25 Years of Goosebumps

In July 1992, Scholastic introduced a monthly book series by R.L. Stine called Goosebumps with Goosebumps: Welcome to Dead House. Twenty-five years (and several generations of frightened kids later), Goosebumps is now one of the best-selling children's series of all time with more than 350 million English language books in print. To celebrate this milestone, we invited R.L. Stine into the studio to reflect on the last 25 years and to give us a look at what's still to come for the master of horror. 

NPR's 100 favorite comics and graphic novels

The rise of graphic novels and the continued popularity of comics (Wonder Woman, anyone?) can maybe be a tad overwhelming for readers just beginning to get into the genre. There's just so much to choose from! 

I'm a graphic novel novice, but I have a comic book geek of a husband (don't worry, that's how he refers to himself, too) who helps me curate my choices. If you're not so lucky to have a personal comic expert living in your house, check out NPR's 100 Favorite Comics and Graphic Novels list.

The list isn't an objective "best of" list; it's more personal than that. NPR asked readers to submit their favorite picks, and then their crack team of critics and creators helped narrow down the 7,000+ submissions into this final list, nicely sorted into categories to make finding a new book or series to try easier.

Bonus: their list includes Raina Telgemeier's Ghosts, Jeff Smith's BONE series, and Kazu Kibuishi's Amulet series! They say:

Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier: "Our judges had a hard time picking just one Raina Telgemeier book, but eventually we settled on the gorgeous, heart-tugging Ghosts..."

Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi: "...a charming mashup of everything from Lord of the Rings to Star Wars."

BONE by Jeff Smith: "...a great comic to start your little readers on."

There are lots of other great titles in their roundup. Check out the full list here.

 

 

 

I Read YA Week is finally HERE!

It’s that time of year again! Our annual I read YA week celebration begins today and we couldn’t be more stoked about it. Cue the confetti cannons!

Starting today and running through July 17th, we’re encouraging book nerds everywhere to share on social what they believe #YAStandsFor. If YA books have meaningfully impacted your life, be sure to follow @IreadYA on social all week long as we share inspiring #YAStandsFor videos from your favorite authors.

Also, join in on our awesome daily social challenges using the hashtag #YAStandsFor and enter for a chance to win our exclusive I read YA week giveaway!

Monday, July 10

Tell us what you believe #YAStandsFor

Tuesday, July 11

Tell us about the YA book that helped you find your voice

Wednesday, July 12

Give a shout-out to your favorite fictional literary hero

Thursday, July 13

Swap a YA book about the positive power of friendship with your bestie

Friday, July 14

Create a graphic showcasing an inspirational YA quote

Saturday, July 15

Choose a YA book and share 3 important life lessons you took away from reading it

Sunday, July 16

Acknowledge a YA book you believe should be taught in high schools

Monday, July 17

Snap a pic of the YA book you believe everyone needs to read

Here’s to wishing our book nerds a phenomenal I read YA week!

Isa Caban | @IreadYA

Take a reading adventure this summer! (+sweepstakes)

Summer was always my favorite time of year growing up. As a kid, what was there not to love? The weather was warm and sunny, school was out, and almost every day brought a new adventure. Although my brother and I didn’t always have a place to go, my family always found creative ways to make every day fun and exciting. One thing I remember vividly was my mom bringing home a pink tent—that only I was small enough to fit inside, and in my favorite color—and on hot summer days when the sun was beaming, I would go to my tent with fluffy pillows, a carton of strawberries, a box of crayons, and a stack of books. It was my absolute favorite thing to do. 

Taking summer vacations to new and far-away places is always exciting, but there are also so many fun and creative ways to make memorable summer moments that don’t always require a pool, a plane ticket, or even a car! So to kick-off summer this year, I wanted to share a few different ways for you and your kids to take a reading adventure!

Take a trip to the local ice cream parlor (or make homemade sundaes right in your kitchen!): 

What can you read? –

Groovy Joe: Ice Cream & Dinosaurs (Groovy Joe #1) by Eric Litwin

Ice Cream Summer by Peter Sis

The Sugar and Spice Fairies #2: Esme the Ice Cream Fairy by Daisy Meadows

Tell spooky bedtime stories under a blanket fort:

What can you read? –

Goosebumps SlappyWorld #1: Slappy Birthday to You by R.L. Stine

Can You See What I See? On a Scary Night by Walter Wick

Ghost Hunt: Chilling Tales of the Unknown by Jason Haws and Grant Wilson

Get creative with arts & crafts:

What can you read? –

Klutz Tissue Paper Crafts by April Chorba

Dog Man by Dav Pilkey

How to Make Awesome Comics by Neill Cameron

Turn the kitchen into a playground and make memories baking together: 

What can you read? –

I'll Wait, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffee Numeroff

Stir It Up: A Novel by Ramin Ganeshram

If you’re feeling inspired to take a reading adventure with your little one(s), make sure to show us by entering our summer sweepstakes! Throughout July, we’re asking our followers to share their reading adventures with us for a chance to win even more books! Each week we choose two lucky winners—and this week, you could be one of them!

