I am so moved by the way kids can love animals. Loving anything is an act of profound courage. #BookSky

"One of the questions [kids] always have is ‘Am I brave enough?' So, I knew, in this book, I was going to talk about courage.” Thank you to The Provincetown Independent for this piece about my writing process for THE LIONS' RUN! provincetownindependent.org/arts-minds/2... #BookSky

"It's such small things we can do. I wish it were more." "Little termites taking tiny bites can bring down a cathedral." 🐎🐎🐎 @mackidsbooks.bsky.social @mackidssl.bsky.social #BookSky

⭐ Stargaze with MacKids ⭐ THE LIONS' RUN by @sarapennypacker.bsky.social is a historical novel about an orphan during WWII who discovers unexpected courage within himself when he becomes involved with the Resistance. Out now! tinyurl.com/2kjzrzaa

While researching THE LIONS' RUN, I spent two weeks in Lamorlaye, France, walking every bit of the book that I was allowed to. Here is one of the lion statues that stands at the entrance of the racetrack after which the book is named. @mackidsbooks.bsky.social @mackidssl.bsky.social #BookSky

As people involved in getting books into kids' hands, what do we do when the world falls far from the way we think it should be? I share my answer through the example of my new novel, THE LIONS' RUN, in my column in @thehornbook.bsky.social. www.hbook.com/story/the-wr... @mackidssl.bsky.social

Thank you to the wonderful @mrschureads.bsky.social for having me on Watch. Connect. Read. last week! I so enjoyed discussing THE LIONS' RUN with you. mrschureads.blogspot.com/2026/03/the-... @mackidsbooks.bsky.social @mackidssl.bsky.social #BookSky

"John Schu, you should have asked me what writing this book taught me. I would have answered: The bravest thing you can do is care about someone else." — @sarapennypacker.bsky.social mrschureads.blogspot.com/2026/03/the-...

I can't wait to for the Tucson Festival of Books this weekend! I'll be on panels with the incredible Erin Entrada Kelly, Daniel Nayeri, and Tracey Baptiste. I'd love to see you there! tucsonfestivalofbooks.org?action=displ... @mackidssl.bsky.social @mackidsbooks.bsky.social #BookSky

Thank you for your lovely review, @smithsmm.bsky.social!

Thank you so much, @mrschureads.bsky.social!

From Mar/Apr #HBMag @sarapennypacker.bsky.social 's "Portraying Reality, Modeling Idealism" Writer's Page column: "When kids have information abt injustice, role models for how to make a difference, + ppl around who believe in them...look out!" www.hbook.com/story/the-wr... @mackidsbooks.bsky.social

I stopped by the beautiful @caminobks.bsky.social in Del Mar, California this past weekend and left lots of signed copies of THE LIONS' RUN! Thanks for the warm welcome, Alison. @mackidssl.bsky.social @mackidsbooks.bsky.social #BookSky

I can't wait to attend the Tucson Festival of Books next weekend! Will I see you there? March 14: Panel with Erin Entrada Kelly and Daniel Nayeri: tucsonfestivalofbooks.org?action=displ... March 15: Panel with Tracey Baptiste: tucsonfestivalofbooks.org?action=displ...

March/April 2026 #HBMag (wraparound cover from THE LIONS' RUN illustrated by Jon Klassen; Balzer + Bray/ @mackidsbooks.bsky.social ) See the Table of Contents here: www.hbook.com/story/march-... #kidlit @sarapennypacker.bsky.social @marjorieingall.bsky.social @rpayne.bsky.social

"After a reader has finished this book, I want them to be filled with questions like: Is it ever okay to commit a crime to correct a crime? What is courage?" I enjoyed this conversation about THE LIONS' RUN with @publisherswkly.bsky.social! www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/... #BookSky

#HBOutoftheBox: Peek-a-boo! It's the complete March/April #HornBookMagazine wraparound cover. Art by Jon Klassen from THE LIONS' RUN (Balzer + Bray/ @mackidsbooks.bsky.social ) written by @sarapennypacker.bsky.social , gif (at link) by Mark Tuchman: www.hbook.com/story/march-... #HBMag

The @mackidssl.bsky.social team has created a wonderful teacher's guide for my new novel, THE LIONS' RUN! You'll find lots of discussion questions, activities, historical resources, and more. www.mackidsschoolandlibrary.com/teachers-gui... #BookSky @mackidsbooks.bsky.social

Readers, I'm thrilled to be attending the Tucson Festival of Books! I'll be speaking on panels with some truly incredible authors. March 14: Panel with Erin Entrada Kelly and Daniel Nayeri March 15: Panel with Tracey Baptiste I'd love to see you there! tucsonfestivalofbooks.org?action=displ...

