Happy Birthday Maya Angelou

Written for the middle school reader, this biography of the award-winning poet and Civil Rights activist describes her early life raised by her grandmother in Arkansas. Rising from poverty, she achieved success as a dancer, an actress, a teacher, and an award-winning author. This compelling profile will make readers understand and appreciate why Maya Angelou is one of the best-loved and most fascinating American writers.

Available in library, paperback, and eBook formats, this title is available from your preferred vendor, local bookstore, enslow.com, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. Titles in the African-American Icons series are also correlated to the Common Core College and Career Readiness Standards.

Teaching True Stories of Teens in the Holocaust

Keith Schoch, noted educator and blogger, has written an excellent post about using "True Stories of Teens in the Holocaust" in the classroom along with a review of the series.  Check out Keith's blog post here: http://howtoteachanovel.blogspot.com/2014/03/destruction-disruption-and-defiance.html

Visit http://www.enslow.com/series/True_Stories_of_Teens_in_the_Holocaust to find Common Core correlations and other information on the series.

New series for National Poetry month

Pure Poetry, geared toward the upper middle and high school student, is a series of four titles, with each book focusing on one particular poetry theme. Each chapter looks at one poem accompanied by detailed analysis discussing the style and technique, poetic devices, and the cultural significance. Every chapter ends with questions and prompts for student discussion and assessment.

These titles are correlated to the Common Core College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards, and are available in library, paperback, and eBook formats. They are available from your preferred vendor, enslow.com, local independent bookstores, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Happy Birthday Danica Patrick!

Written for the middle school reader, this biography about Danica is part of Enslow's Heroes of Racing series.

This series is correlated to the Common Core College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards. These books are available from your preferred vendor, local bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Don't forget to sign up for our monthly raffle!

You have until March 31 to sign up for Enslow's monthly giveaway of free books!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The video below shows how to create a paper shamrock chain from the Paper Crafts for St. Patrick's Day book.

Two new math series for Spring 2014

Enslow has just published two new math series, one geared toward the elementary reader and the other toward the middle school reader.

Ready for Math, a series for the upper elementary reader, contains six titles, each of which focuses on a different math topic. The clear and inviting design includes many practice problems to aid the student when reviewing math skills.

Easy Genius Math, written for the middle school student, also focuses on one title per math topic, with six books in the series. They are an excellent review or refresher of math skills, and can be used by parents or tutors trying to help the struggling math student.

Both series are available in library, paperback, and eBook formats. They can be ordered from your preferred vendor, local bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Looking forward to Spring

For the lower elementary student looking for books on insects, one of Enslow's latest series, Zoom In on Insects!, is appropriate for that student. These six books are  24 pages, correlated to the Common Core Standards, and contain color photographs.

Written by award-winning author Melissa Stewart, each book focuses on a different insect, describing the different parts of their bodies, their life cycle, and where they live. Each title also includes a words to know section, a list of further resources, and an index.

Available in library, paperback, and eBook formats, bees, butterflies, dragonflies, fireflies, grasshoppers, and ladybugs are covered in the Zoom In on Insects! series. These titles are available from your preferred vendor, local bookstores, enslow.com, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Congratulations to Enslow's latest raffle winner!

Congratulations to Bridge Elementary School in Lexington, MA for winning our monthly raffle of free books!

Who invented windshield wipers?

With all of the rain and snow affecting the United States, does anyone think about something as simple as

who invented the windshield wipers that allow drivers to see in those bad conditions?

Before the invention of the windshield, drivers had to wear goggles to keep rain, snow, and bugs out of their eyes while driving. The first windshield, invented in 1904, could be folded down in case it became so dirty that drivers could not see through it. The other option was to pull over and try to clean the glass with your hand. Some drivers even tried rubbing an onion or carrot on the windshield, thinking that the oil from these vegetables would leave a film on the windshield, and repel the rain. That did not work either.