It’s easy! Take a picture and share it with us on Twitter (@Scholastic), Instagram (@ScholasticInc), or both using the hashtag #summerreading #readingadventure & #sweepstakes. Click here for official rules.

Adventure on! 

 

Cover reveal: Illustrated Edition of Newt Scamander's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Illustrated by fine artist Olivia Lomenech Gill, the cover of the illustrated edition of Newt Scamander's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling has been revealed! 

The book cover features the griffin, a beast with the head and front legs of a giant eagle, and the body and hind legs of a lion. Publishing on November 7, 2017, this glorious new color edition of the updated Hogwarts library classic features an extraordinary array of magical creatures. The artist is a Kate Greenaway Medal shortlisted artist and has illustrated every beast from Acromantula to Yeti, using a variety of techniques, including prints and etchings, watercolor, and charcoal sketches.

Based on the textbook, the 2016 film "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" took viewers to a new era of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, decades before Harry Potter and half a world away. Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne stars in the central role of wizarding world Magizoologist Newt Scamander, under the direction of David Yates, who helmed the last four Harry Potter features. The film also marked the screenwriting debut of J.K. Rowling.

For every sale of this book, Scholastic will donate 10% of the suggested retail price to two charities selected by the author J.K. Rowling: Comic Relief, a UK-based charity that strives to create a just world, free from poverty, and Lumos, a charity founded by J.K. Rowling that works to end the institutionalization of children. 

Books we've lied about reading

July 7 is Tell the Truth Day, which got me thinking: How many bookish lies have I told? And should I finally come clean?

I came across this article a while ago that talked about the books that people most often lie about reading — surprisingly, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is number 1! (And yes, I've read that one, cross my heart!) The beloved book that I've kinda-sorta-maybe implied that I've read when I really haven't is... 1984

Phew, it actually feels great to get that off my chest.

After seeing that list, and then taking this quiz, I finally realized that I'm not the only person who's ashamed to admit my reading shortcomings. So, I asked my fellow bloggers and booklovers if they'd be willing to come clean in honor of Tell the Truth Day.

Here are some of the lies they've told:
(names have been changed to protect the truth-tellers)

Kristy: I never finished Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad but TOTALLY lied about it in English class because we had an oral report due. (I hated it so much.)

Mary Anne: Well, here we go. I blame the ridiculous timeline of my high school honors 1 English teacher (she was ruthless – two books a week!!!) I've never read:

  • Wuthering Heights
  • Jane Eyre
  • The Great Gatsby (I only watched the movie…*shudder*)
  • The Lord of the Rings (once again, watched the movie…*double shudder*)
  • Moby Dick
  • Crime & Punishment (I could only read the first 50 pages and gave up)
  • The Plague by Albert Camus

Claudia: I've lied about reading The Giver, Pride and Prejudice, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Huckleberry Finn, The Bell Jar,  and To Kill a Mocking Bird.

Stacey: I’ve never read any of the Harry Potter, Hunger Games, or The Baby-sitter’s Club books. I think that’s all I’m willing to confess for now :)

Dawn: I have totally lied about reading both Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice. I did finish The Great Gatsby but I lied about finishing it before we had a final on it in HS. Also I started Twilight but never finished it and never will but I say I did. 

Jessi: It was required reading in my high school A.P. English Lit class to read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley – and I didn’t read it. I know, I know. How could I? Though after having not read it, I feel bad because the class discussions made the book sound really interesting, so it was my loss in the end. Maybe I’ll pick it up in the future and give it a read.

What are some of the books you've lied about reading? Tweet them to us @scholastic!

 

Summer reading book ideas: Insight from the Kids & Family Reading Report

“Reading gives me something to do over the summer while I’m at home during the day with dad. Dad likes to read in the mornings so I’ll get a book, too, and read with him.”

— 8-year-old boy, IN

Summer vacation is here! Trips to the beach and the local park are planned.  Family vacations are booked. Play dates are organized. But did you remember to include reading time as a fun activity for kids this summer? 

In order to avoid the effects of the summer slide, the learning loss that occurs when kids are out of school during the summer months, we want to remind families to visit the public library and to add books to your home library, to keep kids "reading ready" for back to school.

But what do you do with a reluctant reader? What books and series will help kids discover the power and joy of reading for fun without it feeling like a chore?

We asked kids nationwide what their favorite books and series were when reading fun in the latest Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report: 6th Edition. Check out their top picks below! Hopefully, this will inspire kids with varied interests to find the right book this summer.

In addition, we asked parents which children's books or series they believe every child should read. The top five include: Harry Potter, books by Dr. Seuss,  Diary of Wimpy Kid, The Magic Tree House series, and The Chronicles of Narnia.

