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Celebrate Voces Unidas

Maddie Hughes — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 21:57:57 +0000

Looking for books to read or share this Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month? Consider these titles, which feature characters of Hispanic or Latin American heritage. You can find these titles and more in our Hispanic Latinx-focused catalogs: Hispanic Latinx Heritage Authors and Hispanic Latinx Heritage Characters.

DISNEY ENCANTO: ANTONIO’S AMAZING GIFT by Naibe Renoso, illustrated by Juliette Oberndorfer

Inspired by characters and scenes from Disney’s Encanto, this brightly illustrated picture book celebrates Antonio’s gift day! The young boy learns he can communicate with animals and tours his new, magical bedroom alongside his amazing family. It’s a birthday party the Encanto will never forget!

DISNEY ENCANTO: A TALE OF THREE SISTERS by Anika Fajardo

Based on the world of Disney’s Encanto, this magical middle grade novel is told from the differing points of view of Mirabel, Luisa, and Isabela, and brings to you the innermost thoughts of the three sisters paired with beautiful artwork at the beginning of each chapter.

SOLIMAR: THE SWORD OF THE MONARCHS by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Middle-grade fans of Newbery Honor Medal winner Pam Muñoz Ryan will find a new Mexican heroine to love in princess-to-be Solimar, and a fresh, captivating story about butterflies, magic, and the power of claiming your courage and voice in the face of evil.

PAOLA SANTIAGO AND THE SANCTUARY OF SHADOWS by Tehlor Kay Mejia

When Paola Santiago enters the ghost-filled void in an effort to bring back her friend Dante, she encounters the most terrifying specter of all in this conclusion to the series. Tehlor Kay Mejia’s third exciting journey into Mexican folklore has our lovable, intrepid protagonist making discoveries both wondrous and fearsome.

THE LORDS OF NIGHT by J. C. Cervantes

In the first book in the Shadow Bruja series, a spin-off of the Storm Runner trilogy, Ren, a shadow bruja, has to team up with Ah-Puch in teen form to prevent rogue godborns from unseating the gods. Anyone who enjoys fast-paced myth-based adventures will be swept up in this one featuring Maya and Mexica gods and their magical offspring.

BALLAD & DAGGER by Daniel José Older

The first novel in the Outlaw Saints duology, Ballad & Dagger is a brilliant story that will transport readers to a world where magic, myth, and gods reign over the streets of Brooklyn. Mateo Matisse was born into a culture that is a unique mix of pirates, santeros, and Sephardim. They’ve been living peacefully in a diaspora community in Brooklyn for the past fifteen years, but now cracks are beginning to appear, and it is up to Mateo to heal them.

WE WEREN’T LOOKING TO BE FOUND By Stephanie Kuehn

With an inclusive female ensemble cast of neurodiverse teens, Stephanie Kuehn’s contemporary YA novel explores the intersection of mental health, friendship, family, and acceptance in the vein of It’s Kind of a Funny Story.

FRACTURED PATH by J. C. Cervantes

The third book in the innovative four-book fairy-tale series, The Mirror, Fractured Path picks up in 1960s San Francisco, where Blake Estancia’s life is full of art, magic, and perilous secrets relating to a family curse.

THE HIGH REPUBLIC: MIDNIGHT HORIZON by Daniel José Older

After a series of staggering losses, the Republic seems to finally have the villainous Nihil marauders on the run, and it looks like there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Until word comes of a suspected Nihil attack on the industrial cosmopolitan world of Corellia, right in the Galactic Core. Sent to investigate are Jedi Masters Cohmac Vitus and Kantam Sy, along with Padawans Reath Silas and Ram Jomaram, all fighting their own private battles after months of unrelenting danger. But what they uncover on Corellia turns out to be just one part of a greater plan, one that could lead the Jedi to their most stunning defeat yet….

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Read with Pride!

Maddie Hughes — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 15:27:44 +0000

This Pride month, and all year round, we celebrate LGBTQIA+ stories and storytellers, and strive to publish a wide range of books that allow young people of different identities to see themselves, their friends, and families reflected on the page.

Looking to fill you shelves with Pride? Check out the titles below, and find additional titles in our Pride catalog!

TIGER HONOR by Yoon Ha Lee

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents Yoon Ha Lee’s companion to the award-winning Dragon Pearl, another space opera inspired by Korean mythology, this time told from the point of view of nonbinary tiger spirit Sebin.

Educator’s guide for the Thousand Worlds series.

RAVENOUS THINGS by Derrick Chow

Coraline meets Monster House in this middle grade horror retelling of the Pied Piper. Twelve-year-old Reggie is still grieving the passing of his father when a strange man promises to reunite the two if Reggie follows him deep into an underground subway system where horrors worse than Reggie ever imagined lurk around every corner.

Request this title on NetGalley!

PAOLA SANTIAGO AND THE FOREST OF NIGHTMARES by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Paola Santiago has to face more ghosts as she searches for her estranged father in the second book in this middle grade fantasy adventure series based on Mexican folklore.

Educator’s guide for the Paola Santiago series.

LIKE OTHER GIRLS by Britta Lundin

After getting kicked off the basketball team for fighting, Mara must join a new sport to prove to her coach that she can be a team player. She chooses football, a controversial move in her conservative small town, because it’s a sport she knows and loves, and is good at. But when four other girls join the team, inspired by what they see as Mara’s political statement, her preconceived notions about gender, sports, sexuality, and friendship are turned upside down.

THE TEMPERATURE OF ME AND YOU by Brian Zepka

Dylan—a hopeless romantic—falls for Jordan, the mysterious new boy in town who runs hot and is able to conjure fire with the wave of his hand in this sci-fi thriller.

THE RUMOR GAME by Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra

From the New York Times best-selling authors of Tiny Pretty Things comes a twisty, diverse, and fast-paced drama about a rumor that spirals out of control and sows chaos in a posh D.C. private school.

HAPPILY EVER ISLAND by Crystal Cestari

When college freshman Madison’s life starts to fall apart, her best-friend Lanie reluctantly agrees to join her for the test run of Disney’s newest resort experience. Happily Ever Island is an immersive vacation destination where guests can become their favorite Disney character for a week. But once they get to the island, the experience is nothing like either of them expected. Will the girls find their happily ever after? Or is a fairy tale ending just that . . . a fantasy?

ANNE OF GREENVILLE by Mariko Tamaki

In this modern reimagining of Anne of Green Gables, Anne is an ABBA-loving singer/actor/writer of disco-operas, queer, Japanese-American who longs to be understood for her artistic genius. Refreshingly bold and unapologetically unique, Anne of Greenville will make you want to stand up and sing!

Request this title on NetGalley!

QUEEN’S HOPE by E. K. Johnston

A peace-loving senator faces a time of war in another thrilling Padmé Amidala adventure from the author of the New York Times best-sellers Queen’s Peril and Queen’s Shadow, E. K. Johnston!

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Celebrating AANHPI Voices

Maddie Hughes — Fri, 13 May 2022 00:07:06 +0000

We celebrate the diverse stories and storytellers from Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities during AANHPI Heritage Month, and all year round. You can find these titles and more in our AANHPI-focused catalogs: Celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander Storytellers and Celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander Stories.

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER by Natasha Yim and illustrated by Steph Lew

This beautiful and charming picture book expands the world of Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red. Ming and Meilin are the perfect mother and daughter. They work as a team, and each always seems to know what the other is thinking. But one day, something shocking happens: Mei poofs into a red panda! Now this once perfect pair has a huge panda problem!

THE REAL R.P.G.: THE STORY OF THE RED PANDA GIRL by Lily Quan

Based on Disney and Pixar’s film Turning Red, this middle grade novel explores the crazy, amazing, and often-times hilarious experiences of thirteen-year-old Meilin Lee. Meilin Lee started out like any other thirteen-year-old: hanging out with her friends, dealing with middle school, and helping her family. You know, normal stuff. Then one day . . . POOF! Suddenly, she was a GIANT. RED. PANDA. She thought her life was over, but it turned out only to be the beginning.

PAHUA AND THE SOUL STEALER by Lori M. Lee

While trying to rescue her brother’s soul from the spirit world, eleven-year-old Pahua Moua discovers that she is a powerful shaman warrior in this middle grade novel based on Hmong mythology.

Educator’s guide for Pahua and the Soul Stealer.

TIGER HONOR by Yoon Ha Lee

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents Yoon Ha Lee’s companion to the best-selling and award-winning Dragon Pearl, another space opera inspired by Korean mythology, this time told from the point of view of a nonbinary tiger spirit, Sebin.

Educator’s guide for the Thousand Worlds series.

ARU SHAH AND THE NECTAR OF IMMORTALITY by Roshani Chokshi

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents the breathtaking conclusion to Roshani Chokshi’s New York Times best-selling Pandava quintet. Will the Sleeper gain immortality or be stopped once and for all? More surprises and delights, gods and demons, and laughs and tears await in this immensely satisfying conclusion to the wild ride that began with the lighting of a lamp.

Educator’s guide for the Pandava series.

SHINJI TAKAHASHI AND THE MARK OF THE COATL by Julie Kagawa

Shinji Takahashi is just an ordinary kid. An ordinary homeschooled smart-alecky kid being raised by his globe-trotting aunt Yui. But when a magical guardian decides to use him as a conduit to awaken its power, Shinji’s life takes a turn for the anything-but-ordinary.

THE LAST FALLEN MOON by Graci Kim

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents the second book in Graci Kim’s magical and mysterious Gifted Clans trilogy, a warm-hearted, action-packed adventure inspired by Korean mythology.

Educator’s guide for the Gifted Clans series.

IN EVERY GENERATION by Kendare Blake

The first book in a brand-new YA series set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. When all of the existing slayers fall victim to a mysterious attack, Frankie Rosenberg, daughter of Willow, discovers she is a slayer, and takes up the mantle to protect New Sunnydale. Despite the many challenges standing in her way, Frankie must assemble her own bumbling Scooby Gang, get dressed up in Buffy’s (vintage ’90s) clothes, and become a new slayer for a new generation—before whatever came for the rest of the slayers comes for her next.

ALONE OUT HERE by Riley Redgate

Alone Out Here is a poignant, heart-pounding survival story that imagines a near future where the climate collapses, causing the apocalypse to hit months ahead of schedule. Only fifty teenagers, including First Daughter Leigh Chen, escape Earth on a spaceship with the last hope of preserving humanity, but can they work together to reach safety?

ONCE UPON A K-PROM by Kat Cho

What would you do if the world’s biggest K-pop superstar asked you to prom? Elena Soo, high-school junior and prom skeptic, is about to find out. Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sandhya Menon, this hilarious and heartfelt novel combines the glamour and drama of the K-pop world with relatable teen issues and a swoon-worthy love story.

THE QUEEN’S COUNCIL: FEATHER AND FLAME by Livia Blackburne

Happily ever after is only the beginning in this YA series that reimagines the Disney princesses as young rulers of their lands, aided by a mystical group of women called the Queen’s Council. 206 BCE-900 CE China during the Han and Tang Dynasties: Before his death, the aging Emperor decreed that Mulan would take the throne, having shown what it takes to be a leader. When he dies, she becomes the Warrior Empress, leader of her people and her army as they fight to keep power from falling into the hands of enemies.

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Celebrating Black Stories

Maddie Hughes — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 17:46:44 +0000

This Black History Month, and all year round, we work to publish and celebrate a diverse range of stories by and about the Black community. Below you can find a selection of recently and soon-to-be published books by Black creators, featuring Black characters. From an early reader, to historical fiction, to contemporary romance, to science fiction and fantasy, this list has something for every reader. For more titles, please visit our catalog Celebrating Black Authors.

TRISTAN STRONG KEEPS PUNCHING by Kwame Mbalia

In the stunning finale to the trilogy, Tristan Strong faces off with his archenemy, King Cotton, once and for all. Shocking twists, glorious triumphs, and a cast of unforgettable characters make this series conclusion as satisfying as it is entertaining.

Educator’s guide for the Tristan Strong series.

BLACK PANTHER THE YOUNG PRINCE: SPELLBOUND by Ronald L. Smith

In the sequel to the hit middle grade novel, The Young Prince, T’Challa is heading back to America to visit his friends Sheila and Zeke—this time in Alabama. But his fun summer vacation immersed in the culture, and amazing food, of the American South quickly turns into a nightmare. The small town has fallen under the sway of a charismatic politician who is there to retrieve a spell book full of dark magic. Will T’Challa and his friends be able to break the spell and save the town?

THE MIRROR SHATTERED MIDNIGHT by Dhonielle Clayton

The second novel in The Mirror series, an innovative four-book fairy-tale quartet following one family over several generations, and the curse that plagues it, follows Zora Broussard, a jazz musician with real magic, in 1920s New Orleans. When Zora gets the chance to perform in a prominent jazz club, she meets a sweet white pianist named Phillip with magic of his own, including a strange mirror that foretells their future together. In the era of segregation and speakeasies, Zora must change her destiny and fight for the one she loves . . . or risk losing everything.

THE THROWBACK LIST by Lily Anderson

When twenty-something Jo Freeman loses her Silicon Valley job, she’s forced to return to the sleepy hometown she thought she would never come back to, and the friends, and frenemies, she left behind. But when she finds an old bucket list in her childhood bedroom, it sets Jo, her former best friend, Autumn, and Autumn’s new best friend (and Jo’s high school nemesis), Bianca, on a path that brings them closer to one another with each task. And it just might lead to a life none of them could have ever expected.

COMING SOON

IT’S A SIGN! by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey

One, Two, Kat, and Four are starting a club, and every member is good at something! Except naming clubs. If only there were some kind of sign about what their club should be called! Illustrated in the authors’ signature stamp and digital art style, this book is sure to garner a fan club of its own.

The book is on sale May 10th, 2022. Click here to request a digital galley on NetGalley.

STAR WARS THE HIGH REPUBLIC: MISSION TO DISASTER by Justina Ireland

Centuries before the events of the Skywalker Saga, in the era of the glorious High Republic, the Jedi are the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy! The Jedi think the dreaded Nihil marauders have been all but defeated. But when the Nihil attack Port Haileap and kidnap Avon Starros, Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh and Padawan Imri Cantaros know they must save their friend. Meanwhile, Avon must put her smarts and skills to the ultimate test as she fights for survival among the Nihil—and uncovers a sinister plan. The New York Times best-selling series continues…. For light and life!

The book is on sale March 1st, 2022. Click here to request a digital galley on NetGalley.

THE RUMOR GAME by Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra

All it takes is one spark to start a blaze. At Foxham Prep, a posh private school for the children of DC’s elite, a single rumor has the power to ruin a life. From Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra, authors of the Tiny Pretty Things duology, comes another diverse, edge-of-your-seat social thriller perfect for fans of Gossip Girl, We Were Liars, and Cruel Summer.

The book is on sale March 1st, 2022. Click here to request a digital galley on NetGalley.

OKOYE TO THE PEOPLE: A BLACK PANTHER NOVEL by Ibi Zoboi

In this original YA novel, a young Okoye is going on her first trip to America with King T’Chaka, who has been tasked with joining other African leaders as a special envoy to the World Humanitarian Aid Council. But when Okoye arrives in New York, she realizes the city—and her mission—are not what she expects. Thrown into conflict in Brownsville, a neighborhood struggling with gentrification, Okoye must find her place in the Dora Milaje, and the world.

The book is on sale March 22nd, 2022. Click here to request a digital galley on NetGalley.

BY THE BOOK by Jasmine Guillory

When Isabelle, a junior editor at a book publisher, sees an opportunity to prove her worth and finally get the recognition she deserves, she takes it. Too bad it means trying to get beastly high-profile author Beau Towers to turn in his long-awaited manuscript. But despite his standoffishness, Izzy needs Beau to deliver, and with her encouragement, his story begins to spill onto the page. They soon discover they have more in common than either of them expected, and as their deadline nears, Izzy and Beau begin to realize there may be something there that wasn’t there before. Best-selling author Jasmine Guillory’s reimagining of a beloved fairy tale is a tale as old as time . . . for a new generation.

The book is on sale May 3rd, 2022. Click here to request a digital galley on NetGalley.

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Celebrate Lunar New Year with Mulan!

Maddie Hughes — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 02:14:10 +0000

In this beautiful picture book, written by Natasha Yim and illustrated by Sophie Li, a young Mulan celebrates her favorite festival, Lunar New Year.

There is a lot to do to prepare for this important celebration, and for the first time, Mulan is old enough to help out. But everything Mulan does seems to turn out wrong. . .

Follow along with Mulan in this special Lunar New Year story that captures the unique sense of magic, imagination, and possibility that surrounds the holiday!

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Celebrating Hispanic and Latinx Stories

Maddie Hughes — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 20:53:09 +0000

This Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month, share books that celebrate the breadth of diversity of cultures, customs, and stories from the community!

The following list of titles is a great selection of books from and/or about diverse Hispanic and Latinx voices, including a selection of non-fiction titles from National Geographic. Find even more titles to read and share in the library or classroom by visiting our catalog: Celebrating Hispanic Culture.

A WORLD TOGETHER by Sonia Manzano

Sonia Manzano, Sesame Street’s beloved character Maria, brings warmth and wit to this timely picture book that looks across cultures and generations to celebrate what unites us, wherever we come from.

MIGUEL AND THE GRAND HARMONY by Matt de la Peña and Ana Ramírez

La Música exists in many places—in the twang of a guitar, in the beat of a drum, even in the whistling wind and the morning bird’s song. She brings color and life wherever she goes, connecting people to a grand harmony. And in the town of Santa Cecilia, she is everywhere. But when La Música discovers a boy with longing in his heart and no music in his home, she vows to help him find his passion.

HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD: CELEBRATE CINCO DE MAYO by Carolyn Otto

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo continues National Geographic’s spectacular Holidays Around the World series with this joyous feast of Mexican culture—an annual event in Mexico and an increasingly popular holiday in the United States as well.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC READERS: SONIA SOTOMAYOR by Barbara Kramer

Explore one of the most recognized names in modern America with this biography of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Kids will learn about her rise to be the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice and the trials she faced along the way. Also available in Spanish.

COCO: A STORY ABOUT MUSIC, SHOES, AND FAMILY by Diana López

Inspired by the Pixar Animation Studios’ film, Coco, this middle grade novel retells the story of Miguel’s daring adventure, and features exciting new scenes about his family. Disney*Pixar’s Coco is the celebration of a lifetime, where the discovery of a generations-old mystery leads to a most extraordinary and surprising family reunion.

