Holiday House Publishing, Inc.

More than fifty organizations representing authors, publishers, booksellers, librarians, distributors, and more signed a joint letter expressing concern that the Trump Administration’s executive order, entitled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” and issued January 20, 2025, will lead to censorship of literature.    Signers include national nonprofits and coalitions like the American Booksellers Association, Authors Against Book Bans, Lambda Literary, National Coalition Against Censorship, PEN America, and We Need Diverse Books; grassroots organizations like Annie’s Foundation, the Florida Freedom to Read Project, Read Freely Alabama, and the Texas Freedom to Read Project; as well as publishers, library alliances, bookstores, and individual authors.   The executive order states that the federal government shall “recognize two sexes, male and female,” which it claims are determined “at conception” and “are not changeable.” In addition to regulations impacting sex markers on federal identification, access to “intimate spaces” separated by sex, and the interpretation of the Civil Rights Act, the executive order instructs federal agencies that federal funds “shall not be used to promote gender ideology.” It further restricts agency documents from acknowledging anything other than “biological sex,” which the order claims is immutable.   Signers of the joint statement claim that the “ripple effect of this order will undoubtedly affect public schools, public libraries, and the literature that is shelved in both,” potentially leading to censorship of LGBTQIA+ books in any area that could be impacted by withholding federal funds. The statement goes on to express concern that conditions on federal funding could have a chilling effect on the production of literature featuring LGBTQIA+ perspectives.    The statement goes on to say: “The fate of trans, intersex, and nonbinary people is not a political ideology, it’s a matter of human rights, civil rights, and freedom of expression. Government erosion of those rights should concern all Americans, regardless of their investment in LGBTQIA+ literature specifically.”

Hear from author Gloria Huang about her new middle-grade fantasy novel, KAYA OF THE OCEAN. "KAYA OF THE OCEAN is my debut book, a contemporary middle-grade novel with elements of Chinese mythological fantasy. The idea behind KAYA came to me during those months when the world was first emerging from the pandemic, and I saw children very close to me struggling with anxiety for the first time. I can still remember how terrifying it feels to worry that something is very wrong with you. I wanted to write a book to send a message to these kids (and anyone waging one of those battles deep inside where no one can see) that all parts of them, even the parts they might not like as much or might see as weaknesses, are part of what makes them the beautiful, complex people they are. That learning to accept all they are can make them stronger. So Kaya's story was born: a Chinese-American girl struggling with anxiety and a fear of the water discovers she's secretly descended from the mythological water goddess Mazu. She must learn to control her new powers before they threaten herself and those she loves, and along the way, learn how to deal with her anxiety and fear. Her story contains friendship drama, family issues, first crushes, and the fight for self-acceptance. At one point in the book, Kaya's dad says to her, 'Quexian mei,' a Chinese saying that means things are more beautiful when they're imperfect or broken. Thank you to everyone who chooses to spend some time with Kaya on her journey to fully believe these words."

Hear from author/illustrator Hyewon Yum about her new picture book, TOTO! "This little girl has a birthmark named 'Toto' on her face. And she wonders how she’d look without Toto. Sometimes, I wonder how I look to others. Do I look pretty? Normal? Ugly? Plain? I was a plain, normal girl when I grew up in Korea, and then I moved to the US. I didn't feel like an ordinary person who could fit in anymore. Sometimes, I felt like I was the only one who was different, less than others. However, we all have something that sets us apart: birthmark, skin color, hair, or accent. I think that only makes us all the more extraordinary."

Hear from author Gloria Muñoz about her stunning new cli-fi YA novel, THIS IS THE YEAR. "THIS IS THE YEAR is a novel about friendship, climate, grief, immigration, outer space, and roller skating. Set in the near future, Juli's character was written from a place of grief and hope. As her world collapses from the ramifications of the climate crisis, Juli must decide if she'll carry her loss together with her community or leave it all behind. Her community shows up in surprising ways when she needs them most. 💫🪩🛼💖🌌🪐 I love to write for young adult readers because I believe they have the capacity to dream and the conviction to enact change. This YA cli-fi written in prose and verse will speak to any reader struggling with the state of our world and how to understand their place in it."

The New York Times Book Review named ONE BIG OPEN SKY one of the Best Children’s Books of 2024! Congratulations, Lesa Cline-Ransome! https://lnkd.in/grua_9UX

Check out the amazing cover of ISLAND STORM, a stunning new picture book written by Caldecott Medalist Brian Floca and illustrated by Hans Christian Andersen Award-winner Sydney Smith. Find it on shelves in the Summer of 2025! Check out the Publishers Weekly article about this exciting new release: https://lnkd.in/gpUpnf4J

Are you looking for an opportunity to work in publishing? We are looking for Spring 2025 interns! Check out the details and apply here: https://lnkd.in/e-k5b6tJ

Hear from Allen Zadoff, author of the new YA novel THE DONUT PRINCE OF NEW YORK, and award-winning YA authors Crystal Maldonado, Julie Murphy, Renée Watson, and Yehudi Mercado about why fat and plus-size representation matters in literature in this People Magazine Exclusive. https://lnkd.in/eFBbvgET

Tune in to Executive Editor Taylor Norman as she introduces SCATTERGOOD, the first middle grade novel from Neal Porter Books!

"Bruce told me this story about his development as an artist. One day he went to a Norman Rockwell exhibit. At the time, Rockwell, an illustrator, wasn’t as highly regarded as those we call “fine artists.” But at that exhibit, Bruce saw viewers laughing and pointing and engaging with Rockwell’s paintings. The art was making people happy. Bruce realized that’s what he wanted to do as an artist—make people happy. And that’s what Bruce has been doing for many years."–Grace Maccarone, Executive Editor We are saddened at the news that celebrated children’s book creator Bruce Degen has passed away. Holiday House was honored to publish his work. https://lnkd.in/ev4HXa7p