This 48 page book, written for the upper elementary reader, describes how Mary Anderson came up with her idea, what steps she took to try to patent the idea, and what happened after she allowed the patent to expire. Available in library, paperback, and eBook formats, this title is part of the Inventors at Work! series. This series is correlated to the Common Core College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards. Other inventors in this series include Ruth Wakefield, Willis Haviland Carrier, Percy Spencer, and Jacques Cousteau. These titles are available from your preferred vendor, local bookstore, enslow.com, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Get to Know DOG BREEDS: The 200 Most Popular Breeds

Get to Know DOG BREEDS: The 200 Most Popular Breeds, by author Eva-Maria Kramer

Written at a middle-school level, this book series introduces different breed of dog. Each detailed portrait includes appearance, origin, and temperament of each breed.

Available in Library Edition, paperback and eBook from Enslow Publishers, Inc.  ISBN: 978-0-7660-4258-2.

National Poetry Month

Pure Poetry, geared toward the upper middle and high school student, is a series of four titles, with each book focusing on one particular poetry theme. Each chapter looks at one poem accompanied by detailed analysis discussing the style and technique, poetic devices, and the cultural significance. Every chapter ends with questions and prompts for student discussion and assessment.

These titles are correlated to the Common Core College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards, and are available in library, paperback, and eBook formats. They are available from your preferred vendor, enslow.com, local independent bookstores, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

It's National Tooth Fairy Day

Here are some fun facts about teeth. Did you know that when a baby's first teeth come in, they are called milk teeth (also known as "baby teeth") and there are 20 of them? When a child is about five or six, those teeth start falling out (hence the need for the Tooth Fairy) and are replaced by 32 permanent teeth. Cats and dogs also have two sets of teeth, but some reptiles and fish may have many sets of teeth during their lives. Crocodiles and sharks, for example, keep replacing their teeth their entire life.

Handy Health Guide to Your Teeth, one of twelve different titles in Enslow's Handy Health Guides series, is written for the middle school student, describing what role teeth play in our overall health, and how to take care of the teeth you have.

Other titles in the series cover topics such as ADHD, asthma, colds and flu, dyslexia, burns and blisters, and more. All of these titles are available in library and paperback editions, as well as eBooks. They are correlated to the Common Core and are available through your preferred vendor, local bookstore, enslow.com, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Looking for eBooks? Enslow has over 700 available!

Enslow has added over 700 eBooks to its collection, with more to come soon. Most of our spring 2014 list has been made into eBooks, all of which are available now.

Go to enslow.com and see what is available. Our titles can be purchased through our website as PDFs, and are also available as EPUBs through Amazon, Apple, and Barnes and Noble, among other vendors.

Congratulations to Dale Earnhardt, Jr., on his Daytona 500 win!

After an extended rain delay, the Daytona 500 was run yesterday. Enslow's latest Dale Earnhardt, Jr., biography for the older elementary reader, published in 2011, also describes his foundation, the Dale Jr. Foundation, which helps kids in need reach their goals.

For the slightly older student, Smokin' Race Cars explores the world of stock car racing, giving fans insight into the races.

Both of these titles are available in either hardcover or library binding, as well as in eBook versions. The Dale Earnhardt, Jr., title is available in paperback, and the Smokin' Race Cars title will be available in paperback in the next several weeks. Either title is available from your preferred vendor, your local bookstore, enslow.com, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Paint Me a Monster, title from new Enslow imprint, reviewed in 2 publications

Paint Me a Monster, one of several new titles in Scarlet Voyage, Enslow's newest imprint, was reviewed by both Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal.

Here is an excerpt from the November 1, 2013 issue of Kirkus Reviews:

"Readers will fall in love with Rinnie; Baskin has crafted a beautiful story about the complexities of family, self-respect and human connection."

