Pony by R.J. Palacio

How I Heard About It:
*This ARC came to me at about 1:30 PM on Monday, June 28th.  I finished and closed the book later that same night.  This is one of the BEST stories I've ever read. I can't wait to share the amazing tale with my fourth graders during the 2021/2022 school year.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:

*Silas lives out in the middle of nowhere with his father.  It has just been the two of them since Silas' mother died.

*During the middle of the night, some men arrive on horseback and demand that Silas' father come with them to meet their "boss".

*Silas is to remain at the cabin and wait for his father's return.

*He doesn't stay and ventures out to find his father and the men who took him.  He takes along his "friend" Mittenwool, and the new horse who appeared before them.

*While out in the woods, Silas meets a marshall and the two of them begin an adventure to find both the good and bad men in the world.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:

*When the book arrived, I wondered how it would compare to Wonder.  It doesn't compare to Wonder.  It stands completely on its own.

*Once I started reading, I could NOT stop.  

*I was moved emotionally on several occasions while reading and couldn't believe the story R.J. Palacio had created.  

*There were so many warm and touching moments during Silas' journey that I found myself literally "gasping" out loud.  

*This may have become my new favorite middle-grade story of "all-time."  It is simply AMAZING!!!


Who Should Read It:

*EVERYONE!!!  Happy Reading!


Rating:  5+ STARS out of 5 Stars

The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy by Anne Ursu

How I Heard About It:
*This ARC came to me via my Twitter #bookexpedition reading group.  I'm a huge fan of Anne Ursu and everything she writes.  I was quite excited to sit down and see what she had in store for me with her newest work of fiction.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Marya is practically invisible in her family.  All attention and focus goes toward her brother Luka, who is slated to become a sorcerer.

*Everything she does seems to only upset and bother her parents.  

*When testing day arrives, Marya is supposed to stay out of the way and not cause trouble.

*Nothing goes according to plan, and Marya finds herself being sent to the Dragonmir Academy for "troubled" girls.

*Once she arrives at the academy, she finds herself among other girls who all have their own story, past, and reason for being at the academy.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:

*There is something quite special about Anne's writing.  

*She creates a story which draws the reader in and shares with them a world like no other.

*As I read, I was captivated by the mysteries of the country and what was truly going on at the academy.  

*The message of female power and strength was just one of many important themes presented in the story.  

*Marya not only fought for her own rights as a female, but for all the girls she was surrounded with.


Who Should Read It:

*As with most Anne Ursu novels, I would say readers should be in fifth grade and above.  Strong third and fourth grade readers would also be able to handle the content, language, and story.  I'm excited to add this new title to my classroom library.  Happy Reading!


Rating:  4 STARS out of 5 Stars

The Buddhist on Death Row by David Sheff

How I Heard About It:
*I was actually walking around the pool area during my vacation to Mexico and I saw a young person reading this book.  I went back to my chair, did a bit of online research, and ordered the book.  The story was waiting for me when I returned home.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Jarvis Jay Masters didn't have an easy life.  In fact, his early life was horrendous and full of heartache.

*Making one bad choice after another bad choice, Jarvis found himself in juvenile detention centers, jails, and finally ended up in San Quentin.  

*He was angry, resentful, and hated the world around him.  There was no sense of peace.

*After a prison guard is murdered, Jarvis is sentenced to death row.  

*During this time, he spends time with a variety of people, who show him the whole other side of living a full, peaceful, and meaningful life.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:

*I knew nothing of this book before seeing it poolside in Mexico.

*I do love memoir, but this was written by Sheff about Masters and his transformation.

*The journey Jarvis took was fascinating, eye-opening, and incredible.

*As I was reading, I found myself thinking more and more about meditation and trying to bring more peace to my own life.  

*Reading about Buddhism and the impact it can have on a person's life was quite extraordinary.


Who Should Read It:

*The reader by the pool appeared to be in high school so I'm wondering if this was required reading for him.  I would say the story would be appropriate for the high-school, college, and adult reader.  Everyone will take something from the story and apply it to their own life.  


