Multi-award winning author Gail Jarrow’s newest YA nonfiction book will be released on September 10, 2024. Gail Jarrow’s books for young readers have been recognized as Winner of the Excellence in Nonfiction Award from YALSA/ALA; the Robert F. Sibert Honor Book Award; the Children’s Book Guild Nonfiction Award; the Jefferson Cup; the Charlotte Award; the... Read More

As the year comes to a close, we’re celebrating Astra Books for Young Readers’ Best Of 2023 books as voted on by readers! 🏅 A 2023 Horn Book Fanfare Book Who was Coretta Scott King? Her black-veiled image at the funeral of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was moving and iconic. This book introduces readers to... Read More

Wrap up your holiday shopping for the kids on your list with a little help from the stars. Minerva‘s editorial director Maria Russo has rounded up a list of recommended titles based on every child’s Zodiac sign. ARIES (March 21–April 19): Pangolina It’s no surprise that the legendary Dr. Jane Goodall is herself an Aries.... Read More

‘Tis the season for gifting! 🎁 Delight all kinds of young readers in your life with these book recommendations. For the reader who loves firefighters (& Richard Scarry!) “Firefighters to the Rescue!” written and illustrated by R.W. Alley Follow along as the officers of Breezy Valley answer the call to protect their beloved town. Ladders,... Read More

Make this Thanksgiving season (and beyond!) the coolest one yet by celebrating positivity, kindness, and, of course, gratitude . . . with some ideas inspired by the gang from One Cool Duck. One Cool Duck is an early reader graphic novel series by Mike Petrik. Beaded Bracelets for Your Buddies Set a message of positivity this... Read More

2023 was a dazzling year for Astra Books for Young Readers, with 18 starred books across our children’s imprints! Here’s to celebrating our constellation of titles that released this past year: FICTION ★”Ideal for reading aloud, this title should be a hit.” —SLJ, starred review ★”A perfect suggestion for read-alouds or one-on-one reading. . . A kid-friendly early... Read More

WHY? is a wordless picture book by Nikolai Popov to help parents, teachers, and caretakers tackle the sensitive topics of conflict and war. Read More

Meet Eliza! Eliza Kinkz is a Tejana artist who illustrated Papa’s Magical Water-Jug Clock, written by comedian Jesús Trejo. The book is a hilarious day in the life of Little Jesús and his Papá, who are going to spend a Saturday together working the “family business”…. only for lots of mischief to ensue. Eliza lives in Austin, Texas, and has... Read More

Listen to Ray Anthony Shepard discuss his book, A LONG TIME COMING, with Editorial Director, Carolyn Yoder in this ALA podcast. Dear Reader: A Long Time Coming is the story of six heroes with the strength to challenge the racial barriers of their day. Ona Judge, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells, Martin Luther King... Read More

Hello! When I first started writing this book, I had one real thought in my mind: this will be the book I wish I had had, the book I wish someone else had written for me. Will came to me, as many of my stories do, with the first few lines fully formed. It sat like... Read More