Crow Call to Be Published Fall 2009

New York, NY (March 6, 2008)—Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, is delighted to announce the acquisition of worldwide rights to a historical picture book by two-time Newbery Medalist and Margaret A. Edwards Award winner Lois Lowry. Crow Call, to be illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline, is scheduled for publication in fall 2009. The deal was negotiated by Lois Lowry's agent Phyllis Westberg of Harold Ober Associates and Andrea Pinkney, Vice President, Editor-at-Large, Scholastic, along with agent Nancy Gallt, who represents Mr. Ibatoulline.

Set in post-World War II America, and based upon events in Lowry’s own childhood, Crow Call is a tender glimpse at nine-year-old Liz—as she begins the journey of becoming reacquainted with her long-absent father after his return from the War. Crow Call explores the universal power of longing and importance of re-connection between a girl and her father.

“Lois Lowry is one of the most brilliant storytellers of our time,” said Andrea Davis Pinkney, Vice President, Editor-at-Large, Scholastic. “We’re thrilled to welcome her to Scholastic as a picture book author with a book that speaks volumes about the power of a very important relationship. Crow Call is timeless—it’s a story readers will embrace for years to come.”

“The details of Crow Call are true. They happened in 1945, to me and my father,” explained Lois Lowry. “But parents and children groping toward understanding each other—that happens to everyone. And so this story is not really just my story, but everyone’s.”

Lois Lowry has written many books beloved by children and adults alike. From the popular Anastasia Krupnik series to her trilogy The Giver, Gathering Blue, and Messenger, her books have garnered countless honors and awards. A two-time recipient of the Newbery Medal for her novels Number the Stars and The Giver, Lois Lowry conveys through her writing her passionate awareness of caring for one another in a very complex world.

Bagram Ibatoulline is the illustrator of Secrets of the Sphinx by James Cross Giblin, Marco Polo by Russell Friedman, and the award-winning and bestselling novel The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. Born in Russia, Ibatoulline now lives in Pennsylvania.

Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and a leader in educational technology and children’s media. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs and school-based book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, television networks and the Company’s Internet Site, www.scholastic.com.

Contacts:
Scholastic
Tracy van Straaten
212-343-3789
tvstraaten@scholastic.com