Rating:  4 STARS out of 5 Stars

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (6/28/21)

                                  

Thanks to Jen and Kellee for hosting this idea on their site.  Here is a link to the site...

                

 http://www.teachmentortexts.com/

Books I Will (continue to) Read this Week...  

Dead Wednesday by Jerry Spinelli 

*My Middle-Grade Novel (ARC)

Pony by R.J. Palacio

*My Middle-Grade Novel (ARC)

Books I Read this Past Week...

The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy by Anne Ursu

*Middle-Grade Novel (4 STARS out of 5 Stars)

The Buddhist on Death Row by David Sheff

*Adult "memoir"/"biography" (4 STARS out of 5 Stars)

The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz

How I Heard About It:
*This seems to be one of the summer's "buzzed" about novels published for adults.  I bought toward the end of the school year, brought it on vacation to Mexico, and had a couple wonderful full days of reading.  Quite the page turner!  


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Jacob Fitch Bonner is an author who has had one somewhat successful novel out in the world.

*As he is working on his second book, he takes a teaching job at a writer's college.

*It is here that he meets Evan Parker, a young writer, who thinks he has the next great American Novel.

*Jacob waits and waits for the release of Evan's sure-fire story, but it never comes.  He finds out that Evan has died and his story hasn't been published.

*Jacob takes the "seed" idea, writes the story and finds himself with a best seller.  He also finds more complications than he bargained for.  

What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*With somewhat of a slow start, I was a bit nervous I wasn't going to enjoy the story.

*I did find the world of authors, publishers, and story ideas fascinating and engaging.

*Once the "plot" took hold, I could not stop reading.  There were a few slow spots, but overall the events unfolded at an excellent pace.  

*The mystery of who was sending Jacob the messages kept me on the edge of my seat.

*All I can say, is I NEVER saw the ending that came. WOW!  

Who Should Read It:
*I do think most adult readers would find this a great summer read.  The novel is also for all the "nerdy" readers out there who love reading about authors, publishers, and the world in which they live.  Happy Reading!  


Rating:  4 STARS out of 5 Stars

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (6/21/21)

                                 

Thanks to Jen and Kellee for hosting this idea on their site.  Here is a link to the site...

                

 http://www.teachmentortexts.com/

Books I Will (continue to) Read this Week...  

The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy by Anne Ursu

*My Middle-Grade Novel

The Buddhist on Death Row by David Sheff

*Adult "memoir"/"biography"

Books I Read this Past Week...

The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz

*Novel Published for Adult (4 STARS out of 5 Stars)

The Law of Entanglement by Laurinda Lawrence

*Young Adult Novel (5 STARS out of 5 Stars)

The Best Worst Summer by Elizabeth Eulberg

How I Heard About It:
*This was another middle-grade story that came to me via #bookexpedition.  The novel was released at the beginning of May 2021.  Even though I have to pass the book on to the next reader, I know I will be adding the title to my classroom library.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Peyton has just had to move from Minneapolis to a small northern Minnesota town.

*Lucas is a boy who has lived in the small town for most of his life and is considered the "nerd" of the school.  

*Melissa lived in the small town back in 1989 until she and her mother had to make drastic changes.

*Jessica is Melissa's best friend and has been for as long as they can remember until events in 1989 may change all that.

*When Peyton finds a box buried in her new backyard, all four lives will be connected spanning the many years.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*My summer is off to a great reading start.  Another story I enjoyed while on vacation in Mexico.

*I loved how the two time periods were connected and tied together.

*There were powerful messages of friendship between all four characters.

*Not only did the characters drive the story, but the mystery of the "code" was also a strong aspect of what kept me turning page after page.

*I live in Minnesota so all the local references were fun to read about and I can tell you the author did her research.


Who Should Read It:
*I will be adding the book to my fourth grade classroom library, but can also see it being used in grades five, six and middle-school.  There is something in the story for all young-readers.  Would make for a great class read aloud or to book-talk for individuals to experience.  Happy Reading!


