Middle Grade Matters Shannon Balloon

Nedda Lewers is the Egyptian-American author of Daughters of the Lamp and its sequel, Children of the Wind. These books tell the story of a a 12-year-old Egyptian-American girl who discovers her family's secret legacy as the keepers of Ali Baba's treasure. Nedda discusses her journey as a writer, the experience of having a mentor, and the excitement of getting a book deal.From the publisher: Percy Jackson meets Arabian fairy tales in this epic middle grade fantasy series about a girl who beco...

Author Caroline Carlson discusses her latest middle grade book, Wicked Marigold, a People Magazine Best Books for Summer Selection. She talks about the challenges and joys of writing the book, including creating funny moments and fantastical creatures, and the publishing process. She also talks about her experience completing an MFA in writing, her day-to-day life as a writer, and her writing process.From the publisher: In a funny and charming fantastical romp, overlooked Princess Marigold is...

Rhonda Roumani, a Syrian American journalist and author, discusses her debut middle grade novel, Tagging Freedom, which tells the story of a Syrian boy and his Syrian-American cousin during the start of the Syrian Revolution. The book explores themes of protest, activism, and the power of art, specifically graffiti, as a form of expression and resistance. She also talks about her path to getting an agent and getting her book published. From the publisher: Out of the revolutions across the Ara...

Gennifer Choldenko, a New York Times bestselling author, discusses her latest book, The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman, and shares insights into her writing process, character development, and the themes of foster care and trauma. She also reflects on her journey as a writer and the evolution of middle-grade literature. Gennifer discusses her collaboration with Katherine Applegate on the Dogtown series, and gives us a peek at what's coming in the second book in the series, Mouse and Hi...

Ritu Hemnani, a journalist, teacher, and storyteller, discusses her debut historical middle-grade novel Lion of the Sky and the inspiration behind it. The book is set during the Partition of India and follows the story of a 12-year-old boy named Raj. Ritu shares her personal connection to the story and the impact of Partition on her family. She also talks about the process of writing the book, the research involved, and the significance of writing in verse. Additionally, she shares ...

Dan Gemeinhart talks with guest host Joel Brigham about his latest book, Coyote Lost and Found, and the process of creating a companion book to The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise. He emphasizes the importance of voice in writing and the challenges of capturing a unique voice for each character. Dan shares his experience as a writer, discussing the challenges and joys of the writing process. Dan encourages writers to keep trying and not get discouraged by rejections, and to focus on the ...