Spring 2021 edition
Simon & Schuster’s Education & Library team is very proud to bring you The Book Pantry—your indispensable guide to book discovery. We strive to bring educators relevant book recommendations and valuable resources for their classrooms and libraries.
With significant contributions in K–12 literature, Simon & Schuster offers a wide range of engaging and important titles for children of all ages. Navigate the Literature By Category tab above to preview titles for the upcoming publishing season.
We encourage you to explore The Book Pantry and let us know what you think! Learn all about what new titles we are publishing each season, and be sure to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter so that you can stay informed.
We hope you find The Book Pantry to be a useful program for readers’ advisory and collection development. Let us know at Education.Library@SimonandSchuster.com. And if you’re also an adult librarian, be sure to check out The Book Drop for recommendations on new adult titles for your library!
—Rachel, Amy, Amanda, Sarah, Michelle, and Ana
Simon & Schuster’s Education & Library Team
seasonal spotlight
Frankie is at the top of his class and waiting for a scholarship that will take him to America. After posse violence wounds his father, and in order to save him and their family, Frankie makes a difficult decision that ultimately changes the trajectory of his life. Torn by allegiances and forces beyond his control he searches for a way out of unending grief and devastation toward a future only he can create. Peppered with Jamaican Patois, this gritty, raw, relentless, and realistic novel will transport you to the Blue Mountains of Jamaica to have you rooting for Frankie. Unflinching and riveting, Frankie’s story demonstrates unwavering perseverance in the face of impossible odds.
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Sky Baker is the most hesitant of reluctant heroes in his small Northern Michigan town. He just wants to get through high school, but that is so much harder when you think you’re the only gay kid in the entire town. When his plans to Prompose to another boy get leaked to the entire school, Sky imagines the end of the world, but instead he is met with tons of unexpected support and bravery as other students are inspired to come out, too. The Sky Blues by Robbie Couch is a charming emotional roller‑coaster of a novel, featuring a fresh voice, an incredible group of friends, and a lasting message of hope that may have left this reader a little teary.
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The Memory Thief is the kind of book that you need to read all at once. It’s a story of a curse that’s separated a family—a witch snatched Rosie’s mother’s memories long ago—and the power of a determined girl, her supportive friends, and her stories to protect and reclaim their world. I was mesmerized by the visceral scenes, full of witches and lairs and rope ladders dropped from the sky. I loved the friendships, both between ghost and human, and Rosie and her best friend, Germ. Book two could not come faster!
seasonal spotlight
With stunning illustrations and a sweet and heartwarming story, A Sled for Gabo is a delight. It includes Spanish terms with English explanations, so it’s perfect for giving young readers their first taste of a new language, or encouraging young bilingual speakers. I liked this book because of its emphasis on community, and Gabo’s lovable, shy and well‑intentioned character. Reading it for the first time reminded me of the joy snow days used to bring me as when I was a child. A Sled for Gabo is a great wintery read for young readers, and a soon-to-be classic in any classroom or library.
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