Rating:  4 STARS out of 5 Stars

One Kid's Trash by Jamie Sumner

How I Heard About It:
*This new middle-grade title came to me via #bookexpedition which is my online Twitter reading group.  The book will be on bookshelves on August 31, 2021.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Starting middle-school is hard.  It becomes even harder when you are beginning this adventure at a new school and have always been described as the "little" kid.

*Hugo isn't thrilled about the move, but at least he is heading to the town where is cousin Vijay lives and goes to school.

*As school begins, Hugo becomes the target of the school bully.  Vij does want he can to help, but he can't be with his cousin at all times.

*When Hugo shares his talent for "Garbology", life begins to turn around for him.

*With this change, Hugo must decide on who he truly is and what he wants to stand for.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*Jamie Sumner's third novel was completely enjoyable and engaging.

*I enjoyed the character of Hugo and his "offbeat" outlook on life.

*Having never read a story about analyzing garbage, I was fascinated and curious about this particular "science" of life.

*There were so many great life-lessons presented throughout the story which would lead to some incredible and meaningful conversations in the classroom.  

*I have read all of Jamie's stories and I do think this one may be her best yet.


Who Should Read It:
*This would be a strong and excellent story to share as a class read aloud.  I could see it being used in grades four, five, or six.  Middle-school readers will also find great enjoyment from the story.  If you have read either of Jamie's first two stories, you must put this on your TBR list.  Happy Reading!


Rating:  4 STARS out of 5 Stars

The Law of Entanglement by Laurinda Lawrence

How I Heard About It:
*As I'm writing this blog post, I can't remember where I came across this title.  I do remember reading RAVE reviews, went online immediately, and purchased a copy.  The story gave me a full day's reading pleasure while on vacation in Mexico.  I could NOT stop reading once I began.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Jeremiah (Jerry) is a young boy who has been cast a "bad" hand in life when he is diagnosed with cancer and bound to a wheel chair.

*Even with this devastating news, his outlook on life, family, and friendship is like no other.  

*He forms a friendship with Blue-Wren who is the town's outcast.  They keep their friendship a secret and share more in a short time than most will in a lifetime.

*Jerry's older brother, Jacob, is the town's star, and idol of his younger brother.  They are nothing alike and Blue-Wren has always kept her distance from him.

*When Blue-Wren gains possession of Jerry's journal, her world will collide will Jacob's in more ways than she could ever imagine.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*I loved everything about the story.  As I mentioned, I could NOT put it down.

*The characters were some of the best I've ever encountered.  It has been a couple of days since I finished the story, and I'm still thinking of Blue, Jerry, and Jacob.

*The journal of Jerry's was some of the best writing and advice for living life to the fullest.  

*This was NOT your typical young-adult story and affected me on so many levels.

*It is always such a joy to come across an unknown title, and the novel becomes one of your new favorites.


Who Should Read It:
*As much as this book is targeted for the young-adult audience, I believe that adult readers will enjoy it just as much, if not more than the high-school audience.  I've already posted on all social media platforms for all of my reading friends to get this book and dive into the world of these three amazing characters.  Happy Reading!


Rating:  5 STARS out of 5 Stars

Wonder Wednesday #280 (Reading in Paradise)

Wonder Wednesday - Vacation Reading 

*Not only am I on summer vacation, but I'm on vacation from vacation.

*I love summer time at home because it allows me so much more time to catch up on my reading.

*I really love going on vacation during my vacation because I can can read even more.  

*Just took a quick break from my reading, to share a title that I KNOW all readers will enjoy. 

*I'm hooked, I can't stop reading, and this young-adult story is bringing me a full day of reading by the pool and beach...

An Inside Look #178 (Author INTERVIEW)

 An Inside Look with Jeff Zentner

(Author of In the Wild Light)

*Welcome to my favorite feature of my blog.  

