Middle Grade Matters

In this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, host Shannon Balloon interviews author J.E. Thomas about her latest book, The AI Incident. They discuss the themes of loneliness and connection, the role of AI in education, and how humor can engage young readers. J.E. shares insights from her interactions with kids during school visits and reflects on her writing process, challenges, and future...

In this episode, Amanda Zieba shares her journey from being a middle school teacher to an author and content creator for teachers. She discusses her experiences with self-publishing and hybrid publishing, the challenges and successes she faced along the way, and her latest book, Life in the Passenger Seat. Amanda also provides insights into her marketing strategies and offers  advice for writers c...

On this episode, I'm playing an episode of the BookHuddle with Readgab Podcast in which host Karen Reeder and I discuss our favorite middle grade books of 2025 (so far). Karen and I each have our own favorite genres, which makes this discussion perfect for readers of all types of middle grade books. Listen and find your next favorite middle grade read. Find Karen Reeder at https://readgab.com...

In this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, author Meg Medina discusses her latest book, Graciela in the Abyss, and shares insights into her writing process, the themes of her work, and the importance of community and culture in literature. She reflects on the challenges of writing, the role of illustrations, and her experiences as the National Ambassador for Young People's Literatur...

On this episode, writing expert Joel Brigham breaks down the components of a Query Letter as well as your First Pages - - the two most important things a writer seeking an agent needs (other than a completed manuscript, of course!).  Joel provides examples of what to do and what not to do, the ideal word count of a query letter, and what first pages must have to hook the potential agent (and futur...

In this episode, author Katherine Marsh discusses her Medusa series, focusing on themes of empowerment and representation for young girls in literature. She shares insights into her writing process, the importance of world-building, and her research into Greek mythology. Katherine also reflects on her journey as a writer, the evolution of middle grade literature, and offers advice for aspiring wri...

In this episode, Erin Entrada Kelly discusses her journey as a children's author, her transition into nonfiction writing, and the remarkable life of Joey Guerrero, the subject of her latest book, At Last She Stood. She shares insights into her writing process, the challenges of researching a historical figure, and her hope that young readers recognize marginalized voices in history. Erin also...

In this conversation, author Kate O'Shaughnessy shares her journey as a middle grade fiction writer, including her experience of receiving a Newbery Honor for her book 'The Wrong Way Home.' She discusses the inspiration behind her writing and the themes of community and belonging. Kate also reflects on her writing process, the challenges of balancing motherhood with her career, and...

In this interview, Dianne K. Salerni shares her journey as an author, discussing her latest middle grade novel, The Tontine Caper. The discussion delves into the humorous elements of her work, the role of the omniscient narrator, and the importance of character development. Dianne also addresses the challenges of writing shorter novels for middle grade readers and the evolving landscape of childre...

In this conversation, Newbery Honor winner Lauren Wolk discusses her latest middle grade novel, Candle Island, and shares insights into her writing process, character development, and the importance of setting in her stories. She emphasizes the maturity and resilience of her characters, the role of art in her work, and her creative journey as a children's writer. Wolk also shares her journey...

In this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, I interview author Marie Benedict about her new middle grade novel, The Secrets of Lovelace Academy. The conversation explores the collaboration between Marie and co-author Courtney Scheinmel, the historical context of the story, the challenges faced by young girls in education during the early 1900s, and the relatable themes of classism and res...

Literary Agent Alexander Slater discusses his background in children's publishing and his love for middle grade books. He talks about changes in the middle grade publishing industry, including the impact of Barnes and Noble's decision to stock fewer hardback middle grade books. He also addresses the issue of book banning. Slater shares insights into his typical day as a literary agent an...

In this episode, I talk with award-winning author Gayle Forman about her latest middle grade novel, Not Nothing. Gayle discusses her transition from writing YA to middle grade and the challenges of capturing the voice of young characters. She shares the inspiration behind Not Nothing, a story about a 12-year-old boy named Alex who finds himself in an assisted living facility and forms a bond with...

In this episode, I interview middle grade author Debbie Michiko Florence. We discuss Debbi's writing process, her new middle grade series 'Last Chance Academy', and the importance of representing Japanese American heritage in her stories. Debbie shares insights into her creative space, the challenges of writing a mystery, and the significance of friendship themes in her work. She re...

In this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, author Lisa Schmid discusses her latest middle grade novel, 'Heart & Souls.' The conversation delves into the themes of anxiety, empathy, and the role of ghosts in storytelling. Lisa shares her personal experiences that inspired her writing, the importance of creating relatable characters, and the challenges of balancing writing wi...

In this episode, Britnee Meiser discusses her debut middle grade novel 'All My Bests', reflecting on her journey as a writer, the challenges of publishing, and the importance of realistic representation in middle grade romance. She shares insights into her writing process, the inspiration behind her stories, and the themes she hopes to convey to young readers. Brittany also touches on he...

On this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, bestselling author Megan E. Freeman discusses her journey as a writer and the success of her novels 'Alone' and 'Away'. Megan shares insights into her writing process, the unique storytelling formats she employs, and the impact of reader feedback on her work. The conversation delves into the themes of survival, friendship, an...

In this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, I talk with Kyle Lukoff about his latest middle grade novel, A World Worth Saving. We discuss the complexities of the story, including the challenges faced by the main character, a trans youth, and the role of parental relationships. Kyle shares insights into the inspiration behind the book, the significance of Jewish folklore, and the research...

In this episode, Wendelin Van Draanen discusses her journey as a writer, the evolution of her work from the Sammy Keys mystery series to standalone novels, and the impact of adaptations on her books. She shares insights into the inspiration behind her acclaimed novel, The Running Dream, and emphasizes the importance of writing for young readers with relatable themes. Wendelin also offers valuable...

On this episode, I talk with middle grade fantasy author Megan Reyes about her debut series, Heroes of Havensong. We talk about the challenges of writing a series with four points of view, how she taught herself to write stories, and what she says to students to inspire them to write their own stories. From the publisher: This timeless fantasy debut follows four children—a boy-turned-dragon, his r...

In Part 2 of my conversation with James Ponti, we discuss the inspiration behind his new series, The Sherlock Society, and his journey from screenwriting to becoming a successful author of middle-grade fiction. He shares insights into his writing process, the importance of creating relatable characters, and the joy of storytelling. Ponti also offers valuable advice for aspiring writers, emphasizin...

In part 1 of my interview with bestselling author James Ponti, James shares heartfelt stories about his teachers, particularly Mrs. White, who inspired him to become a writer. The conversation also touches on the importance of education and the impact of family on his path to success. James also discusses his journey as a writer, focusing on his experiences with the City Spies and The Sherlock Soc...

In this episode, I interview Kimberly Newton Fusco, an accomplished author of children's literature, about her latest book, The Secret of Honeycake. We discuss the excitement of releasing a new book, the importance of character development, and the role of animals in storytelling. Kimberly shares her personal inspirations, the historical context of her writing, and her hope for young readers...

In this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, author Meera Trehan discusses her latest book Snow, a fantasy set in a magical kingdom. She shares insights into her writing process, the challenges of world-building, and the significance of character development. The conversation also touches on the integration of science and magic in her narrative, and the lessons she hopes young readers will...

In this conversation, debut author Gloria L. Huang discusses her middle grade novel Kaya of the Ocean, exploring themes of anxiety, self-acceptance, and cultural representation. She shares her journey as a writer, the impact of the pandemic on children's mental health, and the importance of diverse voices in literature. Gloria reflects on her writing process, the challenges of character devel...