Blog
Pedro Martín: “Humans Are Storytelling Machines”
Mexikid (Dial, 2023)—Pedro Martín’s middle grade graphic memoir—features hilarity, family superhero stories, relatable sibling interactions, and an inspired exploration of cultural identity. The [...]
Peter Sís: Books Are Portals to Another Dimension
Epic historical events inspired some of Peter Sís’s most celebrated books, including titles such as Nicky & Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued (Norton, 2021) and the [...]
I Do Believe in Spooks!
One of my favorite movies of all time is the classic “The Wizard of Oz” starring Judy Garland. A memorable scene in the movie for me is when the four new friends enter the Haunted Forest on [...]
Meg Eden Kuyatt: Writing About Feelings “Too Big for Prose”
Books can serve as mirrors for readers who are looking for authentic reflections of their own experiences. In Good Different (Scholastic, 2023)—Meg Eden Kuyatt’s debut novel-in-verse—the book [...]
David Bowles: “Young Protagonists Are Our Very Best Teachers”
David Bowles’ character “Fasting Coyote”—based on the real life of poet and ruler Nezahualcoyotl—pulled off many of his amazing accomplishments while still a teenager, so it’s little wonder that [...]
Lisa Yee: Creating Characters That Stay With You
What could be better news for middle grade readers than a new novel by Newbery Honoree Lisa Yee? How about that the book is the start of a new series by the bestselling, groundbreaking fan [...]
Maysoon Zayid: Giving Children the Armor They Need to Shine
Maysoon Zayid’s online bio offers an inspiring range of credentials: “co-founder of the Muslim Funny Fest,” “disability advocate,” and “recurring character on General Hospital.” Clearly, Zayid is [...]
Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass: Living Inside the Same Story
What happens when you add together the writing power of two bestselling children’s storytellers? A book that is greater than the sum of its parts, of course! The Lost Library (Feiwel and Friends, [...]
Minh Lê: Readers Are Perhaps My Most Important Collaborators
“I believe that a book isn’t finished until it’s being read,” says award-winning author Minh Lê, and that collaborative spirit clearly emerges in his forward-thinking attitude toward his young [...]