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Welcome to Book Huddle with Readgab where you get to hear from authors of children's books and others having to do with children's literacy. We chat not only about what inspired these amazing authors, but also time relevant themes in their books and how kids can benefit from these themes. Each guest also recommends one of their favorite children's books at the end of the episode so you will constantly be building a wonderful list of books for the kids in your life.
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There is so much going on in this discussion because there is so much going on in the incredible book, The Blue Dress, by Rebecca Morrison. We talk about body image, being your authentic self, being an immigrant, complicated mother/daughter relationships. Find author Rebecca Morrison https://www.rebeccakmorrison.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccamorrisonwriter/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rkmorrison TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@contactrebecca?lang=en ...
Weird books are some of the best books! Michael Buckley shares his experience writing The Weirdies series in this author interview on BookHuddle where we learn to embrace and love the weird! Find middle grade author Michael Buckley https://www.michaelbuckleywrites.com/ https://www.instagram.com/whatsupbuckley/ Chapters 00:00 Meet author Michael Buckley 02:50 What is The Weirdies by Michael Buckley about? 08:10 What is it like writing a weird book for Michael Buckley? 10:36 What was it...
Jen takes us behind the scenes in her writing the Isle of Ever and book 2, The Curse Breaker. We get to hear all about how it came together and maybe you'll have some questions at the end so maybe you should follow Jen Calonita on her socials and read all of the books in the Isle of Ever series. Find author Jen Calonita https://www.jencalonitaonline.com/ https://www.instagram.com/jencalonita/ https://www.tiktok.com/@jencalonitaofficial https://www.facebook.com/jencalonitabooks ht...
In our lives we are always growing, always changing, and yet some aspects of us stay the same. We are never defined by just one thing; there is never just one thing going on in our lives. It is hard to explain A Scar Like a River with just one word. If I had to, I would say it is heavy or emotional, but I would hope that the hearer would remember that either of those words can mean so many things. A Scar Like a River is about a girl who was sexually abused as a child, and it is also about so ...
Middle grade author and winner of the Schneider Family Book Award Honor for her book The Strongest Heart talks to us about her newest book Some of Us Are Brave, how we can be brave and also how to make it a conversation with our kids. Find author Saadia Faruqi https://saadiafaruqi.com/ https://www.instagram.com/saadiafaruqi/ The Strongest Heart by Saadia Faruqi https://www.amazon.com/Strongest-Heart-Saadia-Faruqi/dp/0063115859/ Some of Us Are Brave by Saadia Faruqi https://www.amazon.com/Som...
I had such a fantastic time reading Birdy and then talking to the author N. West Moss about how she crafted this beautiful story! We talk about the benefits of journaling, how reading and writing help us process our thoughts and emotions and so much more in this middle grade author interview! Find middle grade author N. West Moss https://www.nwestmoss.com/ https://www.instagram.com/nwestmoss/ https://www.facebook.com/west.moss/ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11630982.N_West_Moss Birdy...
Claire Swinarski created a beauitiful historical fiction/contemporary middle grade book called Each and Every Spark. I had a wonderful time talking to her about this story, how important it is to have good art during hard times and researching/creating a work of historical fiction. Also, we love good food! Find author Claire Swinarski https://www.claireswinarski.com/ https://www.instagram.com/claireswinarski/ Each and Every Spark by Claire Swinarski https://www.amazon.com/Each-Every-Spark-Cl...
Children's stories can be fun, silly, entertaining, important, and thought-provoking all within one book. In this episode Shifa and I discuss both her chapter book series and her middle grade novel in verse. She talks about how both can be used to create meaningful conversations with kids and how some topics are best approached through the pages of a story. Find author Shifa Saltagi Safadi https://shifasafadi.com/ https://www.instagram.com/shifasaltagisafadi/ Amina Banana and the Formu...
How do you pass the 'interview' to win the Newberry? How to keep a story short? And a whole lot of fun are in store for this middle grade author interview with Newberry Honor winner Daniel Nayeri. Find Daniel Nayeri https://www.danielnayeri.com/ https://www.instagram.com/danielnayeri/ https://www.facebook.com/danielnayeri The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri https://www.amazon.com/Teacher-Nomad-Land-World-Story/dp/1646145666/ The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams Newb...
