Zest Books – The Lerner Blog

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

Lullabies for the Insomniacs: An Interview with Author Ella Grace Foutz

In Lullabies for the Insomniacs: A Memoir in Verse, Ella Grace Foutz weaves an intimate and gripping chronicle of her experience with mental illness. Amidst the turbulence of manic and depressive episodes, often accompanied by insomnia, she relentlessly pursues stability and self-understanding. Balancing poignancy with moments of levity, Foutz invites the reader along for her […]Read more

Author Interviews

Arm in Arm: An Interview with Author Angelica Shirley Carpenter

As historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich said, “Well-behaved women seldom make history,” and the Grimké sisters were anything but well-behaved. Born into a family of enslavers in the South, Sarah Grimké and Angelina Grimké Weld were some of the first women to speak out about abolition and women’s rights. Arm in Arm: The Grimké Sisters’ Fight […]Read more

Author Interviews

Speaking Out Loud: The Voices Behind the New YA Nonfiction Ban This!

What would you do if your school removed books from the library—books that reflected your identity, your history, your reality? In Ban This!: How One School Fought Two Book Bans and Won (and How You Can Too), a powerful group of students and educators from Central York High School in Pennsylvania show exactly how they […]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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YA Nonfiction Roundup: Real Stories. Big Ideas.

The YA nonfiction genre can offer powerful ways for teens to connect with the world around them. These titles bring real voices, real stories, and real issues to the forefront—ideal for sparking critical thinking, empathy, and meaningful discussion.Read more

Author Interviews

Speaking on Climate: An Interview with Author Rune Kier Nielsen

The climate crisis won’t wait—are you eager to speak up and inspire change? Speaking on Climate is a rousing guide that breaks down the common pitfalls of climate rhetoric and how you can avoid them through creating effective speeches that will motivate audiences to make meaningful change. Today author Rune Kier Nielson joins us to […]Read more

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Happy Book Birthday: April New Releases

April showers not only bring May flowers but also a delightful downpour of new books! Check out these new releases, including new board books, picture books, nonfiction, and middle grade novels.Read more

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Fall 2024 YA Nonfiction Roundup

This fall, immerse yourself in a roundup of YA nonfiction that opens doors to discovery, understanding, and empowerment. From the science of poisonous plants to the ever-evolving history of technology, these books cover a fascinating spectrum of topics. Perfect for educators, librarians, and readers alike, these titles promise to inspire curiosity and spark meaningful conversations. […]Read more

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