middle grade – The Lerner Blog

Choir Grrrl: An Interview with Author Ashley Granillo

Sing it loud, sing it proud! In Choir Grrrl, thirteen-year-old Alondra was born into a musical family; her dad, former frontman of an alt-rock band, has taught her and her sisters to follow in his footsteps. Despite secretly liking quieter music, Alondra is committed to the band she and her sisters have formed. But when […]Read more

Rules for Liars: An Interview with Author Debra Garfinkle

Rebecca is overwhelmed by the pressure of preparing for her bat mitzvah while grieving the loss of her mother and dealing with growing insecurity. Her friendship with Hailey is fraying, leaving Rebecca to find comfort in her dog, Meatball. Meanwhile, Nikki’s family has lost their home, forcing them to move into a smaller, less glamorous […]Read more

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February Happy Book Birthday

We are proud to share the February new releases from Lerner Publishing Group. These titles include picture books to help young readers find peace and understanding, graphic novels encouraging kindness and cooperation, and middle grade novels emphasizing using your voice.Read more

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Starstruck: 2025 in Review

Looking back, Lerner has seen some amazing years publishing exceptional fiction and nonfiction for K–12 readers. But 2025 has been a year unlike any we’ve seen! Our titles earned an extraordinary 57 starred reviews, and our distribution partners earned another 8. Explore the celebrated picture books, middle grade and young adult fiction, graphic novels, and […]Read more

Author Interviews

Absolutely Everything: An Interview with Author Damian Alexander

Lately, life feels like a lot for Marcella. Sixth grade seems complicated on purpose. She keeps forgetting her homework or getting distracted while she’s doing it. Plus, her bestie has new friends, and her parents even want to move apartments. She’s trying to keep track of the changes—but absolutely everything is stressing her out! Absolutely Everything is a funny, […]Read more

Author Interviews

Zeyna Lost and Found: An Interview with Author Shafaq Khan

Set in 1970, Zeyna Lost and Found follows twelve-year-old Zeyna, a British Pakistani girl caught between two worlds—and two continents. What begins as an awkward family trip to Pakistan quickly spirals into a high-stakes search when Zeyna’s parents mysteriously vanish, leaving only cryptic clues and whispers of a jewel heist behind. With her annoying little […]Read more

Author Interviews

Displaced: An Interview with Author Patrick Ochieng

Displaced is a story of everyday courage and unexpected community through the eyes of fourteen-year-old Kim. Post-election violence forces Kim and his family to flee their home in suburban Kenya. While staying in a camp for displaced persons, he struggles to adapt to his new reality. Kim gradually befriends other displaced kids, and they hatch […]Read more

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Happy Book Birthday: September New Releases

Let’s take a peek at what we have in store for September as students and teachers get back into full swing!Read more

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Summer Stars Showdown: Top Titles from 2025 So Far

After several spring showers, the skies have cleared and now we’re seeing stars! Today we celebrate the titles that have received that special recognition from journals via starred reviews. From young adult historical fiction to picture book biographies, these amazing titles stand out from the crowd.Read more

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