Young Adult Authors Unplugged From Arroe Collins

Those unrecognized moments when Fall is setting in and again this year you woke up not realizing the leaves have fallen from the trees. A major part of the story is now missing from your moments of all things right now.

Claribel Ortega returns to her much beloved middle grade series Witchlings with the fourth book, SCEPTER OF MEMORIES. In this new book, evil dwells in Ravenskill and it’s up to the Spares to prevent it from taking over. Seven, Thorn, and Valley are determined to stop Ambert Lophiifor’s plan of taking over the Twelve Towns. With Seven’s Uncle powers and their new coven behind them, surely they’ll be able to defeat him at last. But strange things are happening around Ravenskill—the Witchlings’ allies are starting to forget them! When the Witchlings are charged with the crime of practicing unnatural and dangerous magic, no one is there to come to their defense. Without any support, the Witchlings are forced to flee beyond the borders of the Twelve Towns and into the swirling grey mists of the Enchanted Grim, hoping to find the one witch who might have the knowledge and power to help them: Delphinium Larkspur. The Grim is an uncharted wilderness filled with monstruos, where no normal witch would ever be able to survive. But there’s nothing normal about the Witchlings, their courage, or their friendship. Together with their Nightbeasts, they are determined to find a way to save their home. Even if it means embracing the monstruos within themselves.

HOW ARE MARINE ROBOTS SHAPING OUR FUTURE? inventor James Bellingham draws on decades of expeditions from the Arctic to the Antarctic to reveal how autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are changing how humans explore and work in the ocean. These robots endure crushing pressures, freezing waters, and total darkness—collecting data vital for climate science, offshore energy, aquaculture, archaeology, and more. And the story doesn’t end on Earth. Many of the same technologies being perfected in our seas will one day explore ocean worlds beyond our planet—including Jupiter’s moon Europa and Saturn’s moon Enceladus—places where liquid water lies beneath thick ice and where conditions may be right for extraterrestrial life. Finding life in these alien oceans would be one of the most profound discoveries in human history, changing how we see ourselves in the universe. From enduring fierce storms off Antarctica to developing robots that “think” and navigate on their own, Bellingham shares the inside story of working at the intersection of:Scientific discovery—expanding our knowledge of oceans on Earth and beyondCutting-edge technology—designing self-reliant machines for extreme environmentsSocietal choice—balancing the benefits of ocean technology with environmental, ethical, and economic considerations

Thanks for being part of the conversation… Welcome to Forest Stories.  A series of short-winded adventures within a collection of skyscraping trees stuck feet first in Georgia Clay right here in Carolina.  It’s been a huge part of my daily writing journey for over 33 years. I’m the Poet In The Forest.  A children’s series written and recorded in the 1990s. It’s grown into multiple podcasts that reach around the world. None of it would be possible without this forest in South Charlotte, NC. At the base of Heartbreak Hill sits a sign that reads Rainbow Forest.  It’s time you meet what’s inspired several generations. Long before the paved paths decorated with colorful homes colonized around this beautiful lake, slow moving streams, flatland swamps and array of natural animals, there were families and business owners who are said to have raced into this area for the beauty of the land, wild roses, migratory birds and grapevines. Those before me either forgot to write about it or its buried somewhere inside a family tree.  Thanks for being part of the conversation

Two Days BeforeOllie Veltman is finally coming home to the quaint island of Anchor’s Mercy after a year away while his mom battled cancer. It should be a celebration—his mom is cancer free, and she’s determined to have the best summer ever—but Ollie’s (now ex) best friends think he abandoned them, and he’s returning with a lot of questions. Because for a place that’s perfect on the surface, a secret rots below the waves. A secret that could explain his mom’s illness, and the illness of so many other locals. Ollie’s desperate search for the truth turns life-or-death when a storm descends upon the island. In its wake, a long-sunken horror rises . . . Three Weeks AfterOllie is being held in isolation aboard a military hospital ship in the harbor. They say he’s a survivor, but they only know half the story. The truth is more monstrous than Ollie ever believed, and he suspects his saviors aren’t here to save anyone. Only Ollie can stop what’s coming, but that means getting back to Anchor’s Mercy before it vanishes, taking with it everyone he has ever loved.

For the second consecutive year, a majority of students report that when they are most engaged in school, it is because their teachers made the coursework exciting and interesting. Yet, just half of middle school and high school students say their teachers seem excited about what they teach. Only 43 percent say the lessons are interesting, and 37 percent say coursework feels connected to the real world. When schoolwork is challenging and relevant, it helps students build lasting skills and confidence. The increase from 70 to 78 percent of students with a teacher who excites them about the future highlights the powerful role educators play in student engagement and outlook. These findings highlight a chance for schools, communities, and policymakers to respond. The Walton Family Foundation is committed to expanding access to engaging, relevant learning so that every young person, no matter their path, can thrive in school and in life.

