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Kate Messner

Kate Messner is passionately curious and writes books that encourage kids to wonder, too. Her titles include award-winning picture books, like Over and Under the Snow; novels, like Breakout and Chirp; the Fergus and Zeke easy reader series and the popular Ranger in Time chapter books; and works of nonfiction with a focus on nature and history. She lives on Lake Champlain with her family.
History Smashers: Earth Day and the Environment
History Smashers: Salem Witch Trials
History Smashers: Christopher Columbus and the Taino People
History Smashers: The Underground Railroad
History Smashers: Plagues and Pandemics
History Smashers: The American Revolution
History Smashers: The Titanic
History Smashers: Pearl Harbor
History Smashers: The Mayflower
History Smashers: Women's Right to Vote

Books

History Smashers: Earth Day and the Environment
History Smashers: Salem Witch Trials
History Smashers: Christopher Columbus and the Taino People
History Smashers: The Underground Railroad
History Smashers: Plagues and Pandemics
History Smashers: The American Revolution
History Smashers: The Titanic
History Smashers: Pearl Harbor
History Smashers: The Mayflower
History Smashers: Women's Right to Vote

Books for Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month this February, we are highlighting essential fiction and nonfiction for students, teachers, and parents to share and discuss this month and beyond. Join Penguin Random House Education in celebrating the contributions of Black authors and illustrators by exploring the titles here: BLACK HISTORY – MIDDLE SCHOOL BLACK HISTORY –

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New Thematic Educator Guides: Teaching Nature

Educators have raised concerns about students’ growing disconnection from the natural world as academic pressures and screen-based learning increases. Coined by Richard Louv as “nature-deficit disorder,” this loss of direct contact with nature has meaningful implications for students’ health, learning, and long-term environmental stewardship. Integrating nature writing and outdoor experiences into the classroom offers a

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New Thematic Educator Guides: Teaching Women’s History

In recent years, educators have emphasized the importance of teaching women’s history as a way to address historical silences and confront contemporary challenges to gender equity. Despite being told that “girls can be anything,” students still encounter women appearing as exceptions rather than central figures shaping history and society. In the urgency of this moment,

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