E Train Talks Books: A Literacy Initiative

I had the true honor of interviewing one of my all-time favorite middle-grade authors, creator of the SPY SCHOOL, CHARLIE THORNE, FUNJUNGLE, SPACE BASE ALPHA, and the ONCE UPON A TIME series, along with many more epic stories, Stuart Gibbs! Stuart is not just a New York Times bestselling author, but he’s also worked in television and movies and recently had a graphic novel published by DC Comics....

Rumor Has It,  Author Kevin Sylvester has a new book out! I was thrilled to talk with the wonderfully witty and talented author, Kevin Sylvester for the SECOND TIME on E Train Talks, about his newest novel, APARTMENT 713, as well as his amazing writing & illustrating journey! Kevin is the award-winning middle-grade author of truly awesome stories. Some of his novels include THE FABULOUS Z...

I'm beyond honored to share my interview with the very first American Triathlon Olympic Gold Medalist, Gwen Jorgensen, as well as Gwen's wonderful mother, author Nancy Jorgenson and Gwen's Sister, author and educator, Elizabeth Jorgenson. Together with Gwen, they co-authored the incredible story of Gwen's journey to the Olympic Gold. I can't tell you how excited I am to share this video. Enjoy! He...

Did you know that at Age 8, Alyssa Rosenberg was a book reviewer in her local newspaper? I was beyond excited to interview Alyssa Rosenberg, an Opinion Columnist at The Washington Post, and jumped for joy when the day arrived! Alyssa is the writer behind the "To Build a Delightful Library for Kids, Start With These 99 Books" piece, where she asked parents across the political spectrum for three bo...

RUMOR HAS IT, Erika Lewis has a new middle-grade novel coming in 2023! Watch my wonderful interview with Erika Lewis, where I interview her a SECOND Time ahead of the release of her newest book, KELCIE MURPHY FOR THE HEART OF DANU coming May 23, 2023, for my first Rumor Has It episode! Erika is the author of the fast-paced and thrilling KELCIE MURPHY AND THE ACADEMY FOR THE UNBREAKABLE ARTS, an Am...

I had the honor of interviewing the award-winning, New York Times Best Selling author, whose books always entertain, and inspire, as well as educate, and touch his readers' hearts, my personal hero and storytelling legend Author Gordon Korman!

In honor of #GivingTuesdaySpark on November 29th, I talked with the one and only Dante Plush! Dante is a kindness spark and a great force of inspiration to me and so many youths around the globe. He's a Giving Tuesday Kindness Legend himself, and the Director of Youth Engagement and Outreach for Giving Tuesday Spark! No one can compare to the warmth in his heart, and his ongoing work to change the...

I was absolutely thrilled to sit down with the award-winning debut middle-grade writer of medieval magic Alysa Wishingrad, the author behind “The Verdigris Pawn!” In our talk, Alysa speaks passionately and profoundly about important middle-grade topics & is a wonderful human being. This is one interview you don't want to miss!  Follow Alysa's writing journey here: https://alysawishingrad....

I was absolutely thrilled to sit down virtually with the wonderful Canadian storyteller and author of the thrilling "Aggie Morton Mystery Queen" series, Marthe Jocelyn. Marthe writes masterful mysteries that don’t just highly entertain, but also educate and intrigue readers. Not only that, Marthe has written 50 books from board books to children's reads, to middle grade, to YA! Marthe has been a w...

Watch my interview with the wonderful Middle-Grade Author Elly Swartz. Elly is the author of four contemporary middle-grade novels. And, not only is Elly an amazing storyteller, but she's also an attorney (WOW)! Elly has been a huge supporter of all of my bookish endeavors, and I was thrilled to have her on my podcast! Learn more about Elly's fascinating life, as well as her writing journey, in ou...

WOW! What a heartwarming, breathtaking, and truly special read! THE MAGICAL IMPERFECT by Chris Baron takes readers on a magical adventure of friendship, family, and believing in yourself. Chris Baron is a masterful author, his novel-in-verse made me cry, laugh, smile, cheer, and feel all the feels! This book needs to be on all of your to-be-read lists! 10/10! Listen to my book review to learn more...

Listen to my book review on "The Civil War of Amos Abernathy." Written by Michael Leali, this Marvelous Middle Grade story, is one like none other I've read so far. A touching, relatable tale of a Tween discovering who he is, while also discovering that not everyone's path to uncovering our true self is the same. Listen to find out more about this incredible read! 