Did you hear? THE LIONS' RUN is an INSTANT New York Times bestseller & a #1 Indie Next List Pick! This historical novel about an orphan during WWII who finds unexpected courage within himself when he becomes involved with the Resistance. It features stunning and impactful illustrations Jon Klassen

A great review of THE LIONS' RUN #audiobook, narrated by Graham Halstead, in Kirkus @audiofilemagazine.bsky.social! "Halstead’s performance matches the breakneck pacing when Lucas stands up to German soldiers and confronts his own sense of insecurity." www.kirkusreviews.com/audiobook-re... #Booksky

"But he had just realized that hope was a job, and somebody had to do it, and today that somebody was him." -THE LIONS' RUN by @sarapennypacker.bsky.social

@sarapennypacker.bsky.social's NYT bestseller The Lions' Run illuminates a little-known chapter of WWII history through a French orphan who discovers empathy is the truest form of courage. This conversation is one you won't forget: creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/... @mackidsbooks.bsky.social

"I want to reassure [kids] that small acts count and that true bravery begins with empathy, with caring enough about someone, or something, else enough that you act in spite of fear." Thanks for having me on the blog, Audible! www.audible.com/blog/article... @mackidssl.bsky.social #BookSky

Thanks to the Common Sense Media editors for their 5-star review of THE LIONS' RUN! "A heartfelt, thrilling tale of teens in Nazi-occupied France trying to protect their loved ones, human and otherwise, from the war machine that threatens to destroy them." www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews...

Thank you to the Tome Student Literacy Society for naming THE LIONS' RUN to your list of 2026-2027 Tome Society Book Award winners! ⭐ I am honored. Happy reading, Georgia students! www.tomesociety.org/blog/the-202... @mackidssl.bsky.social @mackidsbooks.bsky.social #BookSky

I'm overjoyed that THE LIONS' RUN has continued to appear on the Indie Bestseller List. Thank you so much to booksellers, and to everyone who shops at indie bookstores. 💙 bookshop.org/p/books/the-... @mackidssl.bsky.social @mackidsbooks.bsky.social #BookSky

This Saturday, February 21, I'm looking forward to spending time with Illinois educators at Anderson's Bookshop's Children's Literature Breakfast! I would love to see you there! www.eventcombo.com/e/andersons-... @mackidssl.bsky.social @mackidsbooks.bsky.social #BookSky

Thank you, @scoobiesue2.bsky.social!

We love these quotes about bravery from THE LIONS' RUN 🤎 THE LIONS' RUN is available wherever books are sold, or you can get your copy today. @sarapennypacker.bsky.social

Thanks to the editors of Spotify for including THE LIONS' RUN audiobook as one of your February Editors' Picks! Browse the full list here: open.spotify.com/show/1BZnzZt... @mackidssl.bsky.social @mackidsbooks.bsky.social #BookSky

Illinois educators, I absolutely can't wait to spend time with you at Anderson's Bookshop's Children's Literature Breakfast on February 21! What a joy to be a keynote speaker alongside these wonderful authors. I hope to see you there! www.eventcombo.com/e/andersons-... @mackidssl.bsky.social

Absolutely honored to learn that THE LIONS' RUN has made the New York Times and Indie Bestseller Lists. Thank you so much to everyone who has picked up this book. ❤️ us.macmillan.com/books/978125... @mackidssl.bsky.social @mackidsbooks.bsky.social #BookSky

I am overjoyed that THE LIONS' RUN has been selected by indie booksellers as the #1 Kids' Indie Next list pick for March/April! Booksellers, thank you. Your support means the world to me. www.bookweb.org/news/marchap... @mackidsbooks.bsky.social @americanbookseller.bsky.social

The @mackidssl.bsky.social team has created a wonderful teacher's guide for my new novel, THE LIONS' RUN! You'll find lots of discussion questions, activities, historical resources, and more. www.mackidsschoolandlibrary.com/teachers-gui... #BookSky @mackidsbooks.bsky.social

