MG Book Party

Ever wondered what it's like to win both a Newbery AND a Caldecott award?Author/illustrator and delightful human, Grace Lin, is with us today and she shares all the behind-the-scenes award info you've been looking for, plus:Why it's important that books serve as both windows and mirrors.Why books get banned.How a better solution beyond cultivating lists of diverse books might be to integrate diversity and inclusion into the curriculum at large: math, science, English, health, etc. and what that looks like.How many of our favorite childhood books are a little like that one out-of-touch relative we all have.The advantages of growing with a small publisher.Winning both a Newbery Award and Caldecott Award.The pros and cons of how books are labeled for the market.How she chooses her illustration styles.And more! You don't want to miss this episode.You can find Grace at her website, on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube!Support indie bookstores and this podcast (affiliate links) by clicking on these links to purchase Grace's books through Bookshop.org.Where The Mountain Meets The MoonLing and Ting: Not Exactly The Same!A Big Mooncake For Little StarWhen The Sea Turned To SilverThe Year Of The DogStarry River of the SkyAs always, please feel free to connect with Heather and  Cheryl in the following places: www.CherylCaldwellAuthor.com www.HeatherClarkBooks.com www.MGBookParty.com Order LEMON DROP FALLS by Heather Clark here. Twitter: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWrites, @MGBookParty Instagram: @SaltyQuills, @HeatherClarkBooks, @MGBookPartyPlease leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts!

What's it like to write, publish, and promote a book a year? Here to tell us today is middle-grade author Mae Respicio, author of the award-winning The House That Lou Built, Any Day with You, How to Win a Slime War, and more!Mae shares her thoughts on:How our twelve-year-old selves greatly influence who we become as adults.Using a science project board in your outlining process.Research in the writing process.Setting realistic writing goals.Her incredible writing journey.Seeing yourself in books.Playing the long game.And, of course, the best recipes for making SLIME!You can connect with Mae at her website! Or on Twitter! As always, please feel free to connect with Heather and  Cheryl in the following places: www.CherylCaldwellAuthor.com www.HeatherClarkBooks.com www.MGBookParty.com Order LEMON DROP FALLS by Heather Clark here. Twitter: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWrites, @MGBookParty Instagram: @SaltyQuills, @HeatherClarkBooks, @MGBookPartyAll links to books are on Bookshop.org, and support indie bookstores and give a small percentage to support this podcast at no charge to you!

If you haven’t read The Verdigris Pawn, by Alysa Wishingrad, you’ll want to after listening to this interview! "Time distorts all truths." The Verdigris PawnIn both her book and this podcast, Alysa Wishingrad addresses this central theme—balancing our knowledge by searching for and understanding various perspectives on history. She graciously shares her knowledge about the writing and publishing process, and offers inside info on the creation of her debut middle grade novel, The Verdigris Pawn. Author bio: Alysa Wishingrad once had a whole different career working in theater, tv, and film, but nothing could be better or more exciting than writing stories and crafting worlds for middle-grade readers. 8-12 year-olds are truly some of the smartest, most open, and inquisitive people around, and Alysa is dedicated to helping them hold onto that magic as they grow up.When she's not writing she's probably out walking her two very demanding rescue dogs, who came all the way from Alexandria, Egypt to share their shedding fur and love. Or she might be trying to figure out what to make for dinner - again! - for her family. But, if she's very lucky, she's out at the theater getting lost in a wonderful story.Her debut, THE VERDIGRIS PAWN, was published by Harper Collins in July of 2021.Some of her writing influences mentioned in the podcast are:Francis Hardinge (The Lie Tree), Charles Dickens, Anne Ursu, Brian Selsnick (The Marvels, The Invention of Hugo Cabret), and Franny Billingsly.As always, please feel free to connect with Heather and  Cheryl in the following places:www.CherylCaldwellAuthor.comwww.HeatherClarkBooks.comwww.MGBookParty.comOrder LEMON DROP FALLS by Heather Clark here.Twitter: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWrites, @MGBookPartyInstagram: @SaltyQuills, @HeatherClarkBooks, @MGBookPartyClubhouse: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWritesOr Join MGBookParty on Clubhouse here.

