What's "too mature" for kids these days?! with Rachelle Bergstein
Description
Ep. 97: Figuring out why kids need books that speak their language
Why are Judy Blume’s books still resonating decades later—and what can they teach us about feminism, censorship, and raising readers in 2025?
In this episode, bestselling author and editor Rachelle Bergstein shares her journey as a writer and mom, and what she discovered while researching her latest book, The Genius of Judy.
From literary snobbery to spicy teen novels, this conversation is packed with thoughtful takes on children’s literature, cultural shifts, and the quiet power of books that meet kids where they’re at.
What you’ll hear in this episode:
- Why Rachelle wrote a book about Judy Blume
- How reading with her son deepened her passion for kids’ books
- Why she left her job at the New York Post after becoming a mom
- How she makes writing work alongside parenting
- Why graphic novels, Arthur chapter books, and “spicy” YA matter
- A fresh take on the book-banning crisis and why “let the kids read” is her rooftop thesis
Related episode:
Ep. 89: Want to raise money-smart kids… but still figuring it out yourself? with Jessica Moorhouse – Spotify or Apple
About Rachelle Bergstein:
Rachelle Bergstein is a lifestyle writer, bestselling author, and editor focused on style, pop culture, and families. Her work has appeared in the New York Post, The New York Times, NPR, and more. She is the author of Women from the Ankle Down, Brilliance and Fire, and The Genius of Judy. She lives with her husband and son in Brooklyn.
Find her at rachellebergstein.com or @rachellewb on Instagram. Subscribe to her Substack, Banner Year, for her take on the book-banning crisis.
About Andrea Barr, host of All Figured Out:
Andrea Barr is a certified career and life coach who helps ambitious parents take charge of their careers and lives with strategy, intention, and freedom. She rejects the idea that success requires sacrifice—showing parents how to create more time, flexibility, and fulfillment without burnout. Through her coaching, workshops, and podcast, All Figured Out, Andrea shares the strategies and mindset shifts parents need to design careers that fit their lives—so they can thrive at work and at home.
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