Fast Wheels! reviewed in Library Media Connection

The six titles in the Fast Wheels! series, part of Enslow's Speeding Star imprint, were reviewed in the October 2014 issue Library Media Connection.

An excerpt from the review:

"Chapters have young race fan appeal in a clear, readable format...Racing enthusiasts will gravitate to these books, as will reluctant readers."

This high-interest reluctant reader series includes background information on the vehicles in each title, includes the type of training needed to build, modify, maintain, and drive these vehicles.

This series is available in hardcover, paperback, and eBook formats, and can be obtained through your preferred vendor, local bookstore, speedingstar.com, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Review of Zombie Zappers

Library Media Connection has reviewed the four titles in the Zombie Zappers series in their October 2014 issue. Here is an excerpt of the review:

"Part mystery, part science fiction, and very humorous, each book in the series has a different angle where the characters try to find out what is turning people into zombies...The series is great for lower level readers, it will hold their attention."

This title is available in hardcover, paperback, and eBook formats, and can be purchased through your preferred vendor, local bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

School Library Journal review of The Disappearing

The September 2014 issue of School Library Journal includes a review of The Disappearing, a book in Enslow's Speeding Star imprint. This title is the first book in a trilogy.

"What Tim overhears near the end of the story will leave readers at the edge of their seats and sets up a second installment of this paranormal, science fiction series...Torres succeeds in her mission: to hook reluctant readers and keep them reading."

The above excerpt is from the review. This title is available from your preferred vendor, local bookstores, enslow.com, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. It is available in hardcover, paperback, and eBook formats.

Giveaway! The Briny Deep Mysteries

In anticipation of The Briny Deep Mysteries Trilogy's 9/1/2014 release, we're listed giveaways on Goodreads for each book in the series!  There's 10 copies of each book available, so the chances of winning are great!  Check out the giveaways below:

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Disappearing

by Jennifer Torres

Giveaway ends August 31, 2014.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Return

by Jennifer Torres

Giveaway ends August 31, 2014.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Battle

by Jennifer Torres

Giveaway ends August 31, 2014.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Interview with author of The Briny Deep Mysteries trilogy

The new sci-fi/mystery trilogy, The Briny Deep Mysteries, is coming out September 1st, and it's going to be filled with twists and exciting turns that will keep middle graders reading!  To learn more about the writing of this exciting trilogy, we sat down with author Jennifer Torres:

Enslow Publishers: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Jennifer Torres: Since I was very young, I’ve always loved getting lost in a good book. Reading really fueled my imagination. I especially loved to read mysteries and stories about fantastical places. As I got older the idea of creating my own magical lands through writing was so exciting I just had to pursue it.

Enslow: How did you begin your writing career?

Torres: I began writing in journals as a child. My friends and I would also write scripts and plays and then share them with each other to review – and sometimes to act out.  After finishing school, I became a newspaper reporter and columnist. Over the years I worked as freelance journalist, writing for local and national magazines and newspapers. I’ve also written seven non-fiction children’s books, but THE BRINY DEEP MYSTERIES is my debut into middle grade fiction – and truly the kind of writing I’ve always wanted to do. 

Enslow: What inspired you to write “The Briny Deep” trilogy?

Torres: All the books I read growing up captured my imagination with incredible, edge of your seat stories that often involved secret passageways, doorways to other lands, or a compelling mystery seemingly beyond explanation. When I created the town of Briny Deep, I wanted to construct a place that had never existed before, populate it with a cast of amazing characters, and weave a spellbinding mystery that would engage and captivate readers in the same way I was as a child.

Enslow: Where there any particular obstacles you encountered while writing this book?

Torres: My ten year old was a bit of an obstacle because she wanted to use my laptop all the time to play her computer games. I tried to stick to an early morning schedule of writing – way before she woke up, so I didn’t have to wrestle her for it.

Enslow: When do you write best?

Torres: During the week, I like to get up early while it’s still dark outside and everyone else in the family is asleep. I brew a big cup of coffee and try to get a few hours of writing in. I feel most creative in the morning. But I also love to write when it’s raining outside or a storm is brewing. It really sets the mood for me.

Enslow:  If you weren’t a writer, what might you be doing instead?

Torres: I would be a detective or a private investigator.  I grew up wanting to solve mysteries. My childhood friend and I even opened our own “detective agency” – her dad built it for us in her backyard and we kept “files” on everyone in the neighborhood.

