G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers publishes roughly fifty trade hardcover books a year—from lively, accessible picture books to some of today's strongest voices in fiction.
In 1838, George Palmer Putnam and John Wiley established the publishing house of Wiley & Putnam, which became known as G. P. Putnam's Sons in 1872. One of the first children's titles published by G. P. Putnam's Sons was the 1925 Newbery Honor book Nicholas by Anne Carroll Moore. Other destined-to-be classics soon followed, including the recently reissued Little Toot by Hardie Gramatky. In 1936, Putnam merged with Coward McCann, bringing The Five Chinese Brothers by Clarie Hutchet Bishop, illustrated by Kurt Wiese, and Millions of Cats by Wanda Gág to the list. In 1980, Eric Hill's classic lift-the flap Where's Spot? was published and became an international sensation. With the acquisition of Dodd, Mead's juvenile division in 1989, Putnam welcomed one of its brightest stars—Jan Brett, whose picture books annually climb to the very top of the best-seller list.
For years Putnam has been publishing some of the best fiction for young adult and middle-grade readers. Recent successes include the New York Times bestselling Shelter by Harlan Coben and Legend by Marie Lu, the E.B. White Award-winning The Apothecary by Maile Meloy, and the Edgar Award-nominated The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson. Celebrated authors Betty Birney, Sherri L. Smith, Sheila O’Connor, and Meg Rosoff have also garnered tremendous readership and critical praise.
Notable picture book creators include Keiko Kasza, Michael Rex, and David Catrow, as well as exciting new talent like The Brothers Hilts, Yoko Tanaka, and Dan Santat. Recent New York Times Bestselling picture books include Mossy and Home for Christmas by Jan Brett; and Goodnight Goon, A Petrifying Parody by Michael Rex.
This year will see the publication of some of Putnam's brightest stars, including a new series from internationally best-selling author Melissa de la Cruz, as well as the much-buzzed about The Fifth Wave from award-winning author Rick Yancey.
Jennifer Besser
Vice President and Publisher
Jennifer Besser joined G. P. Putnam's Sons in 2010 as Vice-President and Publisher. She was previously Executive Editor at Disney Book Group where she edited bestselling authors such as Rick Riordan, Melissa de la Cruz, Eoin Colfer Ally Carter, and Jonathan Stroud.
Awards
Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults
- 2006: Jacqueline Woodson
The Newbery Medal
- 1942: The Matchlock Gun by Walter D. Edmonds, illustrated by Paul Lantz.
The Newbery Honor
- 2009: After Tupac and D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson
- 2008: Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson
- 2006: Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson
- 2005: Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
- 2001: Hope was Here by Joan Bauer
- 2000: 26 Fairmount Avenue by Tomie dePaola
- 2000: Getting Near to Baby by Audrey Couloumbis
- 1983: Homesick: My Own Story by Jean Fritz
- 1934: The ABC Bunny by Wanda Gág
- 1929: Millions of Cats by Wanda Gág
- 1925: Nicholas by Anne Carrol Moore
The Caldecott Medal
- 1996: Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
- 1993: Mirette on the Highwire by Emily Arnold McCully
The Caldecott Honor Medal
- 2005: Coming on Home Soon by Jacqueline Woodson; illustrated by E. B. Lewis
The Coretta Scott King Author Award
- 2001: Miracle's Boys by Jacqueline Woodson
The Coretta Scott King Author Honor
- 2007: Road to Paris by Nikki Grimes
- 2004: Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson
- 2003: Red Rose Box by Brenda Woods
The Printz Honor
- 2003: Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going
National Book Award Nominees
- 2005: Where I Want to Be by Adele Griffin
- 2003: Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson
- 2002: Hush by Jacqueline Woodson
