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RED HOOD by Elana K. Arnold

I met award-winning author Elana K. Arnold at one of the final author events I went to pre-quarantine. She writes some of the most visceral prose I've read, and Red Hood is her newest YA novel: Since her grandmother became her caretaker when…
Tara Sim
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SCAVENGE THE STARS by Tara Sim

I was delighted to interview Tara Sim here, here, and here. When I heard about her newest book, SCAVANGE THE STARS, a gender-swapped re-imagining of The Count of Monte Cristo, I couldn't wait to feature it: When Amaya rescues a mysterious…
Jennifer Camiccia, author
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THE MEMORY KEEPER by Jennifer Camiccia

I met Jennifer Camiccia at last year's SCBWI Oktoberfest, and I was immediately struck by how knowledgeable she was. Her middle grade book, THE MEMORY KEEPER, is a heartfelt story that explores the importance of preserving memories and family…
Do Not Open Until Dec 25 Photo by Nathan Anderson
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Wrapping Up 2019

In wrapping up 2019, I wanted to reflect on the books and authors that taught me the most about writing this year. Some gave me ideas for manuscripts-in-progress. Others offered much needed wisdom about craft and what makes a good story, and…
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A GOOD KIND OF TROUBLE by Lisa Moore Ramee

I first met Lisa Moore Ramee at an author event, and bought her debut middle grade novel, A GOOD KIND OF TROUBLE at an SCBWI event in October. Her book has been cited as one of NPR's best books of 2019, and was mentioned in Booklist as one…
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THE WICKED TREE by Kristin Thorsness

In writing a middle grade book, I'm also widening my reading palate to include more middle grade titles. One of the fall titles from Month9Books, THE WICKED TREE, offers just the right amount of "spooky" for middle grade readers: Eleven-year-old…
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A PINCH OF PHOENIX, the third in the Lailu Loganberry (Mystic Cooking Chronicles) series, by Heidi Lang and Kati Bartkowski

Lailu Loganberry (Mystic Cooking Chronicles) has been one of my favorite Middle Grade series ever since I featured it here, along with Heidi Lang's book, RULES OF THE RUFF. A PINCH OF PHOENIX offers a high-stakes conclusion to the series, and…
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BERTIE’S BOOK OF SPOOKY WONDERS by Ocelot Emerson

Just in time for Halloween, we have BERTIE'S BOOK OF SPOOKY WONDERS by Ocelot Emerson, a half-cat, half-person, who is also a screenwriter under another name. The book comes out October 15, 2019: Twelve-year-old Bertie Blount is great at…
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The RULES FOR THIEVES series by Alexandra Ott

I happened upon the Rules for Thieves series when Alexandra Ott was having a Twitter giveaway. I was lucky enough to win a book, and as soon as I did, I couldn't wait to feature it: Rules for Thieves After twelve-year-old orphan Alli Rosco…
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FOREVER NEVERLAND by Susan Adrian

I first connected with Susan Adrian over Twitter when we discovered we had a mutual connection to UC Davis. Her latest book, FOREVER NEVERLAND, provides an interesting perspective within a familiar tale: Clover and Fergus are the great-great-grandchildren…