Scholastic Reads

• Realize the Dream: A Conversation with Martin Luther King III, Arndrea King, and Andrea Davis Pinkney

  Realize the Dream is a visionary movement aimed at uniting communities to achieve an extraordinary goal: completing 100 million hours of service by January 15, 2029—the 100th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birth. Inspired by Dr. King’s unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and a compassionate society, Realize the Dream embodies his vision of a strong, unified foundation for all. The initiative seeks to empower hundreds of thousands of teachers and bring hope to over six million students in underfunded schools across the United States. As a company deeply committed to education and literacy for every child, Scholastic has partnered with this transformative mission. And as part of this commitment, Scholastic will be donating half a million dollars’ worth of books over the course of the initiative to help support Realize the Dream’s ongoing programming. Late last year, Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King visited Scholastic Headquarters in New York City to discuss the initiative in a conversation moderated by award-winning author, and Scholastic Vice President and Editor, Andrea Davis Pinkney. In today’s episode, the Kings and Andrea are back, joining guest-host Billy DiMichele in the studio for another compelling conversation about Realize the Dream! → Resources About Realize the Dream: Learn more about the initiative. About Martin Luther King III: Learn more about the American human rights activist, philanthropist, advocate and the eldest son of Doctor Martin Luther King Junior and Coretta Scott King. About Andrea Waters King: Learn more about the social justice leader and President of the nonprofit Drum Major Institute. About Andrea Davis Pinkney: Learn more about award-winning author award-winning author, and Scholastic Vice President and Editor. About Yolanda Renee King and We Dream a World: Learn more about the author, activist and sole grandchild of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Corette Scott King, and her book. Realizing the Dream with Scholastic: Kid Reporter Leyla Saldanha’s coverage of Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King, and Yolanda Renee King’s October 2024 visit to Scholastic Headquarters to talk about the Realize the Dream initiative. We Dream a World: Celebrating Black History Month With Yolanda Renee King: Suzanne McCabe speaks with Yolanda Renee King and Andrea Davis Pinkney in this 2024 episode about the picture book We Dream a World: Carrying the Light from My Grandparents Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. → Highlights *Martin Luther King III, American human rights activist, philanthropist, and advocate * “We wanted to create something that causes people to turn to each other. As we’re working together, we’re doing something that’s bigger than ourselves, in a climate, which is divided, this will hopefully begin to create the beginning elements of some level of community.” “What we really want is not to share what someone should do. What we want is people to decide for themselves what they want to do…What we know is when one is passionate about something, they’re going to do a better job.” “Civility is kindness. Civility is how we say, what we say. Because we can say it in a constructive way, or we can say it in a destructive way. And we need to be creating the climate for constructiveness.” “My greatest hope is that our nation becomes closer and not to just Realize the Dream, but people will realize their own dreams in a way that compliments everyone.” Arndrea Waters King, social justice leader and President of the nonprofit Drum Major Institute “One person can make a difference. All together we can change the world.” “It is important, again, for all of us to find ourselves within the King legacy, but also for everyone to understand that if you’re doing something for someone else, if you’re serving your community, you are doing something to realize the dream of Martin Luther King Jr.” “Acknowledging the shared humanity of us all, at its core, is the foundational principle of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King’s work…As a humanity, we are all brothers and sisters. And that to me is what the cornerstone of what this movement is.” *Andrea Davis Pinkney, award-winning author and Vice President and Executive Editor, Scholastic Trade Publishing * “[Kids] want to take action. They’re big-hearted. And they know what it means to work together.” “As well all know, books change lives. Books spark conversations. And that’s what We Dream a World does. It’s changed lives. It has sparked conversations.” “Stories connect us. They unify us. They bring us together. In the case of the book, We Dream a World, it’s a jewel and a tool. It’s a jewel because it glistens, because its beautifully illustrated, because young people will engage with it and its beautifully written. It’s a tool, because it’s a way that young people can have the roadmap to say, “how do I make a change?” → Special Thanks Producers: Maxine Osa, Anne Sparkman, Allyson Barkan Sound Engineer: S. Shin Music Composer: Lucas Elliot Eberl → Coming Soon Art & Writing 2025

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• We Spy, You Spy, I Spy Love: A Conversation with Walter Wick and Dave & Dan Marzollo on the Latest I Spy Installment