Here is an excerpt from the February 2014 issue of School Library Journal:

"Baskin takes readers through a tug of war of emotion, punctuated by short, lyrical chapters that include poems, letters, and lists. Teens will follow the protagonist's tumultuous journey from innocent little girl to heartbroken teen and eventually a brave young adult. By helping others, Rinnie discovers a kindness only she knows how to give."

Available in both a hardcover edition and as an eBook, this title will also be available as a paperback in several months. This title can be purchased through your preferred vendor, enslow.com, your local bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Anniversary of '55-'56 Montgomery Bus Boycott Mass Arrests

Rosa Parks' stand against racial segregation spawned a protest that sparked the Civil Rights Movement. Saturday, February 22nd, represents a milestone in Parks' action and the subsequent Montgomery Bus Boycott. On that day, arrest warrants were issued for the boycott's leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rev. Ralph Abernathy. Learning about the ensuing court cases, the city's rigid racial division, and the success of the boycott's nonviolent campaign represent a critical window into the Civil Rights struggle. Enslow Publishers' new title -- Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott in Photographs -- leverages text and pictures to deliver an historical narrative accessible and interesting for young readers. Author David Aretha's 48-page work combines age-appropriate text with strong photographs that bring this key moment in the American story to light. School librarians and teachers will especially find this Lexile 880 book useful for developing visual literacy as well as other key academic skills.

Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott in Photographs, included in Enslow's "The Story of the Civil Rights Movement in Photographs," is available directly from Enslow Publishers in a variety of formats, including library-bound book, paperback, and e-book. The series is also available from your preferred vendor, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.

Zoom in on Grasshoppers, by Melissa Stewart

Author Melissa Stewart lets readers take a close look at grasshoppers in this title in the Zoom In on Insects! series. Use the 'Zoom In' bubbles to get an up close look at a grasshopper’s eyes, wings, antennae, and more!

Available in Library binding, paperback, and eBook from Enslow Publishers, Inc.

Therapy Horses: Horses that Heal

Therapy Horses: Horses that Heal by author Loren Spiotta-DiMare explains how incredibly helpful a therapy horse can be to a teenager with special needs. Read about the history of therapy horses and how these amazing animals help people with physical and emotional challenges.

Available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook from Enslow Publishers, Inc.

Ready for Math: New Series

Get Ready, Get Set, Divide!  Are you having trouble with the properties of division? Whether you are learning this information for the first time, or would like to review your math skills, Ready for Division is a great choice!

Author Rebecca Wingard-Nelson develops and writes math assessment text, textbooks and workbooks.  Available in hardcover, paperback, or ebook from Enslow Publishers, Inc.

Learning About the Human Body Systems review in Library Media Connections

Nice review of Learning About the Human Body Systems series review in Library Media Connections.  "Readers will enjoy 'amazing but true' facts. Full-color anatomically accurate labeled diagrams complement the text."

Available from Enslow Publishers, Inc. Appropriate for Common Core nonfiction reading. Available in Library Edition, paperback and eBook.

What are the Seven Wonders of the World? series review in Library Media Connections

Nice Library Media Connections series review of What Are the 7 Wonders of the World?     "With vivid photography and illustration...each book describe(s) what each wonder is, where it is in the world, and why it's significant."

Included in the series are: What are the...
7 Wonders of the United States?; 7 Wonders of the Ancient World?; 7 Wonders of the Modern World?; and 7 Wonders of the Natural World?

Available from Enslow Publishers in Library Edition, Paperback, and eBook.

Our Earth's Oceans Book Review in Library Media Connection

Library Media Connection recommended review of Our Earth's Oceans, written by Doreen Gonzales.  "Attractive and informative...The text reveals unique ocean vocabulary...Readers will find ample support for understanding as they read."

Published by Enslow Publishers and available in Library Edition, paperback, and ebook.

Jay-Z, New YA Biography

Jay-Z: A Biography of a Hip-Hop Icon written for YAs. Author Jeff Burlingame explores the remarkably interesting life of the undisputed champion of Hip-Hop! Published by Enslow Publishers, Inc.  ISBN 978-0-7660-4232-2.

