Houghton Mifflin Co. News Release - May 27, 2009

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Leads the Textbook Adoption Market Nationwide and Ranks First in New Pre-K–12 Publisher Index from Simba

BOSTON — May 27, 2009 — Global education leader Houghton Mifflin Harcourt ranks as the preeminent U.S. pre-K–12 publisher in a new strategic market report, released by media industry forecast and analysis firm Simba Information. According to the report, Publishing for the Pre-K–12 Market 2009–2010, the Company's leadership position was driven by the strategic integration of Houghton Mifflin, Riverdeep and Harcourt, which was completed in late 2007. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt experienced double-digit earnings growth in 2008.

According to the report, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt captured 25.5 percent of total sales of instructional materials (including textbooks, supplemental materials, state assessments, trade books, classroom magazines and learning technology) in 2008, leading competitors Pearson and McGraw-Hill. The Company was also the decisive leader in 2008 textbook adoptions, capturing 39 percent of total sales. Moreover, the report projected strong growth opportunities in adoptions for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in the U.S. market in the years ahead.

"We see it as a great responsibility serving as the leading provider of educational materials to our nation's schools," said K–12 President Mike Lavelle, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. "Our business requires constant innovation so that we can provide the most current, relevant and highly effective materials possible. We are also excited to work with cities and towns as they make investments in education in the months ahead."

Research Methodology
For the industry analysis in the report, Simba Information conducted nationwide research, including interviews with publishing industry executives, consultants, industry analysts, state education officials, local school educators and education policy experts.

The results of these interviews — bolstered by Simba's own ongoing research — were used to define and analyze segments and industry trends and were the basis for developing the projections for future growth.

Most of the information in the report was compiled exclusively by Simba Information. In some cases, Simba tapped data from respected third-party organizations, including the U.S. Department of Education, the National Center for Education Statistics, the Association of American Publishers, Market Data Retrieval, the U.S. Census Bureau, the IDEA Funding Coalition and the National Conference of State Legislatures.

For more information about the report, please call 888-297-4622.

About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Boston-based Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company is a global education leader and the world's largest publisher of educational materials for pre-K–12 schools. The Company publishes a comprehensive set of best-in-class educational solutions, ranging from research-based textbook programs to instructional technology to standards-based assessments for students and educators. The Company also publishes an extensive line of reference works and award-winning literature for adults and young readers. With origins dating back to 1832, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt combines its tradition of excellence with a commitment to innovation. To learn more about Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, visit www.hmhpub.com.

About Simba Information
Simba Information is widely recognized as the leading authority for market intelligence in the media and publishing industry. Simba's extensive information network delivers top quality, independent perspective on the people, events and alliances shaping the media and information industry. Simba publishes newsletters and research reports that provide key decision-makers at more than 15,000 client companies around the globe with timely news, analysis, exclusive statistics and proprietary industry forecasts. For more information, please visit www.simbainformation.com.