . [R]eaders are going to want to know more after these tantalizing glimpses. . . . [A] truly astonishing look at some of nature’s most ingenious predatory or survival strategies.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews
“Johnson hooks readers with gripping descriptions, close-up photographs, and profiles of the various scientists dedicated to studying these animals . . . [making] it easy for today’s students to picture themselves in similar scientific shoes. This exciting and easy-to-digest title will make for an excellent purchase and addition to booktalk lists.”—School Library Journal
The Case of the Vanishing Honeybees: A Scientific Mystery by Sandra Markle
Large numbers of honeybees are disappearing every year. . . and no one knows why. In this real-life science mystery, scientists and beekeepers are working to answer these questions—and save the world’s honeybees before it’s too late.
Praise for The Case of the Vanishing Honeybees
★”An excellent first purchase for reports as well as for general interest.” —starred, School Library Journal
“This attractive volume explores the world of honeybees and the mysterious malady that threatens them….Throughout the book, excellent color photos illustrate the text.” —Booklist
Graphic Novels
Super Potato’s All-Night Dinosaur Fight: Book 9 by Artur Laperla
When Malicia the Malignant sends dozens of dinosaurs to fight Super Potato, the number of prehistoric pests keeps him awake for days. How do you defeat a T-Rex after 42 hours with no sleep?
A Game for Swallows: To Die, To Leave, To Return Expanded Edition by Zeina Abirached
When Zeina’s parents don’t return one afternoon and bombing in Beirut grows closer, her neighbors create a comfortable world indoors for Zeina and her brother. This expanded edition features a new, illustrated afterword to the Batchelder honor-winning graphic memoir.
Praise for the first edition
★”Bold, graphic, black-and-white images are visually and emotionally striking…. This superb memoir is destined to become a classic.” -starred, School Library Journal
“As she puts an accessible face on a foreign culture through her characters, Abirached also distinguishes her piece with striking and unique design work. Her use of heavily contrasted black-and-white spaces, as well as elegant flourishes like crowding an anxious room with ticks and tocks, suggests an impressive new talent following in the footsteps of an established master.” –Booklist
“Quietly mesmerizing and thought-provoking.” –Kirkus Reviews
Nonfiction
60 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet by Dennis Denenberg and Lorraine Roscoe
Encounter sixty remarkable Americans and their inspiring stories in browseable, photo-illustrated pages. Revised by the original authors of 50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet, this unique book includes new hero profiles plus up-to-date websites, book lists, and biographical information.
Series
Emotion Ocean series
Helping kids understand and express emotions is an important part of social and emotional learning. These entertaining stories feature ocean animal characters experiencing big feelings in situations kids will relate to. Readers will discover strategies to help manage their own emotions.
Greatest of All Time Players (Lerner ™ Sports) series
Read about the world’s greatest athletes who play some of the most important positions in sports. The amazing stats, thrilling moments, and record-breaking performances packed into each book will fascinate sports fans.
History in Pictures (Read Woke ™ Books) series
Analyze events in US history through photographs that tell the stories of people from underrepresented groups. Readers will think critically about the photographs and events, understanding how viewpoints affect messaging and learning how history connects to overarching social justice issues.
I Care (Pull Ahead Readers People Smarts — Fiction) series
Learn ways to be a good sibling, friend, community member, and more in this fiction series about connecting with others. Each story’s carefully leveled text and delightful illustrations support young children learning to read.
I Care (Pull Ahead Readers People Smarts — Nonfiction) series
Teach kids ways to care for a friend, a pet, nature, and more in this engaging nonfiction series. Simple text and full-color photos support young children learning to read.
In the Spotlight (UpDog Books ™) series
Striving readers will love learning about all the biggest stars in pop culture in this energetic series. Solid biographical details are delivered with a high-interest approach in these profiles of favorite gamers, singers, and more.
Lightning Bolt Books ® — Exploring Space series
Inspired by NASA’s latest technology, these books will thrill readers interested in space exploration and amazing machines! Discover the history of these inventions, how they are used in the field, and what they might look like in the future.
Lightning Bolt Books ® — Minecraft 101 series
Introduce young readers to the fun and educational aspects of Minecraft! Readers will be exposed to digital literacy and fundamental programming concepts alongside everything players love about the game.
Read about Ocean Animals (Read for a Better World ™) series
Beginning readers will get their feet wet with these introductions to ocean animals. In addition to curricular information, reflection questions and family/educator engagement tips help connect the topic to the reader’s life. These books are sure to make a splash!
Read about School (Read for a Better World ™) series
Prepare new learners for school with this kid-friendly series. From the bus to recess to the 100th day of school, kids learn what to expect. Reflection questions and family/educator engagement tips provide social and emotional connections.
Read about Senses (Read for a Better World ™) series
Our senses help us observe and understand our world. This curricular topic is explored though an integrated approach to learning with embedded SEL questions and family/educator engagement tips at the beginning and end of each book.
Read about Space(Read for a Better World ™) series
Give curious kids a first look into space. Diagrams, photos, and illustrations combined with easy-reading text and SEL connection questions, these books provide a learning experience that is out of this world!
Searchlight Books ™ — Spotlight on Climate Change series
Describing causes and consequences to solutions and more, these books provide up-to-date information about an important and evolving topic: climate change. A back-matter feature encourages kids to take action against climate change.
Sesame Street ® Celebrating You and Me series
On Sesame Street, we celebrate everyone! In this series, readers will explore the different ways we eat, dress, play, and more. Recognizing our similarities and differences will teach little ones to be proud of themselves and appreciate the world around them.
Sports VIPs (Lerner ™ Sports) series
Learn more about the lives of sports superstars—from their childhood and early sport experiences through their rise to fame and current records. See how they train, prepare for big events, and help their communities too.
Super Sports Teams (Lerner ™ Sports) series
Learn about the history, greatest players, and most iconic moments of the world’s most popular sports teams. Chock-full of stats and shareable information, sports fans will love the action-packed, high-interest text and thrilling photos.
Tech Titans (Alternator Books ®) series
Explore the histories behind some of the world’s most impactful technology companies. Learn about the people leading these organizations, take a look at each company’s revolutionary products and services, and glimpse where each company might be headed.
Ultimate Predators series
Discover some of the fiercest predators in the animal kingdom! Drawn in through remarkable photographs and exciting, narrative text, readers will be fascinated by how these animals hunt and train their young to track and kill prey.
US Military Branches (UpDog Books ™) series
Explore the different branches of the US Military, including the Coast Guard, National Guard, Space Force, and others. Carefully leveled text gives readers an inside glimpse at the vehicles and technology used, examples of missions, and more.
Who Else in History? (Alternator Books ®) series
Celebrate the women, people of color, and other hidden figures in history and science who are often overlooked. Features help introduce readers to important figures and to hear from the heroes in their own words.
Find more Announcements on the Lerner blog here!