Learning happens when you have an open mind and an open heart. Start your school year with School is Wherever I Am by author (and teacher!) Ellie Peterson, a timely new picture book about learning and exploration, and the ever-expanding definition of school. Enter our giveaway for a chance to receive a classroom poster and activity perfect for bulletin board displays.
What better way to start the school year than with a book about sibling rivalry, laser tag, and a race against time? Team Chu and the Battle of Blackwood Arena by author Julie C. Dao is a middle grade adventure every kid will want to read. Think Jumanji but with laser tag! Enter our giveaway for a chance to win a virtual classroom visit with author Julie C. Dao, a class set of Team Chu and the Battle ofBlackwood Arena and black light keychains and a breakout style activity kit!
The runner-up will receive a class set of Team Chu and the Battle of Blackwood Arena and black light keychains, the breakout style activity kit, and a video of Julie C. Dao.
No purchase necessary. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia who are age 21 years of age or older. Entry period begins at 12:00 a.m. (ET) on Monday, August 01, 2022 and ends at 11:59 PM ET on Wednesday, August 31, 2022. Void where prohibited. For full Official Rules, visit mcpgschoollibaryteamchusweeps . Sponsored by Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, 120 Broadway 10271.
A rollicking, action-packed adventure of laser tag and fierce sibling rivalries, Team Chu and the Battle of Blackwood Arena is the first book in a commercial middle grade fantasy series by Julie C. Dao.
Clip and Sadie Chu couldn’t be more different. Popular, athletic Clip wants to become his school’s first seventh-grade soccer captain, while brainy star student Sadie is determined to prove that she can do anything her boastful brother can.
They have just one thing in common: they love laser tag. Like, really love it.
When the Blackwood Gaming Arena comes to town, bringing virtual reality headsets and state-of-the-art courses, they couldn’t be more excited—or competitive. But then a mysterious figure appears and claims to be a part of the game, forcing the Chus and their friends to save themselves from a sinister force lurking inside the simulation. Together, they must fight their way through epic battlegrounds that will test their speed, skills, and smarts . . . but will Clip and Sadie learn that they’re far better off working together than competing for the ultimate victory?
Praise for Team Chu and the Battle of Blackwood Arena
“Through the siblings’ alternating perspectives and respective internal struggle… Dao (Song of the Crimson Flower) delves into the Chu’s intergenerational dynamics, pressures, and expectations. A rousing adventure and heartwarming series opener.” —Publishers Weekly
“Chapters alternate between sports-loving Clip’s voice and academically inclined Sadie’s point of view as the siblings unravel the mystery in the most challenging—and imaginative—game of laser tag they’ve ever played. Young gamers, and readers who enjoy rooting for a strong sibling relationship full of competition and support, will revel in this fun, fast-paced adventure.” —Booklist
“An action-packed tale of sibling rivalry where thrills and challenges highlight the importance of family and teamwork. This book will delight readers with its fast pace and captivating worlds. Dao has once again crafted a must-read story full of immersive adventure.” —Adrianna Cuevas, author of Pura Belpré Honor book The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez and Cuba in My Pocket
Get ready for an unforgettable summer adventure! With a second season of Netflix’s hit original series Shadow and Bone coming soon and the 10th Anniversary of the publication of Shadow and Bone approaching, now is the perfect time to revisit this bestselling series and introduce a new generation of readers to the Grishaverse.
Enter for your chance to win a classroom set of Shadow and Bone to share with your students before summer break begins!
All teachers who enter will also receive an invitation for their classroom to join a nationwide virtual Back to School celebration with New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo this Fall! Plus, we’ll share teacher’s guides full of discussion questions and lesson plan ideas to incorporate Shadow and Boneand Six of Crows into your classroom curriculum next year.
Download free educator resources and teacher’s guides (available in both English and Spanish!) to use alongside the book. Plus, enter to receive a free Latinitas art print to display in your classroom or library.
