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 […]
When I interviewed Kristen Joy Wilks about the latest book in her Phooey Kerflooey series, she mentioned a few books her readers might enjoy. One of those was OPHELIA STARCLUCK SAVES THE GALAXY by Kristen Gwen. Have a look: Two chicklings. Two weasels. One epic battle. Ophelia Starcluck can’t lose another friend. When her […]
I featured the first Phooey Kerflooey book in July of last year, and when I heard the title of the follow-up, PHOOEY KERFLOOEY AND THE BATTLE SQUIRREL, which came out on June 3, 2025, I had to feature it too. Have a look: Phooey Kerflooey has finally found a home of her own. Too […]
When I first heard about the concept behind this series, The CEO Girls Club, I knew I had to feature it. It shares a lot of themes with The Baby-Sitters Club series by Ann M. Martin, a series that I first read at the age of seven and the one that made me want to […]