Susan Straight, author portrait
© Dan Chavkin

Susan Straight

Susan Straight is the author of six novels, including A Million Nightingales and the National Book Award finalist Highwire Moon. She has written for The New York Times Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, Harper’s Magazine, and NPR’s All Things Considered. Her short stories have won an Edgar Award and an O. Henry Award. She teaches at the University of California, Riverside.

Mental Health Awareness Month Resources

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and educators are increasingly aware that integrating social-emotional learning into the curriculum is critical if we want students to succeed both in and out of the classroom. Download the thematic educator guides on Teaching About Anxiety and Mindfulness and Teaching About Student Wellness. Explore our specially curated collections on

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Books for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Each May, we honor the stories, histories, and cultures of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Below is a selection of acclaimed fiction and nonfiction books by AANHPI creators to share with your students this month and throughout the year. AANHPI Creators – Middle School titles AANHPI Creators – High School titles .

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TIME Presents the 100 Best YA Books of All Time

TIME recently shared its list of the 100 Best YA Books of All Time. This definitive list was curated by a panel of celebrated YA authors, and includes the most compelling, enlightening, and influential young-adult books, all in chronological order beginning in the 1800s.  The list includes over 30 titles from Penguin Random House and

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