Congratulations to our latest raffle winner!

We would like to congratulate the library of H.D. Berkey Elementary School in Pennsylvania for winning our monthly raffle of free books!

New series on insects for the elementary reader

Zoom In on Insects! is a six-title series written for the elementary reader. Want to know what a butterfly eats? Want to see what these insects look like close-up? Written by award-winning author Melissa Stewart, these books look at insects encountered in everyday life.

Other insects covered are bees, dragonflies, fireflies, grasshoppers, and ladybugs. These books will be correlated to the Common Core. That information will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

These titles are available in library, paperback, and eBook formats. They are available through your preferred vendor, enslow.com, your local bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

New Civil Rights series now available in time for Black History month

Enslow has just published a new series on the Civil Rights movement called The Story of the Civil Rights Movement in Photographs. This six book series is written for the middle school reader using primary source photographs, with text boxes and captions supplementing the images.

Author David Aretha examines this critical time in American history. Each title covers a different topic: freedom rides, the Montgomery bus boycott, voting rights, the civil rights movement in Birmingham, the Little Rock Nine and school desegregation, and the march on Washington, D.C. for jobs and freedom.

All of these titles are available in library, paperback, and eBook formats. They are available from your preferred vendor, local independent bookstores, enslow.com, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Congratulations to Patricia and the late Fredrick McKissack!

Patricia McKissack, and her late husband Fredrick, were awarded the Coretta Scott King Virginia Hamilton

Award for Lifetime Achievement. Presented to an African American author, illustrator, or author/illustrator, this award represents the winner's body of published works for children and/or young adults. The recipients of this award have also made a significant and lasting literary contribution.This award is named in memory of beloved children's author Virginia Hamilton, and is presented to the winner during the Coretta Scott King Awards Breakfast at the ALA Annual Conference.

Patricia and Fredrick McKissack have written many books for Enslow Publishers, Inc., with their last series of titles, Famous African Americans, published in the spring of 2013. This series of twelve books feature short biographies on Booker T. Washington, Carter G. Woodson, Frederick Douglass, George Washington Carver, Ida B. Wells Barnett, Jesse Owens, Louis Armstrong, Madam C.J. Walker, Marian Anderson, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mary McLeod Bethune, and Paul Robeson.

These titles are available from your preferred vendor, local independent bookstores, enslow.com, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

African--American Icons titles

Two subjects from our African-American Icons series performed the opening number on the Grammy awards last night.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z are two of the titles in this series. Written for the middle school reader, these 100+ page titles are great for those who want to learn more about these current actors, singers/musicians, authors, and comedians. Other spring 2014 titles in this series include biographies about Chris Rock, Jennifer Hudson, Sean "Diddy" Combs, and Tyler Perry. There are also six titles published in spring 2013.

All of these titles are available from your preferred vendor, local bookstore, enslow.com, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. These titles have been correlated to the Common Core, and are available in library, paperback, and eBook formats.

New animal series for the middle school reader

Get to Know Cat, Dog, and Horse Breeds is a series of three titles, with each 128+ page title focusing on a different animal. Each title features detailed descriptions of different internationally recognized breeds. These titles are a great page length for the middle school student.

For those that are cat lovers, have you ever heard of the Neva Masquerade? The FIFe (Fédération International Féline) considers this as part of the same breed as the colorpoint Siberian, and not in its own category. How about the Sokoke? This cat is found in the Arabuko-Sokoke rain forest in Kenya.

Have you ever heard of the Polish Tatra Shepherd? This white shepherd breed is closely related to the Great Pyrenees. How about the Entlebuch Cattle Dog and Appenzell Cattle Dog? These breeds were named after their places of origin in Switzerland. Read about a lot more of these lesser known breeds in the Dogs book.