"When you meet people, you don't hate them anymore." This quote from Hilary during this interview expresses so much about her humanity, her love, and her wisdom. Her historical WWI and WWII novels, The Skylarks' War, and Swallow's Flight are exquisite novels that delve into the life of people who lived these wars. Specifically, Swallow's Flight does a gorgeous job of presenting compelling characters who lived on both sides of World War II, and following the family from Skylark's War into the next generation of children is a gift. We learn so much from HIlary in this interview, and we just didn't want the conversation to end. On a personal note, Hilary McKay is one of the two authors who I credit with my decision to write middle grade. Her Casson Family series is real, heartfelt, hilarious, and just a beautiful emotional experience. Hilary McKay is the award-winning author of The Time of Green Magic (which received five starred reviews), The Skylark’s War (which was a Boston Globe Best Book, and received three starred reviews), Binny Bewitched (which was a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year and received two starred reviews), Binny in Secret (which received three starred reviews), Binny for Short (which received four starred reviews), and six novels about the Casson family: Saffy’s Angel, Indigo’s Star, Permanent Rose, Caddy Ever After, Forever Rose, and Caddy’s World. She is also the author of Wishing for Tomorrow, the sequel to Frances Hodgson Burnett’s A Little Princess, and The Swallows’ Flight--releasing in the US on October 19th. Hilary lives with her family in Derbyshire, England. Visit her at HilaryMcKay.co.uk.You can connect with  Hilary and follow her books at the following links:Hilary's WebsiteTwitter: @hilary_mckayPurchase Books by Hilary McKaySaffy's AngelIndigo's StarBinny BewitchedThe Skylark's WarThe Swallow's FlightAs always, please feel free to connect with Heather and  Cheryl in the following places:www.CherylCaldwellAuthor.comwww.HeatherClarkBooks.comwww.MGBookParty.comOrder LEMON DROP FALLS by Heather Clark here.Twitter: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWrites, @MGBookPartyInstagram: @SaltyQuills, @HeatherClarkBooks, @MGBookPartyClubhouse: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWritesOr Join MGBookParty on Clubhouse here.Disclaimer - Book links on this page are affiliate links through Bookshop.org. By ordering through our links, you are supporting independent bookstores, and also this podcast, through no additional cost to you.Please consider purchasing titles by ALL MGBookParty Featured Authors here to help support this podcast. 

Newbery Honor winning middle grade author Rajani LaRocca and her Super Agent Brent Taylor have collaborated to share Rajani's prolific collection of picture books and middle grade novels with the world, and in this interview, they share what that collaboration has looked like, what they looked for in an agent / client relationship, and inspire us with their joy over children's fiction. This was recorded BEFORE Rajani won the Newbery for Red, White, and Whole, so listen for talk of pre-award buzz...Brent TaylorAfter years of interning in trade book publishing, Brent Taylor joined Triada US in 2014 to assist Uwe Stender while building his own list of fiction and non-fiction for readers aged 0-18. He was promoted to associate agent in November 2015, to agent in April 2017, and to senior agent in October 2020. In 2019, Brent was named a Publisher’s Weekly Star Watch Honoree. Brent describes his reading tastes as upmarket: He’s passionate about books for young readers that are extremely well-written, robust with emotion, and appeal to a wide, commercial audience.Rajani LaRoccaNewbery Honoree Rajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning novels and picture books. She finds inspiration in her family, her childhood, the natural world, math, science, and just about everywhere she looks. To connect with Rajani and learn more about her and her books visit her at www.Rajani.LaRocca.com or @rajanilarocca on Twitter, Instagram, and Clubhouse.Purchase books by Rajani LaRocca:Midsummer's MayhemMuch Ado About BaseballRed, White, and WholeAs always, please feel free to connect with Heather and  Cheryl in the following places:www.CherylCaldwellAuthor.comwww.HeatherClarkBooks.comwww.MGBookParty.comOrder LEMON DROP FALLS by Heather Clark here.Twitter: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWrites, @MGBookPartyInstagram: @SaltyQuills, @HeatherClarkBooks, @MGBookPartyClubhouse: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWritesOr Join MGBookParty on Clubhouse here.Disclaimer - Book links on this page are affiliate links through Bookshop.org. By ordering through our links, you are supporting independent bookstores, and also this podcast, through no additional cost to you.Please consider purchasing titles by ALL MGBookParty Featured Authors here to help support this podcast. 

We had way too much fun interviewing Samantha Gentry editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. We got so much insight into the editorial process, acquisitions, publication, editor phone calls, and so much more!Samantha Gentry is an editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Her primary focus is commercial nonfiction across all categories, and fiction picture books, and middle grade. She has a particular interest in pop culture tie-ins, and platform driven stories in nonfiction. She is especially on the lookout for voice-driven middle grade with unforgettable characters, a friendship story at its core, interesting family dynamics, and a touch of magical realism. She loves to see character-driven stories with a touch of humor and quirk, but she's also a sucker for charming tales that feel like an instant classic. You can learn more about Samantha Gentry at #MSWLOr connect with her on Twitter or LinkedIn. As always, please feel free to connect with Heather and  Cheryl in the following places:www.CherylCaldwellAuthor.comwww.HeatherClarkBooks.comwww.MGBookParty.comOrder LEMON DROP FALLS by Heather Clark here.Twitter: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWrites, @MGBookPartyInstagram: @SaltyQuills, @HeatherClarkBooks, @MGBookPartyClubhouse: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWritesOr Join MGBookParty on Clubhouse here.Disclaimer - Book links on this page are affiliate links through Bookshop.org. By ordering through our links, you are supporting independent bookstores, and also this podcast, through no additional cost to you.Please consider purchasing titles by ALL MGBookParty Featured Authors here to help support this podcast. 

