Scholastic Reads

Latest Episodes:

Summer Reading and “the Healing Power of Story” Aug 03, 2021

Show notes

According to the Scholastic Teacher & Principal School Report, more than 60% of educators say that reading over the summer supports students’ academic success. The Scholastic Summer Reading program was designed to help engage students even when they’re not in the classroom. The free, annual initiative keeps kids motivated to read all summer long, while expanding access to books. The program hosts virtual author events, provides e-books, and empowers kids to unlock a donation of 100,000 print books from Scholastic that are distributed in rural communities by Save the Children.

In this episode, host Suzanne McCabe talks with Lizette Serrano and Dr. Sayantani DasGupta about the joy of reading and how kids can access all of the free literacy resources on Scholastic Home Base over the summer. Lizette is the vice president of educational marketing and event planning at Scholastic. She has a wealth of experience motivating kids to read for pleasure —not just in the summer months, but all year long.

Sayantani, who is a pediatrician by training, is the New York Times-bestselling author of Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond, a wildly-popular middle-grade fantasy series. Her latest book, a stand-alone novel from The Kingdom Beyond, is called Force of Fire. She teaches at Columbia University in the Graduate Program in Narrative Medicine, the Institute for Comparative Literature and Society, and the Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race.

“If there’s ever been a time that all of us—young readers, teenage readers, adult readers—need the healing power of story, it’s this summer,” Sayantani says. “There is so much loss and confusion and anguish that we’ve all been through.”

Find out how you can help your kids discover their best selves in the pages of a book.

Resources:

Scholastic Summer Reading: Gain access to a fun, free, and safe program for kids.

Check out Home Base, a free 3D interactive world that celebrates favorite stories through book-based games, live author events, and a community of readers. Learn more about New York Times-bestselling author Sayantani DasGupta.

Special Thanks:

Music composer: Lucas Elliot Eberl

Producer: Bridget Benjamin

Associate producer: Constance Gibbs

Sound engineer: Daniel Jordan

Coming Soon:

Back to School, Back Together: A new website from Scholastic offers literacy curricula, classroom libraries, culturally responsive SEL programs, and interventions for striving readers.

Remembering 9/11: Acclaimed author Alan Gratz talks about his latest novel, Ground Zero

Author Tami Charles explores the music biz in Muted, her ripped-from-headlines YA novel in verse.

Celebrating Pride Month With Leah Johnson and Molly Knox Ostertag Jun 28, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we celebrate Pride Month with new queer romances by award-winning YA authors Leah Johnson (Rise to the Sun) and Molly Knox Ostertag (The Girl From the Sea).

Leah’s best-selling debut novel, You Should See Me in a Crown, is a 2021 Stonewall Honor Book and was the inaugural YA pick for Reese’s Book Club. Leah dedicates Rise to the Sun “to the Black girls who have been told they’re too much and to the ones who don’t believe they’re enough.”

Molly describes The Girl From the Sea, a graphic novel about first love, as “absolutely the most self-indulgent book I've ever done, [with] a lot of delicious wish fulfillment.” It debuted on the Amazon YA bestseller list. Molly’s 2017 graphic novel, The Witch Boy, is being adapted into a feature film by Netflix.

Rise to the Sun and The Girl From the Sea are both included in Shondaland’s Summer 2021 Reading List.

Resources:

Leah Johnson writes things: Learn more about this Midwestern author, essayist, and pop culture whiz.

Molly Knox Ostertag: Delve into Molly’s comics, art, and animation.

Read With Pride: Check out these essential LGBTQIA+ titles for young readers.

Special Thanks:

Producer: Bridget Benjamin

Associate producer: Constance Gibbs

Sound engineer: Daniel Jordan

Music composer: Lucas Elliot Eberl

Coming Soon:

Diving Into Summer Reading

Inside the Music Biz with Tami Charles

Room to Dream: Exploring the Asian American Experience With Kelly Yang and Dr. Don Vu May 13, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we spotlight Asian American heritage and the immigrant experience with author Kelly Yang and educator Don Vu.

