E Train Talks Books: A Literacy Initiative

New book alert! Award-winning middle-grade author Marthe Jocelyn has just published a new book, it’s not her usual middle-grade mystery thriller, this story is written specifically for older readers. It’s a short read that is sure to keep teens AND young adults entertained! With a quick and powerful fiery reading punch, this is ONE KISS, a short 114-page book that’s packed with everything needed f...

THE JFK CONSPIRACY: THE SECRET PLOT TO KILL KENNEDY―AND WHY IT FAILED by the New York Times Bestselling authors Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch is a fascinating deep dive into a lesser known, yet highly detailed assassination plan to take the life of President elect John F. Kennedy. In THE JFK CONSPIRACY, Meltzer and Mensch touch upon many intriguing details, whether it's the assassination attemp...

April is National School Library Month, the perfect time to celebrate the many ways librarians transform lives and strengthen communities. Since this month is all about amazing librarians, I thought it would be fitting to meet and speak with one of my own personal library heroes, my friend and role model, the School Library Journal, 2016 School Librarian of the Year, and author Todd Burleson! Todd...

Every so often I come across a book that breaks the traditional middle-grade literature storytelling mold. This is one of those stories. WHALE EYES: A MEMOIR ABOUT SEEING AND BEING SEEN by by Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker James Robinson & artist Brian Rea have crafted a novel that embodies the term “windows and mirrors Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker James Robinson has writ...

April is National Poetry Month & I’m celebrating by sharing my newest book review of THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES by New York Times Bestselling author Kate Messner. THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES is one of my top 2025 favorite reads! A moving & inspiring novel-in-verse that is a healing force for #kidlit readers who are experiencing or have experienced loss and grief. Sometimes it can be difficult to...

If you’re looking for a story that combines history, pop culture and comedic timing, then I’ve got a book for you! THE JEWS 5,000; YEARS AND COUNTING by Emmy, Peabody& Grammy-Winning author Rob Kutner is the perfect read for anyone interested in learning about the history & culture of the Jewish people. THE JEWS: 5,000 YEARS AND COUNTING is a story that I personally hope all middle-graders...

Welcome to my talk with author Kate Messner, the multi- award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of fascinating nonfictional series like, HISTORY SMASHERS, which dives deep into the mysteries of history, as well as over 70 other amazing picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade novels! Kate has received many awards, from the E.B. White Read Aloud Award, Golden Kite and Crystal Kite...

I had the incredible honor of reading an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of MAX IN THE LAND OF LIES: A TALE OF WORLD WAR II, by NYT Bestselling author Adam Gidwitz. After reading book 1, MAX IN THE HOUSE OF SPIES: A TALE OF WORLD WAR II, I didn't think there'd be any way to top such a powerful read, but if anyone could write an equally fantastic read, it's Adam Gidwitz! MAX IN THE LAND OF...

I have read my fair share of creepy middle-grade books, but I must admit, no story has made me feel quite as scared as when reading, IT’S WATCHING, by NYT and USA Today bestselling author Lindsay Currie! Lindsay pulls out all the stops to create the perfect chilling middle-grade tale. I was first introduced to Lindsay’s writing when I read THE MYSTERY OF LOCKED ROOMS, an Instant New York Times Bes...

Have you ever wondered what makes the best NBA coaches great? What sets them apart from the opposition? How do they compose themselves when their team breaks down or players experience a meltdown? I certainly have pondered these questions, and I'm so grateful the book ELEVEN RINGS: THE SOUL OF SUCCESS was brought into my life by FOX 40 Sports Director, Andrew Marden! As Phil Jackson shares in...

I had so much fun interviewing the amazing author & illustrator Alan Silberberg in honor of one of my favorite Jewish holidays, Purim! In our talk we celebrate Alan’s book, MEET THE HAMANTASCHEN: A PURIM STORY and talk about Alan’s other sweet & funny Jewish themed stories. Alan also shares interesting details about his writing journey and his newest book, THE BAGEL WHO WANTED EVERYTHING....

In coordination with ANYWAY Magazine, I had the opportunity to interview author Maria Scrivan! Maria is a New York Times Bestselling author and award-winning syndicated cartoonist, and she's the creator the NAT ENOUGH graphic novel series! NAT ENOUGH follows Nat (A.K.A. Natalie), an inquisitive girl just starting out in middle school. Friends drift away and new pals emerge, and Nat has to lear...

As part of the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) 2025 Sydney Taylor Book Award Blog Tour, this is my interview with multi-award-winning author & cultural anthropologist, Ruth Behar. I was deeply honored to interview 2025 Sydney Taylor Honor Book Honoree and 2025 Newbery Honor recipient, author Ruth Behar. The Sydney Taylor Book Award Blog Tour has recognized the best Jewish children's...

Picture books are pure magic and the perfect stories to read during the holidays! And, I had the chance to meet and talk with a crafter of magically fun, sweet and silly stories, in-person, recently! Be sure to watch my fun talk with the creative & witty Dev Petty, the creative writer behind such books as, DON’T TRUST CATS, I DON’T WANT TO BE A FROG, and the holiday #PB , ELMORE THE CHRISTMAS...

This is my book review of THE FIRST CONSPIRACY: THE SECRET PLOT TO KILL GEORGE WASHINGTON by New York Times Bestselling authors Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch. The First Conspiracy shares a piece of American history that's not often taught in the classrooms or examined in textbooks. THE FIRST CONSPIRACY is filled with intriguing stories about our nation's first president, George Washington a...

It's the holiday season, and I’m thrilled to introduce you to LET IT GLOW, a new middle-grade book that celebrates not just one, but two special holidays! LET IT GLOW is a sweet and festive dual Hanukkah and Christmas story, co-written by award-winning authors Marissa Meyer and Joanne Levy! I’m so honored to be celebrating my last interview of the year with these two wonderfully talented and k...

THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS: 16 HANUKKAH STORIES, edited by award-winning author Henry Herz, is an incredible middle-grade anthology that portrays the diverse history and traditions celebrated in Jewish families across the globe. Every story speaks to the heart and reminds readers of all the hopes, dreams and love shared by the Jewish people. I had the honor of speaking with 6 of the wonderful authors...

THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS: 16 HANUKKAH STORIES is a much needed middle-grade anthology that is both a celebration and an acknowledgment of the past and present of this festive Jewish holiday. The story of Hanukkah is a story of hope and a story of a miracle. Edited by award-winning author Henry Herz, THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS follows 16 protagonists, each with their own meaningful and diverse story, cra...

It was an absolute pleasure speaking with author and journalist Andrew Maraniss. Andrew is a New York Times bestselling author of powerful sports and civil rights stories. His writing not only informs but also inspires, and his words are making an impactful mark in both the literary and journalistic worlds. His critically acclaimed books, such as Strong Inside: Perry Wallace and the Collision of R...

In this interview I speak with Chris Baron and Torrey Maldonado, two award-winning middle-grade writers and two incredible people with big hearts. Their stories are heartwarming, engaging, but most wonderfully of all, they break societal norms! Their stories show readers the harsh realities that come with from toxic masculinity & they discuss how to combat harmful "stereotypical" masculine beh...

In this episode of E Train Talks, I'm chatting with the writer behind some of my all time favorite kidlit STEM books, author Jennifer Swanson. As a kid who started my book journey reading nonfiction, I’m especially excited to share this interview. Jennifer Swanson is an award-winning author of more than 50 nonfiction children's STEM BOOKS, including such titles as, "Footprints Across the Planet: T...

 Loren Long is a writing and illustrating hero! His stories are cherished across the globe. His words have become staples in the picture book world, warming the hearts of people young and old. I had the honor of speaking with him about his newest bestselling story THE YELLOW BUS, along with his personal writing journey, and he was a delight!   Did you know that Loren Long is actually colorblind? T...

Award-winning author A.S. King brought nine incredible authors together to craft one remarkable Michael L. Printz Award-Winning book, THE COLLECTORS, a brilliant collection of unique and diverse stories, with characters that answer a simple yet complex question, “What is a collection?” Before reading this intriguing novel, always I thought of collections as the typical baseball cards and stamp col...

I had the pleasure of speaking with 5 wonderful authors about their works of Rosh Hashanah writing art! Rosh Hashanah is the celebration of the Jewish New Year, the newest year in the Hebrew Calendar! There are many Rosh Hashanah religious and cultural traditions observed and celebrated all across the globe. Watch our talk and find out more about these special books and their storytellers. Watch t...

History is so fascinating and our world has been through so many twists and turns even in just the last 80 years! I was captivated throughout the entire reading of THE NAZI CONSPIRACY: THE SECRET PLOT TO KILL ROOSEVELT, STALIN, AND CHURCHILL. Authors Brad Meltzer & Josh Mensch are a writing force to be reckoned with, they demonstrate that no matter how many books you’ve read about a subject, t...