Penguin Random House, author portrait placeholder image

J.R.R. Tolkien

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892, in Bloemfontein, South Africa. After serving in World War I, he embarked upon a distinguished academic career and was recognized as one of the finest philologists in the world. He was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford, a fellow of Pembroke College, and a fellow of Merton College until his retirement in 1959. He is, however, beloved throughout the world as the creator of Middle-earth and author of such classic works as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. He died on September 2, 1973, at the age of eighty-one.
The Shaping of Middle-earth
The Lays of Beleriand
The Book of Lost Tales: Part One
The Book of Lost Tales: Part Two
Unfinished Tales
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Two Towers (Media Tie-in)
The Hobbit
The Return of the King (Media Tie-in)
The Silmarillion
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, Sir Orfeo

Books

The Shaping of Middle-earth
The Lays of Beleriand
The Book of Lost Tales: Part One
The Book of Lost Tales: Part Two
Unfinished Tales
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Two Towers (Media Tie-in)
The Hobbit
The Return of the King (Media Tie-in)
The Silmarillion
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, Sir Orfeo

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

Read more

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 .

Read more