Publisher · founded 2008

Balzer + Bray

Balzer + Bray is a children's and YA imprint founded at HarperCollins in 2008 by Alessandra Balzer and Donna Bray, first publisher of The Hate U Give, which moved to Macmillan in 2024.

Editions tracked
39
First editions
33
Books
39
Years
2010 to 2021

About Balzer + Bray

Balzer + Bray is an American children's and young adult imprint founded in 2008 by the editors Alessandra Balzer and Donna Bray, and the original publisher of Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give and Becky Albertalli's Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.

HarperCollins announced on 9 April 2008 that the pair would join it on 5 May 2008 as co-publishers of a new imprint, first styled Balzer & Bray. Both came from Hyperion Books for Children, where Balzer had been an executive editor and Bray editorial director. Balzer began her career at HarperCollins Children's Books and Bray at Henry Holt.

The list covers picture books, middle-grade fiction, young adult novels and graphic novels. Albertalli's debut, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, came out on 7 April 2015. In February 2016 Balzer + Bray won the rights to Thomas's novel at auction against 13 other houses, and The Hate U Give was published on 28 February 2017. By 2024 the imprint had more than 50 New York Times bestsellers to its name.

In February 2024 it was announced that Balzer + Bray would leave HarperCollins for Macmillan Children's Publishing Group from 15 April 2024, with Balzer and Bray becoming senior vice presidents and co-publishers there.

How to spot a Balzer + Bray first edition

We have not yet written the guide to Balzer + Bray's first-edition conventions. Until we do, check each book's own page: we list its points where we know them. Know how Balzer + Bray marked its firsts? Tell us.

AuthorsBecky Albertalli (3)Candace Bushnell (3)Angie Thomas (3)Mo Willems (3)Katie Cotugno (2)Gordon Korman (2)Colin Meloy (2)Ibi Aanu Zoboi (2)Mac Barnett (1)Grace Byers (1)

Books

Published by Balzer + Bray

Questions collectors ask

Frequently asked questions

How do I identify a Balzer + Bray first edition?

Check the title page and the copyright page: a Balzer + Bray first edition gives the first date of publication with no later impression or edition stated. Each book's page here lists its own points.

How many Balzer + Bray books does MyVolumes track?

We track 39 editions published by Balzer + Bray, 33 of them first editions, across 39 books.

Sources

Where these facts come from

Every fact on this page was checked against the sources listed. Checked 18 October 2026.