What can you learn about yourself as you develop a relationship with another person? Or as you develop a relationship with an animal? How will you grow as an individual? Lynne Kelly's beautiful new book, Three Blue Hearts, is about a boy on a summer vacation where he rescues a hurt octopus and discovers a summer of love and growth that he didn't see coming. Find middle grade author Lynne Kelly https://lynnekellybooks.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lynnekkelly/ https://www.facebook.com/...
LeUyen is the illustrator of The Princess in Black series written by Shannon and Dean Hale as well as other books with Shannon. She has been an illustrator for 30 years now with over 140 books published and has also written/illustrated her own books. She was awarded the Caldecott Honor for the book Bear Came Along (written by Richard T. Morris). In this episode we chat about what it is like to be an illustrator and her relationships with other authors, editors, and readers. Find LeUyen...
The last week of December Annisha from Reading in the Middle and I got together to talk about our most anticipated books of 2026. These are just some of the middle grade books that we are super excited to read this year. Keep listening to future episodes as we continue to read and discover more amazing children's books. And share with us which ones we missed and what you look forward to reading. Find Annisha Jeffries https://readinginthemiddle.blog/ https://www.youtube.com/ @readinginthemi...
There were so many wonderful middle grade books released in 2025, and in this episode Melissa Taylor and I discuss just some of the best books of 2025 from our lists. Want to hear more of my favorite books from 2025 then check out this episode next https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/42-the-best-books-of-2025-so-far-shannon-balloon/id1752315662?i=1000715323257 Find children's book author and content creator Melissa Taylor https://imaginationsoup.net/ https://www.instagram.com/imaginationsou...
Meg Medina's newest middle grade book is a beautiful fantasy adventure about the relationship between a sea spirit and a unique living boy with a common goal. They may be from different worlds with completely different views, but this book has a treasure trove of themes, like the importance of community. Find Meg Medina https://megmedina.com/ https://www.facebook.com/meg.medina.10/ https://www.instagram.com/megmedinabooks/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@megmedinabooks Graciela in the A...
Have you ever wondered why reindeer pull Santa's sleigh? The picture book Dasher provides a beautiful origin story families and schools will love to add to the seasonal readings. Matt Tavares has added a new Dasher book this year with Dasher and the Polar Bear and it is my favorite one of the series! In this episode we talk about his creation of the story and art as well as beautiful themes within these picture books. Find author and illustrator Matt Tavares https://matttavares.com/ ht...
A captivating ghost story evolves into an intense family drama with strong themes of forgiveness, self-identity, and family. Neshama, this powerful novel in verse, brings all the feels of a middle grade adventure amid beautiful verses of poetry. In this episode Marcella Pixley and I discuss not only the beauty of this novel in verse but also questions of compassion, relationships, religion, and self-growth. Find middle grade author Marcella Pixley https://marcellapixley.com/ https://ww...
Don't take life too seriously, have some fun too! If you could spend all day doing what you loved most, what would it be? Would you write silly stories that get published into graphic novels? Middle grade author Tom Angleberger shares with us about the creation of his graphic novel series, The Two-Headed Chicken, and why graphic novels make such great gifts for kids. Find author Tom Angleberger https://origamiyoda.com/ https://www.instagram.com/tomangleberger/?hl=en The Two-Heade...
Those who have experienced the magic of a read aloud know they are a must in every home and classroom. Reading to children is so important and in this interview Kate shares some of the reasons why we should all find the time to read to children. Find Kate DiCamillo https://www.katedicamillo.com/ https://www.facebook.com/KateDiCamillo Lost Evangeline by Kate DiCamillo https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Evangeline-Norendy-Tale-DiCamillo/dp/1420532197/ Chapters 00:00 Meet Kate DiCamillo 0...
What happens when a group of extended family members who barely know each other spend a summer together on an island? Old family secrets arise. Is there a way to bridge old hurts and find ways to communicate? Can everyone learn that they are wonderful individuals just the way they are? Find middle grade author Erin Soderberg Downing https://www.erinsoderberg.com/ https://www.facebook.com/ErinDowningBooks/ https://www.instagram.com/erinsoderbergdowning/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/U...
A beautiful way to teach kids about Veterans Day is to use picture books and Jeff Gottesfeld has written some incredible ones with beautiful illustrations by Matt Tavares. In this interview I discuss with Jeff his inspiration for Honor Flight: Celebrating America's Veterans and Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Honor Flight will become available in March 2026 and you can pre-order now. Twenty-One Steps is available now. Find author Jeff Gottesfeld https://www....
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