Encourage young writers to enter our NORTHWIND Storytelling Contest
Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group invites storytellers ages 10–14 to continue the adventure of literary legend Gary Paulsen’s final novel, the New York Times bestseller Northwind.
“Story, as far as I’m concerned, is everything. Simply everything.” —Gary Paulsen
Literary legend Gary Paulsen (1939–2021) takes readers on one last adventure with his novel Northwind, another stunning survival story from the author of Hatchet, set alongside a rugged mythical coastline centuries ago. All storytellers ages 10–14 are invited to continue the adventure in the Northwind Storytelling Contest. Entries are open February 4th through April 1, 2022.
The contest will be judged by Gary’s son, Jim Paulsen; Jennifer Flannery of Flannery Literary, his longtime agent, and Wesley Adams, Gary’s editor at Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers. The judges will be looking for a unique voice and a strong sense of storytelling. The winning storyteller will receive a $500 AMEX gift card, journal, a class set of Northwind, admission to a writing workshop, and see their short story published. Five runners up will be invited to a writing workshop and receive a journal and a copy of Northwind.
Many will enter, few will win. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., age 10-14. Parental permission is required to enter. Must enter by 12:00 a.m. on April 1, 2022. Void where prohibited. Subject to all applicable laws. For complete rules and requirements, visit NorthwindContestRules.
Writing Prompt: At the end of Northwind, Leif turns away from signs of civilization to head back off on his own in a canoe at sea with limited supplies. In 1,000–3,000 words, continue Leif’s story or write a story about your own character embarking on a journey alone at sea.
Thank your everyday hero for all the ways they make a difference!
To celebrate the release of the new picture book Amos McGee Misses the Bus (on sale November 23, 2021), let’s thank everyday heroes for their kindness and generosity! Nominate someone who has made a difference in your life or your community for their chance to win a grand prize including a $500 gift card and a set of books including Amos McGee Misses the Bus and Caldecott Medal winner A Sick Day for Amos McGee. Two first prize winners will also be selected to win a set of books! Only everyday hero nominees are eligible to win prizes. Sweepstakes ends 10/22!
Enter for your chance to win the Friends Forever: Best School Year Ever sweepstakes
Back-to-school season is just around the corner! Get ready to kick off your Best School Year Ever! Enter the Friends Forever Sweepstakes for your chance to win a virtual classroom or library visit from Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham, creators of the bestselling Friends middle grade graphic novel series. The winner will receive a virtual classroom visit, plus a classroom set of Real Friends, Best Friends, and Friends Forever. Everyone who enters will also receive a video from Shannon Hale delivering her “Best School Year Ever” kick-off speech, where she’ll share a special back-to-school message for students everywhere.
Librarians provide so many vital services to their community and truly make a difference in the lives of their patrons, just like Lydia Sigwarth’s librarian Deb Stephenson. To celebrate the release of Dear Librarian, we asked readers to nominate a librarian who made a difference in their lives for their chance to win a grand prize! We received over 1,900 entries to our Dear Librarian sweepstakes, filled with stories of librarians going above and beyond for their patrons. We’re excited to share some of our favorite entries below! Thank you to these life-changing librarians for all that you do for your community!
Betsy Bird interviewed Lydia Sigwarth about the book, and how she and Deb Stephenson felt when they read these nominations: Lydia said, “We especially loved stories that reflected our own – kids whose lives had been changed by a special librarian in their life. It was also so inspiring to see all the amazing things librarians are doing all over the country. From rural communities to NYC to Alaska, librarians were making a difference in their communities and it was so, so hard to pick favorites when they all obviously deserved to be celebrated.” Read the full interview on the Fuse 8 blog!
Celebrate your favorite librarian with our Dear Librarian contest
In honor of our new picture book Dear Librarian, on sale June 1, we’re hosting a librarian appreciation contest!
Nominate a librarian who made a difference in your life for their chance to win a $1,000 Amex gift card and a collection of books for their libraries! (Contest ends Friday, April 30, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. ET)
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