Educator’s guide for Coco: A Story About Music, Shoes, and Family.

SAL AND GABI FIX THE UNIVERSE by Carlos Hernandez

In the sequel to the Pura Belpré Award-winning Sal and Gabi Break the Universe, Sal and Gabi have to try to make everything right with our world when there is a rogue Gabi from another universe running loose. Readers will relish being back in the world of Culeco Academy and the Coral Castle along with such unforgettable characters as American Stepmom, the Gabi-Dads, Principal Torres, and the sassy entropy sweeper.

Educator’s guide for the Sal and Gabi duology.

PAOLA SANTIAGO AND THE FOREST OF NIGHTMARES by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Six months after Paola Santiago confronted La Llorona (in Paola Santiago and the River of Tears), Pao is having nightmares again, this time set in a terrifying forest. Once again Tehlor Kay Mejia draws on her Mexican heritage to tell a wild and wondrous story that combines creatures from folklore with modern-day challenges.

Educator’s guide for the Paola Santiago series.

THE SHADOW CROSSER by J. C. Cervantes

This epic finale to the Storm Runner trilogy is a tale of mystery, magic, and mayhem featuring gods from both Maya and Aztec mythology. When a few Mexica gods try to put their Maya counterparts out of commission, it’s up to Zane and his fellow godborns-in-training to stop them from destroying the universe.

Educator’s guide for The Storm Runner series.

STAR WARS THE HIGH REPUBLIC: RACE TO CRASHPOINT TOWER by Daniel José Older

The newest action-packed adventure set in the era of The High Republic finds Jedi Padawan Ram Jomaram facing down the enemy, the dreaded Nihil, at Crashpoint Tower in order to protect the Republic Fair. Luckily, he’s about to get some assistance from unexpected new friends.

POE DAMERON: FREE FALL by Alex Segura

This thrilling YA adventure, by award-winning author Alex Segura, tells a pivotal story in the teen life of Star Wars hero Poe Dameron, future Resistance pilot and leader, who ventures off his home on a sleepy moon to seek adventure in the wider galaxy.

And Coming Soon…

SOLIMAR: THE SWORD OF THE MONARCHS by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Middle-grade fans of Newbery Honor Medal winner of Pam Muñoz Ryan will find a new Mexican heroine to love in princess-to-be Solimar, and a fresh, captivating story about butterflies, magic, and the power of claiming your courage and voice in the face of evil.

The book is on sale February 1st, 2022. Click here to request a digital galley on NetGalley.

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Summer Reading Recs

Maddie Hughes — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 17:07:56 +0000

Looking for books that will keep kids reading all summer long? Here are some of our recommendations:

SUMMER ADVENTURE FOR GROOT! by Brendan Deneen, Illustrated by Cale Atkinson

The Guardians of the Galaxy are off on a summer “road” trip through the cosmos. From surfing the waves of Zenn-La and riding a tandem bike on Morag to playing hide-and-seek in Asgard and enjoying a dazzling display of fireworks on Xandar, Rocket and Groot are determined to enjoy all the best activities that summer in space has to offer! Young readers will be inspired to create their own to-do list for the ultimate summer adventure.

SPIDER-MAN SWINGS THROUGH EUROPE! by Calliope Glass

Swing alongside Spider-Man as he travels through Europe! Whether he’s riding in a gondola through the Venice canals or breaking out all his best moves to get a reaction from the Queen’s Guard in London, Spider-Man is determined to have the best vacation ever.

HOTEL BRUCE by Ryan T. Higgins

When Bruce gets home from a southern migration trip with his goslings, he is tired. He is grumpy. And he is definitely not in the mood to share his home with the trio of mice who have turned his den into a hotel. Bruce is in a little over his head, especially once the goslings join the staff. Will this grumpy bear ever get his quiet, peaceful den back to himself?

SHOULD I SHARE MY ICE CREAM? by Mo Willems

In this Elephant and Piggie early reader featuring a classic summertime treat, Gerald must decide if he will share his ice cream, before it’s too late!

INTO DARKNESS by Liz Braswell

In this sequel to Stuffed, Clark can’t wait to go away to camp. And now that he knows (or suspects . . . very strongly) that his grandma-made Stuffy, Foon, heroically saved his own father from a horrible fate, Clark is obviously bringing Foon to camp along with him. But once Clark gets to camp, he and his friends discover things are off. There are strange, gooey findings in some of the bunks, the adults are acting weird, and, worst of all, their Stuffies and dolls go missing right at the moment they need them the most. Will Clark and Foon be able to stop the Monsters and save the camp?

THE HIGH REPUBLIC RACE TO CRASHPOINT TOWER by Daniel José Older

PAOLA SANTIAGO AND THE FOREST OF TEARS by Tehlor Kay Mejia

When budding scientist Paola Santiago’s best friend goes missing near the Gila River, she knows there must be a logical explanation. It can’t be the work of La Llorona, the mythical wailing woman her mother has always warned her about, who prowls the banks of the river waiting to drag in unsuspecting children. Or can it? Paola’s quest to find her friend will bring her into the the world of her nightmares, where unnatural mist, mind-bending monsters, and relentless spirits controlled by a terrifying force that defies both logic and legend will make her question everything she thought she knew.

TRISTAN STRONG DESTROYS THE WORLD by Kwame Mbalia

Tristan Strong, just back from a victorious but exhausting adventure in Alke, the land of African American folk heroes and African gods, is suffering from PTSD. But there’s no rest for the weary when his grandmother is abducted by a mysterious villain out for revenge. Tristan must return to Alke—and reunite with his loud-mouthed sidekick, Gum Baby—in order to rescue Nana and stop the culprit from creating further devastation.

10 TRUTHS AND A DARE by Ashley Elston

When Olivia Perkins finds out an unsigned PE slip has put her in danger of not graduating, she has one week to set things straight without tipping off her very big and very nosy extended family. What results is a fun-filled romp that is a celebration of friendship, family, and, yes, maybe even a little bit of romance.

COLD HEARTED by Serena Valentino

The latest novel in Serena Valentino’s deliciously devious Villains series introduces the most famed and hated wicked stepmother of them all—but turns everything you know about her on its head.

CURSE OF THE SPECTER QUEEN by Jenny Elder Moke

Indiana Jones gets a refresh with this female-driven mystery adventure, set in the 1920s, full of ciphers, ancient relics, and heart-stopping action – the first in a brand-new series featuring aspiring archaeologist Samantha Knox!

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Visit us (virtually) at ALA Annual 2021

Maddie Hughes — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 19:17:42 +0000

This week is the 2021 ALA Annual Conference, and for the second year in a row, the show is completely virtual. While we will miss seeing everyone in person, we hope you will stop by our virtual booth to find information on new titles, request galleys, and access a book buzz highlighting exciting upcoming books.

You can find the booth here.

We are so thrilled to be partnering with Booklist on a webinar featuring a “story-time” with our authors. Join Kendare Blake (IN EVERY GENERATION), Ryan T. Higgins (NORMAN DIDN’T DO IT!), Lori M. Lee (Pahua and the Soul Stealer), Pam Muñoz Ryan (SOLIMAR: THE SWORD OF THE MONARCHS), Ronald L. Smith (BLACK PANTHER THE YOUNG PRINCE: SPELLBOUND) and Andrea Tsurumi (I’M ON IT!) as they share details about their new books, and read an excerpt. The readings will be followed by a trivia game about the authors and their books, so be sure to pay attention, and you could win a prize!

The webinar will take place live on Monday, June 28th at 1pm CT, and is free and open to anyone, so please share with colleagues, even if they are not planning to attend ALA. To sign up, visit the Booklist registration page here.

We are also excited to celebrate Ryan T. Higgins as he accepts his Geisel Honor for WHAT ABOUT WORMS!?. The 2021 ALSC Awards Ceremony, which recognizes this years recipients of the Batchelder, Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media, Geisel, and Sibert Awards, will take place on YouTube on June 28 from 10am to 11:15am CT. It’s free and open to the public, so be sure to join in here.

Finally, Melissa de la Cruz, Disney author and founder and principal of the upcoming Melissa de la Cruz Studio imprint from Disney Publishing, is a featured speaker at the conference. Tune in on Thursday, June 24, from 4:30pm to 5pm CT to hear her speak about her newest books.

Until it is safe enough to reconvene in person, we are so happy to be able to celebrate and continue to connect with all of you virtually. We hope you enjoy ALA 2021!

The post Visit us (virtually) at ALA Annual 2021 appeared first on Disney Books | Disney Publishing Worldwide.

Celebrating Stories with Pride

Maddie Hughes — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 20:42:14 +0000

This June, celebrate Pride Month in the library or classroom with these books featuring LGBTQIA+ characters.

SAL AND GABI FIX THE UNIVERSE by Carlos Hernandez

Among many other challenges, Sal and Gabi have to try to make everything right with their world when a rogue Gabi from another universe enters through one of the Sal’s wormholes. With multiple Sals and Gabis in charge, it’s no wonder this sequel offers even more hilarious weirdness, warm-hearted hijinks, and love than the first book.

Educator’s guide for the Sal and Gabi series.

DRAGON PEARL by Yoon Ha Lee

This action-packed, sci-fi adventure novel is about Min, a teenage fox spirit, who runs away to solve the mystery of what happened to her older brother, and maybe even save her home planet.

Educator’s guide for Dragon Pearl.

TOWER OF NERO by Rick Riordan

The final book in the Trials of Apollo series, which finds the god Apollo cast to earth as mortal teenager Lester Papadopoulos. The series brings together a diverse and beloved cast of characters from previous Riordan books in the epic conclusion to the saga that began with The Lightning Thief.

Educator’s guide for the Trials of Apollo series.

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: The Road Trip by Melissa de la Cruz

The drama kids of East High hit the road in this original novel set between the events of seasons 1 and 2 of the Disney+ series, featuring fan-favorite characters as they journey to a HSM convention in a neighboring state.

SHIP IT by Britta Lundin

Teen fanfic blogger Claire comes out of her basement and into the limelight when her favorite TV show invites her to consult on its stars’ public image.

Look out for Like Other Girls, the newest from Britta Lundin, coming this summer!

THE UNSTOPPABLE WASP: BUILT ON HOPE by Sam Maggs

This thrilling adventure finds Nadia Van Dyne (aka the Unstoppable Wasp) confronting her past as she tries to shape her future, and learning that sometimes the best way to effect big change is to think small—maybe even super small—in an original YA novel based on the Marvel comic series.

THE HIGH REPUBLIC: INTO THE DARK by Claudia Gray

Jedi Padawan Reath Silas must challenge himself to step outside of his comfort zone and into the heart of the action when a trip from the cosmopolitan galactic capital of Coruscant to the undeveloped frontier goes disastrously wrong.

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Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Stories and Storytellers

Maddie Hughes — Mon, 03 May 2021 13:00:47 +0000

This Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and all year long, we celebrate stories that reflect the immense diversity of cultures, languages, foods, histories, religions, and mythologies, along with common experiences, both positive and negative, that shape the lives of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). The following books, either written by AAPI authors, or featuring AAPI characters, or both, offer stories that will captivate any reader. You can find these titles and more in our AAPI-focused catalogs: Celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander Storytellers and Celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander Stories.

ELLIE MAKES A FRIEND by Mike Wu

When Ping, a panda who also happens to be a talented artist, moves to the zoo, Ellie is a bit intimidated. Is there room for two artists at the zoo? As she learns more about her new friend from China, Ellie finds that a fresh perspective can lead to new inspiration—and maybe something wonderful they can create together!

Educator’s guide for The World of Ellie.

I’M ON IT! By Andrea Tsurumi

A prepositional game of one-upmanship tests the limits of play for Goat and Frog in the newest installment in Mo Willems’ Elephant and Piggie Like Reading! series, by acclaimed illustrator Andrea Tsurumi.

ARU SHAH AND THE CITY OF GOLD by Roshani Chokshi

In the penultimate book in the Pandava series, Aru Shah and her sisters—including one who also claims to be the Sleeper’s daughter—must find their mentors Hanuman and Urvashi in Lanka, the city of gold, before war breaks out between the devas and asuras.

Educator’s guide for the Pandava series.

THE LAST FALLEN STAR by Graci Kim

In this thrilling middle-grade adventure infused with Korean mythology, an adopted Korean-American girl named Riley discovers her heritage and her magic on a perilous journey to save her witch clan family.

Educator’s guide for The Last Fallen Star.

THE STORY OF MOANA by Kari Sutherland

Inspired by the Disney Animation Studios film Moana, this middle grade novel features characters and adventures based on the rich culture of Oceania. It includes original content in the form of mini folktales interspersed throughout the story of the film.

REFLECTION: A TWISTED TALE by Elizabeth Lim

What if Mulan had to travel to the Underworld to save Shang? This book, from the New York Times best-selling Twisted Tale series, explores a new story about honor, courage, and love inspired by the Disney animated classic.

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TLA 2021: Virtual Author Panels

Maddie Hughes — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 00:24:05 +0000

If you are attending the virtual conference this weekend, don’t miss these panels featuring some of our incredible authors. While we will miss being in person, we hope to “see” you there!

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Q&A with J. J. Gilbert, author of new Rescue Rangers-inspired series, The Mouse Watch

Maddie Hughes — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 17:11:51 +0000

Author J. J. Gilbert shares the creation process behind The Mouse Watch, a new chapter book series set in the world of the classic Disney animated TV show Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers.

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BOOKS THAT CELEBRATE WOMEN’S HISTORY AT WALT DISNEY ANIMATION

Maddie Hughes — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 18:53:05 +0000

This Women’s History Month, we recognize the achievements of the women of Walt Disney Animation Studios. From inkers and painters, to sculptors, to concept artists, to animators and beyond, women have long been involved in bringing Disney’s animated films to life. Learn more about these trailblazing women from the following books.

INK & PAINT: THE WOMEN OF WALT DISNEY’S ANIMATION

By Mindy Johnson

This authoritative volume on the history of women animators at Walt Disney Animation Studios covers the often overlooked history of female artists and innovators who played an integral role in the development of animated films. Beginning in the Ink & Paint Department, where legions of female artists brought the pencil sketches of the animators to colorful life as they transferred the paper drawings to celluloid sheets, women soon were part of every discipline within animation production. Extensively researched with the full support of the entire Walt Disney Studios archival resources, plus a multitude of private collections, firsthand accounts, newly discovered materials, and production documentation, as well as never-before-seen photography and artwork, this essential volume redefines the collective history of animation.

PENCILS, PENS, AND BRUSHES: A GREAT GIRLS’ GUIDE TO DISNEY ANIMATION

By Mindy Johnson, Illustrated by Lorelay Bové

Mindy Johnson brings her illuminating research from INK & PAINT to a younger audience with this non-fiction picture book that highlights the lives and work of some of the trailblazing women who worked at Walt Disney Animation Studios. These amazing women achieved a lot of “firsts”: from the first woman to head a department in animation (helping to win high-profile awards) to the chemist who created the world’s first animation paint laboratory to the first woman to design famous Hollywood monsters. Their achievements have and continue to inspire generations of women to break down barriers in animation and the wider film industry.

MARY BLAIR’S UNIQUE FLAIR

By Amy Novesky, Illustrated by Brittney Lee

The stylishness and vibrant color of Disney films in the early 1940s through mid-1950s came primarily from artist Mary Blair. In her prime, she was an amazingly prolific American artist who enlivened and influenced the not-so-small worlds of film, print, theme parks, architectural décor, and advertising. This picture book biography, illustrated by a current visual development artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios, is a colorful introduction to the life and legacy of a legendary artist who left a lasting impact on Disney and animation.

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Celebrating Black Authors

Maddie Hughes — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 17:44:04 +0000

February is Black History Month, and while Black history should be a feature of curriculum year-round, it is an important opportunity to highlight the experiences of Black Americans, and to celebrate the contributions of Black innovators, artists, and visionaries, while also recognizing the violent history of systemic oppression and racism in the United States, which persists to this day. It is also an opportunity to center Black voices in the classroom, using books by Black creators.

THE TRISTAN STRONG SERIES by Kwame Mbalia

The Tristan Strong series, by Kwame Mbalia, is an action-packed adventure that centers a young Black boy. Still reeling from the recent loss of his best friend, Tristan accidentally punches a hole in the sky of another world, a world where African Gods and African American folk heroes exist, and he must deal with the consequences of the trouble he has unleashed.

In addition to covering themes familiar to kids the world over, including dealing with parental expectations, loss, friendship, anger, joy, fear, uncertainty, and finding one’s place in the world, the Tristan Strong series also incorporates concepts related to Black history, including the African Diaspora, the transatlantic slave trade, African and African-American mythology and folk stories, and the tradition of oral storytelling.

Incorporate Tristan Strong into your classroom using the educator’s guide, newly updated to include Book 2.

THE VOTING BOOTH by Brandy Colbert

An all-in-one-day love story perfect for fans of THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR about two first-time teen voters who meet at their polling place and overcome obstacle after obstacle in order to cast a ballot in a critical election. This book by an Black author featuring Black teens can be an important tool for discussions about widespread attempts to strip Black citizens of their voting rights.

THE BELLES and THE EVERLASTING ROSE by Dhonielle Clayton

In a world where Beauty is a commodity only a few control, one Belle will learn the dark secrets behind her powers, and rise up to change the world. Written by Dhonielle Clayton, the founder of Cake Literary, a literary development company, and COO of We Need Diverse Books, this book features diverse characters and offers a commentary on beauty standards that is sure to spark discussion.

IT’S SHOE TIME by Bryan Collier

This lyrical beginning-reader by six-time Coretta Scott King award winner and four-time Caldecott honor recipient Bryan Collier turns the closet on its heel and redefines what it means to be a pair. Beautifully rendered art paired with rich, rhyming dialog creates a powerful reading experience.

BLACK PANTHER: THE YOUNG PRINCE by Ronald L. Smith

When a twelve-year-old T’Challa is sent to Chicago to escape danger in Wakanda, he realizes that he might not be as equipped to handle life in America as he thought. Especially when it comes to navigating new friendships while hiding his true identity as the prince of a powerful nation, avoiding a menacing classmate who is rumored to be involved in dark magic, and coming to terms with the very different reality of life for Black boys in America.

MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN by Jason Reynolds

Miles Morales is Spider-Man, but he is also just a teenager, dealing with crushes, parents, school, and trying to get by in a world where boys like him rarely get to be the hero. In addition to all of the action and humor that one can expect from Spider-Man, multiple award-winning author Jason Reynolds has created a nuanced hero struggling with his identity, and racism and injustice in society.

Find a discussion guide here.

STAR WARS THE HIGH REPUBLIC: A TEST OF COURAGE by Justina Ireland

Best-selling author Justina Ireland explores a new era in a galaxy far, far away: the High Republic. Set 200 years before the Skywalker Saga, when the Jedi were guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy, this action-packed adventure finds a diverse group of young people fighting for their survival on an inhospitable planet when a journey to a new space station goes horrible wrong.

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Congrats to What About Worms?!- Geisel Honor Book

Maddie Hughes — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 22:06:33 +0000

At the 2021 Youth Media Awards, held during the annual ALA Midwinter meeting, this years winners for some of the most prestigious awards in children’s literature were announced.

Disney Publishing was fortunate to have one book selected for an award: What About Worms?!, by acclaimed authors Ryan T. Higgins and Mo Willems, was chosen as 2021 Theodor Suess Geisel Honor Book!

Downloadable Activity Sheets

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“The Child” READ Poster from ALA

Maddie Hughes — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 18:59:18 +0000

Transport your patrons to a galaxy far, far away with this new READ poster from ALA.

Check out this adorable poster and bookmark, now available from the ALA Store, featuring the beloved character from The Mandalorian.

Also available are the Out of This World poster and bookmarks featuring Rocket and Groot, featuring adorable artwork by Cale Atkinson, as seen in the Rocket and Groot picture book series.

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Visit Disney Publishing at the NCTE Virtual Annual Convention

Maddie Hughes — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 21:53:06 +0000

For the first time in its 110 year history, NCTE is going virtual. While we will be sad to miss seeing you all in person, we are so excited to still have this opportunity to connect.

Visit the Disney Publishing Worldwide virtual booth for a look at our recent and upcoming releases, grab some e-galleys, and download teacher’s guides and reproducible activity sheets to use in the classroom.

We will also be hosting two in-booth author chats during the conference, so please stop by to connect with the authors, and ask them any questions you might have about their books or their writing process. The first is on Friday, November 20, from 2:00-2:20pm ET, with Tehlor Kay Mejia, author of Paola Santiago and the River of Tears, and Kwame Mbalia, author of Tristan Strong Destroys the World. The second chat is on Saturday, November 21, from 3:30-3:50pm ET, with Alexandra Bracken, author of The Darkest Minds series and the upcoming YA novel, Lore.

Also, look for our authors in the On Demand panels, which attendees can watch at any time during the conference. Picture book author and illustrator Ryan T. Higgins (We Will Rock Our Classmates) participated in the roundtable discussion for “How Pictures and Words Come Together,” and Kwame Mbalia participated in the panel “A Confluence of Readers and Writers: Connecting Students and Authors.”

We also participated in a Book Buzz that is scheduled for Friday, November 20, from 4:30-5:45pm ET. We will present an overview of our most anticipated titles for Winter/Spring 2021, along with several other publishers.

The school and library team will be in the booth during the exhibit hall hours, so feel free to stop by and ask us questions, or just say hi.

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Spooky Reads for Halloween

Maddie Hughes — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 19:02:20 +0000

Looking for a Halloween read-aloud even the most hesitant kid will enjoy? Or a recommendation for a teen who can’t get enough of gory slasher films? We have books for every kid, tween, teen, ghost, or witch that you may meet this spooky season. The jack-o’-lantern emoji indicates the book’s scare factor, on a scale of 1-5.

PICTURE BOOKS

Are You Scared, Darth Vader? by Adam Rex

What scares Darth Vader? Certainly not monsters, witches, or ghosts, and especially not the dark. So what causes the most fearsome villain in the galaxy to cower behind his mask? Read on in Adam Rex’s hilarious and spooky Star Wars tale to find out.

The Nightmare Before Christmas by Tim Burton

This picture book adaptation of the beloved movie, written and illustrated by creator Tim Burton, is perfect for bringing the story of Jack Skellington and Halloweenland to young fans and newcomers alike.

MIDDLE GRADE

DISNEY CHILLS: FIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE by Vera Strange

Disney Villains meets Goosebumps in this brand new chapter book series, where kids discover what happens when the dreams that they fear will come true, do. In Fiends on the Other Side, 12-year-old Jamal is about to find out why people say never to make a deal with the Shadow Man. Grab your night-light, dear reader, and prepare to be CHILL-ed!

TALES FROM THE HAUNTED MANSION by Amicus Arcane

In this chapter book series, Amicus Arcane, the resident librarian of the Haunted Mansion, shares spooky stories about the ghosts that roam the halls of his legendary home. What frightening fictions does this once-living librarian hold in store? And will you, foolish reader, be brave enough to listen to them all without going mad…or dying from fright?

THE DREADFUL TALE OF PROSPER REDDING by Alexandra Bracken

A darkly delightful MG contemporary fantasy from New York Times best-selling author Alexandra Bracken about a modern New England boy who must rid himself of the ancient demon inhabiting his body and break his family’s curse.

STUFFED by Liz Braswell

10-year-old Clark’s beloved stuffed animals protect him every night from the Monsters, but they face their biggest challenge yet when one targets Clark’s dad.

PAOLA SANTIAGO AND THE RIVER OF TEARS by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Fans of scary movies and horror legends will be reaching for this thrilling fantasy adventure based on the Mexican legend of La Llorona.

YOUNG ADULT

HOCUS POCUS AND THE ALL-NEW SEQUEL by A. W. Jantha

Fans of the classic Halloween movie will love returning to the world of the Sanderson sisters with this fresh retelling of the original movie, and an all-new sequel that finds the next generation of Salem teens fighting to save their town from the witches’ latest vile scheme.

EVIL THING by Serena Valentino

The captivating seventh installment in the popular Villains series follows the rise and fall of the deranged and glamorous fan favorite, Cruella De Vil. If it doesn’t scare you, no evil thing will…

#NOESCAPE by Gretchen McNeil

In this twisty, campy horror novel set in the same world as teen favorites #MurderTrending and #MurderFunding, 17-year-old Persey enters an escape room competition. But when contestants start getting killed off, Persey must solve a series of bizarre and gruesome puzzles, riddles, and games, not just to win, but to make it out alive.

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Disney Publishing at School Library Journal Day of Dialog

Maddie Hughes — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 17:40:49 +0000

This year, SLJ’s Day of Dialog is going fully virtual, from panels to keynote talks, and yes, even an exhibitor’s hall.

Visit the Disney Publishing Worldwide virtual booth to learn more about recent and upcoming releases, snag eGalleys, and access our downloadable activity sheets and teacher’s guides.

We will also have a very special guest stopping by to chat and answer questions live in our booth: Sarwat Chadda, author of City of the Plague God. This forthcoming release from Rick Riordan Presents is the story of thirteen-year-old Sikander Aziz, who has to team up with the hero Gilgamesh in order to stop Nergal, the ancient god of plagues, from wiping out the population of Manhattan in this adventure based on Mesopotamian mythology.

Sarwat Chadda will be chatting in our booth from 11:10-11:30 am ET, following his participation in the panel In The Midst of it All: Books for Middle Graders. This panel will take place from 10:05am-11:00am ET, and features four authors representing a range of genres discussing the challenges and rewards of writing for a middle grade audience.

We will miss seeing you all in person, but hope you will stop by and say hi!

And if you haven’t yet registered for this free event, there is still time. Visit the SLJ website here for more details and to sign up.

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Fall & Winter Books Preview (Free Booklist Webinar)

Maddie Hughes — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 20:09:00 +0000

Since we can’t travel to our usual conferences, to showcase all of our exciting new books and talented authors we decided to bring our preview to you—virtually!

We recently partnered with Booklist on a free webinar to highlight our new titles publishing this fall and winter, as well as offer a chance to hear directly from the authors about their books.

In this hour long webinar, we share the most anticipated upcoming titles across our imprints, from Disney Hyperion to Marvel Press to Lucasfilm Press. Included in the list are the latest books from Mo Willems, Eoin Colfer, Kwame Mbalia, and Alexandra Bracken, just to name a few of our amazing authors, as well as introductions to several brand new series we can’t wait for you to read.

To make things even more exciting, we asked a few of the authors to join in and share a little bit about what we can expect from their books. There are two panels during the webinar. The first panel features authors who are reimagining Disney stories in brand new ways. This panel is moderated by Julia Smith, Books for Youth senior editor at Booklist, and includes J.J. Gilbert, author of The Mouse Watch, Estelle Laure, author of City of Villains, Alyssa Moon, author of Delphine and the Silver Needle, and Emma Theriault, author of Rebel Rose. The second panel features authors from the Rick Riordan Presents imprint discussing their upcoming books. This panel is moderated by Stephanie Lurie, the editor of Rick Riordan Presents, and features J. C. Cervantes, author of The Shadow Crosser, Sarwat Chadda, author of City of the Plague God, and Kwame Mbalia, author of Tristan Strong Destroys the World.

To watch a recording of the webinar click here.

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Disney Publishing Worldwide Book Sharing Permission License for Educators and Librarians

Maddie Hughes — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 17:57:31 +0000

EXTENDED THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2021!

The below permission license from DPW is limited to our Disney Press imprint and does not include Disney-Hyperion. The copyright for most of our Disney-Hyperion titles live with each author, so please check their website and/or social media posts. Mo Willems has granted permission here, Ryan T. Higgins has granted permission here, and Rick Riordan has also granted his permission.

Back in February, DPW sold a number of titles to Hachette Book Group. Please double check the copyright of titles online and then send your requests (if applicable) to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

We are doing our best to keep up with the large volume of requests so we ask that you not email us to confirm any of the permissions we have listed here. If you do have other questions please send them to childrens.marketing@disney.com.

With the increase in school closures, and many schools transitioning to remote learning, Disney Publishing Worldwide has received numerous requests from teachers across the country asking for permission to post readings of books online for their students to access. We support the efforts of educators and librarians who wish to provide remote learning at this time. Our permission is limited to Disney Press titles. If you are not sure which category a book falls into, please reach out to us at the following address: childrens.marketing@disney.com.

We ask that if you read a Disney Press book online for your students that you follow a few short guidelines:

Please note at the beginning of the video that you are reading with permission from Disney Publishing Worldwide, and please note the title of the book.
Please only post your video through your school’s private platform or through another closed group or platform with limited access for your students only.
Please delete your video or disable access by September 30, 2021.
Please send an email to childrens.marketing@disney.com with your name, school, city, state, and the title and of the book(s) you read online with a link to your video.
By posting a reading, you are agreeing to abide by the above guidelines.
These terms are in effect until September 30, 2021.

Please note that other organizations interested in posting videos of your Disney Press title reading will need to contact childrens.marketing@disney.com who will evaluate their request.

Thank you for all you are doing.

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Free Online Resources for Teachers and Librarians

Maddie Hughes — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 19:09:05 +0000

We know many of you are looking for resources and tools to help your students and patrons while your schools and libraries are closed. We have a number of free digital resources available on this site, and elsewhere around the internet, that you should feel free to use and share.

Meet Ellie and Friends

Ellie is an elephant and talented artist who lives at the zoo. There, along with wise gorilla Gerald and sweet giraffe Lucy, Ellie helps to make life better for all the zoo animals. In Ellie Makes a Friend, the newest picture book in the series, a panda has joined the zoo, and just like Ellie, she’s an artist! Ellie is thrilled to make a new friend, but with everyone so impressed by Ping’s distinctive painting skills, Ellie starts to question her own talent. As she learns more about her new friend from China, though, Ellie finds that a fresh perspective can lead to new inspiration–and maybe something wonderful they can create together!

We were lucky enough to have the author and illustrator Mike Wu (and his daughter) read from Ellie Makes a Friend.

And now that you’ve read (heard? seen?) the book, use it to support Social and Emotional Learning. We have everything you need in our online educator’s guide.

And see this article for a great Q&A with Mike Wu about his inspiration and creative process.

Author Videos

Our super creative authors are making great online content perfect for keeping kids engaged at home. Want to get kids writing or doodling? Want to see a day in the life of an illustrator? Look no further.

Volcanic Writing with Carlos Hernandez

Get those creative juices flowing with this hilarious, insightful writing lesson targeted to kids in grades 4-7 from Carlos Hernandez, author of Sal and Gabi Break the Universe.

Studio Time with Ryan T. Higgins

Get a glimpse into the daily life and creative process of Mother Bruce author/illustrator Ryan T. Higgins.

LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems

Every weekday at 1:00 p.m. ET, join Mo Willems in his studio for a LUNCH DOODLE. Mo will be demonstrating how to draw favorite characters like The Pigeon and Elephant and Piggie, and offering inspiration for viewers to doodle on their own.

More From Mo:

If you are sharing Mo’s books virtually with your classroom or library, support the learning with activity sheets that can be downloaded and shared. Here are a few that can be found on our website:

For temporary digital book sharing permissions/guidelines: https://twitter.com/The_Pigeon/status/1239237352935116801?s=20

If you are looking for support teaching Elephant & Piggie or Elephant & Piggie Like Reading titles, these online teacher’s guides offer plenty of ideas for activities kids can do at home:

Elephant & Piggie

Elephant & Piggie Like Reading

And for even more Mo, check out the website Pigeon Presents for videos, downloadable activities, and games.

Additional Resources:

Online Teacher’s Guides – resources tied to Common Core and SEL standards that can be used to teach students ranging in age from 3-12, depending on the title

Disney Publishing Worldwide Learning Magazine Microsite – teacher’s guides and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) activities available for download

DisneyBooks YouTube Channel – author interviews, book trailers, and fun videos

Activity Sheets – downloadable reproducible activity sheets

You can also check out these sites for more from some of our authors:

Rick Riordan/Rick Riordan Presents:

Read Riordan – articles and quizzes about all of Rick’s books and the books in the Rick Riordan Presents imprint
Read Riordan YouTube channel – book trailers, interviews, and fun videos
Rickriordan.com – activities and teacher’s guides, news, and updates
Rick Riordan has given permission for teachers and librarians to use his books for distance learning. Details here: https://twitter.com/camphalfblood/status/1239503168251232262

Ryan T. Higgins

Ryan T. Higgins has also given short-term permission for teachers and librarians to share his books in virtual storytimes. Details here: https://twitter.com/RyanT_Higgins/status/1240660271254953989

We will continue to update this site as more resources become available. If you have any questions, please reach out to childrens.marketing@disney.com. We are happy to help in any way we can!

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Celebrate the Pigeon’s Birthday at ALA 2019

Maddie Hughes — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 00:05:40 +0000

It’s almost time for ALA Annual 2019!

We can’t wait to spend the weekend with you in Washington, DC, celebrating libraries, the ALA Youth Media Awards, including the 50th Anniversary of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards, and the Pigeon’s 16th BIRD-day. Yes, the Pigeon is finally sixteen. No, we won’t let him drive the bus.

Stop by Booth #1248 on Friday night to celebrate the Pigeon with us, and come by all weekend to pick up copies of new fall titles that we can’t wait to share with you!

We also have an incredible line-up of authors who will be signing books in the booth throughout the weekend. Honestly, if you are contemplating camping out next to the booth, we understand. It’s that good! Check out the full signing schedule below.

And, a special shout-out to Drawn Together, written by Minh Lê and illustrated by Dan Santat, which is the recipient of the APALA Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature in the Picture Book category, and Picture Us in the Light, by Kelly Loy Gilbert, which is a Stonewall Honor Book in Children’s and Young Adult Literature. We are so thrilled with the amazing recognition these books have received from ALA, and we can’t wait to celebrate them with all of you.

We hope to see you there!

If you would like to download a copy of the schedule to print, you can find it here: ALA 2019 Signing Schedule

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TLA 2019 is almost here!

Maddie Hughes — Fri, 12 Apr 2019 19:36:20 +0000

We are so excited to be traveling to Austin to see all of you incredible Texas librarians!

We have a great line-up of authors and illustrators attending. Below, please find a list of author signing times, so be sure to mark your schedule and come get a copy of your favorite (or future favorite!) book signed. All signings will take place in the author’s signing area, unless otherwise noted.

We will also be hanging out in booth #2447, so please stop by and pick up galleys and book-related swag. We have some really awesome books coming out this fall that we are so excited to share with you all.

Looking forward to a great week!

If you would like to download a copy of the schedule to print, you can find it here: TLA 2019 Signing Schedule

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Are you ready for NCTE 2018?

Maddie Hughes — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 21:39:17 +0000

We are so excited to see all of you in Houston next week!

Please come visit us at our Disney Book Group booth (#412) to get books signed by our amazing authors, pick up galleys and fun book-related swag, and visit with a certain bear-y special guest! See below for the full in-booth singing schedule.

Our authors are also participating in all kinds of thought-provoking panels throughout the weekend. Be sure to check out the NCTE program for info on where you can see them speak.

If you would like to download a copy of the schedule to print, you can find it here: NCTE signing schedule

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Civics in the Classroom

Maddie Hughes — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 22:26:39 +0000

Election Day is coming up on November 6th! While your students may be too young to participate, it’s never too early to start learning about the history of democracy in the United States, or the importance of the vote. Here are 7 picture books that help teach young readers about everything from how we vote and why, to the responsibilities of the President.

Thomas Paine and the Dangerous Word

This biography of Thomas Paine highlights the important role his pamphlet, Common Sense, played in the American Revolution. That dangerous word mentioned in the title? Independence.

Teacher’s Guide

John, Paul, George & Ben

A comical look at the lives of four (plus one) little lads from the American Colonies, who grew up to be the Founding Fathers.

Teacher’s Guide

Elizabeth Started All the Trouble

Elizabeth Cady Stanton began the fight for the right for women to vote in the US in 1848. In 1920, the 19th Amendment of the US Constitution was ratified, finally guaranteeing the vote for all women. This book highlights the hard work of suffragists, including Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, Alice Paul, and Lucy Burns, to secure this right in the 72 years after “Elizabeth started all the trouble.”

Teacher’s Guide

Grace for President

When Grace learns that there has never been a woman as President of the United States, she is determined to be the first. Inspired by Grace’s passion, her teacher decides to hold a mock election at school. Grace launches a full scale campaign, but will it be enough to beat her male opponent? Students will learn about presidential campaigns, the Electoral College, and the importance of each individual’s vote.

