Defying the Current Crisis in Teacher Retention, Alston Has Stayed in the Classroom for More Than 20 Years — and Loved Every Minute of It

New York, NY (March 20, 2008) -- In an effort to inspire teachers and to remind them why teaching can be so rewarding, Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, has released Why We Teach (March 2008), a new teacher memoir by award-winning educator Linda Alston. Why We Teach tells the story of a teacher who has continued to love her job for more than 20 years at a time when teacher retention has become a national crisis. Studies show that between 30 and 50 percent of all new teachers quit the profession within five years.

Alston, currently a kindergarten teacher at Farrell B. Howell Elementary School in Denver, Co., has been recognized for excellence in teaching with the first $100,000 KIPP/Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award, the Milken National Educator Award, the Walt Disney American Teacher Award and the Mary McLeod Bethune Legacy Award. She has taught students ages 3-15 in public, private, charter and Sunday schools.

New York, NY (March 14, 2008) -- NBC “Today” anchor, Al Roker, announced The New York Times best-selling children’s novel Chasing Vermeer by author Blue Balliett and illustrated by Brett Helquist, as Al’s Book Club For Kids next book pick. To encourage kids to read more, Al Roker selects titles geared toward children ages 8-12 years old and invites them to read along and e-mail questions for the author. Blue Balliett will appear live on TODAY in May to answer questions from viewers.

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.

New Free Web Site Helps Teachers and Parents Match the Right Book to the Right Child Based on Four Different Reading Level Systems, Interests and Previously Enjoyed Books

New York, NY (January 30, 2008) -- E-Scholastic, the online division of Scholastic, the global children’s publishing and media company, announces the launch of Teacher Book Wizard™ (www.scholastic.com/bookwizard). The new Web site enables teachers, librarians and even parents to search a database of over 50,000 books to find just the right match for every child, according to reading level, interest, subject and genre. Teachers and librarians can also download free lesson plans related to specific books and purchase many titles at teacher discounted prices through Scholastic.com’s Teacher Store.

The unique BookAlike™ feature helps educators find book recommendations based on a title that their students’ already know and enjoy. They can also search for titles that are at, above or below the original book’s reading level.
Teacher Book Wizard offers other tools, including:

 “R.L. Stine rode a wave of kid popularity, partly fueled by the fledgling Internet, to become perhaps the best-selling children’s author of the 20th century.” 
— Stephen King in Entertainment Weekly (August 17, 2007)