Penguin.com (usa)

Teachers & Librarians

Penguin Young Readers

13 Reasons Why Community Read Roald Dahl Katie Kazoo Classroom Crew Free Stuff
Kristin Levine

Find out about Kristin Levine and her author appearances!

Books 4 Boys Community Reads We Give Books Video & Radio Network
The Returning Close to Famous Between Shades of Gray Download a discussion guide for Legend Chime Celebrate Imagination with Eric Carle Penguin Young Readers

Welcome to the Teachers & Librarians section of the Penguin Young Readers Group website!

You will find details on new and upcoming books as well as classics and favorites, information about authors, and materials to help you in the classroom or library. Look to the right for our ongoing programs and promotions, including our newsletter sign-up, below for useful resources and information, and further below for book news and additional websites.

Enjoy, and please let us know if you have any questions or comments at schoolandlibrary@us.penguingroup.com.

2012 ALA Youth Media Awards and Notables List

Congratulations to all Penguin Young Readers Group books, authors, and editors!

Michael L. Printz Award
Honor Book

The Returning

The Returning
by Christine Hinwood
Dial Books for Young Readers

Schneider Family Book Award
Middle School

Close to Famous

Close to Famous
by Joan Bauer
Viking

William C. Morris Award
Finalist

Between Shades of Gray

Between Shades of Gray
by Ruta Sepetys
Philomel


ALA Notable Children's Books

For Younger Readers

King Jack and the Dragon

King Jack and the Dragon
by Peter Bently, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
Dial Books for Young Readers

For Middle Readers

Dream Something Big: The Story of the Watts Towers

Dream Something Big: The Story of the Watts Towers
by Diana Hutts Aston, illustrated by Susan L. Roth
Dial Books for Young Readers

For Older Readers

Between Shades of Gray

Between Shades of Gray
by Ruta Sepetys
Philomel

The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman

The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman
by Meg Wolitzer
Dutton Children's Books

Jefferson's Sons: A Founding Father's Secret Family

Jefferson's Sons: A Founding Father's Secret Family
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Dial Books for Young Readers

Who Was? SWEEPSTAKES

Who Was?

Which Who Was? is YOUR favorite?

Enter the Who Was Sweepstakes for a chance to win a dedication to your school or library in the next Who Was book! Email schoolandlibrary@us.penguingroup.com for a FREE Who Was poster with contest information and curriculum activities.

Each Who Was? book offers a detailed account of a famous figure's life and historical period. From artists to astronauts, Who Was? covers them all!

Official contest rules and regulations may be found here.

Good News For Great Books

The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars
by John Green
Ages 14 up | Grades 9 up
5 starred reviews!

"In its every aspect, this novel is a triumph." —Booklist, starred review

"...an achingly beautiful story about life and loss." —School Library Journal, starred review

"...razor-sharp characters brim with genuine intellect, humor and desire." —Kirkus, starred review

"...[an] acerbic comedy, sexy romance, and a lightly played, extended meditation on the big questions about life and death." —Horn Book, starred review

"...this is [Green's] best work yet." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

There is No Dog

There is No Dog
by Meg Rosoff
Ages 12 up | Grades 7 up
4 starred reviews!

"[A] cheeky and subversive fantasy fable." —Horn Book, starred review

"...it earns its place among the sharpest-witted tours de force of recent memory." —Kirkus, starred review

"Wildly inventive and laugh-out-loud funny..." —Booklist, starred review

"...there's no denying that Rosoff's writing and sense of humor are a force of nature..." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

The Disenchantments

The Disenchantments
by Nina LaCour
Ages 14 up | Grades 9 up

"Enchanting in its depiction of the cusp of young disenchantment, this realistic novel will hit home with many thoughtful YAs." —School Library Journal, starred review

"“…a rich tapestry that will make readers confident that they are in the hands of a master storyteller." —Kirkus, starred review

"LaCour…skillfully draws connections between art and life as she delves into the heart of her characters…" —Publishers Weekly, starred review

Looking at Lincoln

Looking at Lincoln
by Maira Kalman
Ages 5-8 | Grades K-3

"With a breezy conversational style, thick lines, and vivid bulky colors, Kalman provides a unique introduction to our 16th president.” —School Library Journal, starred review

"…Kalman portrays heartfelt admiration through poignant imagery.”" —Publishers Weekly, starred review

Beneath a Meth Moon

Beneath a Meth Moon
by Jacqueline Woodson
Ages 12 up | Grades 7 up

"A moving, honest and hopeful story." —Kirkus, starred review

"Woodson’s dreamlike story is constructed of Laurel’s patchy memories peppered with the voices of expertly sketched characters and rich with writerly observations." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