Need more top children's book picks? Be sure to check out our free summer reading booklists from this year's Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge - our free, online and mobile summer reading program that helps kids take the "summer leap" into great books (visit scholastic.com/summer).

To learn more about the state of kids and summer reading in the U.S., visit scholastic.com/readingreport on the latest findings from our nationally representative survey of parents and kids.

Celebrating one year of Pokémon Go! (Plus, a giveaway!)

It’s hard to believe the “Pokémon GO” mobile game is celebrating its one year anniversary today, July 6! The game, which allows players to capture, battle and train virtual Pokémon who appear throughout the real world, has reached 750 million global downloads. In addition to joining the adventure with our phones, we’re reading some great books from Scholastic featuring some of our favorite Pokémon characters. Check out the list below!

Deluxe Essential Handbook (Ages 7–10): This comprehensive guide book is an absolute must-have for Pokémon Trainers of all ages! It's got all the facts and figures you ever wanted to know about Pokémon in one convenient, easy-to-read format. And it's the perfect reference for Trainers looking to master the world of Pokémon GO.

Welcome to Alola! (Pokémon Alola: Level 2 Reader) (Ages 4–8) by Maria S. Barbo: Join Ash and Pikachu on their first adventure in Alola, the brand-new Pokémon region. They'll meet and catch some amazing new Pokémon, including First Partners Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio. Based on an episode from the new season of “Pokémon Sun & Moon,” as seen on Disney XD.

Alola Region Poster Book (Pokémon) (Ages 4–8): Meet the Pokémon of Alola! Litten, Popplio, Rowlet, Lunala, Solgaleo... they're all in here. More than 20 cool and colorful posters are inside, plus stats and facts. It's perfect for Pokémon fans of all ages.

The Pokémon School Challenge (Pokémon: Alola Chapter Book #1) (Ages 7–10): Ash, Pikachu and their friends are on a new quest through the Alola region. This action-packed adventure will see the beloved Trainer and his team take on foes new and old with some cool new Pokémon by his side. Based on a thrilling three-part storyline from the top-rated Cartoon Network animated series.

Coming soon! Alola Region Handbook (Pokémon) (Ages 7–10): Meet the Pokémon of Alola! Every amazing Pokémon featured in the new Sun & Moon video games is included in this comprehensive handbook. You'll discover stats and facts about many brand-new Pokémon—and learn new things about some old favorites as well. It's everything you ever wanted to know about the Pokémon of Alola! Out July 25.

GIVEAWAY! Tell us which Pokémon character is your favorite and why. One winner will be randomly selected to win a Pokémon book prize pack that includes Welcome to Alola Reader; Alola Region Handbook; and Alola Poster Book! Contest is open to all legal U.S. residents 18 and over; all entries must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on Thursday, July 13, 2017. Read the complete legal rules here.

Find a Scholastic Summer Reading Road Trip RV stop near you!

The Scholastic Summer Reading Road Trip RV is embarking on the second leg of its journey across the U.S.! Since May, kids and their families have been able to attend “pop-up” reading festivals at schools and retail locations nation-wide where they are meeting their favorite authors, taking photos with Clifford the Big Red Dog® and Geronimo Stilton and participating in fun reading activities. Kids can also take advantage of giveaway tables and a prize wheel to win cool reading prizes.

Check out the list of upcoming RV stops to find an event near you! 

  • July 6 – Saratoga Springs, NY
  • July 8 – Bentonville, AR
  • July 9 – Edmond, OK
  • July 11 – Montclair, NJ
  • July 15 – Hudson, OH
  • July 16 – Delaware, OH
  • July 20 – Morehead, KY
  • July 21 – Decatur, GA
  • July 22 – Seattle, WA
  • July 23 – Bainbridge Island, WA

Here are some photos from a recent RV stop and #SummerReading celebration:

A look back at how we #ReadWithPride

To celebrate Pride Month this June, we invited everyone to share books with LGBTQ+ stories and #ReadwithPride

Catch up on our bookish celebrations - from buttons to podcasts (#ListenwithPride) and unicorn cupcakes - here: 

 

 

 

Our summer reading list is off to a colorful start! #readwithpride #PrideMonth #pride2017 #bookstagram #books #reading #lgbtq #DragTeen #unbecoming #withoutannette #honestlyben #porcupineoftruth #anythingcouldhappen @jefferyself @willdwalton @janemasonwrites

A post shared by I read YA (@ireadya) on Jun 21, 2017 at 4:18pm PDT

 

Looking for more books with LGBTQ+ characters? Don't miss these fantastic upcoming reads:

Vanilla by Billy Merrell (on sale October 10) 

A Very, Very Bad Thing by Jeffery Self (on sale October 31)  

 

Reading with pride! 

Vaishali Nayak 

Senior Marketing Coordinator, Scholastic

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