Reading in The Middle

In this episode of Reading in the Middle, host Annisha Jeffries sits down with poet, mentor, and author Rian N. Jenkins to talk about her debut middle-grade novel Reverse (Book One) , a story that captures friendship, family, and the first sparks of love between two kids who’ve known each other their entire lives. Rian shares how she weaves poetry into fiction, what inspired Monica and Donovan’s s...

Step backstage with us on this episode of Reading in the Middle as I welcome Lindsay Champion, lifelong theater geek, NYU Tisch graduate, former Features Editor at Broadway.com , and the author behind the middle-grade series Cast vs. Crew: Setting the Stage and the YA novel Someday, Somewhere . Lindsay made her onstage debut as a tiger in her second-grade musical… and never left the theater world...

Join host Annisha Jeffries on Reading in the Middle for a candid conversation with Carolyn Leiloglou, award-winning author of the middle-grade fantasy trilogy Beneath the Swirling Sky , Between Flowers and Bones , and the brand-new release Beyond the Far Horizon . In this episode, we cover: 📖 The inspiration behind the Restorationists universe 🎨 How Carolyn’s background in art and a creative fam...

Today on Reading in the Middle , we hop into imagination, wonder, and the tiniest big emotions with Oscar-winning filmmaker and author Alan Barillaro , whose newest book Bunns Rabbit is a quiet, luminous triumph. In this conversation, we explore: 🌱 How Bunns Rabbit grew from a spark of curiosity into a tender, emotionally rich story ✏️ How Alan blends animation, storytelling, and the smallest ges...

Join host Annisha Jeffries talks with author-musician Garrett Ryan Oyama about his beautifully crafted picture book, Rumi and the Ocean of Awe . In this episode, we explore how wonder and awe find their way into stories, why an underwater fable can speak to middle-grade readers and adults alike, and how Garrett’s background in music and language shapes his creative voice. Plus: Garrett is also a m...

Get ready to go into a world of mayhem, imagination, and unapologetic weirdness with New York Times Bestselling author Michael Buckley (yes, the mind behind The Sisters Grimm and N.E.R.D.S. ). His newest middle-grade novel, The Weirdies , introduces ten-year-old triplets Barnacle, Melancholy, and Garlic, whose eccentric lives take a wild turn when they’re accidentally abandoned by their parents an...

When aliens invade and toilet paper starts to move on its own, you know it’s going to be a wild read! In this episode of Reading in the Middle , host Annisha Jeffries chats with author Kevin Garone about his laugh-out-loud and delightfully spooky Alien Survival Guide series, including I Know What UFO Did Last Summer and Night of the Living Toilet Paper. Kevin shares how he turns everyday objects i...

Tune into  Reading in the Middle  as I chat with  Kate DiCamillo,  a   New York Times bestselling author, two-time Newbery Medal winner, and Newbery Honor recipient, whose classic  Because of Winn-Dixie  marks its 25th anniversary. We discuss her latest novel,  The Lost Evangeline  (Book Three of the “Norendy Tales” trilogy), beautifully illustrated by Sophie Blackall, a two-time Caldecott Medalis...

Get ready to fold, flap, and roar! 📚 Join host Annisha Jeffries for a lively chat with Tom Angleberger — creator of the iconic Origami Yoda series, the wildly imaginative Two-Headed Chicken: Chaos in the Cosmic Library , and the poetic dinosaur debut Dino Poet . Tom has sent middle-grade readers on insane multiverse adventures, unexpected poetry journeys, and laugh-out-loud creative breaks — and...

Newbery Medalist Meg Medina joins Reading in the Middle to talk about courage, culture, and her latest novel, Graciela in the Abyss . From Merci Suárez Changes Gears to sea-deep fantasy, Meg shares how stories help readers find their light and build empathy. Hear Meg reflect on balancing humor and heart, writing girls who speak their truth, and why she believes every reader carries their own light...

What if changing the way words look on the page could change the way kids feel about reading? In this episode of Reading in the Middle, host Annisha Jeffries sits down with Sarah K. Blodgett , founder and CEO of Noah Text , an innovative reading format designed to make reading easier, more accessible, and more joyful, especially for those who struggle with dyslexia or reading fluency. Sarah shares...

Page Count Podcast is celebrating its 100th episode! In this Bonus Episode! I had the pleasure of being a special guest—alongside one very opinionated and charming toucan named Sammy—for a lively conversation about puppets, children’s literature, libraries, and (of course) the eternal cat vs. dog debate. In this milestone episode, Page Count partnered with the Indiana Center for the Book to featur...

