New York, NY (April 10, 2006) -- Scholastic Library Publishing, a division of Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, announced today that it will be the primary direct distribution channel to libraries and classrooms for Blastoff! Readers, a standards-based series of guided readers for students in grades pre-K-2.  The leveled nonfiction series for beginning readers is published by Bellwether Media and will be distributed by Children’s Press®, an imprint of Scholastic Library Publishing, beginning in August 2006.
 
Designed to increase background knowledge of science topics, Blastoff! Readers are a unique addition to library collections for pre-K-2nd graders. The books, developed and designed by literacy experts, combine standards-based content with developmentally appropriate text—simultaneously building confidence and skill in reading. 
 
Blastoff! Readers will launch with 50 titles in 7 subsets—Mighty Machines, The New Food Guide Pyramid, Oceans Alive!, World of Insects, Learning About the Earth, Seasons, and Weather.  More titles will be published in future seasons.  Topics range across three reading levels:
 
- Level 1—Provides the most support through repetition of high frequency words, light text, predictable sentence patterns, and strong visual support. 
 
- Level 2—Offers early readers a bit more challenge through varied simple sentences, increased text load, and less repetition of high-frequency words. 
 
- Level 3—Advances early-fluent readers toward fluency through increased text and concept load, less reliance on visuals, longer sentences, and more literary language. 
 
“Scholastic is very excited about our new relationship with Bellwether Media,” said Greg Worrell, President of Scholastic Library Publishing, “It is important that children of all ages have access to quality nonfiction titles that increase their love of reading and their interest in the world.  Blastoff! Readers are a fantastic addition to any reference collection.” 
 
“Teaming up with Scholastic enables Bellwether Media to focus on what it does best—concentrate on developing the highest-quality reading materials for schools and libraries,” said John Martin, President of Bellwether Media, “This is a win for both companies as well as for the thousands of additional children who will discover our books as a result.”
 
About Bellwether Media
Minneapolis-based Bellwether Media assists educators with improving literacy in American schools.  It’s flagship brand, Blastoff! Readers provide engaging and supportive reading experiences for beginning and aspiring readers. 
 
About Scholastic Library Publishing
Scholastic Library Publishing creates a multitude of products, both in print and online, for the school and public library market under the imprints of Grolier®, Children's Press®, Franklin Watts®, and Grolier Online.  Children's Press offers primarily non-fiction series for elementary and middle schools, while Franklin Watts focuses on non-fiction for the high school market. Grolier publishes encyclopedias and curriculum-aligned reference sets, and is best known for the brands Encyclopedia Americana® and The New Book of Knowledge®.  Grolier Online is a self-contained, non-commercial electronic gateway offering thousands of resources for student research, including the Encyclopedia Americana Online, The New Book of Knowledge Online and the Spanish language encyclopedia La Nueva Enciclopedia Cumbre.™  Scholastic Library Publishing advocates for learning and the importance of libraries as a valuable resource to improve student achievement.
 
About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology.  Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys.  The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site, www.scholastic.com.

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