We had SO much fun interviewing Paige Terlip, literary agent with Andrea Brown Literary Agency! Paige shares her joy at working with this fantastic agency. She gives tips for querying, shares her Manuscript Wish List, talks about dream clients, and her role as a career agent. Paige has worked at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency since 2017, an agency consistently ranked #1 in juvenile sales by Publishers Marketplace. First as an Assistant for Executive Agent Laura Rennert, then as an Assistant Agent, and now as an Associate Agent.Prior to joining ABLA, she worked at Candlewick Press and Charlesbridge Publishing. She has also worked in a variety of jobs outside of publishing, from communications and marketing at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to scooping horse poop at a ranch in the Rockies. She has an MA in Children’s Literature and an MFA in Writing for Children from Simmons University. If she is not reading, you’ll find her practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, rewatching the Great British Baking Show, or hiking with her pup.Though Paige is currently closed to queries (1/28/22), I'm sure she'll be open again soon, and You can go here to check if she's available to query, or reach out to any of her colleagues at Andrea Brown Literary Agency!As always, please feel free to connect with Heather and  Cheryl in the following places:www.CherylCaldwellAuthor.comwww.HeatherClarkBooks.comwww.MGBookParty.comOrder LEMON DROP FALLS by Heather Clark here.Twitter: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWrites, @MGBookPartyInstagram: @SaltyQuills, @HeatherClarkBooks, @MGBookPartyClubhouse: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWritesOr Join MGBookParty on Clubhouse here.Disclaimer - Book links on this page are affiliate links through Bookshop.org. By ordering through our links, you are supporting independent bookstores, and also this podcast, through no additional cost to you.Please consider purchasing titles by ALL MGBookParty Featured Authors here to help support this podcast. 

We are so pleased to join two wonderful school librarians, and members of the @FReadomFighters—Nancy Jo Lambert and Becky Calzada for an interview about censorship, #FReadom, and access to books for children. Along with Carolyn Foote and other librarian colleagues, these women launched the #FReadom hashtag which has trended nationally to the tune of 13,000 tweets! Their goal: Shine a light on the positive impact that books make as we ensure they are accessible from many diverse viewpoints. These educators inspired us, striving to unite everyone behind the common goal of connecting children with books as we foster their learning and growth. This movement grew in the wake of a daunting number of book challenges and book bannings nationwide in recent months. Consult the following resources mentioned in this podcast for concrete action items, and monthly challenges to help you get involved in protecting freedom of information and helping people work in harmony with our school libraries to provide the best possible reading experience for students. 1. Find out about the #FReadom movement in this news article. And more here. And here.2. Find out what you can do to help at the @fReadomfighters Campaigns and Actions page. 3. Find out more about the credentials and expertise of school librarians in these social media posts.4. Find out more about helpful responses and frequently asked questions on the FreadomFighters website. 5. Follow the @FReadomFighters on Twitter.Becky CalzadaBecky Calzada is a District Library Coordinator in Leander ISD which is located NW of Austin. She is a Director-at-Large for AASL, an advisory member for The Center for the Future of Libraries Advisory Group, on the Legislative Committee for TxLA, and Past Chair for the TxASL. Becky can be followed on Twitter @becalzada.Nancy Jo LambertNancy Jo Lambert is a Google Certified Trainer and HS teacher-librarian in Frisco, TX at Reedy High School. She is a presenter advocating for libraries by telling the story of the learning happening in her library. She holds positions in TLA, TCEA, ALA, AASL, and TASL. She was named TCEA Library Media Specialist of the Year the American Association of School Librarians Social Media Superstar Curriculum Champion in 2019. She co-founded #TeachPride, EduPrideAlliance. She is also a #FReadom organizer. She is known for sharing her professional work on Twitter @NancyJoLambert and nancyjolambert.com and her library website reedylibrary.com.We'll close with a a moving, important quote shared by Nancy Jo Lambert during the interview.In the words of Rudine Sims Bishop, “Literature transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection, we can see our own lives and experiences as part of the larger human experience. And when there are enough books available that can act as both mirrors and windows for all our children, they will see that we can celebrate both our differences and our similarities, because together they are what make us all human.”