  In 1992, Scholastic published I Spy, a groundbreaking series of photography-based seek-and-find books created by illustrator Walter Wick and author Jean Marzollo. For over three decades, I Spy has captivated and entertained readers and families across the nation. With 100-plus books in the collection and over 75 million copies in print, the series continues to be a beloved classic. Last November saw the latest installment in the series, I Spy Love, which brims with whimsical and heartwarming scenes accompanied by delightful riddles, all centered on the theme of love. The title also marks a significant milestone for the series as it’s the first time Dan and Dave Marzollo, sons of original co-creator Jean, have written an I Spy book entirely on their own, alongside Walter Wick! In today’s episode, guest-host Billy DiMichele is joined by Walter, Dan, and Dave about the newest installment, what goes into creating an I SPY book, and so much more! → Resources About I Spy Love: Check out the latest installment in the I Spy Series. About I Spy Series: Learn more about the widely popular seek-and-find book series, published by Scholastic Press. Walter Wick: Learn more about the illustrator. Let’s Find Out!: Check out the nonfiction magazine designed for kindergarteners, featuring fun, seasonal content on science and social studies themes. → Highlights Walter Wick, Illustrator, I Spy “As soon as the first I Spy book came out Jean started to realize how to articulate what those educational values were all about. And that really came to fruition in I Spy School Days…she really set the curriculum on that book.” “You can almost think of each of my scenes as a window display, but without the window.” “A child who struggled with reading was actually better at finding the objects from the riddles than the advanced readers. We called [these books] a 'great equalizer' because they brought people together and got them on the same page.” Dan and Dave Marzollo, Authors, I Spy “My favorite book of the series is I Spy Mystery, where Walter built these mysteries within the pictures. That to me is really great—to find those hidden things within the bigger picture.” – Dan “We were the first ones that got to see the very first fold and gathered copy of I Spy and test it.” – Dave “My mom always said that the moment she realized how big of a success the series was going to be, was when all the high school kids were pushing each other out of the way to try to find the blue thumbtack first. In the beginning, she thought this was going to be just something for kids but saw that high school kids were just as fully riveted by the books.” - Dave → Special Thanks Producers: Maxine Osa, Anne Sparkman, Allyson Barkan Sound Engineer: S. Shin Music Composer: Lucas Elliot Eberl

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• New Year, New Scares: Goosebumps Kicks Off 2025 with Thrills, Chills and a Vanishing Act

  In July 1992, Scholastic published the first Goosebumps book by R.L. Stine for young readers nationwide. Never before had a book series attempted to be just scary enough for children and very quickly one thing became clear, kids loved it. In the three decades since its debut, Goosebumps has become one of the best-selling children's book series of all time. With over 400 million books in print, two feature films, video games, consumer products, multiple television adaptations, and more in store for 2025, Goosebumps continues to be one of the most notable cultural phenomena of the past century. This January 10th, 2025 marked the release of the second season of the thrilling live-action Disney+ anthology series Goosebumps: The Vanishing, and this coming March will see the release of R.L. Stine’s newest book in his House of Shivers series, Say My Name, Say My Name. In today’s episode, guest-host Billy DiMichele is joined by the master of horror himself, R.L. Stine, to talk all things funny and scary, while later in the program, we get to hear from Jayden Bartels, one of the stars of Disney+’s newly released Goosebumps: The Vanishing. → Resources About R.L. Stine: Learn more about the author and his many books. About Goosebumps: Learn more about the thrilling Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine. About Goosebumps: The Vanishing: Learn more about the newest installment of the live-action Goosebumps television series, executive produced by Scholastic Entertainment, and now available to stream in full on Disney+ and Hulu. Spooky stories for Halloween: Suzanne McCabe interviews R.L. Stine about what it is about spine-chilling books that’s so compelling for young readers, in this spooky-season-themed 2019 Scholastic Reads episode. 25 Years of Goosebumps: R.L. Stine visits Scholastic Reads to talk about the 25th anniversary of the Goosebumps series in this 2017 Scholastic Reads episode. → Highlights R.L. Stine, author, Goosebumps “No one expects this kind of thing. To get so lucky, to have a big bestselling series that lasts. No one plans on it. We had no idea. It all happens, Harry Potter or Hunger Games, Twilight, etc. because of kids. Kids telling kids.” “I LOVE the middle-grade audience.” “I think horror is funny. [It] makes me laugh.” “I’m a huge believer that television shows really encourage reading. Back in the 90s, when the original Goosebumps series went on FOX kids, we gained a million readers a month. So, I’ve always been a big believer that television can encourage reading.” Jayden Bartels, actor, Goosebumps: The Vanishing “I think it’s so interesting how [R.L. Stine] found a way to scare children without giving them nightmares.” “I think it was a big thing for this show, taking the monsters, we all know and love and grew up on, and bringing in new characters and new stories to life.” “We can bring in a new perspective that the younger generation can relate to. And I think that the characters in the show are so multifaceted and so deep and layered.” → Special Thanks Producers: Maxine Osa, Anne Sparkman, Allyson Barkan Sound Engineer: S. Shin Music Composer: Lucas Elliot Eberl → Coming Soon I SPY LOVE

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• EVA-DORABLE: Rebecca Elliott Talks a Decade of the Owl Diaries, Eva the Owlet, and more!

