PenguinYoung Readers Group has announced that, effective April 12, Jennifer Besserwill join the publisher as v-p and publisher of G.P. Putnam's Sons Books forYoung Readers, a position previously held by Nancy Paulsen, who is launching an eponymous imprint with Penguin.
Besserwas previously executive editor at Disney Book Group, where she edited RickRiordan's bestselling Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, as well as booksby Melissa de la Cruz and Ally Carter. In announcing Besser's hiring, DonWeisberg, president of Penguin Young Readers Group, praised her as "respected inthe industry for her strong editorial vision and keen understanding of whatattracts today's young readers. She has the rare ability to find books thatbalance literary merit and commercial appeal."
Ina statement, Stephanie Lurie, editorial director of Disney-Hyperion Books,said, "We thank Jennifer Besser for the many years she has contributed hertalent to the Disney-Hyperion team. We are happy for her as she takes on hernew role, as we have watched her develop her skills over the past few yearshere at Disney Book Group."
