Penguin's middle grade series will keep kids reading—whether that reader loves mysteries, adventure, fantasy, or humor. Use this chapter sampler to find the perfect books to hook your reader and fight the summer slump!

Click here to start reading chapter excerpts to these great middle grade reads!

• In a Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz
• The Chronicles of Egg: Deadweather and Sunrise by Geoff Rodkey
• Gustav Gloom and the People Taker by Adam Troy-Castro
• PK Pinkerton and the Deadly Desperados by Caroline Lawrence
• Wereworld: Rise of the Wolf by Curtis Jobling
• The Books of Elsewhere: The Shadows by Jacqueline West
• Robbie Forrester and the Outlaws of Sherwood Street by Peter Abrahams
• Theodore Boone: The Accused by John Grisham
• The Accidental Adventures: We Are Not Eaten By Yaks by C. Alexander London
• The Wells Bequest by Polly Shulman
• The Apprentices by Maile Meloy

Spend the summer with Sarah Dessen by hosting Sarah Dessen Book Clubs in your library!

In honor of this month's publication of The Moon and More and in anticipation of Sarah Dessen's school and bookstore visits this fall, Penguin is calling Summer 2013 The Summer of Sarah. Click here to download your free Summer of Sarah book club kit and welcome readers in your community into your book club meetings all summer long.

The brochure includes

• Discussion questions about specific Dessen titles or more thematic sessions on a variety of topics, such as relationships, moving away, loss and letting go, and change (which everyone can relate to).
• Fun quizzes, such as "Which Dessen Girl Are you Most Like?"
• The Moon and More playlist straight from Sarah's ipod.
• A delicious recipe for Magic Cookie Bars.

And fight the summer slump! You can find a book for every reader with our 2013 Summer Reading Guide.

Included inside are:

• Recommended Summer Reading Lists: from Kindergarten through High School
• Best Books Lists: Critically acclaimed titles and award winners
• Reaching Reluctant Readers: Books to read for fun
• Nonfiction: Biography series and thematic books for kids of all ages
• Book Club Suggestions: Opening the door to increased reading comprehension

The guide provides book recommendations by grade, reading level, and theme that teachers and librarians can use to help their students enjoy summer reading

All titles featured are excellent choices for independent reading selections and fit well into Common Core State Standards, making them perfect for required and suggested summer reading lists as well as back-to-school assignments.

Download the guide for free here.

Presenting Core Curriculum Lesson Plans to our modern classics! These books range widely in age groups and interest levels but all have two things in common—they are high interest and generate strong discussions perfect for classroom instruction.

Each lesson plan is ready for immediate classroom adoption with suggested assignments, writing prompts, extension activities, and more! Each Core Curriculum Lesson Plan was created by educators for educators and is specifically aligned to the Common Core State Standards.

Click on the book covers to download the Core Curriculum Lesson Plans for each title.

Mirror, Mirror: The Book of Reversible Verse

Grades 3-4: Mirror, Mirror: The Book of Reversible Verse by Marilyn Singer; illustrated by Josee Masse

More than a picture book! Teach poetry, language, and fairy tales.

Matilda

Grades 3-5: Matildaby Roald Dahl

A zainy coming-of-age-story from beloved author, Roald Dahl.

A Tale Dark and Grimm

Grades 4-5: A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

Perfect for independent and guided reading assignments and fairytale units.

Savvy

Grades 4-6: Savvyby Ingrid Law

This Newbery Honor-winning book is peppered with a cast of quirky characters whose odd adventures captivate the imaginations of young readers everywhere.

Al Capone Does My Shirts

Grades 4-6: : Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

A Newbery Honor winning book about growing up on Alcatraz Island in 1935.

The Green Glass Sea

Grades 5-6: The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages

Addresses multiple themes such as self-discovery, bullying, friendship, family, and death—with the backdrop of the Manhattan Project.

Matched

Grades 7-10: Matched by Ally Condie

Challenge students to think about choice, loyalty, sacrifice, and the expectations of society.

Between Shades of Gray

Grades 7-10: Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

A historical novel on the Russian Gulag in Lithuania, this novel can be paired with history units.

Thirteen Reasons Why

Grades 7-10: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

An essential book on bullying and suicide, this book is an authentic way to engage teens in these important topics.

(And Loving) in June

If you're up-to-date on the latest Penguin scoop, you'd know that the 5th Wave is quit the buzz. Like everyone in the New York office, I could not be more excited that the 5th Wave is finally coming! Written by Printz Honor author Rick Yancey, The 5th Wave is tells of the story of a Cassie. Your typical high school teen, Cassie's world is turned upside down when one day electromagnetic pulse sends her world into utter darkness, beginning a series of earth destructive waves. When everyone but Cassie's younger brother is taken from her, she has to decide whether to surrender to THEM, or run. The 5th Wave literally had me on the edge of my seat. I could not turn the page fast enough as I followed Cassie on her journey to survival. Rick Yancey's master story-telling is evident in this plot driven, apocalyptic, thriller that you won't want to miss!

—Bridget Ryan, School and Library Marketing Assistant

The 5th Wave
By Rick Yancey
Ages 12 up | Grades 7 up
3 starred reviews!

"Nothing short of amazing." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"[A] heartfelt, violent, paranoid epic, filled with big heroics and bigger surprises." —Booklist, starred review

"A gripping SF trilogy…Yancey's aim is every bit as good as Cassie's" —Publishers Weekly, starred review

Out of the Easy
By Ruta Sepetys
Ages 14 up | Grades 9 up
3 starred reviews!

"A compelling and entertaining first-person narration, a colorful cast of memorable characters and an intriguing storyline, this is a surefire winner." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Sepetys has built a stellar cast." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"With dramatic and contextual flair, Sepetys introduces teens to another memorable heroine." —School Library Journal, starred review

POLLY SHULMAN is also the author of The Grimm Legacy (a Bank Street Best Book and Mythopeic Fantasy Award Finalist) and Enthusiasm. She has written for the New York Times, Discover, Newsday, Salon, Slate, Scientific American Archaeology, and the Village Voice, among others, and editors news stories for Science magazine. She is an alumna of Yale University, where she majored in math. She lives in New York City.

You can learn more about the The Wells Bequest here.

Learn more about Polly Shulman here. If you are interested in hosting an appearance by Polly Shulman at your school, library, or conference, please use the online request form, send an email to authorvisits[at]us.penguingroup.com with possible dates, your school name, location, details about the day, and your contact information.

Golden Boy Discussion Guide

A shocking human rights tragedy brought to light in a story of heartbreak and triumph.

Thirteen-year-old Habo has always been different--light eyes, yellow hair and white skin. Not the good brown skin his family has and not the white skin of tourists. Habo is strange and alone. Only his sister Asu loves him well. But even Asu can't take the sting away when the family is forced from their small Tanzanian village, and Habo knows he is to blame. Seeking refuge in Mwanza, Habo and his family journey across the Serengeti. His aunt is glad to open her home until she sees Habo for the first time, and then she is only afraid. Suddenly, Habo has a new word for himself: albino. But they hunt albinos in Mwanza because albino body parts are thought to bring good luck. And soon Habo is being hunted by a fearsome man with a machete. To survive, Habo must not only run, but find a way to love and accept himself.

Download the Educator Guide.