In addition to providing the latest news about our books, this website also offers: free teacher's guides; articles for professional development; links to lesson plans; author biographies; and an educational calendar marking key anniversaries with teachable book suggestions.

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Michael Crichton Dies at age 66

Michael Crichton, bestselling author of science fiction books such as Jurassic Park, Sphere, and Timeline, has passed away at the age of 66. Crichton's stories challenged readers, young and old alike, to reconsider the limits and potential of science, while also providing an imaginative and suspenseful read along the way. For a complete list of Crichton's books available through Random House, Inc, please click here.

New for Banned Books Week: RHI Magazine, Volume 3: Censorship & Banned Books

Just in time for Banned Books Week (September 27th-October 4th), Random House, Inc. is delighted to present the third volume of our free magazine for middle- and high-school educators: RHI.

Featuring an original poem by Billy Collins; teacher's guides written by nationally-renowned educators; articles by noted authors such as Maya Angelou, Judy Blume, and Ray Bradbury; and contributions from professional organizations including the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom, RHI, Vol. 3 will help you to update your curricula, and navigate challenges in your career.

This year's volume also includes a bonus audio CD featuring an original interview with Judy Blume and select excerpts from banned books.

Please visit our RHI web page, where you can download all of the content from this volume. If you would like to receive a complimentary, printed copy of the magazine, please email us.

Click here to visit the Random House First Amendment page.

Major New Shakespeare Series

Modern Library has launched a major, new series of individual paperback plays from the internationally renowned Royal Shakespeare Company, edited by acclaimed Shakespearean scholars Jonathan Bate and Eric Rasmussen (William Shakespeare: Complete Works).

Now available:
A Midsummer Night's Dream | Hamlet | Love's Labour's Lost | Richard III | The Tempest

Each individual edition includes:

expanded introduction and an overview of Shakespeare's theatrical career

a new section which explores the theatrical history of the play as well as modern-day production choices through original interviews with today's leading directors and theatrical professionals

a scene-by-scene analysis and key facts about the play

a Shakespeare chronology

black-and-white photos featuring original production shots from the RSC

All titles are available on this website. For more information about the series, click here.

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The American Century: Recommended for High School History Classes

"Teachers looking to challenge, provoke, and inspire their students should consider adopting Harold Evans' The American Century. The writing is engaging and the argumentation astute; students can see a mind at work and a model of committed citizenship. Evans covers the sweep of his period (1889—1989) as thoroughly as any textbook, but with more passion and zest. His selection of 'great questions' for extended commentary is apt, and his reflections on specific events, accompanied by marvelous photographs, illuminate his major themes most effectively. America's role as a leader in the world; the contributions of the oppressed in preserving and enhancing American liberty; the impact of the individual in shaping society—all come to life at Evans' hand. I have used The American Century for many years with advanced high school students; no other book succeeds as well in getting students to care so much about what they are learning."
—Burke R. Rogers, Ph.D., St. George's School

• New teachers guides are now available for the following: Boom! by Tom Brokaw, Ms. Cahill for Congress by Tierney Cahill and Linden Gross, Funny in Farsi by Firoozeh Dumas, Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz, and Last Night I Dreamed Of Peace by Dang Thuy Tram.

• To celebrate Maya Angelou's 80th birthday on April 4th, 2008, Doubleday will publish Maya Angelou: A Glorious Celebration, an illustrated tribute and scrapbook, with a foreword by Oprah Winfrey. Click here for USA Today's coverage of Angelou's 80th birthday. Click here for a full list of Angelou's titles available from Random House, Inc.

• In memoriam: Arthur C. Clarke.

• John Updike will deliver the 37th annual Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities on Thursday, May 22. The annual NEH-sponsored Jefferson Lecture is the most prestigious honor the federal government bestows for distinguished intellectual achievement in the humanities.