The Horse title goes into detail about a lot of lesser known breeds of horses usually found in the United States. Does the breed Akhal-Teke sound familiar? Thought to be one of the oldest horse breeds in the world, the origin of this breed is from Central Asia. The Berber originated in North Africa. There are only a few purebred Berbers left. Many Berbers have been crossbred with Arabians.

All of these titles are available from your preferred vendor, enslow.com, local bookstores, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. They are available in both library and paperback editions.

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.

Read About Peyton Manning before the Super Bowl!

Read about Peyton Manning before the Super Bowl! Written by Ken Rappoport, this biography tells the story of the Super Start quarterback your team can count on when the big game is on the line.  The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks meet in the Super Bowl 2/2/14.  Available in Library Edition, Paperback and eBook.

Congratulations to our December raffle winner

Sorry for not getting this up earlier. Our raffle winner emailed us her list of books. Congratulations to the library at the North Border School in Walhalla, North Dakota!

Don't Play Dirty, Gertie uses fictional characters who find themselves in tricky situations in which they have to make a choice--but which is the right one?  The You Choose series, written by Sarah Eason is perfect for character education.  Four books cover: Be Fair; Tell the Truth; Be Brave; Don't Steal. Provided by Enslow Publishers, Inc.

Solve True Crime with 'Zoom in on Crime Scenes'

Mentioned in Booklist series review (9/1/13), The Zoom in on series by Richard Spilsbury 'zooms' in on tiny things--such as hair, skin, and broken glass--which reveal the truth about crimes. Great for science and STEM reading. Published by Enslow Publishers.

Freak City, title from new Enslow imprint, reviewed in the January 2014 issue of School Library Journal

School Library Journal reviewed Freak City it its January 2014 issue. Freak City is the story of a teenage couple's relationship as they learn to communicate using sign language.

Here is an excerpt from the review:

"Readers are left knowing that the strains of understanding between two cultures are complicated but not insurmountable."

This title is part of a new imprint, Scarlet Voyage. You can order it from enslow.com, your preferred vendor, local bookstores, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. It is available in hardcover and e-Book formats.

Frankenstein on SLJ.com

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: A Dark Graphic Novel was reviewed on SLJ.com in Joy Fleishacker's recent roundup of Frankenstein graphic novels and reimagined novels.  With the new movie, I, Frankenstein coming out on January 24th, it's a good time to put together a Frankenstein collection!  Check out the article here!

More information on Sertio A. Sierra and Meritxell Ribas' Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: A Dark Graphic Novel is available here.

School LIbrary Journal review of title from new imprint

In the River Darkness, part of Enslow's new imprint Scarlet Voyage, was reviewed in the January 2014 issue of School Library Journal. Here is an excerpt of the review:

"Fans of both realistic fiction and paranormal romance are likely to find the story to be a fantastic blend of the two genres. The writing is beautiful, the cover is eye-catching, and the story within does not disappoint."

Keeping and Caring for Your Pet series

Kittens are cute and cuddly...and a big responsibility. In this three-book series (Kittens, Puppies, and Rabbits), author Hannelore Grimm writes a beautifully illustrated book aimed at children on how to choose, care for, understand, and play with your new pet. Visit: http://bit.ly/1eDGH7d to find out more and to find Common Core connections.  Published by Enslow Publishers, Inc.

Looking for Lexile levels for books correlated to the Common Core?

Enslow has had a majority of their new titles correlated not only to the Common Core, but also correlated to Lexile. These scores can be found on both www.enslow.com and www.bluewaveclassroom.com.

For Lexile levels, go to the book page, and the Lexile will be displayed. Common Core Correlations can also be found on the book page.

Drawing Lessons (Booklist Review 11/1/13)

"For fairy fans, here's a treat" starts Booklist review on 11/1/13. Simple step-by-step directions show you how to create your own fairy lands. Draw the Magic Fairy written by Rosa M. Curto. Visit Enslow.com for Common Core connections.
#arted  #art #originality

Horses that Help in January 2014 Horse News

Loren Spiotta-DiMare's new four book series, Horses That Help with the American Human Association, has received a great write up in this month's Horse News.  The article has an provides an in-depth view of Loren's experience writing the series and talks about many of the working horses and their trainers that appear in each of the 4 titles. The article appears on page 19 of the January 2014 Horse News.