Author Cindy Baldwin shares her journey writing The Stars of Whistling Ridge! She offers amazing insight into disability representation, and chronic illness in fiction, sharing her own experience so generously! Cindy is so careful to represent her characters well, and her words are as magical as her premise in this book about the wandering family of a fallen star.  You can connect with  Cindy and follow her books at the following links:Cindy's WebsiteTwitter: @beingcindy Instagram: @cindybaldwinbooksPurchase books by Cindy Baldwin on Amazon.Where The Watermelons GrowBeginners WelcomeThe Stars of Whistling RidgeAs always, please feel free to connect with Heather and  Cheryl in the following places:www.CherylCaldwellAuthor.comwww.HeatherClarkBooks.comwww.MGBookParty.comOrder LEMON DROP FALLS by Heather Clark here.Twitter: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWrites, @MGBookPartyInstagram: @SaltyQuills, @HeatherClarkBooks, @MGBookPartyClubhouse: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWritesOr Join MGBookParty on Clubhouse here.Disclaimer - Book links on this page are affiliate links through Bookshop.org. By ordering through our links, you are supporting independent bookstores, and also this podcast, through no additional cost to you.Please consider purchasing titles by ALL MGBookParty Featured Authors here to help support this podcast. 

The opportunity to do this interview with Newbery Honoree and New York Times Bestselling author Gary D. Schmidt was one of the great honors of our professional lives! Were you hoping to get a mini-MFA from this master of middle grade storytelling? You've come to the right episode. You'll notice this one is longer than usual, and we're grateful for every gracious minute Gary shared with us. Learn about Gary's thoughtful, unique writing process. Gain more insights into his characters, and feel the genuine goodness of Gary as a person. We spend extra time on a deep dive discussion of JUST LIKE THAT, a companion novel to  Gary's acclaimed novel, THE WEDNESDAY WARS. You can connect with  Gary and follow his books at the following links:Gary's WebsiteEmail: childrens_publicity@hmhpub.comPurchase books by Gary D. Schmidt on Amazon.The Wednesday WarsOkay For NowLizzie Bright and the Buckminster BoyJust Like ThatOrbiting JupiterOther books mentioned by Gary during interview:Picture Book: REBEL by John SchoenherrCharles Dickens- BLEAK HOUSE (mentor text)Markus Zusak- THE BOOK THIEFStranger ThingsKatherine Paterson- BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA; JACOB HAVE I LOVEDthemes of hopeLiza Ketchum- latest THE LAST GARDEN (autobiography)endowed objectPatricia Wrightson- THE NARGUN AND THE STARSAs always, please feel free to connect with Heather and  Cheryl in the following places:www.CherylCaldwellAuthor.comwww.HeatherClarkBooks.comwww.MGBookParty.comOrder LEMON DROP FALLS by Heather Clark here.Twitter: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWrites, @MGBookPartyInstagram: @SaltyQuills, @HeatherClarkBooks, @MGBookPartyClubhouse: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWritesOr Join MGBookParty on Clubhouse here.Disclaimer - Book links on this page are affiliate links through Bookshop.org. By ordering through our links, you are supporting independent bookstores, and also this podcast, through no additional cost to you.Please consider purchasing titles by ALL MGBookParty Featured Authors here to help support this podcast. 

We had SO much fun interviewing Super Agent Jennifer March Soloway! Jennifer has had a fascinating career journey, helping her wind up as a highly successful literary agent with a robust client list, with a premier children's literary agency—Andrea Brown Literary Agency. If you are a querying author, and you have wondered about how agent/author relationships work best, what to expect on the call, communication, or the submission process? Jennifer was incredibly generous with her time, sharing so much helpful information. Jennifer joined the Andrea Brown Literary Agency in 2016, after a career in marketing and public relations. Agenting is her dream job. She loves working with writers and illustrators, and nothing gives her greater joy than to help an author elevate their story. She is most drawn to emotionally compelling voices and fresh perspectives underrepresented in literature. Jennifer represents authors and illustrators of picture book, middle grade, and young adult stories. ... She has an MFA in English and creative writing from Mills College and was a fellow at the San Francisco Writer's Grotto in 2012.Feel free to query Jennifer or any of her colleagues at Andrea Brown Literary Agency!As always, please feel free to connect with Heather and  Cheryl in the following places:www.CherylCaldwellAuthor.comwww.HeatherClarkBooks.comwww.MGBookParty.comOrder LEMON DROP FALLS by Heather Clark here.Twitter: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWrites, @MGBookPartyInstagram: @SaltyQuills, @HeatherClarkBooks, @MGBookPartyClubhouse: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWritesOr Join MGBookParty on Clubhouse here.Disclaimer - Book links on this page are affiliate links through Bookshop.org. By ordering through our links, you are supporting independent bookstores, and also this podcast, through no additional cost to you.Please consider purchasing titles by ALL MGBookParty Featured Authors here to help support this podcast. 

