44: Love, Grief, and Death All Wrapped Up In One Of The Best Books I've Read- Aubrey Hartman Middle Grade Author Interview
Kids will love this amazing fantasy about an usher for deceased animals in an eternally autumn forest. In this episode middle grade author, Aubrey Hartman, and I discuss some of my favorite thoughts from The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest. For more interviews of authors of middle grade fantasy check out another podcast episode about children's books https://youtu.be/QppjLjS1luE?si=x_KF9PkfdUSPyQ6WFind Aubrey Hartmanhttps://aubreyhartman.com/https://www.instagram.com/aubrey_hartman/The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman https://www.amazon.com/Undead-Fox-Deadwood-Forest/dp/0316575720/The Lion of Lark-Hayes Manor by Aubrey Hartman https://www.amazon.com/Lion-Lark-Hayes-Manor-Aubrey-Hartman/dp/0316448222/Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt#middlegradebooks #middlegradefantasy #authorinterview #children's book podcastChapters00:00 Meet middle grade author Aubrey Hartman05:03 What is The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest About?07:30 How love and grief go together? Themes in books.10:30 How to face and overcome insecurities?13:55 Finding self love17:50 What motivates us to do what we love in life? Or do we come to love them because we do them?20:00 How can we prevent misunderstandings?25:56 Why acknowledge painful memories? Is there a need?28:55 What is next for Aubrey Hartman?28:55 Aubrey Hartman’s book recommendation.
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43: Caroline Starr Rose - Acknowledging and Facing Our Fears - Middle Grade Author Interview
There are so many times in life where our fears come to us without our permission. Do we acknowledge them? Face them? Turn away? Caroline and I discuss these questions based on her incredible middle grade novel in verse, The Burning Season. We also talk about things like whether or not to leave home and how both options can be good choices.For more author interviews check out this episode next https://youtu.be/u1oOhee7B_I?si=ICVJiCAY-u-D5Ftn#middlegradebooks #childrensliterature #authorinterview #childrensbookpodcastFind middle grade author Caroline Starr Rosewww.carolinestarrrose.comThe Burning Season by Caroline Starr Rose https://www.amazon.com/Burning-Season-Caroline-Starr-Rose/dp/0593617932/The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko https://www.amazon.com/Tenth-Mistake-Hank-Hooperman/dp/1524718955/Chapters00:00 Meet Caroline Starr Rose middle grade author of The Burning Season and author ice breaker02:40 What is The Burning Season, middle grade novel in verse, about?06:20 How did you get into writing novels in verse?10:47 Why do people leave home? And why do people come back?16:50 The power of acknowledging a fear21:14 Facing our fears23:04 The Hatchet by Gary Paulsen tie ins25:10 Something Caroline learned in writing The Burning Season27:35 What do you hope for Opal, the main character, going forward after the story ends?28:45 What’s next for author Caroline Starr Rose30:37 Caroline’s book recommendation
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42: The Best Books of 2025 So Far... Shannon Balloon and Karen Reeder chat about some new favorites
What are the best middle grade books that have released in 2025? Shannon Balloon from Middle Grade Matters and Karen Reeder from Book Huddle talk about their favorites of the year so far. There were so many new wonderful books released January through June this year that we didn't have time to talk about them all. Check out our socials and other podcast episodes to hear more about the rest of these amazing new releases!BookHuddle https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIKGkApvUuSFcalbEr6NvQdX9qgiPUxyr&si=i3QgKEG6xKPoq6EQMiddle Grade Matters https://www.shannonballoon.com/podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/middlegradematterspodcast/https://www.instagram.com/readgab/Chapters00:00 Meet the hosts behind Middle Grade Matters and Book Huddle podcasts4:50 Inkbound Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo by Philippa Leathley06:50 The Secret of Honeycake by Kimberly Newton Fusco09:00 Max in the Land of Lies by Adam Gidwitz11:45 Candle Island by Lauren Wolk14:55 Right Back at You by Carolyn Mackler17:48 Away by Megan Freeman23:22 The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman27:10 Theodora Hendrix series by Jordan Kopy29:08 Afia in the Land of Wonders by Mia Araujo31:06 All My Best by Britnee Meiser35:51 The Gate, The Girl and the Dragon by Grace Lin38:20 Graciela in the Abyss by Meg Medina
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41: Grace Lin Author Interview - Chinese Folklore Mixed with the Modern
In this episode we discuss themes from the amazing New York Times best seller, The Gate, The Girl And The Dragon by middle grade author Grace Lin. Find more great author interviews https://youtu.be/qUHRchnB8Cw?si=V1yY1LZVd5TKa4TUFind author Grace Linhttps://gracelin.com/https://www.instagram.com/pacylin/https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGraceLin/https://www.youtube.com/user/gracepacy#middlegradebooks #authorinterview #childrensliterature The Gate, The Girl, And The Dragon by Grace Lin https://www.amazon.com/Gate-Girl-Dragon-Deluxe-Limited/dp/0316478326/The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang by Stan Yan https://www.amazon.com/Many-Misfortunes-Eugenia-Wang/dp/1665943327/Chapters00:00 Meet children’s book author Grace Lin04:24 What is The Gate The Girl and The Dragon About?06:43 What inspired Grace to write another novel?Plotter or Pantser?11:57 What comes first, the illustrations or writing the story?12:27 Creating the lion cub character. Play vs responsibility17:54 Are the spirits like those in this story still an important part of Chinese culture?20:40 The importance of not only giving help but also receiving help22:09 Two viewpoints in all opportunities in life25:00 Appreciate the overlooked 27:21 Families in the book- showing the parent’s journey as well as the child’s journey31:15 What is next for Grace Lin?33:07 Grace’s book recommendation
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40: If Walls Could Talk - Allie Millington Middle Grade Author Interview
We are joined by middle grade author Allie Millington to discuss her most recent book, Once for Yes. We talk about how she writes from unique perspectives including those of an old building and a typewriter. We also discuss the importance of community, the need for other people in our lives, why everyone needs to be seen, and the importance of imagination. Find author Allie Millingtonhttps://www.alliemillingtonbooks.com/https://www.instagram.com/allieinink/https://www.facebook.com/allie.mandleOnce for Yes by Allie Millington https://www.amazon.com/Once-Yes-Allie-Millington/dp/1250326982/Olivetti by Allie Millington https://www.amazon.com/Olivetti-Allie-Millington/dp/1250326931/#middlegradebooks #authorinterview #videopodcast Chapters00:00 Meet middle grade author Allie Millington05:39 What is Once for Yes by Allie Millington about?06:47 Everyone needs to be heard of, appreciated, be seen.08:58 The importance of community, wherever we’re at we can find strength in the community we’re in. Creating a diverse cast in the Odenburgh12:17 It’s hard to carry someone emotionally. Why do you write unique perspectives?15:16 What is the point in getting attached?18:15 Using your imagination was one of the most serious things you could do?20:34 What’s next for Allie Millington middle grade author?22:41 Allie’s book recommendation
Welcome to Book Huddle with Readgab where you get to hear from authors of children's books and others having to do with children's literacy. We chat not only about what inspired these amazing authors, but also time relevant themes in their books and how kids can benefit from these themes. Each guest also recommends one of their favorite children's books at the end of the episode so you will constantly be building a wonderful list of books for the kids in your life.
New Zealand