Thank you to the Historical Novel Society for your thoughtful review, and for naming THE LIONS' RUN an Editors' Choice! I'm honored. "[...] a book the reader won’t be able to put down." historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/the-... @mackidssl.bsky.social @mackidsbooks.bsky.social #BookSky

Thank you to the Amazon Editors for naming THE LIONS' RUN a "Best Book of the Month"! See the full list of February book picks here: www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=... @mackidsbooks.bsky.social @mackidssl.bsky.social #Booksky

I'm honored that THE LIONS' RUN has received a sixth starred review! ⭐ Thank you, @shelf-awareness.com. You can read the full review here! www.shelf-awareness.com/sar3-issue.h... @mackidsbooks.bsky.social @mackidssl.bsky.social #Booksky

THE LIONS' RUN tour was magical! Thank you to Once Upon a Time, Copperfield's Petaluma, and Hillsboro Barnes & Noble; special guest stars Jon Klassen, Stacey Lee, & Colin Meloy; & to every teacher, librarian, & student. @mackidsbooks.bsky.social @mackidssl.bsky.social 📸 Once Upon a Time Bookstore

Preview March/April #HBMag featuring cover art (w/ a surprise!) by Jon Klassen [Balzer + Bray/ @mackidsbooks.bsky.social ] + articles on #picturebook biogs, author visits, #boardbooks, + more! www.hbook.com/story/previe... @sarapennypacker.bsky.social @marjorieingall.bsky.social @rpayne.bsky.social

Tonight at 6:30pm PT, I'll be at Barnes & Noble in Hillsboro, OR with New York Times bestselling author @colinmeloy.bsky.social to discuss THE LIONS' RUN! I can't wait to see you there, readers. stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/978006... @mackidsbooks.bsky.social @mackidssl.bsky.social #Booksky

"I wanted to let kids know that courage is not flashy bravery. It’s often just showing up." Thank you to @publisherswkly.bsky.social for publishing this conversation about my new novel. THE LIONS' RUN is on shelves now! www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/... @mackidssl.bsky.social #BookSky

Thank you for this review, @imtanner.bsky.social, and to @cybilsawards.bsky.social for sharing it!

My new novel, THE LIONS' RUN, is out today. It's a story of courage, resistance, and what I call the Theory of Termites: Tiny termites taking tiny bites can take down a cathedral. I can't wait for you to meet Lucas! us.macmillan.com/books/978125... @mackidssl.bsky.social @mackidsbooks.bsky.social

My jaw dropped when I saw this window display at Copperfield's Books in Petaluma, CA! I can't wait to celebrate the publication of THE LIONS' RUN here tomorrow at 6:00pm with NYT bestselling author @staceyleeauthor.bsky.social! www.copperfieldsbooks.com/event/sara-p... @mackidssl.bsky.social

⭐ Stargaze with MacKids ⭐ THE LIONS' RUN by @sarapennypacker.bsky.social is a historical novel about an orphan during WWII who discovers unexpected courage within himself when he becomes involved with the Resistance. Out this Tuesday, 2/3! tinyurl.com/2kjzrzaa #edusky #sarapennypacker

Tomorrow at 6:00pm, I can't wait to celebrate THE LIONS' RUN at Copperfield's Books in Petaluma, California with New York Times bestselling author @staceyleeauthor.bsky.social! Readers, I'm so excited to meet you! www.copperfieldsbooks.com/event/sara-p... @mackidsbooks.bsky.social #Booksky

I'm honored by how THE LIONS' RUN is being received. Thank you to these trade publications for your starred reviews. ⭐ THE LIONS' RUN is on shelves this Tuesday. I can't wait for you to read it. us.macmillan.com/books/978125... @mackidsbooks.bsky.social @mackidssl.bsky.social #BookSky

Set during World War II in occupied France, THE LIONS' RUN follows Lucas and a village of quiet heroes. Get a glimpse of these heroes and of the beautiful map illustrated by Jon Klassen. Preorder here! us.macmillan.com/books/978125... @mackidssl.bsky.social @mackidsbooks.bsky.social #Booksky

Tomorrow! I'm so excited to launch my new novel, THE LIONS' RUN, at @shoponceuponatime.bsky.social in Montrose, California with Jon Klassen. I look forward to seeing you there, readers! www.shoponceuponatime.com/event/lions-... @mackidsbooks.bsky.social @mackidssl.bsky.social #Booksky