*Season #ONE (June of 2016 to March of 2017)

*Season #TWO (Summer of 2017)

*Season #THREE (School Year 2017/2018)

*Season #FOUR (Summer/fall of 2018)

*Season #FIVE (School Year 2018/2019)

*Season #SIX (Summer 2019) 

*Season #SEVEN (Fall 2019) 

*Season #EIGHT (Winter/Spring 2020)

*Season #NINE (Fall 2020)

*I'm excited to be back for season #TEN with brand new interviews/authors.  

*It has been such an honor to connect with authors and "chat" about their novel, characters, and thoughts about the story.

*This is the Twenty-First interview in which I'm calling Season #TEN.  

*Thank you to Jeff Zentner for being the One-Hundred Seventy-Eighth author I've had the pleasure of interviewing.  I truly appreciate it.

In the Wild Light

by Jeff Zentner

(August 10, 2021)

How did you come to know Cash?
Cash is born of the two loves that consumed me during the time I spent writing IN THE WILD LIGHT—poetry and nature. I wanted to create a character who embodied those loves.


What do you think is his most admirable quality?
His love for and loyalty to people, even people who are basically strangers to him. Also, Cash has a quiet, unshowy courage and steel that good people have.

Is there anything you wish Cash would have changed or done differently in his story?
Nope. His journey was his journey. Making mistakes and being imperfect are part of that journey. I don’t entertain regrets in my own life because I’m grateful for the lessons I’ve learned and the callouses I’ve developed from my own mistakes. I impart that to my characters.

What do you think he can offer to other young adults that are experiencing similar situations to what he went through?
He can offer an example of someone who finds hope and the opportunity for a drastically different life, and makes the courageous decision to take that opportunity, in spite of a lot of very valid reasons that he shouldn’t.


How did you research Cash and the circumstances he found himself in?
Cash’s late mother was an opioid addict. I’ve worked in both the criminal justice system and the substance abuse treatment field, and I’ve learned a lot about addiction and the ripples that flow outward to the lives of those who love an addict. 

I also had to extensively research elite private boarding schools. I went to a small-town public school. It couldn’t have been a more different experience. I had my “private school consultants” for this book.


Do you and Cash share any similarities?
We both love poetry and our rivers. We love our families and friends. We try to do the right thing and fight for the people who need us.


What was the hardest scene to write about him?
Well, I’m not going to give any spoilers. So I’ll say that writing a scene with him; Delaney, his best friend; and his papaw in a hospital was the second hardest. There was a lot of kinetic and emotional energy in the scene that I had to try to render accurately and honestly.

When you read the book, it’ll be pretty easy to figure out the first hardest scene to write.

Who do you think was his biggest supporter and why?
Tie for first place between his grandparents, who raised him after his mother died, and Delaney, who’s been his ride-or-die best friend for years.

Why do you think some young adults, like Cash, are able to move beyond the difficult and challenging life circumstances, and create a positive life for themselves?
Because they’re able to be persuaded that they have courage left that they haven’t already spent surviving up until that point.

What do you think Cash is doing as the present time?
I think he’s in his last year of school at Middleford Academy, editing the student poetry journal. 

 

*Here are links to the One Hundred Seventy-Seven interviews...

SEASON #ONE (2016-2017)

Interview #1 with Elly Swartz (Author of Finding Perfect)

Interview #2 with Jeff Zentner (Author of The Serpent King)

Interview #3 with Nora Raleigh Baskin (Author of Nine, Ten, A September 11 Story)

Interview #4 with Cammie McGovern (Author of Just My Luck)

Interview #5 with Kate Messner (Author of The Seventh Wish)

Interview #6 with Paul Griffin (Author of When Friendship Followed Me Home)

Interview #7 with K.A. Holt (Author of House Arrest)

Interview #8 with Abby Cooper (Author of Sticks and Stones)

Interview #9 with Melanie Conklin (Author of Counting Thyme)

Interview #10 with Claire Legrand (Author of Some Kind of Happiness)

Interview #11 with Lynn Plourde (Author of Maxi's Secrets)

Interview #12 with Shaun David Hutchinson (Author of The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley)

Interview #13 with Gae Polisner (Author of The Memory of Things)

Interview #14 with Mike Grosso (Author of I Am Drums)