Enslow: What is your favorite children’s book?

Torres: I have so many books that I loved when I was growing up. My top three books would have to be; The Phantom Tollbooth, Harriet the Spy (she kept notes on everyone in her neighborhood too,) and A Wrinkle in Time.  Middle Grade books are my very favorite genre. The kind of books with secret passageways, time portals, and hidden paths to magical lands are the best.

Enslow: What kind of experience do you hope your readers have with “The Briny Deep” trilogy?

Torres: I want them to go on a thrilling ride, filled with fun twists and turns through the town of Briny Deep. As they read the series they should feel like they are on an adventure – and a quest for answers that keeps them excitedly reading until the wee hours of the morning, and leaves them with a true awareness of how much magic and wonder can be found inside a book.



Look for The Disappearing, The Return, and The Battle on SpeedingStar.com, or with your favorite bookseller.  

New fiction baseball series coming in September

Enslow Publishers, through its Speeding Star imprint, will be releasing a four-title fictional series about baseball. The Baseball Geeks Adventures, written for the reluctant reader, includes funny dialogue and humorous scenarios, while also recounting fun and fascinating baseball lore. These books combine mystery/adventure and sports fiction into one book.

These titles will be available in hardcover, paperback, and eBook formats, and can be purchased through your preferred vendor, local bookstores, enslow.com, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

New Hip Hop series

As part of its fall 2014 list, Enslow is adding a series to its Speeding Star imprint. Hip-Hop Moguls, written for the reluctant reader, is a five-title series. The books in this series include a discography, as well as a list of awards given to each musician. These top-selling artists will keep your reader wanting to read and find out more!

The musicians covered in this series include 50 Cent, Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Ludacris. These titles are available in hardcover and paperback from your preferred vendor, independent bookstore, enslow.com, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

World Cup, Lionel Messi Books Score with Young Readers

The 2014 World Cup, the globe's premier international soccer tournament, began with the excitement of a brilliant Lionel Messi goal. The Argentine striker, considered among the world's best soccer players, is among the Latin stars appearing in the month-long event. Messi is also appearing in two Enslow Publishers' titles this season. Our Speeding Star imprint, designed to encourage young boys to read, features the 48-page Soccer Star Lionel Messi. Author John Albert Torres' well-written text, amplified by excellent color photographs, is an ideal choice for reluctant readers and for those young readers searching for an exciting, quick read on the player.

Enslow's repertoire also features a biography of the South American soccer sensation titled Lionel Messi: A Soccer Star Who Cares. Author Kimberly Gatto's 48-page, full-color biography includes Messi's positive activities in "giving back," as well as fascinating details about his early life and current career.

Both titles are available in library-bound, paperback, and e-book formats. Buy them now from Enslow Publishers, from your preferred vendor, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon.com.

New Biography on Cristiano Ronaldo, winner of the FIFA Ballon d'Or Award

Enslow has just released a new six-book series, Goal! Latin Stars of Soccer. These reluctant reader sports biographies feature popular soccer players who were born in either a Latin or Latin American country. The six soccer players featured in this series are Andres Iniesta, Cristiano Rinaldo, Kaka, Lionel Messi, Robinho, and Ronaldinho.

One of these biographies features Cristiano Ronaldo. Born in Portugal, he made his debut with Sporting CP in 2002. After six years with Manchester United and a FIFA Ballon d'Or award, he went to Real Madrid on a record-breaking transfer. Since joining Real Madrid, he has scored an unbelievable amount of goals.

The FIFA Ballon d'Or award is given annually to the player who is considered to have performed the best in the previous year.

This 48-page hardcover book is available from your preferred vendor, enslow.com, your local bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Zombie 99 Cent Special -- Offer Ends November 8th!

This Halloween season, fill your book buying "trick or treat" bag with Enslow Publishers'  e-books! As an introduction to our Speeding Star: Keep Boys Reading! imprint, we're offering the e-book version of Book 1 of our four-title "Zombie Zappers" series -- Zombie Camp -- for 99 cents!

Zombie Camp presents author Nadia Higgins' playful 64-page tale of young adventurers encountering the living dead. Her age-appropriate storytelling style embraces language suitable for children while avoiding graphic violence. The book also provides a character development focus as the kids in the story learn a valuable life lesson.