Maudie and Bear

Maudie and Bear
by Jan Ormerod
illustrated by Freya Blackwood
Ages 5-8 | Grades K-3

"What’s. . . special is the evocative art, softly colored with almost indistinct lines, that places Maudie and Bear in an earlier era. . ." —Booklist, starred review

The Case of the Deadly Desperados, Western Mysteries: Book One

The Case of the Deadly Desperados, Western Mysteries: Book One
by Caroline Lawrence
Ages 8-12 | Grades 3-7

A rich vein of wisdom runs through this highly entertaining, swashbuckling series debut. —Kirkus, starred review

Chopsticks

Chopsticks
created by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral
Ages 14 up | Grades 9 up

"Spellbinding and inventive, this title will attract teens and compel them to reread and revisit each clue to the hauntingly ambiguous ending." —School Library Journal, starred review

NEW PRESIDENTS' DAY BOOKS

Looking to enhance your units on our forefathers? Pick up these new titles today!

Looking at Lincoln

Looking at Lincoln
by Maira Kalman
Ages 5-8 | Grades K-3

Abraham Lincoln is one of the first giants of history children are introduced to, and now Maira Kalman brings him to life with her trademark style and enthusiasm.

The Camping Trip That Changed America

The Camping Trip That Changed America
by Barb Rosenstock
illustrated by Mordecai Gerstein
Ages 6-8 | Grades 1-3

Caldecott medalist Mordicai Gerstein captures the majestic redwoods of Yosemite in this little-known but important story from our nation's history. In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt joined naturalist John Muir on a trip to Yosemite. Camping by themselves in the uncharted woods, the two men saw sights and held discussions that would ultimately lead to the establishment of our National Parks.

So You Want To Be President (Revised and Updated Edition)

So You Want To Be President (Revised and Updated Edition)
by Judith St. George
illustrated by David Small
Ages 6-8 | Grades 1-3

This Caldecott Award–winning picture book is now revised and updated to include information about our nation's 44th president, Barack Obama. A great fit for Presidents' Day and the 2012 election cycle, this book is perfect for teachers, and librarians who want to talk presidents without talking politics.

Jefferson’s Sons

Jefferson’s Sons
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Ages 8-12 | Grades 3-7

Beverly, Harriet, Madison, and Eston are Thomas Jefferson's children by one of his slaves, Sally Hemings, and while they do get special treatment - better work, better shoes, even violin lessons - they are still slaves, and are never to mention who their father is. As each child grows up, their questions about slavery and freedom become tougher, calling into question the real meaning of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Who Was? Biographies

Who Was? Biographies
Ages 8-12 | Grades 3-7

From George Washington to John F. Kennedy, Thomas Jefferson to Abraham Lincoln, the Who Was? collection offers kid-friendly biographies of many U.S. presidents, complete with black-and-white illustrations throughout.

Learn more about the entire Who Was collection!

Author Access Kristin Levine

Kristin Levine has been everything from an au pair in Vienna, Austria to a screenwriting instructor in Washington, DC. She is currently a mom and writer in Alexandria, VA. Her first novelThe Best Bad Luck I Ever Had was published in 2009. The Lions of Little Rock, which is based on true family history and sheds light on the little-known period immediately following the Little Rock Nine’s integration of Central High School in 1957, is her second novel.

Learn more about Kristin Levine

If you are interested in hosting an appearance by Kristin Levine at your school, library, or conference, please use the online request form or send an email to authorvisits[at]us.penguingroup.com with possible dates, your school name, location, details about the day, and your contact information

MAL AND CHAD CONTEST

MAL AND CHAD: THE BIGGEST, BESTEST TIME EVER

MAL AND CHAD: THE BIGGEST, BESTEST TIME EVER

Enter the Mal & Chad Fill-in-the-Bubble Contest!

Fill-in-the-bubbles for an opportunity to win a personalized sketch of yourself as a Mal & Chad character drawn by the author and 2 signed copies of Food Fight!

Visit MalandChad.com/contest for an entry form, official rules, and to find out more about Mal & Chad!

Featured Discussion Guide

The Lions of Little Rock

The Lions of Little Rock

Two girls separated by race form an unbreakable bond during the tumultuous integration of Little Rock schools in 1958.
Twelve-year-old Marlee doesn't have many friends until she meets Liz, the new girl at school. But then Liz is gone, replaced by the rumor that she was a Negro girl passing as white. But Marlee decides that doesn't matter. Liz is her best friend. And to stay friends, Marlee and Liz are willing to take on integration and the dangers their friendship could bring to both their families.

Download the Discussion Guide »

Resources on Favorite Websites

Do you have questions or comments about this page? While we can't respond to every email that comes in, please send us your thoughts at schoolandlibrary@us.penguingroup.com.