Wow! Lisa McMann has truly DONE IT AGAIN with Book 2 of her middle-grade fantasy series "The Forgotten Five, The Invisible Spy!" From supernaturals, to supervillains, friendship to betrayal, and plots seen right through, literally, this story has it all! If you're looking for a thrilling tale that will NEVER get old, read THE FORGOTTEN FIVE, THE INVISIBLE SPY!

I had the huge honor of interviewing the one and only film maker and middle-grade author of "The Basketball Game," Hart Snider! Hart is a director, writer, and story editor, who’s edited films and series for CBC, NFB, Paramount Television, Nat Geo, Global, History, Food Network, NBA Canada, and more, and yes, on top of all this, he’s also a published author! Not to mention Hart’s been Honored by t...

Once upon a time, there weren’t any middle-grade books, especially fairy tale middle-grade books. Middle schoolers were starting to grow tired of the same old Cinderella story or Snow White. Then, one author came along and helped change that. And I’m so honored to share my interview with the trailblazing author Jen Calonita. She along with other writers changed the course of fairy tales forever. H...

What a thrilling and fun filled adventure Stuart Gibbs takes us on in Spy School Project X . I kid you not that I read this book in one sitting, cover to cover, no intermissions needed! You'll soon find out that this book review is longer then most, but I had to share as much as I could about Stuart Gibbs' brilliant read, the 10th book in the Spy School Series! In case you couldn’t tell, I’m a HUG...

Nothing special ever happens in Chokecherry, Colorado, And,  when I say nothing, I mean nothing, but what’s usually a dormant little town in the middle of nowhere, will soon go viral internationally. They’ll be recognized on the news, social media, and so much more, but not for something wonderful or spectacular , not for something anyone will be proud of, no, not for anything good at all. In...

I’m THRILLED to have talked with the author behind the thrilling, fantasy fiction, adventure quest, SECRET OF THE SHADOW BEASTS! I’m referring to the award-winning middle-grade author, Diane Magras!! Diane is the author of The New York Times Editors' Choice, The Mad Wolf's Daughter, as well as its companion novel, The Hunt for the Mad Wolf's Daughter, and now her newest novel, SECRET OF THE SHADOW...

It was a treat talking everything middle-grade books with author and literacy advocate Gae Polisner on E Train Talks! Gae is the author of numerous mg and ya books, including “The Pull of Gravity, “The Memory of Things,” and “In Sight of Stars,” to name a few, and her newest novel, co-authored with Nora Raleigh Baskin, the fun, entertaining and powerful read, CONSIDER THE OCTOPUS! Gae has been suc...

I had the honor of interviewing Fleur Bradley, the ever so clever and talented author of thrilling novels such as the action-packed "Double Vision" adventure series, the spooky mystery novel, "Midnight at the Barclay Hotel," and her newest eerie awesome mystery thriller, that I was lucky enough to read and review prior to its release, "Daybreak on Raven Island!" If you're a fan of mystery, ghosts,...

I had the wonderful opportunity to interview author, illustrator, and literacy advocate, Jarrett Lerner! Jarrett has written and illustrated four graphic novel series! Jarret’s books feature fun and lovable characters, as well as meaningful themes like empathy, acceptance, and friendship!  Aside from working on books, Jarrett spends a lot of his time advocating for literacy. He co-founded and...

Autumn keeps hoping things might finally change. She hopes she will find her courage, make new friends, and have a great school year, and when she sees a boy on a bike run over an iguana in the middle of the road on the first day of school begins (weird sentence, right?), Autumn meets a possible new friend. Life is already starting to feel brighter! What happens next? Will she make a new friend or...

In this episode of E Train Talks, I'm reviewing the one and only middle-grade novel Treasure Tracks , a book I will treasure forever! See what I did there? Treasure Tracks is S.A. Rodriguez’s debut middle-grade adventure story about a young tween who goes on a treasure hunt for undersea riches to help his ailing Abuelo (Grandfather). Treasure Tracks is an incredibly fun read with so much meaning....

I happened to be attending a bookish event at a local indie bookstore and Lisa Moore Ramee was there, as was her book, A GOOD KIND OF TROUBLE, and after hearing Lisa talk about her novel, I knew it was meant to be in my bookshelf! So, I took my new read home and ended up inhaling the story! Not only is did I find the storyline engaging & kept my interest, but I also learned so much along the w...

From action to adventure, to friendship “Amari and the Great Game” by B.B. Alston has it all! I can guarantee you will absolutely love this story and you will NOT want to put this book down! Now my question for you is, what are you waiting for? Go find yourself a copy of B.B’s latest and greatest Amari novel, or if you haven’t already, read the first book in the Amari world, you WON’T REGRET IT! P...