Madam President

Have you ever wondered what a President does in a day? Madam President is happy to demonstrate, as she carries out her duties, which include assembling her Cabinet, holding a press conference, and kissing a lot of babies. She may even have time to sneak in a photo op and veto a few bills, all before bedtime.

Rutherford B., Who Was He?

There’s a poem here for each of the first 43 US Presidents, from the most immediately recognizable leaders, to those whose names are a little less familiar. Clever rhymes paired with colorful illustrations will help students put faces, achievements (or failures), and important events to names.

And available now:

Have You Heard About Lady Bird?

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The Storm Runner is finally here…

Maddie Hughes — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 23:27:25 +0000

And we can’t wait for you to read it!

The newest release from Rick Riordan Presents has all of our favorite things: scrappy heroes, slimy monsters, a three-legged dog, and even a goddess of chocolate! Join Zane, Brooks, and Hondo on the adventure of a lifetime as they try to stop the Maya god of death, Ah-Puch, from destroying the world as we know it. But does Zane really have what it takes to defeat an immortal being? And can he trust his mysterious new friend Brooks? Read more about the book here.

Want to use The Storm Runner in your classroom? Check out our Educator’s Guide!

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we have all the questions about the storm runner! {link in bio for q&a with @authorjcervantes} thanks for giving us the inside scoop! ?

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Have You Heard About These Influential Women?

Maddie Hughes — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 23:29:46 +0000

This fall, celebrate strong women with two new books from Disney Hyperion!

In this companion to Rutherford B, Who Was He?, Marilyn Singer puts the First Ladies center stage. With a poem for every First Lady, readers will learn how each woman embraced–or shied away from– a position in which she had little say. From First Ladies like Eleanor Roosevelt and Hillary Clinton, who were equally as involved in politics as their husbands, to First Ladies like Mamie Eisenhower and Dolley Madison, who embraced their roles as hostess and homemaker, to lesser known wives who were content to stay out of the spotlight, Have You Heard About Lady Bird? offers an informative look at the lives of these oft-overlooked women.

She Did It! is a collection of biographies celebrating 21 American women who played an important role in shaping the world we live in today. From pioneering journalist Ida Tarbell, to Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman elected to Congress, this book offers a comprehensive look at some of the lesser-known trailblazing women of the 20th Century. She Did It! celebrates these women for their efforts and achievements in their respective fields, and in the overall fight for women’s rights. Their stories will inspire modern girls to embrace their power to change the world, and continue to fight for respect, recognition, and equal treatment for all women.

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Our Back-to-School Bookshelf

Maddie Hughes — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 21:54:59 +0000

Do you know the must-have book of this back-to-school season?

It’s WE DON’T EAT OUR CLASSMATES, of course!

A hilarious twist on the classic first-day-of-school story, this book, which has starred reviews from PW, Kirkus, and Horn Book, finds author/illustrator Ryan Higgins (Mother Bruce) in top form. We Don’t Eat Our Classmates is a perfect read aloud for students with first-day-of-school jitters, kids who struggle to understand personal space, and anyone who just plain loves a silly story (Who doesn’t?!). Kids will both relate to Penelope, an adorable dinosaur who just wants to fit in, and find her misadventures laugh-out-loud funny.

About the book: In this hilarious new book from Ryan T. Higgins, Penelope Rex is nervous about her first day of school. She just wants to make friends, which can be tough when your classmates are children. Because, as everyone knows, children are delicious. But when Penelope tries to make friends with the class goldfish, she learns that it’s no fun to be anyone’s snack.

MORE BOOKS FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL:

Picture Books

Dear Substitute

When a substitute teacher comes for a day, bringing new activities and a shake up to the normal routine, a hesitant student must adjust. Told in a series of poems, covering everything from mispronounced names and uncollected homework to discovering a new favorite activity, Dear Substitute is the perfect book to show anxious students that even when the teacher is out, or the routine changes, everything will be okay.

The Teacher’s Pet

When a teacher gets too attached to the class pet, it’s up to his students to show him that this enormous animal may not be the best fit for their classroom in this silly story. The Teacher’s Pet, which received a starred review from PW, is sure to get lots of giggles, and relieve students of some of those back to school jitters. Unless the class pet happens to look suspiciously like a hippopotamus…

Super Saurus Saves Kindergarten

Arnold is nervous about starting kindergarten, so he turns to his superhero alter ego, Super Saurus, to save the day. With his cape, his mask, and his imagination, Super Saurus is ready to take on all of the challenges the first day of school presents, like defeating his nemesis Zorgo the Evil Genius and his pet T-rex. Perfect for kids with active imaginations, this book embraces creative thinking, while reassuring readers that school is not as scary as it might seem.

Chapter Books

Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker: Incognito

Beatrice Zinker’s mission continues in Incognito, the second book in this illustrated chapter book series about the misadventures of an unconventional but well-intentioned third grader. In this installment, we see Operation Upside in full swing, but new rules from her strict teacher make it difficult for Beatrice to complete her mission. When a misunderstanding puts the mission, and Beatrice’s friendship with her best friend Lenny, in jeopardy, she has to use some upside down thinking to make it right.

Quinny & Hopper: Smart Cookies

In book three of this sweet, hilarious chapter book series, bold Quinny petitions to overturn a new school-wide ban on sweets (the horror!), mild-mannered Hopper reinvents the ‘Friendship Bench’ at recess, and both learn to embrace the qualities that make them who they are.

Middle Grade

Captain Superlative!

Janey has spent most of her school life staying out of the spotlight, until she meets Captain Superlative, a fellow student who protects the school while dressed as a superhero. Who could it be? The question leads Janey to an unexpected friendship with a superhero like no other. But superheroes hold secrets and Captain Superlative is no exception. When Janey unearths what’s truly at stake, she’s forced to face her own dark secrets and discover what it truly means to be a hero . . . and a friend.

Click’d

Allie Navarro can’t wait to show her best friends the app she built at CodeGirls summer camp. Click’d pairs users based on common interests and sends them on a fun (and occasionally rule-breaking) scavenger hunt to find each other. And it’s a hit. But when Allie discovers a glitch that threatens to expose everyone’s secrets, she has to figure out how to make things right. Can Allie fix her app and repair her friendships—all before she steps on stage to present Click’d at the youth coding competition?

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Register Now: YA Fall Announcements Webinar

Maddie Hughes — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 23:03:22 +0000

Join representatives from Disney, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Macmillan Publishers, Workman/Algonquin, and Bloomsbury as we discuss this fall’s most anticipated YA titles!

The free, one-hour webinar starts at 1pm central time on Tuesday, August 21st, 2018. All you have to do to attend is register HERE.

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Drawn Together Receives 6 Starred Reviews

Maddie Hughes — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 18:18:46 +0000

Want to share Drawn Together with your students this year? Check out the educator’s guide.

And for a fascinating conversation about the process of writing and illustrating this book, check out an interview with author Minh Lê and illustrator Dan Santat on The Horn Book website.

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Unlimited Squirrels + NOLA = Unlimited Fun: ALA 2018

Maddie Hughes — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 19:36:19 +0000

Summer is flying by! It seems crazy that only a few short weeks ago we were celebrating another year of amazing books at the ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans.

Over 20,000 librarians, educators, authors, and industry professionals braved the sweltering heat to learn about the books to look forward to this fall, and to recognize favorite books from the past year.

At the Disney booth, we kicked off the weekend with a celebration of Unlimited Squirrels, the newest early reader series from Mo Willems. Fans were able to grab advanced copies of the first book, I Lost My Tooth!, snack on cupcakes and cake pops, and take home an Unlimited Squirrels toothbrush. We even had a “squirrely” photo op:

The rest of the weekend featured signings from some of our awesome authors, including Jen Lynn Barnes (Little White Lies), J.C. Cervantes (The Storm Runner), Leslie C. Youngblood (Love Like Sky), Dhonielle Clayton (The Belles), Mari Mancusi (The Once and Future Geek), Marilyn Singer (Have You Heard About Ladybird), LeUyen Pham (The Itchy Book), Matthew Cordell (Bob, Not Bob!), and Don Zolidis (The Seven Torments of Amy and Craig (A Love Story)). We also had plenty of galleys to give away, including the very popular Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel,

At our librarian preview, authors read excerpts from their upcoming work, treating listeners to everything from an edge-of-your-seat exciting passage from The Storm Runner, to a heartfelt scene between sisters in Love Like Sky, to a captivating sneak peek of Everlasting Rose, the much anticipated sequel to Dhonielle Clayton’s The Belles.

And, of course, there was plenty of opportunity to enjoy the city and eat some excellent food!

Thanks to everyone who came to a signing or stopped by the booth! Can’t wait to see you again next year.

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ALA 2018 is almost here!

Maddie Hughes — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 16:45:48 +0000

As you put together your schedule for ALA, don’t forget to add in a stop or two (ten!) at the Disney Books booth to meet with your favorite (or soon to be favorite) authors, and get a sneak peek at our exciting fall list! We can’t wait to see you in the Big Easy.

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Come See us at PLA 2018!

Disney Books — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 20:16:02 +0000

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Blue Bears, Bruce Totes, and LOTS of Pie! ALA Midwinter 2018 Blew Us Away!

Disney Books — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 18:43:41 +0000

We’re back from another fantastic ALA Midwinter where over 5,000 librarians and industry professionals gathered February 9-12, 2018 in Denver, CO. Our booth featured current and upcoming titles, highlighting our multiple starred reviews and end of year lists. While our Bruce tote bags were once again a hit! And for the first time, we featured an Elephant & Piggie spinner rack, raffled off to one lucky attendee for their school or library!

Throughout the year, the AAP hosts publisher book buzzes with libraries across the country. On Thursday, February 8, DPW participated in this joint book buzz with the Denver Public Library. Close to 80 local librarians attended, and we highlighted some of our big Spring/Summer 2018 titles.

At every ALA Midwinter, DPW staff takes the stage to read excerpts from upcoming DPW titles for our Librarian friends . This year we had a special guest, author Minh Lê, reading his book Drawn Together. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when he was done!

Big congratulations to all the authors, and publishers who took home this year’s Youth Media Awards, and a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who came by our booth during the show. We had a blast in Denver this year and can’t wait to do it again soon.

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Join Us This Weekend at ALA Midwinter 2018!

Disney Books — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 23:11:15 +0000

Our first School & Library convention of 2018 is this weekend where we will be setting up shop at The American Library Association’s Midwinter Conference in Denver Colorado! We’ll be at booth #821 from when the doors open on Friday night until they turn off the lights next Monday following the ALA Youth Media Awards Press Conference.

On Saturday, February 10th Dina takes center stage at the conference’s Book Buzz Theater for the Joint Publisher Book Buzz at 12:30pm, and throughout the weekend we’ll be talking about books, giving sneak peeks at our upcoming titles and giving away as much swag as you can carry.

Galleys on hand include: #Murdertrending, Aru Shah And The End Of Time, Captain Superlative!, Charlie & Frog, Little Do We Know, Neanderthal Opens The Door To The Universe, Picture Us In The Light, The Itchy Book, Thomas Paine And The Dangerous Word and many, many more. So make sure you come by and see us throughout the weekend to score Advanced Reader Copies of our upcoming 2018 releases!

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Read Ch.1 Of THE BELLES And Go Behind The Scenes

Disney Books — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 23:42:59 +0000

We simply cannot wait for The Belles to hit shelves next month, and if the feedback we’ve been hearing from those of you who scored Advanced Reader Copies from us last fall is any indication, we’re not the only ones looking forward to Dhonielle Clayton’s first foray into Fantasy.

To help with all the waiting we wanted to throw the spotlight on this excerpt from the finished novel, and show off a short video from the Cover Shoot last year. February 6^th can’t get here fast enough!

Camellia Beauregard is a Belle. In the opulent world of Orleans, Belles are revered, for they control Beauty, and Beauty is a commodity coveted above all else. In Orleans, the people are born gray, they are born damned, and only with the help of a Belle and her talents can they transform and be made beautiful. But it’s not enough for Camellia to be just a Belle. She wants to be the favorite—the Belle chosen by the Queen of Orleans to live in the royal palace, to tend to the royal family and their court, to be recognized as the most talented Belle in the land. But once Camellia and her Belle sisters arrive at court, it becomes clear that being the favorite is not everything she always dreamed it would be. Behind the gilded palace walls live dark secrets, and Camellia soon learns that the very essence of her existence is a lie—that her powers are far greater, and could be more dangerous, than she ever imagined. And when the queen asks Camellia to risk her own life and help the ailing princess by using Belle powers in unintended ways, Camellia now faces an impossible decision. With the future of Orleans and its people at stake, Camellia must decide: save herself and her sisters and the way of the Belles, or resuscitate the princess, risk her own life, and change the ways of her world forever.

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Apollo Alert! See The Cover For The Burning Maze Now!

Disney Books — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 19:08:13 +0000

A new year means a new adventure with Apollo, but while The Trials of Apollo Book 3: The Burning Maze might not hit shelves until May 1st, Entertainment Weekly has the scoop on what’s to come with an exclusive Uncle Rick Q&A, the first look at the stunning John Rocco cover, and an excerpt from the books opening chapter that already has us itching for more.

Click here to see for yourself! Than check out 5 THINGS WE JUST LEARNED ABOUT THE BURNING MAZE over on ReadRiordan.com, and make sure you load up on all the Riordan related Educator Guides for all the classroom discussions you can have while you wait for Book 3.

The formerly glorious god Apollo, cast down to earth in punishment by Zeus, is now an awkward mortal teenager. In order to regain his place on Mount Olympus, Apollo must restore five Oracles that have gone dark. Thanks a lot, Dad. With the help of some demigod friends, Apollo managed to survive his first two trials. The first at Camp Half-Blood, and one in Indianapolis, where Meg received the Dark Prophecy. The words she uttered while seated on the Throne of Memory revealed that an evil triumvirate of Roman emperors plans to attack Camp Jupiter. There is one glimmer of hope in the gloom-filled prophecy: The cloven guide alone the way does know…

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DBG ‘Best of 2017’ Roundup!

Disney Books — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 23:06:36 +0000

Wow! 2017 is officially in the books, and not only did you read many of our great releases from the past year, you liked them enough to include in your own “Best of” lists before turning the page to 2018! From the Goodreads Choice Award’s to Kirkus Best Books of 2017 we are incredibly grateful to all the DBG fans and readers out there. Check out the list below and see what titles might make an excellent addition to your classroom or library in the new year!

THE ADVENTURERS GUILD by Nick Eliopulos and Zack Loran Clark

Kirkus Best Books of 2017: Middle Grade, selection

BEATRICE ZINKER, UPSIDE DOWN THINKER by Shelley Johannes

Amazon’s Best Books of 2017, Ages 6-8

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: LOST IN A BOOK by Jennifer Donnelly

Books-A-Million: The Best Kids Books of 2017, selection
Goodreads Choice Awards: Best Middle Grade of 2017, nomination
Indigo: Best Teen Books of 2017

BE QUIET!

Goodreads Choice Awards: Best Picture Book of 2017, nomination

THE BONE SPARROW by Zana Fraillon

Carnegie Medal, honor
CCBC Choices “Best of” 2017 list, selection
Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group: Notable Books for a Global Society 2017, winner

BUG ZOO by Disney Book Group

ILA-CBC’s 2017 Children’s Choices List, selection

CLICK’D by Tamara Ireland Stone

2017 NCIBA Middle Grade Book of the Year, nominee & long list

THE DREADFUL TALE OF PROSPER REDDING by Alexandra Bracken

Books-A-Million: The Best Kids Books of 2017, selection

DREAM by Matthew Cordell

FIT PREGNANCY Best Books of 2017

ELIZABETH STARTED ALL THE TROUBLE by Doreen Rappaport and Matt Faulkner

2017 Amelia Bloomer List, selection

THE END OF FUN by Sean McGinty

2017 Booklist Youth Editors’ Choice

FEMINIST BABY by Loryn Brantz

2017 Amelia Bloomer List, selection
FIT PREGNANCY Best Books of 2017

FROM PERCY JACKSON: CAMP HALF-BLOOD CONFIDENTIAL by Rick Riordan

Books-A-Million: The Best Kids Books of 2017, selection

THE GOOD FOR NOTHING BUTTON by Cherise Mericle Harper

PDX MONTHLY, Oregon’s Best Childrens Books of 2017

A LIST OF CAGES by Robin Roe

Goodreads Choice Awards: Best Young Adult Fiction of 2017, nomination
Indigo: Best Teen Books of 2017
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER Year’s Best Books for Young Readers 2017
Teen Choice Book Award 2017, nominee

LOCKWOOD & CO., BOOK FIVE: THE EMPTY GRAVE by Jonathan Stroud

Goodreads Choice Awards: Best Middle Grade of 2017, nomination

MAGNUS CHASE AND THE GODS OF ASGARD, BOOK 3: THE SHIP OF THE DEAD by Rick Riordan

Amazon’s Best Books of 2017, Ages 9-12
Books-A-Million: The Best Kids Books of 2017, selection
Goodreads Choice Awards: Best Middle Grade of 2017, nomination
Audible Best of 2017

MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN by Jason Reynolds

NPR Best Book of 2017

NANETTE’S BAGUETTE by Mo Willems

2017 Booklist Youth Editors’ Choice

THE PEARL THIEF by Elizabeth Wein

Kirkus Best Books of 2017: Middle Grade, selection
NPR Best Book of 2017

QUINNY & HOPPER by Adriana Brad Schanen

2016-2017 Beverly Cleary Children’s Choice Award, selection

RISE OF THE ISLE OF THE LOST by Melissa de la Cruz

Books-A-Million: The Best Kids Books of 2017, selection
Goodreads Choice Awards: Best Middle Grade of 2017, nominee

RULES OF THE HOUSE by Mac Barnett

2017 Comstock-Gág Read Aloud, honor
ILA-CBC’s 2017 Children’s Choices List, selection

SERAFINA AND THE SPLINTERED HEART by Robert Beatty

Amazon’s Best Books of 2017, Ages 9-12
Books-A-Million: The Best Kids Books of 2017, selection

SPINDLE by E.K. Johnston

CCBC Choices “Best of” 2017 list, selection

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI: COBALT SQUADRON by Elizabeth Wein

Books-A-Million: The Best Kids Books of 2017, selection

STEAMBOAT SCHOOL by Deborah Hopkinson

2017 Booklist Youth Editors’ Choice
2017 Oregon Book Awards finalist
2017 Jane Addams Children’s Book Award: Books for Younger Children, winner

THE THANK YOU BOOK: An Elephant & Piggie Book by Mo Willems

CBC’s 2017 Children’s Book Choice Award K-2^nd Grade, finalist
ILA-CBC’s 2017 Children’s Choices List, selection

A THOUSAND NIGHTS by E.K. Johnston

OLA/Forest of Reading 2017 “White Pine Award”, winner

THE TRIALS OF APOLLO, BOOK TWO: THE DARK PROPHECY by Rick Riordan

Books-A-Million: The Best Kids Books of 2017, selection
Goodreads Choice Awards: Best Middle Grade of 2017, nomination

WELCOME: A MO WILLEMS GUIDE TO NEW ARRIVALS by Mo Willems

Amazon’s Best Books of 2017, Baby to Age 2

WILDMAN by J.C. Geiger

Amazon’s Best Books of 2017, Young Adult
Notable YA Covers of 2917, The Casual Optimist: Books, Design and Culture

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New Teacher Guides From DBG

Disney Books — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 21:26:22 +0000

With winter break just around the corner now is the perfect time to stock up on Teacher Guides for 2018. Some of our recently released titles now have supplemental material perfect for your readers. The latest FREE Guides are available to download and great for lesson plans in the new year. Here are a few:

New York Times best-selling author Tamara Ireland Stone combines friendship, coding, and lots of popcorn in her fun and empowering middle-grade debut. Click’d kicks off a new series perfect for tech savvy readers. The accompanying Teacher’s Guide offers Pre-Reading Activates, a Quiz, and even a primer on The Software Development Cycle.