Our biggest takeaway from our interview with Middle Grade author Kaela Rivera was her final advice to writers —Practice Patience. Kaela's debut novel, CECE RIOS AND THE DESERT OF SOULS was her tenth completed manuscript. In this delightful interview, Kaela talks about how she pushed through the long wait, getting better and better with time, the inspirations from her multicultural family for CECE RIOS, and gives amazing tips on giving three dimensions to side characters. Join us! You won't regret it!  Subscribe so you won't miss Part II: THE COMPANION ARC. Author Bio:Kaela Rivera was raised to believe in will-o’-the-wisps and el chupacabra, but even ghost stories couldn’t stop her from reading in the isolated treetops, caves, and creeks of Tennessee’s Appalachian forests.She still believes in the folktales of her Mexican-American and British parents, but now she writes about them from the adventure-filled mountains of the Wild West. When she’s not crafting stories, she’s using her English degree from BYU-I as an editor for a marketing company (or secretly doodling her characters in the margins of her notebook). Her debut novel, Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls, comes out April 13, 2021, and its sequels which will be joining it in Fall 2022, and in 2023Her biggest hope is to highlight and explore the beauty of cultural differences—and how sharing those differences can bring us all closer.Ghibli Movies Kaela Mentions:—Kiki's Delivery Service—Whisper of the Heart—Howl's Moving Castle—Spirited AwayYou can connect with  Kaela  and follow her books and author journey at the following links.KaelaRivera.comTwitter: @Kaela_Rivera_Instagram: @KaelaCubPurchase CECE RIOS AND THE DESERT OF SOULSPreorder CECE RIOS AND THE KING OF FEARS Suggested Mentor Text:Purchase PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS: THE LIGHTNING THIEFAs always, please feel free to connect with Heather and  Cheryl in the following places:www.CherylCaldwellAuthor.comwww.HeatherClarkBooks.comwww.MGBookParty.comOrder LEMON DROP FALLS by Heather Clark here.Twitter: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWrites, @MGBookPartyInstagram: @SaltyQuills, @HeatherClarkBooks, @MGBookPartyClubhouse: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWritesOr Join MGBookParty on Clubhouse here.Disclaimer - Book links on this page are affiliate links through Bookshop.org. By ordering through our links, you are supporting independent bookstores, and also this podcast, through no additional cost to you.Please consider purchasing titles by ALL MGBookParty Featured Authors here to help support this podcast. 

In Part 2 of our Agent / Author / Editor series with Jennifer A. Nielsen, we dig in to interview prolific author / editor duo: Jennifer A. Nielsen and Lisa Sandell of Scholastic Press.  The two have worked together for years, bringing many books into publication together. They've collaborated on such amazing reads as THE FALSE PRINCE, THE MARK OF THE THIEF, WORDS ON FIRE, A NIGHT DIVIDED, RESCUE, and many more. We had way too much fun with  this interview, and learned so much. Get the inside scoop on a healthy author / editor  relationship. If you missed Part 1, give it a listen also.   https://www.buzzsprout.com/1776784/episodes/9201068Jennifer A. NielsenNew York Times Bestselling author, Jennifer Nielsen, was born and raised in northern Utah, where she still lives today with her family, a dog that won’t play fetch, and a cat that hallucinates. She is the author of The Ascendance series, beginning with THE FALSE PRINCE; the TRAITOR’S GAME series, the historical novels, RESISTANCE, A NIGHT DIVIDED,  WORDS ON FIRE, RESCUE, and several other titles. She loves chocolate, old books, and lazy days in the mountains. Jennifer is the founder of the Book Drop campaign.Lisa SandellLisa Ann Sandell is the author of three young adult novels, The Weight of the Sky (Viking Children’s Books, 2006), Song of the Sparrow (Scholastic Press, 2007), and A Map of the Known World (Scholastic Press, 2009). She is currently the editorial director at Scholastic Press, and Scholastic Focus, and has also taught creative writing. Lisa was the acquiring editor for Jennifer’s first of many books at Scholastic, The False Prince.Please help support MG Book Party Podcast by purchasing books by our amazing authors through our affiliate links at no additional cost to you.Jennifer A. Nielsen:The False PrinceRescueResistanceA Night DividedThe Mark of the ThiefAs always, please feel free to connect with Heather and  Cheryl in the following places:www.CherylCaldwellAuthor.comwww.HeatherClarkBooks.comwww.MGBookParty.comOrder LEMON DROP FALLS by Heather Clark here.Twitter: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWrites, @MGBookPartyInstagram: @SaltyQuills, @HeatherClarkBooks, @MGBookPartyClubhouse: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWritesOr Join MGBookParty on Clubhouse here.Disclaimer - Book links on this page are affiliate links through Bookshop.org. By ordering through our links, you are supporting independent bookstores, and also this podcast, through no additional cost to you.Please consider purchasing titles by ALL MGBookParty Featured Authors here to help support this podcast. 