Drawing on her own immigrant experience, Fazzi takes readers on an action-packed ride full of wit and grit in her thrilling two-book release, SUNDAY OR THE HIGHWAY and DANGER NO PROBLEM (Thomas & Mercer, ISBN-13: ‎9781662528552 / 9781662528538). Whether it’s traffickers, fugitives, or murderers, main character Domingo loves nothing more than putting the bad guys away. But this brash, immigrant-turned-bounty hunter also has a paradoxical side hustle: writing a book of advice for people immigrating to the US. In Danger No Problem: Domingo’s latest job is to track down Monica Reed. Again. In all his years as a bounty hunter, Monica is the only target who’s ever given him the slip—and the only one he’s ever let go. As Domingo works to flush out Monica for the third time, he uncovers more layers to her story. Dark secrets, hidden sacrifices, and shocking discoveries point to a dangerous truth she’ll risk her life to expose. Now Domingo must decide which side he’s actually on. Previously published as Multo, this edition of Danger No Problem includes editorial revision. In Sunday or the Highway, the exciting second installment - Domingo finds that playing matchmaker for an heiress proves a lot more deadly than Cupid’s arrow. A seemingly easy case involving a lovestruck young heiress turns out to be anything but. Tessa Woodridge, the CEO of a fast-food chain, hires Domingo to locate the undocumented parents of Julian Alondra, the love of her life. When Tessa was eight, fourteen-year-old Julian saved her life. She always believed they were destined to be together. Compared to Domingo’s other cases, this should be a cakewalk. But he soon discovers it’s not all heart eyes and sweet nothings between these two. In his line of work, you learn to prepare for everything you never saw coming—and Domingo can see it from a mile away. About the author: CINDY FAZZI is a Filipino American writer and former Associated Press reporter. DANGER NO PROBLEM (Book 1), previously titled MULTO, was a finalist in the Best Literary category of the 2024 Silver Falchion Award. Her historical novel, MY MACARTHUR, was published by Sand Hill Review Press in 2018. She has worked as a journalist in the Philippines, Taiwan, and the United States. Her articles have appeared in the Daily Beast, Publishers Weekly, Electric Literature, and Writer’s Digest.

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

Welcome to class! I am your math teacher, Mr. Peters! I know the first day of school can be a bit intimidating, so I’m here to help! Over the summer, I put together this math workbook so you can fully prepare for our final exam by the end of the year. Traditional math prompts are boring, snooze fests, but not mine! My “laugh out loud” math prompts will keep you on the edge of your seat, always wanting to read more! You know, I’ve considered myself a comedian from time to time. Sometimes I think I chose the wrong career path. I could be on stage making people laugh for a living, but here I am teaching you f*cking degenerates. If you're asking yourself why the school board approved this book, they didn’t, so we’re going to have to keep this our little secret. These math prompts will give your grandmother a heart attack, your father cancer, and your mother gonorrhea. Show this book to no one outside of this class, and be sure to study with your fellow classmates! Feel free to write in it, draw in it, throw it in a bonfire, do whatever the f*ck you want with it! Just don’t come to my class unprepared or you’ll never see the inside of a college. Don't forget to check out the cheat sheet on the last pages to see if you passed or failed. Enjoy challenging your brain and your morals. Good luck! 

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

SNOOP is the story of a screen-obsessed boy who finds himself trapped at home—and discovers that life gets harder when screens are all you have. If Carter hadn't been checking his phone, he might have seen his brother coming down the ski slopes in his direction. And if Carter had seen his brother in time and avoided the crash, he might not have two broken legs right now. Oops. Now Carter is stuck at home for weeks, with both his legs in casts. Bored, he starts checking out the live feeds from police cams around his town. Before he knows it, he's obsessed—watching his classmates when they don't know he's looking and discovering some other very strange things going on that no one else is noticing. But what happens when Carter is found out... and the people he's watching know where he lives? SNOOP tackles finding a balance between screen-free time and being connected to the outside world. When screen-addicted Carter is forced to relate to the outside world only through screens he discovers that there’s something missing. Between being unable to stand up for himself to his classmates via Zoom to getting only part of the story through the police cameras, Carter finds that screens aren’t the perfect medium he thought they were. But he also manages to break up an illegal animal-smuggling ring and call an ambulance for a woman who unexpectedly goes into labor. The story, wisely, ends with a call for balance and moderation. As Carter says, “I took it too far. You just have to know where to draw the line.”

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

The Atlas ObscuraExplorer’s Guide to Inventing the World The team behind the bestselling Atlas Obscura presents a kids’ illustrated STEM-oriented explorationof the world’s most interesting technologies, inventions, and scientific discoveries. Following up on the New York Times bestselling Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid, this book is a globe-spanning history of invention like no other. This illustrated and STEM-oriented exploration of the planet’s 50 most interesting inventions and scientific discoveries sends middle-grade readers on an unforgettable trip around the planet and across time. Each spread focuses on a world-changing technology and how it led to or influenced the tech or discovery on the next page.Starting with the very first invention, fire, readers will spelunk the Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa for evidence of humankind’s earliest control of flames, then learn how fire is necessary to create another essential tech: glass, including the modern-day glass bridge in Zhangjiajie, China, that offers a crystal-clear (and terrifying!) view of the chasm 1,300 feet below. As you gaze at comets through telescopes, create unbreakable codes, zap space garbage with lasers, and break supersonic records in the world’s fastest car, gorgeously illustrated scenes will transport readers across continents and centuries into a world of wonder and discovery.

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

What would happen if you accidentally bought a doodle worth millions? Edwin Hodge finds out in this middle grade novel by Dan Gutman, bestselling author of My Weird School series.There were so many things Edwin Hodge didn’t know when he paid $10 for a cool poster of Kobe Bryant at the local flea market.He didn’t know that hidden within the frame of the poster was an original drawing by Pablo Picasso, one of the most famous artists in history. He didn’t know the Picasso might be worth millions of dollars. He didn’t know that kids at school were going to treat him differently, or that he would become a world famous social media superstar.And he sure didn’t know that people would tap his phone, follow him home, break into his house, or threaten to burn it down. He didn’t know the Picasso was going to ruin his life.