Kelly is the award-winning author of the bestselling Front Desk series for middle-graders. She has won numerous accolades for her work, including the 2019 Asian Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature. Here, she talks with podcast host Suzanne McCabe about her writing journey and about Room to Dream, the latest title in her wildly popular series about the indomitable Mia Tang. It’s due out September 21.

Kelly also describes the struggles that she faced immigrating to the U.S. with her parents when she was a child. “You don’t have to strip away everything about yourself to conform,” she says. “That was a hard lesson for me growing up because there were definitely times I felt that pressure.”

Later in the episode, Dr. Don Vu, an educator with more than two decades of experience in the classroom, talks about his new book, Life, Literacy, and the Pursuit of Happiness: Supporting Our Immigrant and Refugee Children Through the Power of Reading. Educators and parents will want to hear Dr. Vu’s incredible insights into helping young students thrive as readers, writers, and learners. He also tells the moving story of his own family’s escape from Vietnam in 1975, when the city of Saigon fell to North Vietnamese forces.

Dr. Vu’s experiences as a refugee growing up in California helped him develop empathy for families much like his, who arrive in America with little more than a dream.

Resources:

Front Desk: Learn more about author Kelly Yang and her books for young people.

Life, Literacy, and the Pursuit of Happiness: Learn more about Dr. Don Vu and his new title for educators.

19 Books by Asian & Pacific Islander Americans to Read All Year: Here are lots of great titles to share with the young readers in your life.

Special Thanks:

Producer: Bridget Benjamin

Associate producer: Constance Gibbs

Sound engineer: Daniel Jordan

Music composer: Lucas Elliot Eberl

Coming Soon:

Celebrating Pride Month with authors Leah Johnson and Molly Knox Ostertag

Inside the music biz with authors Tami Charles and Lamar Giles

From Fear to Hope: Covering the Pandemic in our Classroom Magazines Apr 29, 2021

Show notes

Lauren Tarshis remembers the responsibilities that fell to her on March 11, 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic was declared, and schools around the country began to shift to virtual learning. Lauren is the editor-in-chief and publisher of Scholastic Classroom Magazines.

The magazines, which reach more than 25 million students and their teachers, have been a staple in classrooms for more than a century. In this episode, Lauren tells host Suzanne McCabe how a talented team of writers, editors, designers, video producers, and IT experts have helped support educators and keep students engaged and learning this past year—even though many classrooms have been empty.

Lauren is also the author of the best-selling I Survived book series, which recounts terrifying and thrilling stories from history through the eyes of a child who lived to tell the tale.

Later in the episode, Scholastic Kid Reporter Siroos recounts his journalistic experiences during the pandemic. Siroos, who is 12 years old and lives in New York City, is a member of Scholastic Kids Press, a team of 45 young journalists from around the world who report “news for kids, by kids” on our websites and in our Classroom Magazines.

Resources:

From Fear to Hope: Author Lauren Tarshis tells young readers how the polio epidemic affected her grandmother’s generation and finds similarities to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Killer Flu of 1918: Young readers learn about the powerful flu that claimed millions of lives and disrupted everyday life.

Science World Magazine’s COVID-19 News Hub: Young readers can get updates on the virus and vaccines here.

NEW! Storyworks’ Immersive Read-Alouds: Filled with music and special sound effects, this audio feature brings students into the action of the story and boosts their reading and listening skills. Try it for free here.

Scholastic Classroom Magazines: Reserve your magazines for the fall now, and get free online access.

Meet Lauren Tarshis: Learn more about Lauren and I Survived, her best-selling book series for kids.

Scholastic Kids Press: Check out recent articles by our Scholastic Kid Reporters. If you know a 10- to 14-year-old with a nose for news, encourage them to apply to Kids Press. Applications must be received by June 1. Learn more here.

Scholastic Kid Reporter Siroos Pasdar: Read Siroos’s news articles for our young readers.

Special Thanks:

Producer: Bridget Benjamin

Associate producer: Constance Gibbs

Sound engineer: Daniel Jordan

Music composer: Lucas Elliot Eberl

Coming Soon:

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with author Kelly Yang and educator Don Vu

Inside the music biz with authors Tami Charles and Lamar Giles

To Fly Among the Stars: Celebrating Women in Science Mar 18, 2021

Show notes

Do you know a little girl who dreams of becoming an astronaut, a fighter pilot, or an aeronautical engineer? In this episode, we celebrate the achievements of women who dared to follow their own dreams at a time when they were laughed at and dismissed.

