When I first started reviewing books I discovered a series of books that really interested me. They were the Dear America historical fiction books. In this series authors use a diary style format to tell the story of a young person who lived in the past. There is a book about a girl who was on the Titanic, a dust bowl diary, a suffragette diary, a WWII diary, a California gold rush diary, an many more. Now the publishers of this series, Scholastic, are re-launching the series. Here is the information Scholastic sent me about this re-launch.
SCHOLASTIC RE-LAUNCHES ACCLAIMED
DEAR AMERICA® HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK SERIES THIS FALL
WITH NEW PUBLISHING AND ADDITIONAL ONLINE CONTENT PROVIDED BY THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
NEW YORK — September 8, 2010 — Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, announced today that it will re-launch the acclaimed and bestselling Dear America® historical fiction series this fall with a combination of all-new publishing and re-issues of classic Dear America titles—plus an exciting new interactive website with historical content provided by the Library of Congress.
Originally launched in 1996, the original Dear America series for readers ages 8 – 14 has more than 14 million copies in print. Written by an array of award-winning and bestselling writers, the Dear America books are presented in diary format from the perspective of girls living at different times in American history. Publication of the series ended in 2004, and fans, booksellers, educators, and parents have requested that the series be brought back into print. The series will re-launch in September 2010 with The Fences Between Us, an all-new story set in the Pacific Northwest during WWII by Newbery Honor author Kirby Larson. Also to be reissued this fall are two classic Dear America titles: A Journey to the New World by bestselling author Kathryn Lasky and The Winter of Red Snow by bestselling author Kristiana Gregory. Both new and re-issued favorites will be published seasonally.
In cooperation with the Library of Congress, Scholastic will further expand the series with two new dedicated Dear America websites; one for fans, one for educators, both launching in September 2010. The Dear America website (www.scholastic.com/dearamerica) for fans will be a fully interactive online community. The site will feature interactive scrapbooks for each Dear America character with online fashion galleries, crafts, recipes, as well as fun downloads. In addition to other games, quizzes, book excerpts, and author interviews, there will also be a moderated “living diary” blog and message board for fans.
Simultaneously, Scholastic and the Library of Congress will offer teachers and librarians a wealth of lesson plans, historical documents and archival photos, and other teaching resources at the educator site (www.scholastic.com/teachdearamerica). The site also features timelines, author videos, discussion guides, and more, bringing the history in each book to life.
“Since its launch in 1996, the Dear America series has been embraced by readers and educators for its combination of rich storytelling and historical accuracy,” said Ellie Berger, President of the Trade Publishing division of Scholastic. “We are pleased to reintroduce this beloved book series by award-winning authors with the added dimension of a rich online experience through our relationship with the Library of Congress.”
“The Library of Congress is excited about this opportunity to collaborate with Scholastic on the re-release of the classic Dear America series,” said Laura Campbell, Associate Librarian for Strategic Initiatives. “Combining these compelling stories with the Library’s unparalleled primary source collections will help make history more accessible and engaging for teachers and students alike.”
About The Library of Congress
Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution. The Library seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions. Many of the Library’s rich resources can be accessed through its website at www.loc.gov and via interactive exhibitions on a personalized website at myLOC.gov.
About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and a leader in educational technology and related services and children’s media. Scholastic creates quality books, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, magazines, multi-media and other products that help children learn both at school and at home. The Company distributes its products and services worldwide through a variety of channels, including school-based book clubs and book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, on-air, and online at www.scholastic.com.
September 2010
DEAR AMERICA
By Kirby Larson
Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14
ISBN: 978-0-545-22418-5 • $12.99 U.S.
ISBN: 978-0-545-24954-6 (Audio)
ISBN: 978-0-545-26232-3 • $15.99 (Library Edition)
DEAR AMERICA : A Journey to the New World
By Kathryn Lasky
Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14
ISBN: 978-0-545-23801-4 • $12.99 U.S.
ISBN: 978-0-545-26233-0 • $15.99 (Library Edition)
DEAR AMERICA
By Kristiana Gregory
Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14
ISBN: 978-0-545-23802-1 • $12.99 U.S.
ISBN: 978-0-545-26234-7 • $15.99 (Library Edition)
November 2010
DEAR AMERICA
By Ellen Emerson White
Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14
ISBN: 978-0-545-23834-2 • $12.99 U.S.
ISBN: 978-0-545-26235-4 • $15.99 (Library Edition)
January 2011
DEAR AMERICA : Like the Willow
By Lois Lowry
Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14
ISBN: 978-0-545-14469-8 • $12.99 U.S.
ISBN: 978-0-545-27371-8 (Audio)
ISBN: 978-0-545-26556-0 • $15.99 (Library Edition)
DEAR AMERICA
By Patricia C. McKissack
Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14
ISBN: 978-0-545-24253-0 • $12.99 U.S.
ISBN: 978-0-545-26555-3 • $15.99 (Library Edition)
March 2011
DEAR AMERICA
By Karen Hesse
Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14
ISBN: 978-0-545-24245-5 • $12.99 U.S.
ISBN: 978-0-545-26554-6 • $15.99 (Library Edition)
April 2011
DEAR AMERICA
By Barry Denenberg
Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14
ISBN: 978-0-545-27598-9 • $12.99 U.S.
ISBN: 978-0-545-27944-4 • $15.99 (Library Edition)
