Earlier this year, I featured Joy, to the World, a book that Lisa Bunker co-wrote with Kai Shappley, and when I heard the premise of ALMOND, QUARTZ AND FINCH I couldn’t wait to feature it as well. The book is out today, November 7, 2023. The Nezel are refugee servants, toiling in a desert […]
Elly Swartz is definitely a Middle Grade author to watch. I featured her book Dear Student, and she has published other novels as well. Her upcoming book, HIDDEN TRUTHS (10.31.23) has received starred reviews from School Library Journal and Kirkus and would be an essential addition to any library collection. Dani and Eric have been […]
I’m always delighted by Stephanie Burgis’s writing as well as her engaging characters and whimsical world-building. When I featured the first book in this series, The Raven Heir, Stephanie mentioned she was penning a sequel, THE RAVEN THRONE. I’m happy to report that this book is available at long last, and offers a finale to […]
On August 23, I interviewed both Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko about their book DOGTOWN, a new Middle Grade novel that debuted today, September 19, 2023. Dogtown is a shelter for stray dogs, misbehaving dogs, and discarded robot dogs, whose owners have outgrown them. Chance, a real dog, has been in Dogtown since her owners […]
I’ve featured Carrie Lara’s picture books before, including Marvelous Maravilloso and The Heart of Mi Familia. Carrie’s newest book, OUT OF THE FIRES: A JOURNAL OF RESILIENCE AND RECOVERY AFTER DISASTER, is very much needed. It not only helps with healing after trauma, but also in cultivating resilience. After a fire destroys his home […]
I met Jennifer Baker at a writing retreat and I always thought she had such beautiful writing. Her debut YA novel, FORGIVE ME NOT, is not only both captivating and engaging, it also offers an informative and critical lens into juvenile justice system. All it took was one night and one bad decision for […]
I’ve been honored to feature Evelyn Skye’s YA books Circle of Shadows and The Crown’s Game. When I heard the premise of her new fantasy for adult readers, I couldn’t wait to feature it. THE HUNDRED LOVES OF JULIET explores the nuances of love, grief, and loss and is perfect for readers looking for a […]
I’ve interviewed both Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko before, and when I heard they had co-written a book, I couldn’t wait to feature it. DOGTOWN is a new Middle Grade novel set to debut on September 19, 2023. Dogtown is a shelter for stray dogs, misbehaving dogs, and discarded robot dogs, whose owners have outgrown […]
I first heard about Emily Barth Isler’s Middle Grade book AFTERMATH in a Children’s Lit newsletter I get from Sharon Levin, and I immediately fell in love with the premise. Emily also has a book coming out next year called The Color of Sound, which will be available for pre-order starting November 2023. After […]
I last featured Nikki Shannon Smith back when her book The Amazing Life of Azalea Lane came out. She now has mulitple books, including a Middle Grade Historical Fiction book in Girls Survive series, called LENA AND THE BURNING OF GREENWOOD, as well as new and upcoming books in her Brown Baby Parade board book […]