First, host Suzanne McCabe talks with Rebecca Siegel, the author of To Fly Among the Stars: The Hidden Story of the Fight for Women Astronauts. Rebecca describes the early years of America’s space program, when 13 brave women trained in a secret, privately-funded program, hoping to earn their spot among the stars. These accomplished air racers, test pilots, and flight instructors later lobbied the White House and Congress to have women included in the astronaut program. Rebecca’s riveting tale about Jerrie Cobb, Janey Hart, and 11 other women serves as an inspiration for any girl who doubts that she can achieve whatever she sets her mind to.

Suzanne also talks with Dr. Ronke Olabisi, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at the University of California, Irvine. She tells listeners about her childhood dream of becoming an astronaut and how that led to her career as a biomedical engineer and inventor.

Resources:

• To Fly Among the Stars: the Hidden Story of the Fight for Women Astronauts

• To learn more about Rising Voices Library: Books Empowering Girls in S.T.E.A.M., contact your local Scholastic Education Representative.

• Women’s History Month book recommendations for all ages

• Women in STEM: 7 Inspiring Stories and Classroom Lessons

Special Thanks:

Music composer: Lucas Elliot Eberl
Producer: Bridget Benjamin
Associate Producer: Constance Gibbs
Sound engineer: Daniel Jordan

Coming Soon:

From Fear to Hope: Covering the 1918 Pandemic, the Polio Epidemic, and the Coronavirus Pandemic in Scholastic Classroom Magazines

Honoring Asian American Heritage with Author Kelly Yang and Educator Don Vu

Bringing Music to YA: Tami Charles and Lamar Giles

The Making of Twins: A Conversation With Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, author Varian Johnson and illustrator Shannon Wright talk about Twins, their new graphic novel for middle-graders. The story centers around Maureen and Francine Carter, twin sisters who are growing up—and growing apart as they enter middle school. The Carter sisters also happen to be Black. “Writing the girls in this way, where there’s not a big trauma arc, was a very intentional choice,” Varian says. “It’s almost like a political act.”

Varian has written several critically-acclaimed novels, including The Great Greene Heist and The Parker Inheritance, which was named a Coretta Scott King Honor Book in 2019. He and Shannon describe the experience of creating their first graphic novel together and why they think Twins is such a hit with young readers.

Resources:

The Power of Story: Diverse Books for All Readers

13 Black-Owned Bookstores to Know About

Learn More About Author Varian Johnson

Learn More About Illustrator Shannon Wright

Special Thanks:

Music composer: Lucas Elliot Eberl

Producer: Bridget Benjamin

Associate Producer: Constance Gibbs

Sound Engineer: Daniel Jordan

Coming Soon:

Charting the Future: Women and Space Exploration

Celebrating World Read Aloud Day Feb 02, 2021

Show notes

For 12 years, World Read Aloud Day has challenged participants to grab a book, find an audience, and read aloud. The global effort is now celebrated in 173 countries and counting.

For the past decade, Scholastic has been the title sponsor of World Read Aloud Day, which was created by LitWorld, a global non-profit that fosters a love of reading in children everywhere.

In this episode, host Suzanne McCabe talks with literacy expert and author Pam Allyn, who is the founder of LitWorld. She'll share ideas for educators and families who would like to participate in this year's celebration, which takes place on February 3.

Malcolm Mitchell will describe his own reading journey. “I was a 19-, 20-year-old college student whom the world praised for my ability to catch a pass,” he says. “But in the bookstore, I was buying The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Exclamation Mark, and The Giving Tree to help teach myself how to become more literate.”

Malcolm is now the best-selling author of The Magician's Hat and My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World. His Share The Magic Foundation helps transform young lives through literacy. In his past life, Malcolm was a star wide receiver for the New England Patriots. He has a Super Bowl ring to prove it!

