BookHuddle with Readgab

Quiet kids are often told to speak up. But Kimberly knows that it is ok to be the quiet kid. In The Secret of Honeycake a story unfolds about a quiet girl who grows in her own ways, learning to speak up and yet remembering to love being quiet at times as well. There is so much to this beautiful story and I hope that you will take the opportunity to read it! Find author Kimberly Newton Fusco  https...

The London Blitz was scary enough, but combine it with a shadow monster? Middle grade author Ryan James Black has crafted an incredible spooky/historical fiction book that kids are going to eat up, The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham. We discuss his creation of this fantastic story as well as evoking emotion in writing and the need for connections with other people in our lives. Find author Ryan J...

K. Woodman-Maynard and I discuss what it was like for her to adapt the classic middle grade book Tuck Everlasting into a graphic novel. We also explore the Tuck Everlasting themes of grief and death. Find author, illustrator, graphic novelist, comic coach K. Woodman-Maynard https://www.woodmanmaynard.com/ https://www.instagram.com/woodmanmaynard/ https://woodmanmaynard.substack.com/ linkedin.com/i...

Dragon fantasy and dystopian books are right up my alley. So combine the two and BAM! You have an amazing storyline by middle grade author Mari Mancusi. In this interview we discuss not only what inspired writing New Dragon City and Dawn of the Dragons, but also why it is important to 'accept the fact that other people are going to feel different than you and figure out a way to still include...

Raj Sidhu has crafted a brilliant work of fiction about a group of kids that get pulled into their favorite role playing game. If you are looking for a silly laugh out loud adventure then look no further. In addition to talking about the need for these fun books for kids, Raj and I discuss helping kids see their potential and feel unconditional love from those in their lives. Find middle grade aut...

Middle Grade Author Meg Eden Kuyatt shares about her newest novel in verse, The Girl In The Walls. Meg is autistic and shares powerful personal reasons for writing neurodiverse characters. This episode will resonate with you if you are neurodiverse or if you have a loved one who is. It can also be a way for you and kids to gain empathy and connect with those who are neurodiverse.  Find author Meg...

Who has not wondered at some point in their lives, where do I belong? In this episode, middle grade author Kaela Rivera and I discuss her fantasy series Cece Rios. We explore how experiencing each other's cultures can foster respect and help us all better understand each other and bring us closer together. In addition to better understanding others, Cece Rios also delves into that age-old que...

If you've read The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez you may have noticed that this book is full of emotion. That is because the topics and story are personal for middle grade author, Jasminne Paulino. In this episode we discuss the creating of The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez and how to best help neurodiverse children be their best selves. Find author Jasminne Paulino  https://jasmi...

Anxiety comes in many forms. Often it looks different for kids than for adults. Erin Stewart has crafted an incredible story about a couple kids with very different anxieties. Magic is woven into the pages of this incredible story with intense topics. For more books about similar topics check out this author interview next https://youtu.be/wkPbCN21l74?si=c4hGq7tLCB5hvF5T Find author Erin Stewart ...

Middle grade author Judith Rossell has a new captivating book out. In this episode we discuss the creating of The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls ("Unwanted Girls" in the Australian Title) and themes like Hope and Confidence.  Find author and illustrator Judith Rossell https://judithrossell.com/ https://www.facebook.com/JudithRossellBooks/ https://www.instagram.com/JudeRossell The M...

J.A. White is a middle grade author of some fantastically spooky books including: Nightbooks (a Netflix film), Gravebooks, Shadow School, The Thickety, and his newest book, Wish Monster. In this episode we focus on his books Wish Monster and Nightbooks, but also talk overall about the need for dark stories for kids. Be sure to watch out for J.A. White's newest book coming next month, Dark and...

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_KF9PkfdUSP...

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 ht...

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...

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=V1yY1LZVd5TKa4TU Find author Grace Lin https://gracelin.com/ https://www.instagram.com/pacylin/ https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGraceLin/ https://www.youtube.com/user/gracepacy #middlegrad...

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 Millington https://www...

Middle grade author, Ben Guterson, joins us to discuss his newest book, The Shadow of the World-Famous Nine. If you love a good mystery and solving puzzles while reading a story, the World-Famous Nine is for you. Like many authors, Ben's main goal with his books is to entertain, but we also find some deeper thoughts within the pages of this magical adventure. We discuss willpower, what it mea...

What if there was a school where every person was welcome? From all backgrounds. Where diversity in all of its forms is truly seen. Middle grade author, Dhonielle Clayton, joins us to discuss her incredible series, The Conjureverse. The New York Times bestselling series currently has three books out and includes some amazing themes that kids and adults will love.  Find Dhonielle Clayton https://ww...

Summer is the perfect time to read scary stories! Wendy's middle grade spooky story, Stage Fright, is such a great book for older kids and adults alike. Find it anywhere books are sold, including Walmart, as it is one of their Summer Reading 2025 Book Picks this year. Check out this video next for more great books to read https://youtu.be/rLeZPIxylLw?si=wklo_h8O3Sb-cWnG Find middle grade auth...

Stuart Gibbs newest book, FunJungle: All Ears, just came out and it is not only such a FUN book, it also has some powerful themes. For instance, can you have respect for someone who feels differently on a subject that you are passionate about? Find out Stuart Gibbs thoughts in this interview.  Find middle grade author Stuart Gibbs https://stuartgibbs.com/ https://www.instagram.com/stuartgibbs1/ Fu...

What if you couldn't remember several years of your life? What effect would that have on you? What would happen if you could get those memories back? Dana Robertson takes us on a fantastical adventure that has been compared The Goonies and The Chronicles of Narnia.  Find author Dana Robertson Author Website link: www.danarobertsonbooks.com  Publisher Website link: Abandoned Theater, The from...

Middle Grade author, Bobbie Pyron, absolutely wowed me with her newest book, Octopus Moon. This powerful novel in verse, about a preteen learning to understand and confront her depression, is a book that you will want on your shelves. Mental health book for kids.  For more powerfully emotional books check out this author interview next https://youtu.be/7G8EtuaYHmc?si=BH7P9aizlIxUVGjr #middlegradeb...

Children make the best artists. Children make the best writers. And singers. And every other type of creators. Partly because they don't worry about the "rules." Partly because they aren't limited by fears. I was so touched by Lauren Wolk's beautiful new middle grade story about three creators who are becoming themselves, stepping into their own creativity, growing as peop...

Considering the other side of a story and why that is important in healthy relationships. How do we walk in someone else's shoes? And why? Why is forgiveness important? Why is family important? How can we go about healing broken relationships through forgiveness? In this episode of Book Huddle you get to hear how middle grade author, Sydney Dunlap, answers some of these tricky questions with...

Two of the major themes of Kevin Garone's I Know What UFO Did Last Summer are friendship and being true to who you are. Sometimes it can feel difficult to accomplish both, but his main characters show us that this is possible.  Find middle grade author, Kevin Garone https://www.kevingarone.com/ www.facebook.com/kevingaroneauthor www.instagram.com/kevingaroneauthor  I Know What UFO Did Last Su...