MATTHEWCWINNER

Karina Yan Glaser shares THE VANDERBEEKERS TO THE RESCUE. In her third and latest installment in the VANDERBEEKERS series the five Vanderbeeker children find themselves in dire circumstances when new pets begin mysteriously arriving at their door.

Paula Chase shares DOUGH BOYS, her latest novel and a companion to SO DONE. There are not an abundance of stories reflecting the diversity of black identity. Many stories being published today center on black pain.

Tiffany D. Jackson, author of Blood in the Water (Scholastic Press), joins Matthew to talk about maturing a little faster when the environment calls for it.

Rajani LaRocca shares MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM. Mimi, the main character in Rajani’s middle grade debut, enters a baking competition at her town’s newest sweet spot, but things aren’t quite as they appear.

David Fulk, author of Raising Rufus, stops by the podcast to talk about discovering your inner hero, exploring in the woods, and planners and pantsers.

Ann Braden shares THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS. This is a story about the strength of a 12-year-old girl named Zoey, even from before the moment when she realized she possessed such strength.

Last November I had the esteemed privilege of moderating a panel at NCTE, the annual conference of the National Council of Teachers of English. The panel was titled “Redefining the Boy Hero: Empowering Sensitive Boys and Bucking Gender Stereotypes Through Middle Grade Fiction”. Sitting on the panel among a standing room only crowd were four exceptional children’s book authors: Elana K. Arnold, Erin Entrada Kelly, Kekla Magoon, and Katherine Marsh.

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.

Jon Scieszka, editor of Guys Reads: Terrifying Tales, which is published by Walden Pond Press, and other of a ton of bestselling books including The Stinky Cheese Man, Knucklehead, and the Frank Einstein series, stops by the podcast to talk about storytelling with a purpose, appreciating the ways that kids are intelligent, and how giving readers choice in what they read is a huge thing.

Today’s episode features the 2020 Sydney Taylor Book Award Chair along with a handful of the award winners named by the Association of Jewish Libraries, an affiliate of the ALA. I’ve linked to the full list of winners and honors in the show notes and I encourage you to check out this exceptional list of books recognized by the committee.

Lou Anders, author of Nightborn: Thrones and Bones (Book 2), which is published by Crown Books for Young Readers, stops by the podcast to talk about creating an accessible, appropriate, and modern secondary world fantasy, the epic task of world-planning, and creating games to play with readers.

Julie Sternberg, author of Secrets Out!; The Top Secret Diary of Celie Valentine (Book 2), which is published by Boyds Mills Press, stops by the podcast to talk about incorporating podcasts into the general school curriculum, what results when you book's structure is fighting with the format, and the happiest time in her childhood.

Kat Leyh shares SNAPDRAGON, solo debut graphic novel about a girl named Snap, an old lady named Jacks (who might actually be a witch), and a favor that turns into something of an apprenticeship. Snapdragon is a kid who’s not afraid to question or explore an ominous setting or situation, being a bit of an outcast herself. Her curiosity leads to a kind of compassion and affinity toward those lucky few in her life.

K.A. Holt, author of House Arrest, which is published by Chronicle Books, returns to the podcast to talk about writing out of order, pulling all the story threads apart, and accepting help doesn't mean you're accepting weakness.

Gordon Korman, author of Snoop (Scholastic Press), joins Matthew to talk about exploring all-the-way stakes and taking inspiration from Hitchcock’s Rear Window.

Meg Medina, author of Graciela in the Abyss (Candlewick), joins Matthew to talk about how every author reveals themselves through their work.

Kate DiCamillo, author of Because of Winn-Dixie (Candlewick), joins Matthew to talk about Kate’s story of family, friendship, and forgiveness.

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

Kyle Lukoff, author of A World Worth Saving, joins Matthew to talk about his classic quest story involving a golem that protects trans kids.

Minh Lê (@bottomshelfbks) shares GREEN LANTERN: LEGACY, a brand new graphic novel from DC Kids.