Resources:

• Participate in World Read Aloud Day

• The Benefits of Reading Aloud: A Conversation With Pam Allyn

• Malcolm Mitchell: Share the Magic Foundation

• A List of Read-Alouds for All Ages

Special Thanks:

Music composer: Lucas Elliot Eberl
Producer: Bridget Benjamin
Sound engineer: Daniel Jordan

Coming Soon:

Coretta Scott King Honor Author Varian Johnson Talks About Twins, His Graphic Novel

Anti-racism Resources for Your Home and Classroom Jan 27, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we focus on anti-racism education in the classroom and at home. Host Suzanne McCabe talks with Dr. Gholdy Muhammad, an associate professor of language and literacy at Georgia State University and the author of Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy. Muhammad explains how researching Black literary societies from the 1800s inspires her work with students and teachers around the country. Monique Melton, an author, international speaker, and host of the Shine Brighter Together podcast, also offers her perspective on “what it looks like to actually explore, identify, and eliminate racism in every aspect of our society from the inside out.”

Resources:

• Cultivate the genius of your students at home with Dr. Gholdy Muhammad

• Meet anti-racism educator Monique Melton

• Digital resources from the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

• Explore Sankofa read-alouds

• Dr. Gholdy Muhammad discusses the Black Lives Matter Movement and education

Special Thanks:

Music composer: Lucas Elliot Eberl
Producer: Bridget Benjamin
Sound engineer: Daniel Jordan

Coming Soon:

Coretta Scott King Honor Author Varian Johnson Talks About Twins, His Graphic Novel

Stillwater: Marvel in the Moment Dec 16, 2020

Show notes

“Only those who try can achieve the impossible.” In this episode, we spotlight Stillwater, a new animated children's series from Apple TV+. Inspired by the beloved Zen Shorts book series by Jon J Muth, the new series follows the adventures of three siblings whose neighbor happens to be a giant panda named Stillwater. Through his beautiful stories, the wise Stillwater helps the children cope with life's disappointments and sorrows, and hold onto their sense of joy and wonder.

Host Suzanne McCabe talks with Mallika Chopra, an author, speaker, and wellbeing expert who serves as the mindfulness consultant on the TV series, and award-winning children’s book illustrator and artist, Jon J Muth.

Resources:

You can learn more about Jon J Muth here and about Stillwater, the new animated TV series from Apple TV+ here.

Special thanks:

Music composer: Lucas Elliot Eberl
Producer: Bridget Benjamin
Sound engineer: Daniel Jordan

Coming Soon:

• Antiracism Resources for Your Home and Classroom

• World Read Aloud Day

100 Years of Reading: Celebrating Scholastic’s Legacy Nov 11, 2020

Show notes

Today, we're celebrating Scholastic's 100th anniversary with President, Chairman, and CEO Dick Robinson. Dick's father, Maurice R. Robinson, known affectionately to generations of staffers as Robbie, founded the company in 1920. A venture that started with a weekly newspaper for students has since grown into the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books. Generations of readers have fond memories of attending a Scholastic Book Fair on an autumn afternoon, or checking off a list of books to purchase on one of the many Scholastic Book Club order forms that arrived in classrooms.

Kids have grown-up with, and obsessed over, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Goosebumps, The Baby-Sitters Club, Harry Potter, and Captain Underpants. Stories by Suzanne Collins, the late Walter Dean Myers, Raina Telgemeier, Pam Muñoz Ryan, and Kelly Yang, to name a few, still captivate young readers. Scholastic News and Junior Scholastic are still staples in classrooms across the country, and Scholastic Kid Reporters are still out there getting stories that matter to them and their young readers.

Last but not least, young people still receive coveted Scholastic Art & Writing Awards each year, as they have done for nearly a century. Past recipients include Andy Warhol, Bernard Malamud, Kay WalkingStick and Mozelle Thompson. The list goes on, but we wanted to hear from Dick about his memories of his father, the early years at the company, and how he has remained true to his father's vision that few things are more magical than children discovering themselves in the pages of a book.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Resources:

Special Thanks:

Coming Soon:

Resources:

Special Thanks:

Coming Soon:

Resources:

Special thanks:

Coming Soon:

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected