MATTHEWCWINNER

Padma Venkatraman (@padmatv) shares THE BRIDGE HOME, a 2019 Global Read Aloud choice. The story centers on two sisters, Viji and Rukku, who are orphaned at the hands of an abusive father and a mother who is too afraid to leave him. Viji is the caretaker of her sister, and in no small way these girls are survivors. Padma writes from a place of experience, strength, and survival herself.

Pam Muñoz Ryan, author of El Niño (Scholastic Press), joins Matthew to talk about story ideas as a confluence of rivers leading its author to a narrative.

Daniel Nayeri, author of The Teacher of Nomad Land (Levine Querido), joins Matthew to talk about the utility of beauty in our lives.

George Jreije, author of Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile (HarperCollins) , joins Matthew to talk about trying to inhabit the voice of someone to whom he wouldn’t have otherwise related.

Jas Hammonds, author of Thirsty (Roaring Brook Press), joins Matthew to talk about coming to terms with dependence and their experience of everything being fine until it wasn’t.

Grace Lin, author and illustrator of The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers), joins Matthew to talk about a storyteller’s responsibility to use whatever the story asks for.

Rob Costello, author of An Ugly World for Beautiful Boys (Lethe Press), joins Matthew to talk about the burden of secrets and a character who believes he deserves to suffer.

Pablo Cartaya, author of A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation (Kokila), joins Matthew to talk about how we celebrate grief and life.

Jason Reynolds, author of Soundtrack (Listening Library), an original audiobook performed by a stellar full cast—featuring Nile Bullock, Mekhi Hewling, Jade Williams, and more—and scored by Grammy‑winning composer Justin Ellington, joins Matthew to talk about being fascinated by what makes people do things.

Matt de la Peña and Loren Long, author and illustrator of Home (G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers), join Matthew to talk about encountering diversity and exploring alongside the reader.