The Cold War backdrop of L.M. Elliot’s Suspect Red puts McCarthyism dead center in the story’s plot. To help middle grade readers further explore this troubling chapter of American history the Suspect Red discussion guide aligns with College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards (CCR) for Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language.

Coco: A Story About Music, Shoes, and Family by Diana López retells the story of Pixar Animation Studios’ latest film, as well as features original content expanding upon its rich, vibrant world and characters. The Educator’s Guide featuring Personal Response Questions, and Creative Activities, is the perfect addition.

The titles listed above are just a few of the recent additions to our growing library of supplemental material. You can find the current list right here on our Teachers and Librarians page. With more on the way as we get ready for an exciting 2018!

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NCTE 2017 Recap!

Disney Books — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 21:16:21 +0000

We’re back from St. Louis! (And maybe still a little stuffed from Thanksgiving) where earlier this month we attended the N ational Council of Teachers of English Annual Conference along with thousands of teachers and school administrators from all over the world. As always NCTE proved to be a whirlwind couple of days. We are incredibly thankful to everyone who stopped by our booth to talk all things Disney Publishing related.

On Friday we kicked-off the convention with a special Miles Morales signing by author Jason Reynolds, making booth 427 the first stop for many eager attendees. Following that authors joined us right after their Funny, You Don’t SEEM Educational panel for another packed signing of Bob, Not Bob.

Even Matt De La Pena stopped by to give a few lucky teachers signed copies of Miguel and The Grand Harmony, and our good friend Neal Shusterman delighted his readers with a signing of Book 3 in The Accelerati Trilogy: Hawkings Hallway.

On Saturday Rick Riordan made an appearance as the Keynote speaker for The ALAN breakfast. It was an early start to the day for many. But attendees were treated to teacher’s editions of The Lightning Thief, and 100 lucky folks won signed copies of Magnus Chase and The Gods of Asgard Book 3: The Ship of the Dead. Uncle Rick spoke at length about his new imprint, Rick Riordan Presents, and read even an excerpt from the first book.

Afterwards Aru Sha and the End of Time author Roshani Chokshi helped us kick off Day Two! signing galley copies of her upcoming inaugural release for The Rick Riordan Presents imprint.

Then authors Dhonielle Clayton and Andrew Shvarts teamed up to tackle another long signing line for their books The Belles and Royal Bastards.

Our NCTE adventure continued well into the afternoon when debut author duo Nick Eliopulos and Zack Loran Clark stopped to sign copies of The Adventurer’s Guild following their turn on the Recapture Our Voices: The Joy of the Thing panel earlier that day.

Finally we closed things down Saturday with an appearance by author J.C. Geiger. Folks who braved the long end of day lines were treated to a special doodle and signature inside their copies of Wildman.

Sunday was the shortest day of the convention and we were lucky to have author Kate Hannigan on hand to sign copies of Cupcake Cousins: Winter Wonders and author Kim Purcell to help us wrap up the weekend with a galley signing of her upcoming YA novel This is Not a Love Letter.

Overall we had a blast at NCTE 2017. Galleys were given out by the box load! Tote bags flew from our tables, and books were on display everywhere we looked! It was a great conference and we can’t wait to see you all again soon!

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NCTE 2017 Here We Come! Authors, Panels and More!

Disney Books — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 15:58:40 +0000

We are back on the road this week and on our way to St. Louis Missouri for the 2017 National Conference for The Teacher’s of English (NCTE)! Starting This Friday 11/17/17 we will be taking up residence on the show floor at booth #427, with plenty of ARCs, Swag, and Disney-Hyperion staff on hand to answer questions. Throughout the weekend we’ll have authors on panels and in the booth for signings. You never who might stop by! Our full schedule is below so make sure you plan accordingly and we can’t wait to see you in St. Louis!

Friday, November 17^th

Exhibit Hours: 11:00am—6:30pm

11:30am – 12:30pm

Author Signing: Jason Reynolds

Location: Disney Book Group Booth #427

Signing: Miles Morales

12:30 – 1:45pm

Funny, You Don’t SEEM Educational (Audrey Vernick & Liz Garton Scanlon)

Location: Room 264

3:00 – 4:00pm

Author Signing: Audrey Vernick & Liz Garton Scanlon

Location: Disney Book Group Booth #427

Signing: Bob, Not Bob!

4:00 – 5:00pm

Author Signing: Matt de la Pena

Location: Disney Book Group Booth #427

Signing: Miguel and the Grand Harmony

5:00 – 6:00pm

Author Signing: Neal Shusterman

Location: Disney Book Group Booth #427

Signing:

Saturday, November 18^th

Exhibit Hours: 10:30am—5:00pm

10:30 –11:30am

Author Signing: Roshani Chokshi

Location: Disney Book Group Booth #427

Signing: Aru Shah and the End of Time galleys

10:30 – 11:45am

Recapture Our Voices: The Joy of the Thing (Zack Loran Clark & Nick Eliopulos)

Location: Room 242

11:30am – 12:30pm

Author Signing: Dhonielle Clayton and Andrew Shvarts

Location: Disney Book Group Booth #427

Signing: The Belles galleys and Royal Bastards

1:00 – 2:00pm

Author Signing: Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos

Location: Disney Book Group Booth #427

Signing: The Adventurers Guild

2:30 – 3:30pm

Author Signing: J.C. Geiger

Location: Disney Book Group Booth #427

Signing: Wildman

3:00 – 4:00pm

Author Signing: Roshani Chokshi

Location: Macmillan Booth #526

Sunday, November 19^th

Exhibit Hours: 9:30—1:30pm

9:30 – 10:30am

Author Signing: Kate Hannigan

Location: Disney Book Group Booth #427

Signing: Winter Wonders

10:30 – 11:30am

Author Signing: Kim Purcell

Location: Disney Book Group Booth #427

Signing: This is Not a Love Letter galleys

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Get Ready For THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL: 2 FUZZY, 2 FURIOUS

Disney Books — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 16:55:14 +0000

We simply can’t get enough of Doreen Green! This year’s knock-out novel starring THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL has us clawing for more from best-selling authors Shannon and Dean Hale. Luckily more squirrel powered action is on the way in 2018. With a brand new follow-up novel THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL: 2 FUZZY, 2 FURIOUS.

Recently Marvel.com unveiled the spiffy new cover. Along with an exclusive except from the upcoming story and an interview with the husband and wife writing team. We managed to get our paws on it as well, but you can click through for all the official deets on what awaits our favorite bushy tailed bad guy buster when THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL: 2 FUZZY, 2 FURIOUS hits shelves on March 6, 2018.

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Celebrate The Ship of The Dead Release With a Party Worthy of Valhalla!

Disney Books — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 17:44:39 +0000

Book 3 is here! The latest Magnus Chase and The Gods of Asgard adventure is out now and to celebrate we have a FREE activity kit available with everything you need to throw an EPIC party worthy of Valhalla. Including party tips, rune challenges, and a test to figure our your true “Thor Score”. Download this 16 page full-color guide to Rick Riordan’s newest installment in the Magnus Chase and The Gods of Asgard series and follow up to this year’s Stonewall Book Award Winner for your school or library today, and whatever you do… don’t forget the Falafel.

Magnus Chase, a once-homeless teen, is a resident of the Hotel Valhalla and one of Odin’s chosen warriors. As the son of Frey, the god of summer, fertility, and health, Magnus isn’t naturally inclined to fighting. But he has strong and steadfast friends, including Hearthstone the elf, Blitzen the dwarf, and Samirah the Valkyrie, and together they have achieved brave deeds, such as defeating Fenris Wolf and battling giants for Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir. Now Magnus faces his most dangerous trial yet. His cousin, Annabeth, recruits her boyfriend, Percy Jackson, to give Magnus some pointers, but will his training be enough? Loki is free from his chains. He’s readying Naglfar, the Ship of the Dead, complete with a host of giants and zombies, to sail against the Asgardian gods and begin the final battle of Ragnarok. It’s up to Magnus and his friends to stop him, but to do so they will have to sail across the oceans of Midgard, Jotunheim, and Niflheim in a desperate race to reach Naglfar before it’s ready to sail. Along the way, they will face angry sea gods, hostile giants, and an evil fire-breathing dragon. Magnus’s biggest challenge will be facing his own inner demons. Does he have what it takes to outwit the wily trickster god?

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Book Trailer Alert! Bruce’s Big Move!

Disney Books — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 18:16:28 +0000

With help from a familiar looking realtor our favorite grizzly bear goes house hunting in this hilarious book trailer for Bruce’s Big Move. With release day less than a week away Make sure you pre-order this latest MOTHER BRUCE outing from best-selling author Ryan T. Higgins for your school or library before it hits shelves next week.

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Zana Fraillon’s THE BONE SPARROW, a Rohingya Refugee Story

Disney Books — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 16:28:32 +0000

Since its release late last year, Zana Fraillon’s THE BONE SPARROW has garnered critical acclaim with starred reviews in Publishers Weekly and Booklist alongside industry awards such as the CCBC Choices 2017 list from the Cooperative Children’s Book Center and the shortlist for the Carnegie Medal in the UK. This debut middle-grade novel tells the story of Subhi, a young Rohingya refugee born in an Australian detention center after his mother and sister fled the violence of their distant homeland. Every night, the faraway whales sing to him, the birds tell him their stories, and the magical Night Sea from his mother’s stories brings him gifts. As Subhi grows, his imagination threatens to burst beyond the limits of the fences that contain him. One night, it seems to do just that.

In the accompanying educator’s guide, the author was able to shed light into how she first learned of the very real plight of the Rohingya, and how her research helped shape this unforgettable story. The full guide for your classroom or library, including Common Core guidelines and discussion questions about THE BONE SPARROW, is available FOR FREE RIGHT HERE. The Q&A with author Zana Fraillon is presented below to help get the discussion started.

How did you first learn about the detention centers for the Rohingya? How long have they been in place in Australia?

Australia has had immigration detention centers for a long time now. What has changed however, are the policies about who gets put in the centers and for how long. As of the time of my writing The Bone Sparrow, any person who enters Australia by boat without a valid visa gets placed into a detention center for an indefinite amount of time. These people will never be resettled in Australia. This includes children and people who are found to be genuine refugees. In Australia, there are no specific detention centers for Rohingya refugees.

I learned about what conditions were like in the detention centers by going through lots of media articles, documentaries, photos, reports, drawings, and testimonials.

In researching The Bone Sparrow, did you use other detention centers, such as those for Syrian refugees, as examples, or did you rely on the Australian camps only?

I really wanted the conditions described in The Bone Sparrow to represent refugee camps and detention centers around the world. So, while I did base the descriptions on Australian detention centers, I was careful to make sure these were conditions that were similar in other countries as well.

Since the writing of your book, has there been any change in the detention centers for the Rohingya? Are people being processed and free to leave, or are they still in limbo?

Unfortunately, the issues and conditions described in The Bone Sparrow remain unchanged in Australian immigration detention centers. One of the centers is based offshore, on an island called Nauru. Recently the government has allowed the asylum seekers to leave the detention center and live on the island, but this has caused new issues and new problems for those seeking asylum. They are still being denied their basic human rights, and they are still facing extreme danger. There is still a distinct lack of adequate medical care and little, if any, access to education. They do not know how long they will be required to stay on Nauru, and what will happen to them next—they are still very much in limbo.

Do you feel that there any practical ways to help the people being kept at these detention centers?

Yes, I do. Different detention centers and refugee camps have different requirements for what can be sent and received. However, there are some great refugee charities which can help you find out what is most needed. Some detention centers allow letters to be sent and received, and this can be a great help for people. Raising money for refugees and asylum seekers is also a huge help and can provide basic necessities that would otherwise be difficult to provide.

UNHCR is the United Nations agency specifically designed to assist refugees and people seeking asylum all over the world. You can find local charities too, such as Asylum Seeker Resource Centre in Australia, as well as charities for refugees in specific locations, such as Help Refugees, which assists refugees who are currently living in the “Jungle” in Calais, France.

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Download The Miles Morales Educator Guide For FREE Today!

Disney Books — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 17:17:31 +0000

“Everyone gets mad at hustlers, especially if you’re on the victim side of the hustle. And Miles knew hustling was in his veins.”

Miles Morales is just your average teenager. Dinner every Sunday with his parents, chilling out playing old-school video games with his best friend, Ganke, crushing on brainy, beautiful poet Alicia. He’s even got a scholarship spot at the prestigious Brooklyn Visions Academy. Oh yeah, and he’s Spider Man.

Since his YA debut last month Miles Morales has been swinging around The New York Times Best-Seller List and hanging out in bookshelves across the country. But Now you can bring his latest adventure from author Jason Reynolds into the classroom with our web-fueled educators guided, loaded with sensational discussion questions. Just click on the images below to download your very own copy today!

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Read Chapters 1 & 2 of The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding Before Its Release!

Disney Books — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 23:10:40 +0000

From #1 New York Times best-selling author Alexandra Bracken comes a tale of betrayal and revenge, of old hurts passed down from generation to generation. Can you ever fully right a wrong, ever truly escape your history? The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding hits shelves in the less than one month, but you can get your first glimpse of what mysteries await readers by clicking right here for a sneak peek at the first two chapters of this chilling new release.

Prosper is the only unexceptional Redding in his old and storied family history—that is, until he discovers the demon living inside him. Turns out Prosper’s great-great-great-great-great-something grandfather made—and then broke—a contract with a malefactor, a demon who exchanges fortune for eternal servitude. And, weirdly enough, eight-hundred-year-old Alastor isn’t exactly the forgiving type.

The fiend has reawakened with one purpose–to destroy the family whose success he ensured and who then betrayed him. With only days to break the curse and banish Alastor back to the demon realm, Prosper is playing unwilling host to the fiend, who delights in tormenting him with nasty insults and constant attempts to trick him into a contract. Yeah, Prosper will take his afterlife without a side of eternal servitude, thanks. But with the help of his long-lost uncle, Barnabas, and his daughter, Nell, a witch-in-training, it seems like Prosper has at least a fighting chance of ridding himself of Alastor before the demon escapes and wreaks havoc on his family.

Little does Prosper know, the malefactor’s control over his body grows stronger with each passing night and there’s a lot Alastor isn’t telling his dim-witted (but admittedly strong-willed) human host…

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The Summer Stars Are Shining Bright!

Disney Books — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 18:23:14 +0000

This season’s starred reviews have been lighting up our new releases each and every week since May. With Books like Elizabeth Wein’s The Pearl Thief and Ryan T. Higgins Be Quiet continuing to deliver out-of-this-world praise from industry periodicals and fans alike. While many of our upcoming titles like The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding and The Adventurer’s Guild have begun to gather their own star struck followings sure to send readers searching for exciting new reads at your school or library this fall. So with The Dog Days of Summer finally here, let’s take a look the books shining brightly at DBG this summer!

THE DREADFUL TALE OF PROSPER REDDING By Alexandra Bracken

“Bracken’s (Passenger, 2016) new middle-grade offering is an infectious, entertaining series starter. Hapless, dry Prosper is at hilarious odds with his demanding, old-fashioned demon companion, and the thrilling plot twists will keep even the most savvy readers guessing. Clever, occasionally frightening, and always fun, this will hook plenty.” – Booklist

SERAFINA AND THE SPLINTERED HEART By Robert Beatty

“Beatty decidedly keeps readers on the edge of discovery as the plot unfurls. Each character continues to surprise both one another and readers with their emotional complexity. A captivating, edge-of-your-seat, action-packed fantasy.” – Kirkus

SUPER SAURUS SAVES KINDERGARTEN By Deborah Underwood and Illustrator Ned Young

“Young cleverly makes Arnold’s imaginative adventures kid-doable: the Sticky Shoes are smeared with peanut butter, and the Rescue Rocket is a decorated box. Imagination as a coping mechanism equals lots of superpowered fun. (Picture book. 4-8)” – Kirkus

THE PEARL THIEF by Elizabeth Wein (FIFTH STARRED REVIEW FOR THIS TITLE!)

“Verity fans will find this irresistible and return to a reread of that title with this new backstory in mind, while fans of period drama such as Cooper’s A Brief History of Montmaray (BCCB 11/09) will appreciate this as an absorbing read that leads them inexorably to the next book.” Deborah Stevenson, Editor – The Bulletin for The Center of Children’s Books

WELCOME: A MO WILLEMS GUIDE FOR NEW ARRIVALS by Mo Willems

“Along with being a shoe-in for inclusion in every maternity ward’s gift bag, this loving heads-up will continue to resonate with all offspring as they go on to toddle, big-kid, and beyond. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Williams is a reliable best-seller, and love letters from parents to children are always in demand.” — Booklist

“The real audience is new parents, who will revel in having their devotion mirrored back to them and chuckle at the many knowing jokes (“If you have any further questions/ Do not hesitate to call or flail about or scream like a banshee”). And they’ll be grateful that Willems offers a modicum of hope regarding the world that the newborn will inherit: “We are happy to report there are people working day and night on making this a better place to be.” – Publishers Weekly

THE TAKEDOWN By Connie Wang

“Wang has managed to write an exciting, prescient story that brings to mind the unlikely combination of M.T. Anderson’s Feed, Cory Doctorow’s Little Brother, and Sara Shepard’s “Pretty Little Liars” series, with a little of Libba Bray’s “Gemma Doyle” trilogy and the cult classic film Heathers thrown in the mix. VERDICT Highly recommended for all YA collections” – School Library Journal

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Author J.C. Geiger Brings WILDMAN to ILA 2017 This Weekend!