The "Zombie Zappers" fiction series is included in Enslow's new Speeding Star: Keep Boys Reading! imprint. Speeding Star's mission is to publish easy-to-read, high-quality fiction and informational texts suitable for boys from third grade through high school. "Speeding Star" books are currently available in e-book format as well as trade hardcover editions.

Zombie Camp, other Speeding Star titles, and many other Enslow Publishers' K-12 nonfiction books are available via bn.com, amazon.com, and other retail e-book sellers. Act now: Enslow's 99 cent offer for Zombie Camp ends on Friday, November 8, 2013!

Enslow Halloween Special: "Zombie Zappers" E-Book for 99 Cents

This Halloween season, Enslow Publishers' "trick or treat" bag contains a special discount incentive for e-book readers: we're offering Book 1 of our four-title "Zombie Zappers" series -- Zombie Camp -- for 99 cents!

Zombie Camp presents author Nadia Higgins' playful 64-page tale of young adventurers encountering the living dead. Her age-appropriate storytelling style embraces language suitable for children while avoiding graphic violence. The book also provides a character development focus as the kids in the story learn a valuable life lesson.

The "Zombie Zappers" fiction series is included in Enslow's new Speeding Star: Keep Boys Reading! imprint. Speeding Star's mission is to publish easy-to-read, high-quality fiction and informational texts suitable for boys from third grade through high school. "Speeding Star" books are currently available in e-book format as well as trade hardcover editions.

Zombie Camp, other Speeding Star titles, and many other Enslow Publishers' K-12 nonfiction books are available via bn.com, amazon.com, and other retail e-book sellers. Act now: Enslow's 99 cent offer for Zombie Camp ends on November 8, 2013!

Review of Smokin' Race Cars in Booklist

Smokin' Race Cars, a new fall 2013 title from Enslow, has been reviewed in the September 1, 2013 issue of Booklist.

Here is an excerpt:

"This title is everything NASCAR, from what NASCAR is to vehicles designed specifically for racing . . . The 48-page high-interest book is ideally suited for reluctant readers and is chock-full of bright pictures of zooming cars and suited-up racers."

This title is available from enslow.com, your preferred vendor, your independent bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Speeding Star and Books for Boys

Enslow Publishers Announces New Trade Imprint

Speeding Star, a new list of trade books for boys, will launch in fall 2013 as an imprint of Enslow Publishers, a long-time publisher of books for the school and library market.

Speeding Star will be devoted to publishing easy-to-read fiction and informational titles for boys and young men from third grade to high school.  The inaugural list will consist of 16 high-interest titles ranging from zombie mysteries, to race cars and profiles of sports stars.

“Enslow is thrilled to announce that we are expanding beyond the school and library market and into the trade world,” says Mark Enslow, president of Enslow.  “Speeding Star’s mission is to create content that appeals to boys’ interests and publish books that will keep boys reading.”

Enslow unveiled the new trade imprint at the Book Expo America (BEA) 2013 in New York where advance reader copies were distributed. Speeding Star titles will be published September 1, 2013. All titles will be available in trade hardcover and eBook formats and will be available for purchase directly from Enslow, major book distributors, your favorite independent bookstore, and online retailers. You can pre-order these titles now from Amazon.

To learn more about Speeding Star or to request review copies of any of the titles, please visit, SpeedingStar.com or contact Enslow Publishers directly by calling 1-800-398-2504 for more information.

Enslow New Race Car Series In Starting Position for Fall Season

Speeding Star, Enslow's new trade imprint, is preparing its Fall 2013 debut with three series. One of the trio, "Fast Wheels!" features high-interest books for reluctant readers. This six-book series offers engaging text, hot color photographs, and interesting background information on vehicles and drivers that court speed, danger, and racetrack glamour.

"Fast Wheels!" includes titles on funny cars, motorcyles, muscle cars, open-wheel racing, stock cars, and sports cars. Each 48-page book in the series also provides insightful details on what to look for in engines, decals, paint jobs, hot wheels, and more.

Each book will be available in a trade hardcover edition for a list price of $13.95. The books will be available from Enslow Publishers directly, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, retail bookstores, and your preferred vendor.

Enslow's New Trade Imprint "Speeding Star" Offers Books for Boys

Enslow Publishers' has created a new trade book imprint called "Speeding Star!" The books, which are intended to encourage boys to read, are casual, fun works on topics young male readers enjoy.