Interview #15 (Towers Fallings by  Jewell Parker Rhodes)

Interview #16 (My Seventh Grade Life in Tights by Brooks Benjamin)

Interview #17 with Donna Gephart (Author of Lily and Dunkin) 

Interview #18 with Ally Condie (Author of Summerlost)

Interview #19 with Phil Bildner (Author of Rip and Red Series)

Interview #20 with Barbara O'Connor (Author of Wish)

Interview #21 with Monika Schroder (Author of Be Light Like a Bird)

Interview #22 with Jeff Zentner (Author of The Goodbye Days)

SEASON #TWO (Summer 2017)

Interview #23 with Elena K. Arnold (Author of A Boy Named Bat)

Interview #24 with Dusti Bowling (Author of The Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus)

Interview #25 with Melissa Savage (Author of Lemons)

Interview #26 with Elaine Vickers (Author of Paper Chains)

Interview #27 with Kate Messner (Author of The Exact Location of Home)

Interview #28 with Paul Griffin (Author of Saving Marty)

Interview #29 with Elly Swartz (Author of Smart Cookie)

Interview #30 with Ellie Terry (Author of Forget Me Not)

Interview #31 with Katherine Paterson (Author of wishtree)

Interview #32 with Jordan Sonnenblick (Author of The Secret Sheriff of Sixth Grade)

Interview #33 with Alan Gratz (Author Refugee)

SEASON #THREE (2017/2018)

Interview #34 with Corey Ann Haydu (Author of The Someday Suitcase)

Interview #35 with Amy Sarig King (Author of Me and Marvin Gardens)

Interview #36 with Jared Reck (Author of The Short History of the Girl Next Door)

Interview #37 with Shelley Johannes (Author of Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker)

Interview#38 with Terri Libenson (Author of Invisible Emmie)

Interview#39 with Tony Abbott (Author of The Summer of Owen Todd)

Interview #40 with Rob Buyea (Author of The Perfect Score)

Interview #41 with Alan Gratz (Author of Ban This Book)

Interview #42 with Sally J Pla (Author of Stanley Will Probably Be Fine)

Interview #43 with Jake Burt (Author of Greetings from Witness Protection)

Interview #44 with John David Anderson (Author of Granted)

Interview #45 with Jarrett Lerner (Author of Enginerds)

Interview #46 with Leslie Connor (Author of The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle)

Interview #47 with Cordelia Jensen and Laurie Morrison (Every Shining Thing)

Interview #48 with Jacqueline Resnick (Author of Raffie on the Run)

Interview #49 with Sarah Weeks (Author of Soof) 

Interview #50 with Dan Gemeinhart (Author of The Good Dog)

Interview #51 with Gae Polisner (Author of In Sight of Stars)

SEASON #FOUR (Summer 2018)

Interview #52 with Tony Abbott (Author of Denis Ever After)

Interview #53 with Preston Norton (Author of Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe)

Interview #54 with Jonathan Auxier (Author of Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster)

Interview #55 with Sharon Creech (Author of Saving Winslow)

Interview #56 with Stacy McAnulty (Author of The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl)

Interview #57 with Kelly Yang (Author of Front Desk)

Interview #58 with Jennifer A. Nielsen (Author of Resistance)

Interview 59 with Christina Collins (Author of After Zero)

Interview #60 with Eric Walters (Author of Elephant Secrets)

Interview #61 with Phil Bildner (Author of The Rip and Red Series)

Interview #62 with Erin Soderberg (Author of Milla in Charge)

Interview #63 with Laura Shovan (Author of Take Down)

Interview #64 with Donna Gephart (Author of In Your Shoes)

Interview #65 with Alan Gratz (Author of Grenade)

Interview #66 with Barbara O'Connor (Author of Wonderland)

Interview #67 with Lindsey Stoddard (Author of Just Like Jackie)

Interview #68 with Katherine Marsh (Author of Nowhere Boy)

Interview #69 with Dusti Bowling (Author of 24 Hours in Nowhere)

Interview #70 with Christina Uss (Author of The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle)