Disney Books — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 17:26:53 +0000

This weekend Orlando FL, plays host to The International Literacy Association’s annual conference! ILA 2017 will pack the Orange County Convention Center with three full days of literary programming for educators of all kinds. The Preconference Institutes kicked-off TODAY but you can still register to attend through the association’s website.

The best part? Hyperion’s own J.C. Geiger will be in attendance on Saturday July 14^th to sign copies of his debut YA novel WILDMAN for those lucky enough to score a spot in line at the Publishers Spotlight Booth #603 from 12-1pm.

WILDMAN is a potent coming-of-age tale that asks the question “How can a total stranger understand you better than the people you’ve known your entire life?”

When Lance’s ’93 Buick breaks down in the middle of nowhere, he tells himself Don’t panic. After all, he’s valedictorian of his class. First-chair trumpet player. Scholarship winner. Nothing can stop Lance Hendricks.

But the locals don’t know that. They don’t even know his name. Stuck in a small town, Lance could be anyone: a delinquent, a traveler, a maniac. One of the townies calls him Wildman, and a new world opens up.

He’s ordering drinks at a roadhouse. Jumping a train. Talking to an intriguing older girl who is asking about his future. And what he really wants.

This debut novel by a remarkable new talent explores the relationship between identity and place, the power of being seen, and the speed at which a well-planned life can change forever.

Following his signing J.C. will be speaking at the Young Adult Author Meetup session from 3:00pm – 5:00pm. The ticketed event is currently SOLD OUT. But it promises a fast-paced, high-energy chance to meet seven established and up-and-coming authors in a small-group setting.

So if you’re at ILA 2017 this weekend, be sure to embrace the true spirit of WILDMAN, and make sure you say hi to J.C. Geiger for us.

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Disney Authors Head To nErDcamp 2017!

Disney Books — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 21:35:31 +0000

School may be out but nErDcampMI was in session earlier this week when nearly 1,400 teachers and librarians, and 1,000 eager young students descended on Parma Michigan’s Western High School for two days loaded with learning and fun. The event hosted DBG authors: Minh Lê (Let Me Finish), Ryan T. Higgins (Mother Bruce, Be Quiet), Shelley Johannes (Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker), Anica Mrose Rissi (The Teacher’s Pet), Matthew Cordell (Bob, Not Bob, Dream), along with recent Geisel Award recipient Laurie Keller (We Are Growing!) and many more.

The two day event was put on by The Jackson County Intermediate School District and was split up into two portions, nErDcamp for educators and librarians, and then nErDcamp Jr. for young readers simply not content to stay home without a book all summer, followed by a formidable 5K walk/run marathon. Some local press was on hand to capture the event and you can click here to read their report or head to the official nErDcampMI website for more info on next year’s program.

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Rick Riordan Accepts The Stonewall Award at ALA 2017

Disney Books — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 22:27:01 +0000

This past Monday at ALA Annual, Disney-Hyperion Author Rick Riordan accepted the Stonewall Children’s Book Award for “exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience” at the committee’s breakfast meeting in Chicago. During the unforgettable morning ceremony the acclaimed author of Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Book 2: The Hammer of Thor took center stage to deliver an acceptance speech worthy of the halls of Valhalla. Luckily for those who could not attend the event in person Uncle Rick has already made his speech available online and we have it below for anyone inspired by Rick’s work and the fictional world he has created.

Thank you for inviting me here today. As I told the Stonewall Award Committee, this is an honor both humbling and unexpected.

So, what is an old cis straight white male doing up here? Where did I get the nerve to write Alex Fierro, a transgender, gender fluid child of Loki in The Hammer of Thor, and why should I get cookies for that?

These are all fair and valid questions, which I have been asking myself a lot.

I think, to support young LGBTQ readers, the most important thing publishing can do is to publish and promote more stories by LGBTQ authors, authentic experiences by authentic voices. We have to keep pushing for this. The Stonewall committee’s work is a critical part of that effort. I can only accept the Stonewall Award in the sense that I accept a call to action – firstly, to do more myself to read and promote books by LGBTQ authors.

But also, it’s a call to do better in my own writing. As one of my genderqueer readers told me recently, “Hey, thanks for Alex. You didn’t do a terrible job!” I thought: Yes! Not doing a terrible job was my goal!

As important as it is to offer authentic voices and empower authors and role models from within LGBTQ community, it’s is also important that LGBTQ kids see themselves reflected and valued in the larger world of mass media, including my books. I know this because my non-heteronormative readers tell me so. They actively lobby to see characters like themselves in my books. They like the universe I’ve created. They want to be part of it. They deserve that opportunity. It’s important that I, as a mainstream author, say, “I see you. You matter. Your life experience may not be like mine, but it is no less valid and no less real. I will do whatever I can to understand and accurately include you in my stories, in my world. I will not erase you.”

People all over the political spectrum often ask me, “Why can’t you just stay silent on these issues? Just don’t include LGBTQ material and everybody will be happy.” This assumes that silence is the natural neutral position. But silence is not neutral. It’s an active choice. Silence is great when you are listening. Silence is not so great when you are using it to ignore or exclude.

But that’s all macro, ‘big picture’ stuff. Yes, I think the principles are important. Yes, in the abstract, I feel an obligation to write the world as I see it: beautiful because of its variations. Where I can’t draw on personal experience, I listen, I read a lot – in particular I want to credit Beyond Magenta and Gender Outlaws for helping me understand more about the perspective of my character Alex Fierro – and I trust that much of the human experience is universal. You can’t go too far wrong if you use empathy as your lens. But the reason I wrote Alex Fierro, or Nico di Angelo, or any of my characters, is much more personal.

I was a teacher for many years, in public and private school, California and Texas. During those years, I taught all kinds of kids. I want them all to know that I see them. They matter. I write characters to honor my students, and to make up for what I wished I could have done for them in the classroom.

I think about my former student Adrian (a pseudonym), back in the 90s in San Francisco. Adrian used the pronouns he and him, so I will call him that, but I suspect Adrian might have had more freedom and more options as to how he self-identified in school were he growing up today. His peers, his teachers, his family all understood that Adrian was female, despite his birth designation. Since kindergarten, he had self-selected to be among the girls – socially, athletically, academically. He was one of our girls. And although he got support and acceptance at the school, I don’t know that I helped him as much as I could, or that I tried to understand his needs and his journey. At that time in my life, I didn’t have the experience, the vocabulary, or frankly the emotional capacity to have that conversation. When we broke into social skills groups, for instance, boys apart from girls, he came into my group with the boys, I think because he felt it was required, but I feel like I missed the opportunity to sit with him and ask him what he wanted. And to assure him it was okay, whichever choice he made. I learned more from Adrian than I taught him. Twenty years later, Alex Fierro is for Adrian.

I think about Jane (pseudonym), another one of my students who was a straight cis-female with two fantastic moms. Again, for LGBTQ families, San Francisco was a pretty good place to live in the 90s, but as we know, prejudice has no geographical border. You cannot build a wall high enough to keep it out. I know Jane got flack about her family. I did what I could to support her, but I don’t think I did enough. I remember the day Jane’s drama class was happening in my classroom. The teacher was new – our first African American male teacher, which we were all really excited about – and this was only his third week. I was sitting at my desk, grading papers, while the teacher did a free association exercise. One of his examples was ‘fruit – gay.’ I think he did it because he thought it would be funny to middle schoolers. After the class, I asked to see the teacher one on one. I asked him to be aware of what he was saying and how that might be hurtful. I know. Me, a white guy, lecturing this Black teacher about hurtful words. He got defensive and quit, because he said he could not promise to not use that language again. At the time, I felt like I needed to do something, to stand up especially for Jane and her family. But did I make things better handling it as I did? I think I missed an opportunity to open a dialogue about how different people experience hurtful labels. Emmie and Josephine and their daughter Georgina, the family I introduce in The Dark Prophecy, are for Jane.

I think about Amy, and Mark, and Nicholas . . . All former students who have come out as gay since I taught them in middle school. All have gone on to have successful careers and happy families. When I taught them, I knew they were different. Their struggles were greater, their perspectives more divergent than some of my other students. I tried to provide a safe space for them, to model respect, but in retrospect I don’t think I supported them as well as I could have, or reached out as much as they might have needed. I was too busy preparing lessons on Shakespeare or adjectives, and not focusing enough on my students’ emotional health. Adjectives were a lot easier for me to reconcile than feelings. Would they have felt comfortable coming out earlier than college or high school if they had found more support in middle school? Would they have wanted to? I don’t know. But I don’t think they felt it was a safe option, which leaves me thinking that I did not do enough for them at that critical middle school time. I do not want any kid to feel alone, invisible, misunderstood. Nico di Angelo is for Amy, and Mark and Nicholas.

I am trying to do more. Percy Jackson started as a way to empower kids, in particular my son, who had learning differences. As my platform grew, I felt obliged to use it to empower all kids who are struggling through middle school for whatever reason. I don’t always do enough. I don’t always get it right. Good intentions are wonderful things, but at the end of a manuscript, the text has to stand on its own. What I meant ceases to matter. Kids just see what I wrote. But I have to keep trying. My kids are counting on me.

So thank you, above all, to my former students who taught me. Alex Fierro is for you.

To you, I pledge myself to do better – to apologize when I screw up, to learn from my mistakes, to be there for LGBTQ youth and make sure they know that in my books, they are included. They matter. I am going to stop talking now, but I promise you I won’t stop listening.

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Disney Signing Schedule For ALA Annual 2017

Disney Books — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 20:36:20 +0000

The American Library Association’s annual summer conference is once again upon us, and this year we will be spending the convention at Booth #3924 on the show floor of Chicago’s McCormick Place convention center! The doors open on Friday night and continue throughout the weekend as we host several DBG authors for giveaways, signings and more. Take a look at the schedule below for the full list of who we have coming by, and what they will be signing. The weekend is sure to be packed, so make sure you come say hello if you’re in Chicago.

Friday, June 23

5:30pm

Rick Riordan Signed Book Giveaway

Location: Disney-Hyperion Booth #3924

Saturday, June 24

9:00-10:00am

Marvel signing with Jason Reynolds and Ronald Smith

Location: Disney-Hyperion Booth #3924

Signing: Miles Morales , Black Panther

10:30-11:30am

Geisel Award signing with Laurie Keller and Greg Pizzoli

Location: Disney-Hyperion Booth #3924

Signing: We Are Growing! and Good Night Owl

1:30-2:30pm

Crystal Cestari and Neal Shusterman Signing

Location: Disney-Hyperion Booth #3924

Signing: The Best Kind of Magic and Hawking’s Hallway

Sunday, June 25

9:30-10:30am

Matthew Cordell Signing

Location: Disney-Hyperion Booth #3924

Signing: Dream

10:30-11:30am

Alexandra Bracken and Tom Angleberger Signing

Location: Disney-Hyperion Booth #3924

Escort: Emily Meehan and Seale Ballenger

Signing: Prosper Redding galleys, Keep on Truckin’

1:00-2:00pm

Margaret Dilloway and Ami Polonsky signing

Location: Disney-Hyperion Booth #3924

Escort: Stephanie Lurie, Seale Ballenger

Signing: Momotaro and Threads

2:00-3:00pm

Dhonielle Clayton Signing

Location: Disney-Hyperion Booth #3924

Escort: Emily Meehan

Signing: The Belles galley

3:00-4:00pm

Bryan Collier Signing

Location: Disney-Hyperion Booth #3924

Escort: Tracey Keevan

Signing: It’s Shoe Time! Galleys

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Follow the #Wildmanroadtrip Across The USA

Disney Books — Wed, 31 May 2017 21:17:11 +0000

When author J.C. Geiger set out in his red ’93 Buick earlier this month he started a mission to “Get Lost” on his way to New York City similar to the ordeal his protagonist Lance Hendricks goes through in his upcoming debut novel Wildman. Well 4,238 miles later we are happy to report J.C. has reached the finish line fueled by pre-sales of the book, and money raised for the The American Library Association.

If you missed any of J.C.’s live updates from the road worry not, we’ve got the live stream recorded below for further proof that sometimes in order to find yourself all you really need to do is get lost.

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Rules of The House Receives 2017 Comstock-Gág Read Aloud Honor

Disney Books — Thu, 18 May 2017 22:03:42 +0000

The winners of the this year’s Comstock-Gág Read Aloud Book Awards were announced last Friday at Jefferson Elementary School in Fargo, ND and among the titles honored with an official 2017 Comstock-Gág Read Aloud Honor was Disney-Hyperion’s own Rules of The House written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Matthew Myers.

The Comstock Read Aloud Book Award, is an annual award for the best read aloud picture book for older children (ages 9-12). This award is named for the Comstock Family, an important pioneer family in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Rules of The House debuted last spring from the New York Times best-selling team of Mac Barnett and Matthew Myers and is one hilarious tale of sibling rivalry, moral complexity, and disgruntled monsters, perfect for sharing with your own favorite rulebreakers. Since it’s release it has earned four starred reviews from Kirkus Magazine, Booklist, School Library Connection, and The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books. Congratulations to all of this year’s Comstock-Gág Read Aloud winners and honorees we are thrilled to be included in such great company.

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Celebrate Revenge of The Fifth With Sample Chapters of Rebel Rising by Beth Revis

Disney Books — Fri, 05 May 2017 18:50:45 +0000

The force (and fourth) was strong with all of us yesterday as Stars Wars Day was celebrated all over the world. In the spirit of keeping the blue milk flowing and the cantina band playing a day later we’ve got a special surprise for all fans of a galaxy far, far away here on the School & Library blog.

Rebel Rising by Beth Revis debuted this week, and already has the legions of fans who fell in love with Jyn Erso last December in Rogue One talking about this brand-new tale of the latest Lucasfilm heroine in this in-canon prequel to the film.

As we close out this week, we’re offering up the chance to read the first two chapters of this exciting new Star Wars story online right here. Check it out, and make sure you bring Rebel Rising to your library today.

When Jyn Erso was five years old, her mother was murdered and her father taken from her to serve the Empire. But despite the loss of her parents she is not completely alone—Saw Gerrera, a man willing to go to any extremes necessary in order to resist Imperial tyranny, takes her in as his own, and gives her not only a home but all the abilities and resources she needs to become a rebel herself.

Jyn dedicates herself to the cause—and the man. But fighting alongside Saw and his people brings with it danger and the question of just how far Jyn is willing to go as one of Saw’s soldiers. When she faces an unthinkable betrayal that shatters her world, Jyn will have to pull the pieces of herself back together and figure out what she truly believes in…and who she can really trust.

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April Stars For DBG Books!

Disney Books — Mon, 01 May 2017 21:56:12 +0000

Our stars kept rising last month as April brought four more starred reviews from our friends at The Horn Book, School Library Journal, and Kirkus Magazine. With May already off to a great start we’ve gone ahead and included links to those recent reviews of both current and upcoming titles below, so make sure you add these new DBG books to your school or library today! As always we are incredibly humbled by the support each of these titles has received.

Wildman by J.C. Geiger isn’t out until June but early reviews of the title have us ready to hit road with this book in tow.

“The ethereal Dakota is reminiscent of John Green’s Alaska, while the rest of the cast is crass, uncouth, dangerous at times, and winningly human. All of this is amplified by Geiger’s ability to spin laugh-out-loud, insight-filled one-liners to keep the pace up while the quieter moments balance the narrative with genuine beauty. A thought-provoking, hilarious, eloquent story of a young man realizing that the world is much larger than the one set up for him.” – Kirkus

Bob, Not Bob by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick with illustrations by Matthew Cordell earned its third starred review this time The Horn Book.

“Kids will relate to Little Louie’s suffering from both his cold symptoms and his inability to make his wishes heard. Cordell’s expressive loose-lined illustrations set on lots of white space enhance the humor and help move the plot forward. Sharp-eyed viewers will clue in to the difference between BOB meaning the dog (printed with an o-shaped O) and BOB meaning MOM (with a heart-shaped o: “BB”). Eventually, Mom (exhausted), Little Louie (happy), and Bob (content) all end up in bed, as “cozy as could be.” All turns out well for Little Louie; his germs, however, move on to the next victim. Get well soon, Bob, er, Mom!” – Kitty Flynn Horn Book

Be Quiet! by Ryan T. Higgins (Mother Bruce and Hotel Bruce) is available now, and jus earned it’s THIRD starred review from School Library Journal.

“The text, appearing in a large, handwritten font and in speech bubbles, is well spaced and easy to read. The giggle-inducing conversations among the characters are fast-paced and witty. The illustrations are large and comical, inviting readers to fully experience the range of emotions displayed by the characters. VERDICT This hilarious and fun read-aloud will be a hit at storytime. Kids will be laughing out loud.” – Amy Shepherd, St. Anne’s Episcopal School, Middleton, DE SLJ

The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein’s is inching ever closer to release later this month, and as the countdown to this prequel to Code Named Variety continues so to do the starred reviews. The latest from School Library Journal marks the FOURTH starred review for this title.

The main plot is compelling and has the added depth of Julie’s growth and her interactions with the cast of interesting characters and the hints of her future romantic relationships. VERDICT A must for Verity fans and a good read for those who enjoy mystery with a touch of romance. – Janet Hilbun, University of North Texas, Denton SLJ

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DBG Heads To Texas For TLA 2017!

Disney Books — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 19:49:06 +0000

We’re back on the road this week and heading to San Antonio Texas for the 2017 Texas Library Association’s annual conference. Starting Wednesday April 19^th and continuing through Saturday April 22^nd you can catch us in the middle of the Exhibit Hall floor at the Disney-Hyperion Booth #2708. We’ll have loads of free swag to giveaway and plenty of great galleys we can’t wait to load you up with. With several DBG authors on hand throughout the weekend including Ashley Elston (This is Our Story), Bob Shea (Ballet Cat, The Happiest Book Ever), Ryan T. Higgins (Mother Bruce, Hotel Bruce, Be Quiet), Robin Roe (A List of Cages) Shannon and Dean Hale (Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World) as well as Liz Garton Scanlon & Audrey Vernick (Bob, Not Bob) for panels, signings, and plenty of good cheer all around.