  At six years old, Rebecca Elliott knew she wanted to write and illustrate books for kids. Today, she is doing exactly that with her hugely popular book series, Owl Diaries and Unicorn Diaries. This coming January marks the 10th anniversary of the Owl Diaries’ debut, and in today’s episode Rebecca joins guest-host Billy DiMichele to talk about the milestone, the success of her hugely popular books, and the animated Apple TV+ series Eva the Owlet, which recently announced its return for a second season and the release of a very special holiday episode. → Resources About Rebecca Elliot: Learn more about the author and her many books. About The Owl Diaries: In Rebecca’s widely popular book series, Owl Diaries, readers follow the adventures of Eva Wingdale, a young owl who navigates school life, friendships, and various challenges in her town of Treetopolis. About Eva the Owlet: The Apple TV+ animated series based on the bestselling Owl Diaries book series, produced by Scholastic Entertainment. About the Unicorn Diaries: Rebecca’s other entertaining book series follows the adventures of Bo Tinseltail, a young unicorn with the power to grant wishes, as he navigates life in Sparklegrove Forest. Owl Diaries: Rebecca Elliott on Reading Aloud and Eva the Owlet: Suzanne McCabe speaks with Rebecca Elliott in this 2023 Scholastic Reads episode about the runaway success of Owl Diaries, its Eva the Owlet adaptation, and her participation in World Read Aloud Day 2023. Growing Readers with Branches and Acorns: In this 2019 episode, Suzanne McCabe interviews Katie Carella, Executive Editor at Scholastic, about the Branches and Acorn books and their impact. She also speaks with authors Troy Cummings (The Notebook of Doom), Rebecca Elliott (Owl Diaries), and Jonathan Fenske (Crabby) about creating these engaging books for kids. → Highlights Rebecca Elliott, author, illustrator Owl Diaries “[It’s] mind-blowing that [my books] could play the smallest role in a child’s journey into books, which to me is one of the most important of journeys, as it’s not only for entertainment, but it builds your worldview. It shapes your curiosity and knowledge.” “There’s something about [owls] that’s so elusive and imaginary even though they’re clearly not. We can almost imagine that they have a secret world where they do wear berets and go to owl elementary school. And the fact that they are such great fodder to write about for children. They have big eyes, they can fly, they have super hearing, and super sight. They are incredible creatures and just so wonderful to wrap this story around.” “I was always drawing. Always, always, from as far back as I can remember. That’s what I did with most of my time. And then I would make up stories about the drawings I [created].” “I think kids are just as interested in stories now, as they ever were. And that’s never going away. It’s a human need to want stories.” → Special Thanks Producers: Maxine Osa, Anne Sparkman, Allyson Barkan Sound Engineer: S. Shin Music Composer: Lucas Elliot Eberl → Coming Soon R.L. Stine and actor Jayden Bartels talk all things Goosebumps with Billy DiMichele

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• When We Flew Away: A Conversation with Alice Hoffman

  For decades Anne Frank’s Diary of a Young Girl has inspired and challenged readers to look for the good in an often-brutal world. In today’s episode, critically acclaimed author, Alice Hoffman, joins host Suzanne McCabe to talk about her newest young adult novel When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary, which reimagines the life of Anne Frank before she wrote her famous diary. This gripping and lyrical novel, informed by extensive research and extraordinary support from the Anne Frank Center, captures the highs, lows, and unyielding hope of Anne and her family during the harrowing Nazi occupation in the Netherlands. Amid danger, deprivation, and countless indignities, a young Anne Frank discovers who she is and cultivates the writer within her. In addition to When We Flew Away, Alice Hoffman has written over thirty works of fiction, including The Dovekeepers, The World That We Knew, and Practical Magic to name a few. → Resources About Alice Hoffman: Learn more about the author and her many novels. When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary: Check out Alice Hoffman’s latest novel about Anne Frank before her writing her famous diary. Hope From the Holocaust: Suzanne McCabe speaks with authors Neal Shusterman and Sharon Cameron about their latest novels Courage to Dream: Tales of Hope in the Holocaust, and Artifice. The Tower of Life: Suzanne McCabe talks with author Chana Stiefel about The Tower of Life: How Yaffa Eliach Rebuilt Her Town in Stories and Photographs. → Highlights Alice Hoffman, author, When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary “A lot of other people and teenagers wrote diaries, but [Anne Frank’s], I think, kind of transcends just being her personal story. It feels much more universal. And I think also that she was a fantastic writer. So she was a great writer. And so I think her voice reminds us, because it's so innocent and so helpful that, I think it has to come in many ways for us, the Holocaust, because it's a story that she will not let us forget.” “For one, I would hope that [readers of When We Flew Away] they would want to go read the diary. And for the other part, I hope that they would want to read about somebody who really had hope in the world, despite the cruelty, despite the war, who really felt that people were good at heart and that it was still possible to change the world.” “I thought there might be lots of young readers who wouldn't know anything about [Anne Frank], wouldn't even know who she was. So, I think as you're reading [When We Flew Away], you're seeing that the world is closing in and you're having a sense that, there's not going to be a positive ending for the Jews in the Netherlands, but you really kind of want to find out what happens to [Anne]. How does she get through it? How does somebody manage to stumble, live that life is worth living.” → Special Thanks Producer: Maxine Osa Sound Engineer: S. Shin Music Composer: Lucas Elliot Eberl → Coming Soon Rebecca Elliot with guest host Billy DiMichele

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