This dynamic agent/author duo is a delight to interview, and we learned so much. Jennifer A. Nielsen and Joan Paquette were a fundamental part of building each other's careers, and their combined wisdom and collaboration blew us away. We had way too much fun with  Jennifer A. Nielsen's series of interviews with costars, agent Ammi-Joan Paquette, and editor Lisa Sandell. (Stay tuned for part 2.)  Get the inside scoop on a healthy agent / author relationship, and learn so much about an amazingly prolific author-agent partnership. Jennifer A. NielsenNew York Times Bestselling author, Jennifer Nielsen, was born and raised in northern Utah, where she still lives today with her family, a dog that won’t play fetch, and a cat that hallucinates. She is the author of The Ascendance series, beginning with THE FALSE PRINCE; the TRAITOR’S GAME series, the historical novels, RESISTANCE, A NIGHT DIVIDED,  WORDS ON FIRE, RESCUE, and several other titles. She loves chocolate, old books, and lazy days in the mountains. Jennifer is the founder of the Book Drop campaign.Ammi-Joan PaquetteJoan is a Senior Agent with EMLA, working from her home office in Massachusetts. She represents all forms of children's and young adult literature, but is most excited by a strong lyrical voice, tight plotting with surprising twists and turns, and stories told with heart and resonance that will stand the test of time. Joan is also the author of numerous books for children, most recently the Princess Juniper series, the picture books Ghost in the House, Elf in the House, Bunny Bus, and The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies, and the "non-fiction with a twist" series Two Truths and a Lie, co-written with Laurie Ann Thompson, and The Train of Lost Things. Please help support MG Book Party Podcast by purchasing books by these amazing authors through our affiliate links at no additional cost to you.Jennifer A. Nielsen:The False PrinceRescueResistanceA Night DividedThe Mark of the ThiefAmmi-Joan Paquette:Ghost in the HouseTwo Truths and a Lie: It's Alive!As always, please feel free to connect with Heather and  Cheryl in the following places:www.CherylCaldwellAuthor.comwww.HeatherClarkBooks.comwww.MGBookParty.comOrder LEMON DROP FALLS by Heather Clark here.Twitter: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWrites, @MGBookPartyInstagram: @SaltyQuills, @HeatherClarkBooks, @MGBookPartyClubhouse: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWritesOr Join MGBookParty on Clubhouse here.Disclaimer - Book links on this page are affiliate links through Bookshop.org. By ordering through our links, you are supporting independent bookstores, and also this podcast, through no additional cost to you.Please consider purchasing titles by ALL MGBookParty Featured Authors here to help support this podcast. 

Our biggest takeaway from our interview with Middle Grade author Lisa Moore Ramée was this: The people who don't make it as authors are the people who gave up. Lisa Moore Ramée took the long way around to get here with her career, and her beautiful books, and she is the most real, down-to-earth, delightful person. You will come away from this interview inspired to carry on, and ready with some fresh tools in your tool belt. Hopefully you'll also come away ready to devour her lovely books. (Links below) Author Bio:Lisa Moore Ramee wrote her first book in second grade. It took some time before she got around to writing her second one. A Good Kind of Trouble was her debut novel, published in Spring 2019. Her next book, Something to Say, came out July, 2020. Originally hailing from Los Angeles, CA, Lisa now lives in Northern California with her husband, two children, two cats, and more yard than she can control.You can connect with  Lisa  and follow her books and author journey at the following links.www.LisaMooreRamee.comTwitter: @LeeserayInstagram: @LeeserayPurchase A GOOD KIND OF TROUBLE on Amazon.Purchase SOMETHING TO SAY on Amazon.As always, please feel free to connect with Heather and  Cheryl in the following places:www.CherylCaldwellAuthor.comwww.HeatherClarkBooks.comwww.MGBookParty.comOrder LEMON DROP FALLS by Heather Clark here.Twitter: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWrites, @MGBookPartyInstagram: @SaltyQuills, @HeatherClarkBooks, @MGBookPartyClubhouse: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWritesOr Join MGBookParty on Clubhouse here.Disclaimer - Book links on this page are affiliate links through Bookshop.org. By ordering through our links, you are supporting independent bookstores, and also this podcast, through no additional cost to you.Please consider purchasing titles by ALL MGBookParty Featured Authors here to help support this podcast. 