Titles in the Horses That Help with the American Humane Association series are available in Library, Paperback, and eBook editions.  Please visit Enslow.com for more information.

The Case of Flesh-Eating Bacteria

Recommended LMC review of Body System Disease Investigations starring super sleuth Annie Biotica. "With its colorful, concise fomrat, this series is as delightful as gross body books come." says Library Media Connection (Aut/Sept 2013) reviewer Jenny Gapp. In this series written by Michell Faulk, PhD, our hero has to solve five medical mystery cases. Readers will love the 'You solve the case' which will involve students in the medical science of each case.  Perfect for Science Friday and Common Core Nonfiction Reading.  Visit Enslow.com for more information.  #science #STEM #CommonCore

The Civil War Through Primary Sources review

Nice LMC review of new series: 'The Civil War through Primary Sources, by author Carin T. Ford.  "The books contain photographs, pictures, maps, and various documents, which help the reader become immersed in the time period."  Library Media Connections review Nov/Dec 2013.  Four books in the series. Visit our Web site Enslow.com for more information and Common Core Connections.

Pop-Tastic Popcorn Recipe!

Great Booklist review (11/1/13) of Professor Cook's... series:  "...kid-friendly recipes with scientific explanations and jazzy graphics..." Here is the recipe for:

'Pop-Tastic Popcorn':
(WITH AN ADULT HELPING!!!)
1. Place 2 tbsp corn oil in medium-sized saucepan until oil is hot, but not smoking.
2. Add 2-1/2 oz popcorn kernels and stir. Cover with lid, and place over high heat. Hold the top on!
3. In a separate pan, melt 1 tbsp salted butter until foaming, then add 1 crushed clove garlic, 1 tsp curry powder, 1/2 tsp mild chili powder and stir for 30 seconds.
4. Add the popped corn to the butter mixture and stir well.
Place in bowl, sprinkle with salt.
YUM! 
(The Science Bit (with each recipe!): When heated the trapped moisture in the corn kernel expands and turns to steam. The buildup of steam is so intense that it bursts through the hard outer shell and the starch inside the kernel explodes, literally turning it inside out.  Enslow Publishers, Inc. Visit this link for Common Core connections: http://tiny.cc/a6o98w

How Can You Sooth a Sore Throat?

How Can You Sooth a Sore Throat? It's that time of the year: sore throat season.  Authors Alvin and Virginia Silverstein and Laura Silverstein Nunn explain all you need to know in their new series Handy Health Guides. In Handy Health Guides to Sore Throats they explain how to avoid getting a sore throat and what you can do to feel better if you get one. They recommend that if you have a sore throat that you try to keep your throat moist by running a humidifier, sucking on hard candy or throat lozenges, and drinking plenty of fluids. Visit the series page to find Common Core connections. Enslow Publishers, Inc.

BookLinks Review of What Are Forces and Motion?

Nice review in BookLinks (November 2013) of Richard and Louise Spilsbury's book What Are Forces and Motions? "Diagrams and photos of children performing the experiments aid comprehension and the scientific process." View In Touch with Basic Science series page on our website for Common Core Connections. Enslow Publishers, Inc.

New 2014 series on Insects!

Zoom In on Insects is written for the beginning reader. Each of the 6 titles covers a different insect. Color photographs show the insects in their habitat, as well as up close images of the insect's features. Written by Melissa Stewart, these books are sure to please the young insect lover!

Available in library, paperback, and e-book formats, these books can be found at your preferred vendor, local bookstores, enslow.com, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Snow Day in the Northeast!

First Snow of 2014! A shot of the Enslow Publishers front door.