If you’re TLA bound we can’t wait to see you! If you’re spending the weekend at home, be sure keep an eye on @DisneyBooks on Twitter for tweets live from the show floor!

Our full TLA Schedule is below including signing times, panel locations, and exhibit hall hours. Remember to stop by booth #2708 to say hello, and we’ll see you in Texas!

Wednesday, April 19^th

5:30pm – 7:30pm

Exhibit Hall Preview Night

LOCATION: Disney-Hyperion Booth #2708

Come be among the first to load up on great DBG Galleys and other free goodies for show attendees!

Thursday, April 20^th

Exhibit Hours: 10:15am – 5:00pm

11:00am – 12:00pm

Author Signing: Shannon Hale (JT signing with Macmillan & Candlewick)

LOCATION: Authors’ Signing Area #5

Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World

11:15am – 12:15pm

Author Program: Ashley Elston

Panel: Investigate the Art of the Clue: Mystery Fiction for Young Adults

LOCATION: Convention Center Room 217AB, Meeting Level

1:00 – 2:00pm

Author Signing: Ashley Elston

LOCATION: Authors’ Signing Area #8

This is Our Story

2:30 – 3:30pm

Author Signing: Ryan T. Higgins

LOCATION: Authors’ Signing Area #11

Be Quiet!

4:15 – 5:15pm

Author Program: Ryan T. Higgins

Panel: Children’s Book Illustrators Ultimate Sketch-Off

LOCATION: Convention Center Room 303ABC, Ballroom level

Friday, April 21^st

Exhibit Hours: 9:00am – 4:00pm, Disney

10:00 – 11:00am

Author Signing: Robin Roe

LOCATION: Authors’ Signing Area #5

A List of Cages

11:00am – 12:00pm

Author Program: Bob Shea

Panel: Catching Readers from the Beginning

LOCATION: Convention Center Room 221CD, Meeting Level

12:00 – 1:00pm

Author Signing: Liz Garton Scanlon & Audrey Vernick

LOCATION: Authors’ Signing Area #5

Bob, Not Bob!

1:00 – 2:00pm

Author Signing: Bob Shea

LOCATION: Authors’ Signing Area #5

What’s Your Favorite, Favorite?

1:30 – 3:30pm

Author Program: Robin Roe

Panel: Texas Tea

LOCATION: Grand Hyatt Hotel (600 E. Market Street), Texas Ballroom

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Download Free Ellie In Concert Activities Ahead of Next Week’s Release

Disney Books — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 18:48:40 +0000

We can’t wait to experience the next wonderful Ellie outing from author/illustrator Mike Wu. To help celebrate the release of Ellie in Concert next week, we’ve got some free activity sheets you can download for your school or library right here. Just click on the images below for more fun-filled pages featuring one of our favorite Elephants.

Since Ellie saved her home with her wonderful paintings, the zoo is back in business and the animals are more energetic than ever. All except for Lucy the giraffe, who hasn’t been able to sleep with all the noise. Determined to help her friend, Ellie tries to tone down the ruckus and organizes the animals into an orchestra. But is it possible to conduct the cacophony of the zoo into beautiful music?

Praise for Ellie

“[Wu’s] visual storytelling, rendered in sweet, throwback-style watercolors, shows creativity and poise. . . . [E]very vignette is expertly framed for a chuckle, an “Awww,” or both.” —Publishers Weekly

“In his first picture book, Pixar animator Wu creates watercolor illustrations that are reminiscent of classics like Harry the Dirty Dog and Curious George.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Wu’s dynamic watercolor illustrations enliven the story, their retro/classic feel possessing a distinctive animation quality.” —School Library Journal

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Disney-Hyperion Earns Three Spots Among YALSA’S 2017 Teens’ Top Ten Nominees

Disney Books — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 23:02:09 +0000

Earlier today The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association, officially announced the nominees for this year’s Teens Top Ten List. An annual reading list voted on by teens across the country beginning on August 15 and running through ALA’s Teen Read Week (October 8-14). This year’s list features 26 nominees published between January 1st and December 31st, 2016.

Click here to see the full list of books that have been nominated along with more info on how to vote for your favorite YA title and on how you can win a full set of all 26 books.

Disney Book Group is thrilled to share that three of our own 2016 titles were included among the list of nominees. They are:

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken – The #1 New York Times Bestselling story of Etta Spencer and Nicholas Carter and the first book in Bracken’s breathtaking series of time travel adventure that continues in 2017’s Wayfarer.

Once Upon a Dream: A Twisted Tale by Liz Braswell – The second book in a new YA line that reimagines classic Disney stories in surprising new ways. It should be simple–a dragon defeated, a slumbering princess in a castle, a prince poised to wake her. But when the prince falls asleep as his lips touch the fair maiden’s, it is clear that this fairy tale is far from over.

Starflight by Melissa Landers – A romantic sci-fi adventure set in a far off future of space travel and intergalactic conspiracy, where enemies Solara Brooks and Doran Spaulding must team up when they find themselves aboard a renegade spaceship.

Congratulations to all the nominated authors. We look forward to seeing the final Teens Top Ten List when it’s revealed at a later date.

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New Educator Guides Available For Free Today

Disney Books — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 22:59:04 +0000

Spring is in the air, and just like the season’s freshest blossoms our list of FREE educator guides continues to grow. Perfect for any lesson plans you might need to catch up on over your spring break or handy if you’re in need of supplemental material for a popular title in your library’s collection. Download some of the recently added guides below or click here for the full list of every free guide out now from DBG .

Bob, Not Bob

A standards-aligned guide for grades PK-1 that offers even more fun for readers of this hilarious picture book in the form discussion question to pose to your story time audience both before and after reading this latest release from authors Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick and illustrator Matthew Cordell.

Solider Song: A True Story of the Civil War

A brand new guide to go along with this stunning story from author Debbie Levy and illustrator Gilbert Ford. It is aligned with the College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards (CCR) for Reading (Informational Text), Writing, and Language and an excellent supplement to this true story about the power of music during the American Civil War.

A List of Cages

Perfect for discussing all The Feels you and your readers will have experienced during Robin Roe’s gripping debut novel. These 10 questions examine what it means to be a friend when faced with overwhelming odds.

The post New Educator Guides Available For Free Today appeared first on Disney Books | Disney Publishing Worldwide.

Recent Starred Reviews For DBG Titles

Disney Books — Tue, 07 Mar 2017 17:03:24 +0000

Our friends at Booklist, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books have us truly humbled and seeing stars after several of their recent reviews of our latest and upcoming releases. We are truly honored by what each reviewer had to say and have collected a few here for you to read and see for yourself.

The Pearl Thief Elizabeth Wein’s prequel to Code Named Variety doesn’t come out until this May but that didn’t stop the reviewers at Booklist from digging right in to this latest outing with Julie.

“A finely crafted book that brings one girl’s coming-of-age story to life, especially poignant for those who already know her fate.” – Ilene Cooper Booklist

Be Quiet! The next laugh-out-loud picture book from Ryan T. Higgins (Mother Bruce and Hotel Bruce) hits shelves next month and has already earned TWO starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly respectively.

“From Captain Quiet’s clever belt buckle (“SH”) to Rupert’s gaping tonsil shots, Higgins has once again drawn up a winner.” – Kirkus Reviews

“The story’s backdrops are as polished as the characters, Higgins breathes emotional life into his characters, both visually and verbally, and his smart, laugh-out-loud comedy is expertly paced.” – Publishers Weekly

Soldier Song: A True Story of the Civil War by Debbie Levy and Gilbert Ford received its second starred review from Booklist following Publishers Weekly’s own favorable words about this beautifully told story about music and American History available now.

“Levy’s prose is elegant and precise, and her tone positions readers at a respectful distance from the soldiers coping with fear, homesickness, and vulnerability. The text incorporates quotes from soldiers’ letters and musical scores, alternating songs just as the battling bands did. Uniting both sides, ultimately, were the tender strains of “Home, Sweet Home.” Ford’s vivid illustrations capture the desolation of the cold, dark evenings in blues and grays, and the vibrancy of the music that sustained the soldiers, in swirls of orange and red.” – Amina Chaudhri for Booklist

“Through insightful narration and vibrant silhouettes and cartooning, Levy (I Dissent) and Ford (The Marvelous Thing That Came from a Spring) vividly bring to life a chapter in the U.S. Civil War and the integral role music played during the conflict.” – Publishers Weekly

Night, Night, Groot the adorably out-of-this-world bedtime story starring two of the Marvel universes own rising stars, found favor from Kirkus Magazine thanks to author Brandan Deneen and illustrator Cale Atkinson’s interstellar adventure featuring none other than Rocket Raccoon and Groot of Guardians of the Galaxy fame along side page after page of superhero cameo’s both large and small. Keep an eye out for this one in May.

“A title comics aficionados will snap up in order to groom the next generation of fandom—even if they don’t have a next generation yet.” – Kirkus Reviews

Bob, Not Bob by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick with illustrations by Matthew Cordell earned its second starred review since it hit shelves last month thanks to The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books March 1^st issue.

“This is a fond and funny take on the way illness can bring the normally independent to desperately wanting their mommy (“When Little Louie got sick, he felt littler than usual”), and the readaloud instructions make this a perfect cheer-up for a kid tucked up with a cold. Cordell’s scribbly lines are well suited to the bleariness of illness, and they contrast amusingly with the crisp hand-drawn dimensional lettering of Little Louie’s utterings (in which “Bob” meaning “Mom” is identified by the heart forming the space in the O).” The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Book

Those are just a handful of the DBG reviews out there from some of the top industry periodicals right now. Make sure to keep an eye out for more as the February and March issues of those magazines make their rounds at your school or library, and check back often right here for more news as it comes in.

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DBG Takes Home 4 Youth Media Awards At ALA Midwinter 2017

Disney Books — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 18:25:34 +0000

Last week DPW received four ALA awards during the annual American Library Association’s Midwinter Conference and Monday’s presentation of the Youth Media Awards. It was a busy couple of days and we could not be more thrilled and thankful for the medals we were awarded:

We Are Growing! by Laurie Keller won the Geisel Award
Good Night Owl by Greg Pizzoli received a Geisel Honor
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Book 2: The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan won the Stonewall Children’s Book Award
Momotaro: Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters by Margaret Dilloway won an Asian/Pacific American Honor for Children’s Literature.

All of our winners were added to the ALA Notable Books list. In addition to those listed above three more DBG titles were selected for the list:

Steamboat School by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Ron Husband
What Elephants Know by Eric Dinerstein
The Wolf’s Boy by Susan Williams Beckhorn

And to top it all off two of our books were named to the 2017 Rainbow Book List:

The Trials of Apollo, Book One The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Book 2: The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan

All in all it was a great conference, (and maybe one we’re still recovering from a week later) Be sure to check out all the supplemental material available to educators and librarians on the titles above right here and keep an eye out for our next stop at TLA this spring.

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DBG Heads To ALA Midwinter 2017 This Week!

Disney Books — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 18:16:15 +0000

We’re back in Atlanta for The American Library Association’s Midwinter conference this week. Starting tonight with a special preview event and ending Monday with the annual ALA Youth Media Awards. Show attendees can be among the first to grab a special Beauty and The Beast READ poster from the ALA store (or even online if you can’t make it this year) and you can find us in the exhibit hall at booth #1931 where we’ll be giving out all kinds of great freebies all weekend long!

Including ARCs of:

Miles Morales by Jason Reynolds
Royce Rolls by Margret Stohl
Choose To Matter by Julie Foudy
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World by Shannon and Dean Hale
Rocket and Groot: Keep on Truckin by Tom Angleberger
Kill All Happies by Rachel Cohen
The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein
Star Wars: Join The Resistance by Ben Acker and Ben Blacker
Wildman by J.C. Geiger
Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts
The World’s Greatest Chocolate Covered Pork Chops R.K. Sager
The Good For Nothing Button by Charise Mericle Harper
And many, many more!

So make sure you stop by the Disney Book Group at booth #1931 if you’re at ALAM this weekend, and if you’re free on Sunday make sure you join us in Room B203 for a special preview of our upcoming books and maybe a few more surprises before the conference is over.

The post DBG Heads To ALA Midwinter 2017 This Week! appeared first on Disney Books | Disney Publishing Worldwide.

Bring The Magic of Storytelling to Your School or Library Today!

Disney Books — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 20:12:07 +0000

Last week we kicked off the fifth annual Magic of Storytelling campaign, in partnership with ABC television and a little help from our favorite book-loving princess, Emma Watson. It’s all leading up to our second annual Disney Reads Day on February 4^th, and there are loads of ways you can help us bring books to children in need.

For more on how you can help bring The Magic of Storytelling to your School or Library, our friends at Learning Magazine have a ton of free resources you can access by clicking here. And be sure to enter their contest for the chance to win a classroom set of books for your students today!

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A List of Cages Earns 4 Stars In December!

Disney Books — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 22:08:31 +0000

It’s a new year, and we could not be more excited to share debut author Robin Roe’s heartfelt story A LIST OF CAGES with the rest of the world. A few lucky reviewers got their hands on advanced reader copies of this hope-filled tale of two foster brothers who must overcome insurmountable odds for a chance at peace.

When Adam Blake lands the best elective ever in his senior year, serving as an aide to the school psychologist, he thinks he’s got it made. Sure, it means a lot of sitting around, which isn’t easy for a guy with ADHD, but he can’t complain, since he gets to spend the period texting all his friends. Then the doctor asks him to track down the troubled freshman who keeps dodging her, and Adam discovers that the boy is Julian–the foster brother he hasn’t seen in five years.

Adam is ecstatic to be reunited. At first, Julian seems like the boy he once knew. He’s still kind hearted. He still writes stories and loves picture books meant for little kids. But as they spend more time together, Adam realizes that Julian is keeping secrets, like where he hides during the middle of the day, and what’s really going on inside his house. Adam is determined to help him, but his involvement could cost both boys their lives.

Click on the links below to read what everyone is saying about A LIST OF CAGES:

“In her debut, Roe tells the story of a friendship between two young men who will linger in the thoughts and minds of readers long after the final page is turned.…A triumphant story about the power of friendship and of truly being seen.” — Kirkus Reviews

“A page-turner with a lot of compassion.” — Michael Cart Booklist

“Emotional, visceral, and heartbreaking, this novel offers expertly rendered characters and beautiful language, especially when describing Julian’s struggles. VERDICT A potent and moving work. Do not pass over this book.” –Tyler Hixson, School Library Journal

“Written with honesty and compassion, this book will resonate with a wide range of readers.” – Publishers Weekly

The post A List of Cages Earns 4 Stars In December! appeared first on Disney Books | Disney Publishing Worldwide.

The Trials of Apollo Book 2 Cover Revealed in USA Today!

Disney Books — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 21:56:46 +0000

Since The Trials of Apollo Book 1: The Hidden Oracle took fans back to Camp Half-Blood this past summer we’ve all been waiting for word on what’s next from Rick Riordan. Well the wait is officially over as of this morning as USA TODAY gave us the first look at the jacketed cover to The Trials of Apollo Book 2: The Dark Prophecy along with an exclusive excerpt of the upcoming book. Click through below for a sneak peek at what lies in wait fromt world of Percy Jackson.

Lester Papadopoulos is a typical teenage boy in many ways, but he’s no ordinary 16-year-old.

In fact, his Greek surname hints at his true identity: he’s Apollo, son of the Greek god Zeus, cast down to Earth as a mere mortal as punishment by his really annoyed dad.

Now Lester/Apollo is back in The Dark Prophecy, The Trials of Apollo, the second book about Roman demigods in a five-book series for young readers by best-selling author Rick Riordan. It will be published on May 2 by Disney-Hyperion, and USA TODAY has a first look at the jacket and an exclusive excerpt.

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Read The First Three Chapters of THE PRINCESS, THE SCOUNDREL, AND THE FARM BOY For Free Right Now!

Disney Books — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 19:30:30 +0000

ROGUE ONE debuted in theaters this weekend to thrilling applause from STARS WARS fans new and old. The film is the first ever stand-alone entry in the series, and takes place right before the iconic opening of the original STAR WARS : A NEW HOPE movie that kicked off the global phenomenon in 1977. Without spoiling anything, there is no question now that the events of ROGUE ONE will have fans thinking about Episode IV: A New Hope in a different way.

Recently DBG got the chance to adapt the original STAR WARS trilogy into a series of young adult novels from some of the today’s best-selling authors including Adam Gidwitz, Tom Angleberger, and Alexandra Bracken, whose adaption of A NEW HOPE entitled THE PRINCESS, THE SCOUNDREL, AND THE FARM BOY actually begins in the few short moments between the end of ROGUE ONE, and the beginning of A NEW HOPE!

The force is strong with this one. So go ahead and click here to read the first three chapters of THE PRINCESS, THE SCOUNDREL, AND THE FARM BOY now. Then make sure you have plenty of these titles in stock at your School & Library for all the eager fans looking for more stories from a galaxy far, far, away.

The galaxy is at war. Although the Rebel Alliance has won a few battles against the Empire, hope is fading. The Empire is about to finish building the greatest weapon the galaxy has ever seen—the Death Star. The rebels’ only chance to defeat it now lies in the unlikely hands of a princess, a scoundrel, and a farm boy. . . . Acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Bracken delivers a captivating retelling of Star Wars: A New Hope like you’ve never experienced before. Since the premier of the original film, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker have become iconic, larger-than-life characters. The Princess, the Scoundrel, and the Farm Boy takes a deeper look at these three heroes as they join forces to defeat the evil that threatens their entire galaxy.

The post Read The First Three Chapters of THE PRINCESS, THE SCOUNDREL, AND THE FARM BOY For Free Right Now! appeared first on Disney Books | Disney Publishing Worldwide.

FREE Educator Guides For Your Winter Break

Disney Books — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 17:32:54 +0000

With the upcoming Winter Break looming closer make sure you load up on a few DBG educator guides to help make some of the catch-up lesson planning a little easier over your time away from the classroom. Many of DBG’s books include unique supplemental material available absolutely FREE to you teachers and librarians. To make things even easier we’ve highlighted a few of our recent releases with easy to download links you can access right from this post!