This may be the most important episode of Middle Grade Book Party we'll ever release. If you are an advocate of children's literacy, or care passionately about getting great books into the hands of children everywhere, this is the episode for you! After hearing us talk with authors Jennifer A. Nielsen, and Jennifer Jenkins about their new children's literacy initiative, the importance of reading, and hanging on a fence by a wedgie, you'll come away inspired, excited, and hopefully, ready to get involved. At least we sure did!A glimpse at the initiative from Jennifer A. Nielsen:"A few years ago, I had the privilege of hearing a speech given by Dick Robinson, the President of Scholastic Books, in which he said, “As long as children do not have equal access to books, we will never live in a truly equal society.”He was right. In middle class neighborhoods, there are an average of 13 books for each young reader. However, in high poverty areas, the ratio is approximately 1 age appropriate book for every 300 children."This moment inspired Jennifer A. Nielsen to found the Book Drop Campaign. In partnership with Teen Author Boot Camp [TABC], an amazing not-for-profit organization specifically geared for teen and tween authors, Book Drop is seeking funding from corporate sponsors to be able to purchase a book for every child in as many Title 1 Schools as possible. But they are offering more than a book. Since author visits generate higher interest in reading books, and communicate with time and attention how much each child individually matters, the authors of the books will donate their time to offer free school visits to students as well. Corporate sponsors may also participate directly in the school events if they wish. This Episode's Guests: Jennifer A. NielsenNew York Times Bestselling author, Jennifer Nielsen, was born and raised in northern Utah, where she still lives today with her family, a dog that won’t play fetch, and a cat that hallucinates. She is the author of The Ascendance series, beginning with THE FALSE PRINCE; the TRAITOR’S GAME series, the historical novels, RESISTANCE, A NIGHT DIVIDED,  WORDS ON FIRE, RESCUE, and several other titles. She loves chocolate, old books, and lazy days in the mountains. Jennifer is the founder of the Book Drop campaign.Jennifer JenkinsWith her degree in History and Secondary Education, Jennifer Jenkins had every intention of teaching teens to love George Washington, the Napoleonic Wars, and Ancient Sparta ... until the writing began. She is the author of the Nameless trilogy (2015-2018), To Kill a Curse (2019), Of Blood and Fire (2020), The Order of Chaos (2021), and Teen Writer's Guide: Your Road Map to Writing (2020). She is also the co-founder of Teen Author Boot Camp, a federal non-profit organization dedicated to promoting teen literacy and authorship. She divides her free time between teaching creative writing classes at Utah Valley University, reading, taking spontaneous trips, researching random events from the past, and fostering her adrenaline junkie addictions.Links:Teen Author Boot Camp WebsiteBook Drop Official Website—where you can sign up to be a corporate sponsor, request a book drop to your Title 1 school, donate privately, sign up to volunteer, or add yourself to the list of authors ready to donate their time to help kids. (look for the Book Drop tab)Jennifer A. Nielsen's Author WebsiteJennifer Jenkins' Author WebsitePaypal Link for Direct Donations (Please share this link to help us fund many book drops!)

Our biggest takeaway from our interview with Middle Grade author Rajani LaRocca is this new mantra she shared with us—Follow the Dopamine! She says if if doesn't bring you joy, don't do it! And that goes for marketing, career advice, and how to write your books. Our chat with this dynamic, gracious, and hilariously down-to-earth author left us feeling 100% happier! Come find out what it means to lead a Rajani LaRocca kind of life, and get excited about her passions, and discovering your own. Author Bio:Rajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning novels and picture books, including Midsummer’s Mayhem (2019), Seven Golden Rings (2020), Red, White, and Whole (2021), Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers (2021), Much Ado About Baseball (2021), and more. She’s always been an omnivorous reader, and now she is an omnivorous writer of fiction and nonfiction, novels and picture books, prose and poetry. She finds inspiration in her family, her childhood, the natural world, math, science, and just about everywhere she looks. To connect with Rajani and learn more about her and her books visit her at www.Rajani.LaRocca.com or @rajanilarocca on Twitter, Instagram, and Clubhouse.You can connect with  Rajani  and follow her books and author journey at the following links.www.RajaniLaRocca.comTwitter: @RajaniLaRoccaInstagram: @RajaniLaRoccaPurchase MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALLPurchase MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEMPurchase RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE on Amazon.As always, please feel free to connect with Heather and  Cheryl in the following places:www.CherylCaldwellAuthor.comwww.HeatherClarkBooks.comwww.MGBookParty.comOrder LEMON DROP FALLS by Heather Clark here.Twitter: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWrites, @MGBookPartyInstagram: @SaltyQuills, @HeatherClarkBooks, @MGBookPartyClubhouse: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWritesOr Join MGBookParty on Clubhouse here.Disclaimer - Book links on this page are affiliate links through Bookshop.org. By ordering through our links, you are supporting independent bookstores, and also this podcast, through no additional cost to you.Please consider purchasing titles by ALL MGBookParty Featured Authors here to help support this podcast. 

Oddly, my favorite takeaway from our interview with middle grade author Gillian McDunn was her fresh take on her favorite writing snack. Apparently since you don't think about what you eat while you write, your best bet is a large plate of raw veggies, which will fill your snacking need, and fill you with nutrients while you create great fiction! Worth a try. Especially, since everything Gillian has to say about her author journey, this newest book, THESE UNLUCKY STARS, and the joy of writing for children is delightful. And what's not even more delightful with a little more folate or beta carotene?  Author Bio:GILLIAN McDUNN is the author of the middle-grade novels CATERPILLAR SUMMER (Bloomsbury, 2019) and THE QUEEN BEE AND ME (Bloomsbury, 2020). She has lived in California, Missouri, and North Carolina. Her favorite thing is spending time with her family. She also loves traveling, board games, and learning about the world we live in. She lives near Raleigh, North Carolina, with her family.You can connect with  Rajani  and follow her books and author journey at the following links.www.gillianmcdunn.comTwitter: @GillianMcDunnInstagram: @GillianMcDunnPurchase CATERPILLAR SUMMERPurchase THE QUEEN BEE AND ME Purchase THESE UNLUCKY STARSAs always, please feel free to connect with Heather and  Cheryl in the following places:www.CherylCaldwellAuthor.comwww.HeatherClarkBooks.comwww.MGBookParty.comOrder LEMON DROP FALLS by Heather Clark here.Twitter: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWrites, @MGBookPartyInstagram: @SaltyQuills, @HeatherClarkBooks, @MGBookPartyClubhouse: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWritesOr Join MGBookParty on Clubhouse here.Disclaimer - Book links on this page are affiliate links through Bookshop.org. By ordering through our links, you are supporting independent bookstores, and also this podcast, through no additional cost to you.Please consider purchasing titles by ALL MGBookParty Featured Authors here to help support this podcast. 

