Scholastic is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books. From Harry Potter and The Hunger Games to Captain Underpants and Goosebumps, they are the ultimate destination for stories aimed at young readers.
However, getting a book published by Scholastic is a specialized process. Because they focus exclusively on children, middle-grade, and young adult (YA) markets, their standards for “voice” and “educational value” are unique.
1. Identify Your Target Scholastic Imprint
Scholastic is divided into several “imprints,” each serving a specific age group or niche. To get published, you must know where your book sits on the shelf.
- Cartwheel Books: Focused on toddlers and preschoolers (picture books and board books).
- Orchard Books: High-quality picture books and middle-grade fiction.
- Graphix: One of the most successful imprints in the world, dedicated entirely to graphic novels.
- Scholastic Press: The flagship imprint for major middle-grade and YA novels.
- Branches & Acorn: Specifically designed for “early readers” who are just transitioning into chapter books.
The Strategy: Go to a bookstore or library. Find the section your book belongs in. If you see a Scholastic logo, look closer to find the specific imprint name. This is your target.
2. Navigating the “No Unsolicited Manuscripts” Rule
Like most major publishers, Scholastic (specifically in the US and UK) generally does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. This means you cannot simply mail your book to their New York headquarters and expect a read.
There are three main ways to bypass this gatekeeper:
The Literary Agent Route (Most Common)
You need a literary agent who specializes in children’s literature. These agents have direct relationships with Scholastic editors.
- How to find them: Use the Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market directory.
- The Pitch: You send the agent a query letter. If they sign you, they handle the “submission” to Scholastic for you.
International Branches
Interestingly, some international divisions like Scholastic India or Scholastic Asia often have open submission windows where they do accept unsolicited work from new authors. If you are in those regions, check their specific local websites for “Manuscript Submission Guidelines.”
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
If you are a student (grades 7–12), this is the most prestigious way to get noticed. Many winners of these awards have gone on to receive mentorship and publishing interest from the main company.
3. Mastering the Children’s Book Format
Scholastic is very strict about industry-standard formats. If your word count is off, they will assume you don’t know the market.
| Category | Target Age | Average Word Count |
| Picture Books | 3–8 years | 500 – 1,000 words |
| Early Readers | 5–7 years | 1,000 – 3,000 words |
| Middle Grade (MG) | 8–12 years | 30,000 – 50,000 words |
| Young Adult (YA) | 13–18 years | 60,000 – 90,000 words |
Note for Picture Books: Do not hire an illustrator before submitting to Scholastic. They prefer to pair authors with their own award-winning illustrators. Only send the text unless you are a professional author-illustrator.
4. Crafting a “Scholastic-Ready” Story
What makes a “Scholastic book”? They look for stories that fit into their school-based distribution model (Book Fairs and Book Clubs).
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The “Hook”: Can a 10-year-old explain the plot to a friend in one sentence? Scholastic loves high-concept ideas like “What if a kid turned into a dog?” or “A school for heroes.”
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Voice: The voice must feel authentic to the age group. Avoid “talking down” to children.
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Diversity and Inclusion: Scholastic is actively seeking diverse voices (own voices) and stories that represent a wide range of backgrounds and abilities.
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Series Potential: Scholastic excels at series. If your book has “legs” for a sequel, mention that in your pitch.
5. The Professional Submission Package
When your agent “goes to sub” at Scholastic, or if you are submitting to an open window, your package needs to be flawless.
The Cover Letter
Keep it professional. Mention your Platform (e.g., “I am a 4th-grade teacher with a following of 10k on TikTok”) and your Comps (e.g., “This will appeal to fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid“).
The Synopsis
For children’s books, a synopsis is usually one page. It must reveal the ending. Editors need to know the “moral” or the resolution of the story to ensure it’s appropriate for schools.
6. Understanding the Scholastic “Book Fair” Factor
One thing that makes Scholastic unique is their Book Fair and Club system. An editor isn’t just thinking “Will a parent buy this in a store?” They are thinking “Will a teacher allow this in a classroom?” and “Will a kid pick this up at a school fair?”
If your book has an educational tie-in (history, science, or social-emotional learning), highlight it. It makes your book much more attractive to their specific business model.
How We Can Help You Get Scholastic-Ready
Scholastic has a very high bar for quality. Because they cater to schools, their editing requirements are stricter than almost any other publisher. Your manuscript must be clean, age-appropriate, and perfectly paced.
Our Ghostwriting & Editing Solution provides:
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Age-Appropriate Tone Audits: We ensure your “voice” matches your target reader (MG vs. YA).
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Book Fair Marketability Checks: We help refine your hook to appeal to Scholastic’s unique distribution channels.
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Professional Line Editing: We remove the “clutter” to keep young readers engaged from page one.
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Submission Formatting: We prepare your manuscript to meet the exact standards of top-tier children’s literary agents.
