THE MEMORY SPINNER by C.M. Cornwell is an absolute must read. It’s so well put together and engaging that it’s hard to believe it’s a debut from this middle grade author. Have a look: Since her mama died, thirteen-year-old Lavender has a disastrous memory problem. She forgets her lessons with her papa, an apothecary. […]
I first featured Catriona McPherson about a decade ago, when I first heard about her on Janet Reid’s blog. Janet said that Catriona’s books were to be read with “a notebook in hand” and that sounded like a must-read author to me. Basically, I’ve been a Catriona McPherson fan ever since. I recently saw Catriona […]
I’ve been a fan of Delilah S. Dawson for well over a decade, and I was lucky enough to interview her about her YA books Hit and Servants of the Storm, as well as her adult steampunk romance Wicked as They Come. When I saw her at a conference this year, I knew I had […]
I first heard about Lynne Kelly’s award-winning middle grade book Song for a Whale a few years ago, and I’ve always been fascinated by the 52 Hertz Whale. I’m thrilled to report that Lynne Kelly has a new book, THREE BLUE HEARTS, that stars an octopus. Have a look: Max can’t seem to escape […]
When I first saw that there was a middle grade book starring a packrat, I was immediately intrigued for multiple reasons. First, it has a great premise and a wonderful beginning. Also, it is published by Artemesia Publishing/Kinkajou Press. When I was considering publishers for my debut novel, The Etiquette of Voles, and I saw […]
I first hosted Holly Schindler on this blog all the way back in 2012 (!). Years later, I found out she’s on Smack Dab in the Middle as part of a group of (mostly) MG authors. Holly was kind enough to interview me for Smack Dab in the Middle on September 17. In preparing interview […]
I had the honor of meeting Yamile Saied Mendez at 2024’s ALA Annual Conference in San Diego. When I first heard about THE VISITORS, I reached out to Yamile for a feature. THE VISITORS (TALES FROM CABIN 23) was published on August 26, 2025 and is the perfect book in the lead-up to Halloween! […]
I love historial novels, especially Middle Grade ones, and when I heard about the premise for PRESENT, STILL MISSING by K.G. Mach, I was excited to feature it (she was also kind enough to read The Etiquette of Voles during her summer trip to the beach!). Here’s some more info about PRESENT, STILL MISSING set […]
It’s always a pleasure to interview Katherine Applegate! I was so excited with the premise of her upcoming book POCKET BEAR (September 9, 2025) I couldn’t wait to learn more about it. And feel free to check out Katherine’s additional past interviews below, including a few with Gennifer Choldenko: Odder: An Odder’s Story A Mouse […]
Last year, I was excited to feature Michael Leali’s brilliant middle grade book, The Truth About Triangles. I also learned about his previous books, including one called MATTEO. MATTEO has an amazing low-fantasy premise centered on family and identity, and is a must for any and all library shelves! Eleven-year-old Matteo has never felt […]