The Trials of Apollo

How do you punish an immortal? By making him human. After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disoriented, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy. Now, without his godly powers, the four-thousand-year-old deity must learn to survive in the modern world until he can somehow find a way to regain Zeus’s favor. The Trials of Apollo Book 1: The Hidden Oracle is packed with all the modern myth-making Rick Riordan fans have come to expect from anything Camp Half-Blood related and our FREE educators guide is loaded with great activities and talking points to pull off a mythology lesson of EPIC proportions.

Elizabeth Started All The Trouble

She couldn’t go to college. She couldn’t become a politician. She couldn’t even vote. But Elizabeth Cady Stanton didn’t let that stop her. She called on women across the nation to stand together and demand to be treated as equal to men-and that included the right to vote. It took nearly seventy-five years and generations of women fighting for their rights through words, through action, and through pure determination . . . for things to slowly begin to change. With the help of these trailblazers’ own words, Doreen Rappaport’s engaging text, brought to life by Matt Faulkner’s vibrant illustrations, shows readers just how far this revolution has come, and inspires them to keep it going! Elizabeth Started All The Trouble is the perfect tool for active student engagement and text interaction. The Latest from Doreen Rappaport aligns with Common Core standards and could not be more timely as we prepare to close out 2016.

The Bone Sparrow

Subhi is a refugee. He was born in an Australian permanent detention center after his mother and sister fled the violence of a distant homeland, and the center is the only world he knows. But every night, the faraway whales sing to him, the birds tell him their stories, and the magical Night Sea from his mother’s stories brings him gifts. As Subhi grows, his imagination threatens to burst beyond the limits of the fences that contain him. Until one night, it seems to do just that. Another timely discussion topic for the new school year The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon provides a unique outlet for discussion on the topics of immigration and what it means to be a refugee. Make sure you read the author’s Q&A as well.

Magnus Chase And The Gods of Asgard

Thor’s hammer is missing again. But this time the hammer isn’t just lost, it has fallen into enemy hands. If Magnus Chase and his friends can’t retrieve the hammer quickly, the mortal worlds will be defenseless against an onslaught of giants. Ragnarok will begin. The Nine Worlds will burn. Unfortunately, the only person who can broker a deal for the hammer’s return is the gods’ worst enemy, Loki–and the price he wants is very high. Once again Rick Riordan has provided a fantastic resource for teacher’s and librarians looking to introduce students to the culture’s of the ancient world both The Sword of Summer and this year’s Hammer of Thor have all the makings of a thrilling historical read. Check out the teachers guide and make history come to life for your students in 2017.

Of course, these are just a few of the FREE resources Disney Publishing Worldwide offers for educators. Click here for dozens of other guides just like the ones we’ve listed above, and if you have an idea for something you don’t see on our site we’d love to hear about it. Get in touch with us using the contact button over on the right and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

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Set Sail With The Friend Ship This Week

Disney Books — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 18:28:56 +0000

THE FRIEND SHIP by Kat Yeh and illustrator Chuck Groenink sets sail for story times everywhere this week, and in honor of this brand new release we wanted to throw the spotlight on some of our favorite Friendships in other DBG books perfect for reading with a buddy, or two, or three. Check out the list below and gather up a group of your pals for a few friendly stories.

Boy and Bear from EXPLORERS OF THE WILD by Cale Atkinson. When Bear and Boy meet in the woods, they’re scared at first. Really scared. But soon these kings of the wild realize that no mountain is too big to conquer if you have a friend to climb it by your side.

Moana and the Ocean in MOANA AND THE OCEAN by Heather Knowles and illustrator Annette Marnat. This beautiful jacketed picture book based on this season’s hit Disney Animation Studios’ film, Moana, features an engaging story about Moana’s unique relationship with the Ocean that playfully interacts with stylized artwork.

Bruce and…all the wonderful woodland creatures author Ryan T. Higgins packed into HOTEL BRUCE and MOTHER BRUCE respectively. When a very grumpy Bruce returns home after a trip south with his Goslings he is greeted by a possum pillow fight wreaking havoc in one room of his once peaceful den, a fox luring guests into a stew in the kitchen, and a snuggly crew of critters hogging the bed. Perfect for when you have a friend who just can’t “take a hint”.

Owl and one tiny, squeaky, mouse-shaped detail in Greg Pizzoli’s GOOD NIGHT OWL. Owl is ready for bed. But as soon as he settles in, he hears a strange noise. He’ll never get to sleep unless he can figure out what’s going on! He looks everywhere—in his cupboard, underneath the floorboards—even in his walls… Will Owl ever get a good night’s sleep?

And of course… Elephant and Piggie from Mo Williems’ award-winning ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE series of books. No list about friendships would be complete without Gerald the Elephant and his faithful pal Piggie. 25 books later and these two friends are better than ever as they continue to delight fans of all ages, and while this year’s THE THANK YOU BOOK may have marked the end of their own series of early readers, the new ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE LIKE READING series has already introduced a few new friends of theirs to readers around the world.

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Bob, Not Bob and Soldier Song Earn Stars in November

Disney Books — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 21:52:12 +0000

Two upcoming titles from Disney-Hyperion earned stars last month from Publishers Weekly. BOB, NOT BOB by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick with illustrations by Matthew Cordell, and SOLIDER SONG by Debbie Levy and illustrated by Gilbert Ford. Take a look below for the full reviews and keep an eye out for both books early next year.

BOB, NOT BOB!

Authors: Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick

Illustrator: Matthew Cordell

ISBN: 978-1-4847-2302-9

Scanlon and Vernick’s opening description of their young hero, Louie, creates instant intimacy: “Little Louie wasn’t all that little. It wasn’t like he needed his mom every minute of the day.” But after Louie gets a terrible cold, his calls for “Mom” come out sounding like “Bob” (the family dog), and the big, lolloping hound “came running. And slobbering.” Cordell (The Knowing Book) is wonderful at capturing the chaos of the sickroom: Bob drooling on the bed, tissue that didn’t make it into the wastebasket, overturned baskets of laundry. Scanlon (In the Canyon) and Vernick (Unlike Other Monsters) understand the way that being sick makes kids need comfort that they don’t usually need, how it makes them unrecognizable even to themselves, and the comfort a mother’s presence brings. Every page offers a giggle: “His lips chapped and his eyes gunked. As for his nose, you can’t even imagine.” With its funny, congested language (“I doan wan by bedicine”) and problems every reader will understand this is read-aloud gold. Ages 3–5.

Solider Song

Author: Debbie Levy

Illustrator: Gilbert Ford

ISBN: 978-1-4847-2598-6

Through insightful narration and vibrant silhouettes and cartooning, Levy (I Dissent) and Ford (The Marvelous Thing That Came from a Spring) vividly bring to life a chapter in the U.S. Civil War and the integral role music played during the conflict. Levy sets the stage two years into the war, just before the Union defeat at the Battle of Fredericksburg; excerpts from soldiers’ letters are incorporated throughout, giving the account striking immediacy. When opposing troops became entrenched for the winter, music created a temporary connection: “Across the river the melodies floated. Sometimes the soldiers fired tunes back and forth, like musical cannonballs.” Ford depicts this volley with swirling music staffs that rise like orange smoke from the encampments. The motif crescendos at the story’s climax, when one song, “Home, Sweet Home,” unites both sides one winter night. A timeline, bibliographies, and history of the battle, as well as of the poem and song that uplifted homesick soldiers, conclude a bittersweet account of a sharply divided America. Ages 8–10.

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DBG Comes To Atlanta Georgia For NCTE Conference

Disney Books — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 03:09:40 +0000

The National Council of Teachers of English annual conference is here and The School & Library Marketing team has The Disney Booth well stocked and ready rock in Atlanta Georgia this weekend. Some of your favorite authors will be stopping by Booth 113 and we’ll be hooking up attendees with some seriously awesome swag over the next four days (yes, we have the owl totes)

The full list of all things Disney Book Group at NCTE is right here. Take a look and be sure to come say hello if you’re in town this weekend:

Friday, November 18^th

Exhibit Hours: 12:00—6:00pm

9:30am – 10:45am

Starting Off Right: First Literature Choices in the High School English Classroom

(Alan Sitomer)

Location: A410

11:00am – 12:15pm

Diversity 2.0: Continuing the Conversation (Ami Polonsky)

Location: A302

1:30 – 2:30pm

Author Signing: Ami Polonsky

Location: Disney Book Group Booth #113

Signing: Threads

2:30 – 3:45pm

Igniting Instruction- Round 1 (Alan Sitomer)

Location: A411

3:30 – 3:30pm

Author Signing: Heidi Schulz

Location: Disney-Hyperion Booth #113

Signing: The Pirate Code

Saturday, November 19^th

Exhibit Hours: 9:00am—5:00pm

8:00 – 9:15am

Advocating for Picture Books at Every Grade Level (Cale Atkinson)

Location: B214

10:00 – 11:00am

Author Signing: Deborah Hopkinson

Location: Disney Book Group Booth #113

Signing: Steamboat School

10:00 – 11:00am

Author Signing: Cale Atkinson

Location: Disney Book Group Booth #113

Signing: Explorers of the Wild

11:30am – 12:30pm

Author Signing: Jason Reynolds

Location: Disney Book Group Booth #113

Signing: Miles Morales Chapter Sampler

1:00 – 2:30pm

Author Signing: Alan Sitomer

Location: Disney-Hyperion Booth #113

Signing: Noble Warrior PB, Cage Warrior PB, Homeboyz PB and Hip-Hop High School PB

3:30 – 4:30pm

Author Signing: Rahul Kanakia

Location: Disney-Hyperion Booth #113

Signing: Enter Title Here

3:30 – 4:30pm

Author Signing: Robin Roe

Location: Disney-Hyperion Booth #113

Signing: A List of Cages GALLLEY

5:45 – 7:00pm

CLA Master Class 2016: Diverse Children’s Literature at the University (Chris Myers)

Location: Rm. B406

Chair: Lauren Liang

Sunday, November 20^TH

Exhibit Hours: 9:00—1:00pm

7:00 – 8:45am

Children’s Literature Assembly Author’s Breakfast (Chris Myers)

Location: Rm. A412

Chair: Donna Adomat

9:30 – 10:30am

Author Signing: Christopher Myers

Location: Disney-Hyperion Booth #113

Signing: My Pen

10:30 – 11:30am

Author Signing: Neal Shusterman

Location: Disney-Hyperion Booth #113

Signing: Hawking’s Hallway

10:30 – 11:45am

Who Advocates for the New Teachers? (Alan Lawrence Sitomer)

Location: A411

1:30 – 2:45pm

Using Virtual Reality in the Secondary ELA Class: The Pedagogical Power of Standards-Based Ed Tech Merging with Traditional, Canonical Literacy (Alan Lawrence Sitomer)

Location: B407

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Bring The Amateurs To Your Library! Watch The Book Trailer Now!

Disney Books — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 22:40:59 +0000

Sara Shepard’s latest YA novel is out now! Check out the stunning book trailer below and make sure you’ve got plenty of copies in stock!

Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review and calls it “… a delicious start to the Amateurs series.”

The post Bring The Amateurs To Your Library! Watch The Book Trailer Now! appeared first on Disney Books | Disney Publishing Worldwide.

Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! Heads To NAEYC

Disney Books — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 22:07:15 +0000

This week the S&L marking team is on the road with best-selling authors Mo Willems, Dan Santat, and Laurie Keller for The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Annual Conference, taking over the Los Angeles Convention Center.

If you’re in sunny SoCal tomorrow (11/9) you can catch the entire Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! team at the convention where each author will be on hand to sign their books (including the recently released Nanette’s Baguette) and talk about this newest imprint from DBG. But you will need to be fast as this is one signing that is sure to go quick.

Check out the schedule here for the full info:

1:00-2:30pm

Elephant & Piggie Like Reading!
Location: Los Angeles Convention Center, Concourse Hall 152

3:00-4:30pm

EPLR/Nanette signing
Location: Publisher Spotlight booth #1201

The post Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! Heads To NAEYC appeared first on Disney Books | Disney Publishing Worldwide.

7 Stars for DBG Books in October

Disney Books — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 19:56:08 +0000

Seven was more than just a lucky number for DBG last month as our friends at School Library Journal, Kirkus, Booklist and School Library Connection saw fit to award us with seven starred reviews for some of our biggest titles of the year. In case you missed it, here is a quick rundown of all the stars that shined so brightly in October 2016.

Nanette’s Baguette by Mo Willems (Reviewed by School Library Journal on Oct. 24^th)

There is so much to discover and enjoy in this treat for eye and ear—even a hidden Pigeon. VERDICT For a storytime treat that children will devour, don’t miss this shopping trip.– Marianne Saccardi, Children’s Literature Consultant, Cambridge, MA SLJ

Lockwood & Co. Book 4: The Creeping Shadow by Jonathan Stroud (Reviewed by Booklist on Oct. 15^th)

The wry first-person narrative is a pleasure, relating the story with an impeccable, understated sense of drama. Appearing at chapter headings, Adams’ dark, richly atmospheric, and often ghostly vignette drawings can make even a sandwich look downright sinister. Stroud’s scene setting and storytelling are second to none, but it’s his ability to create credible, idiosyncratic characters and relationships that makes avid fans of the Lockwood & Co. series.— Carolyn Phelan Booklist

A List of Cages by Robin Roe (Reviewed by Booklist on Oct. 15^th and Kirkus on Oct. 1^st)

A page-turner with a lot of compassion. — Michael Cart SLJ

In her debut, Roe tells the story of a friendship between two young men who will linger in the thoughts and minds of readers long after the final page is turned… A triumphant story about the power of friendship and of truly being seen. – Kirkus

Bella’s Fall Coat by Lynn Plourde and Susan Gal (reviewed by School Library Journal on September 7^th)

…Ripe apples and Delicious verb pairs such as “twirled and whirled,” “crinkled and crackled,” and “picked and plucked” and outstanding illustrations make this offering a treat for eye and ear. A first choice for fall units.– Marianne Saccardi, Children’s Literature Consultant, Greenwich, CT SLJ

Rules of The House by Mac Barnett and Matt Myers (Reviewed by School Library Connection on Oct. 1^st)

Myers contrasts Jenny’s disheveled appearance and untidy surroundings with Ian’s neat, orderly clothing and belongings. This is an amusing cautionary tale with no preaching and just a bit of a scare. – MaryAnn Karre, Retired Librarian, Vestal, New York SLC

Steamboat School by Deborah Hopkinson and Ron Husband (Reviewed by School Library Connection on Oct. 1^st)

This title joins the ranks of Deborah Hopkinson’s outstanding body of historical fiction picture books… A terrific read on its own, this title would be a wonderful addition to a civil rights unit or a character education collection. – Leigh Russell King, School Librarian, Lincoln St. Elementary School, Northborough, Massachusetts SLC

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Last Minute Halloween DIY Costumes Inspired By Disney Book Group Books

Disney Books — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 18:02:56 +0000

Ready or not Halloween is here and we’ve got the perfect last minute DIY guide to dressing as your favorite DBG book characters in case you need to come up with a quick costume for Storytime at your school or library today.

Vampirina from VAMPIRINA BALLERINA and VAMPIRINA BALLERINA HOSTS A SLEEPOVER: Not only is she the star of the upcoming Disney Junior series based on the hit books, she’s one simple costume easily pulled together from items you might have at home. Sport a black leotard, and trade in the Tutu for a black batwing cape, along with an adorable skull-head bow and you have Halloween perfection in a matter of minutes. Bonus points: The colorful cast of not-quite creepy Monsters from the Vampirina books might make for a fun group idea for your library staff or teaching team.

An Einherjar from MAGNUS CHASE AND THE GODS OF ASGARD by Rick Riordan: We can’t get enough of Rick Riordan’s modern twists on classic mythology. Forget itchy Viking beards and heavy horned helmets this year though, with The Hammer of Thor available now, all you need to rock that Hotel Valhalla look are runic accessories to go along with your everyday clothes. Bonus points for Chain mail bow ties, and talking sword pendants!

Bruce and The Ducklings from HOTEL BRUCE and MOTHER BRUCE by Ryan T. Higgins: Ever since that grumpy black bear growled his way into our hearts last fall we’ve been in love with Bruce and company’s misadventures. Pair a yellow hoodie with a yellow hat (duck bill) and you’ve got the loveable geese freshly hatched from Bruce’s breakfast, then add a pair of Mickey Mouse ears with a brown or black sweatshirt and you’ve got the bear himself. Bonus points: Unibrow, nuff said.

Walt and his friends from WE ARE GROWING by Laurie Keller: Simple, and very Green is the key to pulling off your very own unique blade of grass from one of our debut Elephant And Piggy Like Reading titles. Designate a Tallest, Curliest, Silliest, Pointest, etc. among your group then make cone hats from green construction paper and cut accordingly. Bonus points: Googily eyes, and oversized glasses for added fun!

A page from a DISNEY ART OF COLORING Adult Coloring Book: Like any good trend Adult Coloring books make for the perfect last minute Halloween costume. Simply print our black & white images of your favorite Disney characters and find a way to stick them to your shirt sleeves for a fun, and possibly even interactive costume sure to delight your library patrons or students. Bonus points: Colored pencils or crayons, for help with those hard to reach places.

Those are just a couple ideas. Are you planning on dressing a Disney character for Halloween? Let us know in the comments below, and tell us how you plan to celebrate this spooky time of year at your school or library.

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Welcome To The DBG School & Library Blog

Dina Sherman — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 20:28:45 +0000

As the saying goes, better late than never! We (Dina, LaToya, and Kevin), the School & Library Marketing Department at Disney Publishing Worldwide, are super excited to have finally joined the 21^st Century with our new blog. We’ll be updating this page regularly, at least a few times a month, sometimes more, so be sure to bookmark us. Or you can sign up for that nifty RSS feed over there on the right.

But Dina, you ask, what will you be blogging about? I am so glad you asked. We’ll be blogging about our books, our authors, our events, and anything else bookish we can think of. Right now, its fall, which means we’re starting to hit the conference circuit again! We’re kicking off with NAEYC and NCTE/ALAN in November, but make sure you bookmark us here to stay in the loop on what we are up to and where we’ll be showing up next.

And of course you’ll want to know about swag… Need a tote bag? We’ve got you covered. Want a button? Done. Other cool things you never even knew you wanted or needed? You betcha. And galleys? So many galleys!

If there’s something you’d like to see, let us know. Our email is over there on the right too (handy, isn’t it?).

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