The Lerner Blog

by Anna Cavallo I thought I was going to write about vocabulary. It is, after all, an important element of all books, and it’s particularly something we think about in shaping and refining Lerner books. Throwing around too many unfamiliar words may deter a reader. But introducing a key term in a clear, relatable way […]Read more "Quidditch"

Especially in a team context. Just ask the Portland Trail Blazers. And guess what? It’s not any easier in the book industry. In sports, general managers look for players who have superior skills in their own rights, but also skills that complement the existing players on the roster. And that means that there will always […]Read more "Evaluating talent is difficult…"

By Connie Goldsmith, for TFCB (check out Connie’s Health Blog too) When Domenica asked me to blog about being a nurse and a writer–and about my new titles in the USA Today Health Reports series (recently named a Top 10 Health Series for Youth by Booklist Online)–I jumped at the chance. (That’s Cherry Ames on […]Read more "Who to Be? Dr. Eugenie Clark, Marine Biologist, or Cherry Ames, RN?"

Author Bob Raczka shares the story behind his newest book, Before They Were Famous: How Seven Artists Got Their Start. When I was a kid learning about historical figures, most of what I learned was about adults. But I remember reading a biography about Benjamin West, an American painter from the Revolutionary War era. It […]Read more "Guest Blog: Bob Raczka on Before They Were Famous"

Earlier this week I walked past one of my favorite stores, the Bibelot, in northeast Minneapolis. I saw that the shop has its winter holidays products on display already. Part of me said, “Yay! Christmas ornaments!” Because I don’t have enough of those, you know. But another part of me said, “Wait, what about Thanksgiving?!” […]Read more "Pilgrims and Jello Molds"

By Domenica Di Piazza, Editorial Director, TFCB It’s hard not to blow your own horn when a book in your imprint is recognized in a meaningful way. And that’s just what’s happening for TFCB’s Tupac Shakur biography by Carrie Golus in our USA TODAY Lifeline Biographies series. The biography not only received a Booklist star […]Read more "Top Ten for Tupac"

Illustrator Jeni Reeves shares the story behind her research for Enrique Esparza and the Battle of the Alamo. Young Enrique Esparza hooked me. Susan Taylor Brown’s account of the Tejano boy caught up in the tragedy of the Alamo was inspired. I could hardly wait to begin drawing. Pictures, at once vivid and heartfelt, popped […]Read more "Guest Blog: Jeni Reeves on Enrique Esparza and the Battle of the Alamo"

By Sara HoffmannSenior Editor I tend to come across a lot of random information in my job. Most editors probably do. While I don’t remember all of it, the most interesting facts I learn have a way of sticking with me. In the spirit of the upcoming Halloween weekend, I thought I’d pass along some […]Read more "Spooky Facts to Know and Tell"

I’m going to pretend I didn’t help organize the thing and that I’m just an editor advising authors on how to spend their conference dollars wisely. So, should authors do conferences like this? I think the answer is yes. If for no other reason than to feel part of a community that extends well beyond […]Read more "KidLit Con: A Backward Glance"