What is it like growing up as the only girl in a house full of five brothers ? In this episode of Reading in the Middle , I sit down with Beth York to talk about her new memoir, Growing Up Beth (illustrated by Ana Latese), launching October 21, 2025 . We dive into stories of sibling chaos, finding your own voice in the noise, and the moments — big and small — that shape us. In This Episode You’ll...

Beloved author Karina Yan Glaser ( The Vanderbeekers , A Duet for Home ) returns with a breathtaking new story: The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli . Set across ancient China and Depression-era New York’s Chinatown, the novel blends history and fantasy in a moving tale about family, survival, and the courage to face the unknown. Host Annisha Jeffries talks to Karina about her creative process, her f...

Imagine if you and your dog could swap places just for a day! In this episode of  Reading in the Middle , Annisha Jeffries has a lovely chat with Ellen Phinney about her newest middle-grade novel,  A Dog and His Boy: The Switch . They explore what sparked the story, how Ellen captures heartfelt emotion through humor and imagination, and what she hopes young readers will take away from Jax and Scou...

What happens when a simple photo on a found phone reveals the school crossing guard as… a monster? In his debut middle grade novel, Press 1 for Invasion (out now), J.A. Dauber blends laugh-out-loud humor, fast-paced action, and just the right amount of cosmic chaos. In this episode of Reading in the Middle , host Annisha Jeffries chats with Dauber about the inspiration behind his hilarious alien a...

Join host Annisha Jeffries on  Reading in the Middle  as she explores the exciting worlds created by James Ponti—from the globe-trotting  adventures of City Spies  and the clever mysteries of Framed! to the chilling underworld of  Dead City  and the detective tales of  The Sherlock Society . His newest book,  Hurricane Heist , was released on  September 2, 2025 , and promises a thrilling experienc...

In this powerful episode of Reading in the Middle , Annisha Jeffries sits down with author Darlene P. Campos to discuss her latest middle-grade novel, The Center of the Earth . Set in 1930s Ecuador, the story follows Dahlia , a young girl whose life changes when she meets Werner , a Jewish boy escaping Nazi Germany. Together, they form an unforgettable friendship in a world on the edge of war. Dar...

In this episode of Reading in the Middle , host Annisha Jeffries welcomes celebrated author Winsome Bingham and Caldecott Honor recipient  Jason Griffin  to discuss  "The Table ," a poetic picture book that traces the life of a single table through generations. Discover how food traditions , visual storytelling , and creative collaboration enrich children's literature and family memories. Winsome...

In this episode of  Reading in the Middle,  Annisha Jeffries interviews  C.G. Esperanza , an illustrator, author, and teaching artist whose vibrant artwork has transformed the look and feel of children’s books. This year, Esperanza received the  2025 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award  for  My Daddy Is a Cowboy  and a Caldecott Honor. He  has previously been recognized with the  Coretta Scott Ki...

In this heartwarming episode of Reading in the Middle , host Annisha Jeffries is joined by award-winning author Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich to talk about Operation Sisterhood and its brand-new sequel, Stealing the Show! Set in a Harlem brownstone filled with music, creativity, and the chaos of a blended family, these two novels follow Bo and Sunday as they navigate friendship, change, community,...

What occurs when role-playing games blend with middle-grade storytelling? In this episode of  Reading in the Middle,  host  Annisha Jeffries  chats with debut author  Raj Sidhu  about his new book,  Thrash Force —a fast-paced multiverse adventure filled with dice rolls, high stakes, and memorable characters. Raj discusses what inspired his action-packed debut, how gaming influenced his storytellin...

Recorded live at the ALA Annual Conference, Annisha interviews award-winning public radio journalist and author  Kitty Felde  about her middle-grade series  The Fina Mendoza Mysteries,  including  Welcome to Washington, Fina Mendoza,  and  State of the Union . They discuss how Kitty combines engaging mysteries with real-world  civics , the Capitol Hill legends that inspire her plots, and how her j...

In this episode of Reading in the Middle , we’re taking flight into a world where the smallest hero faces the biggest challenge. Meet Twig—a young chickadee whose peaceful life shatters when the ruthless Fortress Crows attack his village. Hunted by a powerful sorceress and her winged army, Twig is thrust into an epic quest filled with magical powers, fierce battles, and a ragtag team of allies—inc...

Summer is calling! In this episode of Reading in the Middle , host Annisha Jeffries sits down with author Donna Galanti to talk about her heartfelt new middle-grade novel, Loon Cove Summer —a story of bravery, grief, friendship, and finding your way in the wild. We chat about: The real-life inspiration behind Sarah’s lakeside adventure Why loons make the perfect emotional soundtrack How nature can...