Interview #71 with Adam P. Schmitt (Author of Speechless)

SEASON #FIVE (2018/2019)

Interview #72 with Dan Gemeinhart (Author of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise)

Interview #73 with Abby Cooper (Author of Sticks and Stones)

Interview #74 with Abby Cooper (Author of Bubbles)

Interview #75 with Abby Cooper (Author of Friend or Fiction)

Interview #76 with Padma Venkatraman (Author of The Bridge Home)

Interview #77 with Anne Ursu (Author of The Lost Girl)

Interview #78 with Corey Ann Haydu (Author of Eventown)

Interview #79 with Jeff Zentner (Author of Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee)

Interview #80 with Allison Varnes (Author of The Property of the Rebel Librarian)

Interview #81 with Tony Abbott (Author of The Great Jeff)

Interview #82 with Susan Ross (Author of Searching for Lottie)

Interview #83 with Gillian McDunn (Author of Caterpillar Summer)

Interview #84 with Rebecca Ansari (Author of The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly)

Interview #85 with Ali Standish (Author of August Isle)

Interview #86 with Shaun David Hutchinson (Author of The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried)

Interview #87 with Greg Howard (Author of The Whispers)

Interview #88 with Lynda Mullaly Hunt (Author of Shouting at the Rain)

Interview #89 with Lynda Mullaly Hunt (Author of One for the Murphys)

Interview #90 with Laurie Morrison (Author of Up for Air)

Interview #91 with Jody J. Little (Author of Mostly the Honest Truth)

SEASON #SIX (Summer 2019)

Interview #92 with John David Anderson (Author of Finding Orion)

Interview #93 with Lisa Thompson (Author of The Light Jar)

Interview #94 with Keith Calabrese (Author of A Drop of Hope)

Interview #95 with Alicia D. Williams (Author of Genesis Begins Again)

Interview #96 with Kim Ventrella (Author of Bone Hollow)

Interview #97 with Natalie Lloyd (Author of Over the Moon)

Interview #98 with Cynthia Lord (Author of Because of the Rabbit)

Interview #99 with Tina Athaide (Author of Orange for the Sunsets)

Interview #100 with Elly Swartz (Author of Give and Take)

Interview #101 with Amy Rebecca Tan (Author of A Kind of Paradise)

Interview #102 with Varsha Bajaj (Author of Count Me In)

Interview #103 with Laura Resau (Author of Tree of Dreams)

SEASON #SEVEN (Fall 2019)

Interview #104 with Laurel Snyder (Author of My Jasper June)

Interview #105 with Lisa Bunker (Author of Zenobia July)

Interview #106 with Jasmine Warga (Author of Other Words for Home)

Interview #107 with Barbara Dee (Author of Maybe He Just Likes You)

Interview #108 with Graham Salisbury (Author of Banjo)

Interview #109 with Donna Gephart (Author of The Paris Project)

Interview #110 with Jake Burt (Author of The Tornado)

Interview #111 with Jess Redman (Author of The Miraculous)

Interview #112 with Karen Strong (Author of Just South of Home)

Interview #113 with Nicole Melleby (Author of Hurricane Season)

Interview #114 with J.J. and Chris Grabenstein (Authors of Shine)

Interview #115 with Susan Vaught (Author of Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalyse)

Interview #116 with Chris Baron (Author of All of Me)

Interview #117 with Meredith Russo (Author of Birthday)

Interview #118 with Abdi Nazemian (Author of Like a Love Story)

Interview #119 with Sarah Baughman (Author of The Light in the Lake)

Interview #120 with Stacy McAnulty (Author of The Words Ends in April)

SEASON #EIGHT (Winter/Spring 2020)

Interview #121 with Melissa Savage (Author of Nessie Quest)

Interview #122 with Tamara Bundy (Author of Pixie Pushes On)

Interview #123 with Lindsay Lackey (Author of All the Impossible Things)

Interview #124 with Tae Keller (Author of When You Trap a Tiger)

Interview #125 with Jamie Sumner (Author of Roll With It)