Among the series included in "Speeding Star" is "Hall of Fame Sports Greats." This six-book ensemble offers biographies of recognizable athletes from the major American sports. The books describe the personal life and career of each sports figure, along with exciting recaps of their finest on-the-field achievements. Boys who follow football will delight in our biography of "Prime Time" Deion Sanders. The former NFL star, who remains very active as a television personality, had a spectacular, high-profile career. Author Glen Macnow's 64-page book explores "Prime Time's" highlights, including his performances in the Super Bowl and the World Series. (Sanders is the only athlete to participate in both events.)

Deion Sanders: Hall of Fame Football Superstar will be available in a trade hardcover edition for the Fall 2013 season. The list price for this book will be $14.95.

For more information about "Speeding Star" and Enslow's new trade hardcover books, visit our booth during this year's BEA event in New York!

Interview with a Zombie (Author)

Author Nadia Higgins

Nadia Higgins is the author of a new four-book series, Zombie Zappers, that will be published this fall under our new trade imprint, Speeding Star. Thanks to authors like Nadia, beginning in the fall of 2013, Speeding Star will be providing easy-to-read books on topics of high interest in an effort to keep boys and young men reading.

Now on with the interview!

How is the Zombie Zappers series different from other books you’ve written?

Well, put it this way. The last fiction series I did was a set of six fractured fairy tales ... the covers were light purple with fancy cursive writing. I also write 10-15 nonfiction school library books a year.

What kinds of research did you have to do in order to write a series about zombies?

I read every zombie book for kids I could find. I scoured the Internet and eavesdropped on zombie chat groups. The most fun was watching zombie movies with my husband every weekend. I think I was the first person ever to take notes while watching Night of the Living Dead. I didn't want to forget ideas that popped into my head while I was watching. So I'd scribble notes like, "Zombies as pets? ... Animal zombies? .... Strategy: pretend to be a zombie to escape zombies."

What types of things did you make sure you included in the Zombie Zapper series? What types of things did you try to avoid?

I have two kids of my own and we read together every night. So, in other words, I have read every kind of children's book out there with my own personal test audience. The books that we enjoy the most have a few things in common. One of them is that the protagonists are whip smart and wildly imaginative. They make mistakes, sure, but they almost always solve their problems on their own. That's what I was going for as I developed the main characters.

As far as what to avoid--two things: stereotypes and that snarky tone you see out there a lot in dialogue for this age group.

  Why do you think kids are so fascinated by zombies?

What an interesting question. The gross-out factor is big, for sure. But I also think zombie combat is more interesting than other kinds of monster battles. It requires more strategy and wit. Then there are so many awesome questions to ponder: how to reverse a zombie back to a human, how to tame a zombie, how to survive a zombie apocalypse . . . Zombies are a fun-scary way to think about life-and-death questions.

One of the main characters, Roger, is Leo’s secret half-zombie friend living in his bedroom closet. What challenges does being friends with a half-zombie have?

Ha! Well, for one, you have to make sure that none of your friend's body parts accidentally fall off in public. Neighbors tend to get freaked out by stuff like that.


Zombie hunting is what bring these characters together but what is the real central theme readers will find in each of these books?

In addition to the zombie action, each book explores a theme about relationships. In Next-Door Zombie, for example, Leo blogs some lies about his next-door neighbor. His thoughtless remarks have serious consequences, and he needs to find a way to make things right.

What does it feel like when your best friend gets another good friend? What about when a friend takes credit for your work? How does it feel to be left out? These are some of the basic issues that the set explores.

Do you suspect that there are any zombies living in your neighborhood?

Yes--my kids when I try to wake them up in the morning!

What advice would you give kids if they ever meet a zombie on the street?

Whatever you don't, don't scream! That draws the hordes. Remember that you are a lot faster and smarter than zombies. You'll have to use your wits to outsmart them. Also, adults are rarely helpful during a zombie outbreak. It's up to you, kid!




Nadia Higgins is the author of more than sixty books for children. In addition to Zombie Zappers, her fiction includes Fiona and Frieda's Fairy-tale Adventures and a series of comical picture books, Barnacle Barb and Her Pirate Crew. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband, two daughters, and their "guard" fish, Marie.

Please note: Members of the media who wish to review Zombie Zappers may request advanced reader copies by sending an email to: customerservice@enslow.com.