Focus Readers Blog

In our contemporary world, people are traveling more than ever before. Sometimes they bring species along with them—intentionally or by…

As current events affect people more and more, understanding these events is increasingly important. The media remains a vital source…

Human actions have had a profound impact on the world around us. Pollution is taking its toll on our land,…

All living things grow and mature. Young learners might see this process in their pets, backyard gardens, and new siblings…

With climate change being felt more than ever this year, people are increasingly looking for ways to help their planet…

We live in a smart world. From smart speakers, to smartphones, to smart TVs, artificial intelligence is all around us…

Summer is a great time to go swimming in lakes or the ocean. But readers may not know that marine…

John Brown and the Harpers Ferry Raid is yet another Focus Readers 2020 Junior Library Guild Selection. This book walks…

Wimbledon is normally the highlight of the summer for tennis fans. But with this year’s tournament wiped out due to…

Martha Lundin, Focus Readers Author Tis the season for elections... And senator Kamala Harris was just announced as a nominee…

Emma Huddleston, Focus Readers Author Summers out, and greenery is all around! Young people-and their guardians-may be looking for a…

Todd Kortemeier, Focus Readers Author The wait is over for basketball fans as the WNBA is set to hit the court…

Brienna Rossiter, Focus Readers Editor These past few weeks have been filled with all kinds of uncertainty. But they’ve also…

Meg Gaertner, Focus Readers Editor With coronavirus concerns sweeping the world, games and tournaments across all sports have been postponed,…

Meg Gaertner, Focus Readers Editor It might not feel like it, but the first day of spring was March 19. This…

Brienna Rossiter, Focus Readers Editor Today is Super Tuesday, and news about candidates and elections is everywhere. But it can…

Meg Gaertner, Focus Readers Editor Getting students excited about STEM topics is crucial if we hope to educate the leaders…

Meg Gaertner, Focus Readers Editor The school year is well under way, summer vacation is a distant memory, and the…

Brienna Rossiter, Focus Readers Editor New this fall, the Rescues in Focus series highlights true stories of amazing rescues and…

Brienna Rossiter, Focus Readers Editor As the end of August approaches, many of us are trying to soak up as…

Brienna Rossiter, Focus Readers Editor It might not quite feel like it here in Minnesota, but spring has officially begun…

Brienna Rossiter, Focus Readers Editor The stories we tell matter. So does the way we tell them. As writers and…

Brienna Rossiter, Focus Readers Editor You don’t have to be an expert to teach computer code. In fact, a key…

In need of some new lesson plan ideas? Every Focus Readers book includes a free lesson plan designed to encourage…

Nick Rebman, Focus Readers Editor Learning to read is certainly important, but it’s only the first step. The ultimate goal,…

Brienna Rossiter, Focus Readers editor It’s almost October, which means Halloween is on its way. Soon, libraries and classrooms will…

Brienna Rossiter, Focus Readers editor There’s nothing quite like watching the spark in students’ eyes as they make a connection…

Brienna Rossiter, Focus Readers editor If books are windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors, then language arts is the hinge…

We're thrilled to introduce our newest level, Scout, for readers in grades K-1. Our Fall lineup also includes many titles…

A sign of spring like none other, Earth Day – which is Sunday, April 22 – is a time to…

Spring is finally here, and that means the baseball season is in full swing. (Pun very much intended!) What better…