Episode Trigger Warnings: School shootings, child violence. Jasmine Warga is a wonderful MG writer who tackles difficult subjects with grace, dignity, and care. Come meet her and her books, find out why they make us cry and inspire us so much. Get excited for her upcoming novel, RESILIENCE about a Mars rover with feelings, learn how to balance the two jobs of writer/creative and author. Also enjoy this exclusive feature interview about Jasmine's newest MG novel, THE SHAPE OF THUNDER.  Its premise electrified us, and we knew we had to get Jasmine on our show! We're just so grateful she said yes! Author Bio:Jasmine Warga is the author of the New York Times bestseller Other Words For Home. Other Words For Home earned multiple awards, including a John Newbery Honor, a Walter Honor for Young Readers, and a Charlotte Huck Honor. She is also the author of young adult books, My Heart and Other Black Holes and Here We Are Now, which have been translated into over twenty different languages. The Shape of Thunder, her next novel for middle grade readers, will be published in May 2021. Originally from Cincinnati, she now lives in the Chicago-area with her family.Looking for trusted resources to find help and healing in dealing with school violence? Here's a link to a page of federal resources.You can connect with  Jasmine and follow her books and author journey at the following links.https://jasminewarga.com/aboutTwitter: @JasmineWargaInstagram: @JasmineWargaBooksPurchase THE SHAPE OF THUNDER Purchase OTHER WORDS FOR HOME Purchase MY HEART AND OTHER BLACK HOLES As always, please feel free to connect with Heather and  Cheryl in the following places:www.CherylCaldwellAuthor.comwww.HeatherClarkBooks.comwww.MGBookParty.comOrder LEMON DROP FALLS by Heather Clark here.Twitter: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWrites, @MGBookPartyInstagram: @SaltyQuills, @HeatherClarkBooks, @MGBookPartyClubhouse: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWritesOr Join MGBookParty on Clubhouse here.Disclaimer - Book links on this page are affiliate links through Bookshop.org. By ordering through our links, you are supporting independent bookstores, and also this podcast, through no additional cost to you.Please consider purchasing titles by ALL MGBookParty Featured Authors here to help support this podcast. 

We're so excited to have middle grade author Nancy Tandon guest hosting this podcast featuring authors Lindsay Currie and Jessica Vitalis as they talk about effective marketing through  street teams. This episode is POWER-PACKED with pro-tips and invaluable information for how to set up your own street team to maximize your efforts to market your book—everything from what a street team is, to what it does, to why you need one, to how to begin. Special thanks to these authors for giving so generously of their time and expertise.You can connect with  Nancy Tandon and follow her books and author journey at the following links.https://nancytandon.com/Twitter: @nancytandonInstagram: @_nancytandon_You can connect with Jessica Vitalis  and follow her books and author journey at the following links.JessicaVitalis.comTwitter: @jessicavitalisInstagram: @jessicavauthorYou can connect with  Lindsay Currie and follow her books and author journey at the following links.LindsayCurrie.comTwitter: @lindsayncurrieInstagram: @lindsayncurrie Please order books by these amazing authors! THE WAY I SAY IT by Nancy TandonTHE GHOST OF SPRUCE POINT by Nancy Tandon SCRITCH, SCRATCH: A GHOST STORY by Lindsay CurrieWHAT LIVES IN THE WOODS by Lindsay CurrieTHE WOLF'S CURSE by Jessica VitalisAs always, please feel free to connect with Heather and  Cheryl in the following places:www.CherylCaldwellAuthor.comwww.HeatherClarkBooks.comwww.MGBookParty.comOrder LEMON DROP FALLS by Heather Clark here.Twitter: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWrites, @MGBookPartyInstagram: @SaltyQuills, @HeatherClarkBooks, @MGBookPartyClubhouse: @CherylCaldwell, @HClarkWritesOr Join MGBookParty on Clubhouse here.Disclaimer - Book links on this page are affiliate links through Bookshop.org. By ordering through our links, you are supporting independent bookstores, and also this podcast, through no additional cost to you.Please consider purchasing titles by ALL MGBookParty Featured Authors here to help support this podcast.