Interview #126 with Hena Khan (Author of More to the Story)

Interview #127 with Phil Bildner (Author of A High-Five for Glenn Burke)

Interview #128 with Leslie Connor (Author of A Home for Goddesses and Dogs)

Interview#129 with Gillian McDunn (Author of Queen Bee and Me)

Interview #130 with Jody J. Little (Author of Worse Than Weird)

Interview #131 with Jenn Bishop (Author of Things You Can't Say)

Interview #132 with Kaela Noel (Author of Coo)

Interview #133 with Rebecca Stead (Author of The List of Things That Will Not Change)

Interview #134 with Gae Polisner (Author of Jack Kerouac is Dead to Me)

Interview #135 with Emily Blejwas (Author of Like Nothing Amazing Ever Happened)

Interview #136 with Joy McCullough (Author of A Field Guide to Getting Lost)

Interview #137 with Kim Baker (Author of the Water Bears)

Interview #138 with Erin Entrada Kelly (Author of We Dream of Space)

Interview #139 with Jess Redman (Author of Quintessence)

Interview #140 with Melanie Conklin (Author of Every Missing Piece)

Interview #141 with Lindsey Stoddard (Author of Brave Like That)

Interview #142 with Gae Polisner and Nora Raleigh Baskin (Authors of Seven Clues to Home)

SEASON #NINE (Fall 2020)

Interview #143 with Jacqueline Woodson (Author of Before the Ever After)

Interview #144 with Sharon Creech (Author of One Time)

Interview #145 with Barbara Dee (Author of My Life in the Fish Tank)

Interview #146 with Kim Ventrella (Author of The Secret Life of Sam)

Interview #147 with Ellen Hopkins (Author of Closer to NoWhere)

Interview #148 with Alyssa Hollingsworth (Author of The Invisible Boy) 

Interview #149 with Rob Harrell (Author of WINK)

Interview #150 with Shelley Pearsall (Author of Things Seen From Above)

Interview #151 with Anna Staniszewski (Author of The Wonder of Wildflowers)

Interview #152 with Lorelei Savaryn (Author of The Circus of Stolen Dreams)

Interview #153 with Linda Sue Park (Author of Prairie Lotus)

Interview #154 with Lauren Wolk (Author of Echo Mountain) 

Interview #155 with Mae Respicio (Author of Any Day with You)

Interview #156 with Audrey Vernick (Author of After the Worst Thing Happens)

Interview #157 with Ernesto Cisneros (Author of Efren Divided)

SEASON #TEN (Winter/Spring 2021)

Interview #158 with Rebecca Ansari (Author of The In-Between)

Interview #159 with John David Anderson (Author of One Last Shot) 

Interview #160 with Tracy Holczer (Author of Brave in the Woods)

Interview #161 with James Bird (Author of The Brave) 

Interview #162 with Marcella Pixley (Author of Trowbridge Road)

Interview #163 with Barbara O'Connor (Author of Halfway to Harmony)

Interview #164 with Alan Gratz (Author of Ground Zero) 

Interview #165 with Lisa Fipps (Author of Starfish)

Interview #166 with Ann Braden (Author of Flight of the Puffin)

Interview #167 with Kimberly Willis Holt (Author of The Ambassador of NoWhere Texas) 

Interview #168 with Elana K. Arnold (Author of The House That Wasn't There) 

Interview #169 with Erin Soderberg (Author of The Great Peach Experiment)

Interview #170 with Donna Gephart (Author of Abby, Tried, and True)

Interview #171 with M. Evan Wolkenstein (Author of Turtle Boy)

Interview #172 with Lindsey Stoddard (Author of Bea is for Blended)

Interview #173 with Jess Redman (Author of The Adventure is Now)

Interview #174 with David Levithan (Author of The Mysterious Disappearance of Aiden)

Interview #175 with Chris Grabenstein (Author of The Smartest Kid in the Universe)

Interview #176 with Ali Standish (Author of The Mending Summer)

Interview #177 with Holly Goldberg Sloan (Author of The Elephant in the Room)