The Big Kids Book Club Podcast

Hey, hey, hey! We’re coming to you with a brand new content – the Book Bite, a quick-fire, rapid round up of all the top releases in Middle Grade and Young Adult each month. We’ll tell you what books have caught our eyes, and shot up to the top of our TBR’s as well as the TV & Film adaptations that have us all excited! We now go live to our reporter in between the pages – Emma Keane. This mont...

Hey hey hey! Welcome back to this week’s Author Interview. In this episode, Christopher Edge, author of the several books for children, including the brand new Escape Room, joins us on the show! Chris and I talked about having to research for his latest book, creating puzzles and plots, and coming up with endings that stay with you. Chris was a great guest to have on the show and we are very grate...

Hey hey hey! Welcome back to this week’s Author Interview. In this episode, Tasha Harrison, joins us to promote her MG debut, Clementine Florentine. Tasha and I chatted about Bath Novel award, her experience as a debut author, and what's next. Tasha was a great guest to have on the show and we are very grateful she was able to join us on the show. Enjoy! ***COMPETITION*** If you want to be in with...

Hey hey hey! Welcome back to this week’s Author Interview. In this episode, Gill Lewis returns to talk about her busy 2021 and new book, Song of the River.  Gill and I chatted about her move to Wales, writing dog mythology, and secret rat projects. Gill was a great guest to have on the show and we are very grateful she was able to join us on the show. Enjoy! ***COMPETITION*** If you want to b...

Welcome back for another Mid-Week review, a book review in the middle of the week (it's kind of obvious by the title haha). Let's take a look at this week's book! ----------------- This week's review is: Twitch by M. G. Leonard Publisher: Walker Books Age Range: 8+ Genre(s): Middle Grade, Mystery, Adventure Page Count: 304 Star Rating:  4.4⭐ (out of 5) Plot: 4 / Pacing: 5 / Characters: 5 / S...

Hey hey hey! Welcome back to this week’s Author Interview. In this episode, Lesley Parr, author of the Valley of the Lost Secret and When the War Came Home, joins us on the show! Lesley and I talked about turning university projects into books, unsuspectedly becoming a historical fiction author, and writing to connect to home. Lesley was a great guest to have on the show and we are very grateful s...

Hey hey hey! Welcome back to this week’s Author Interview. In this episode, Dan Smith, author of the several books for children, including the Crooked Oak series and new Nisha's War, joins us on the show! Dan and I talked about his journey to  Dan was a great guest to have on the show and we are very grateful he was able to join us on the show. Enjoy! ***COMPETITION*** If you want to be in wi...

Hey hey hey! Welcome back to this week’s Author Interview. In this episode, Gabriela Houston, author of the The Second Bell and The Wind Child, joins us on the show! Gabriela and I talked about Slavic folklores, writing stories that deal with harsh truths, and the adventures of fairy tales reimagined.  Gabriela was a great guest to have on the show and we are very grateful she was able to joi...

Welcome back for another Mid-Week review, a book review in the middle of the week (it's kind of obvious by the title haha). Let's take a look at this week's book! ----------------- This week's review is: The Wizard In My Shed: The Misadventures of Merdyn the Wild by Simon Farnaby Publisher: Hachette Children's Group Age Range: 9+ Genre(s): Middle Grade, Humor, Adventure Page Count: 384 Star Rating...

Hey hey hey! Welcome back to this week’s Author Interview. In this episode, Rab Ferguson, debut author of the Landfill Mountains, joins us on the show! Rab and I chatted about switching from short stories to his first full-length novels, writing about climate change, and writing stories within stories. Rab was a great guest to have on the show and we are very grateful he was able to join us on the...

Hey hey hey! Welcome back to this week’s Author Interview. In this episode, Ruth Estevez, debut author of The Monster Belt joins us on the show! Ruth and I chatted about how growing up in Yorkshire shaped her, working on tv script to writing full length novels Ruth was a great guest to have on the show and we are very grateful she was able to join us on the show. Enjoy! ***COMPETITION*** If you wa...

Hey, hey, hey! Welcome to our Mid-Week review!! Each week, we’re going to be reviewing a Middle Grade or Young Adult novel and giving you the scoop on whether it’s any good! Our rating system for non-fiction is out of 5 stars with the following categories being looked at: Purpose, Style, Authority, Usefulness All the categories are ranked from five, added together, and divided by 4 to give a final...

Hey hey hey! Welcome back to this week’s Author Interview. In this episode, Martin Brown, illustrator of Horrible histories and author of Nell and the Cave Bear, joins us on the show! Martin and I chatted about switching from teaching to illustration, giving forgotten animals the limelight, and turning geography into narrative. Martin was a great guest to have on the show and we are very grateful...

Hey hey hey! Welcome back to this week’s Author Interview. In this episode, Alex Cotter, debut author of The House on the Edge joins us on the show! Alex and I chatted about the changing from YA to middle grade, finding the balance of emotions in her writing, and the excitement of writing. Alex was a great guest to have on the show and we are very grateful she was able to join us on the show. Enjo...

Hey, hey, hey! It’s a new month so I’m joined by Rab ( @rabtales ), Emma ( @emmakeane10 ), and special guest Laura (@librarylaurapod) as we celebrate our 1st birthday! It's super exciting and can't believe the fun we've had since the podcast started. Happy Birthday to you the listeners who make this all possible :D ----------------------------------------------------- Landfill Mountains - Released...

Hey hey hey! Welcome back to this week’s Author Interview. In this episode, Clare Weze, debut author of The Lightning Catcher joins us on the show! Clare and I chatted about the scientific process of writing, the highs and lows of debut, and what’s coming next? Clare was a great guest to have on the show and we are very grateful she was able to join us on the show. Enjoy! ***COMPETITION*** If you...

Hey hey hey! Welcome back to this week’s Author Interview. In this episode, Sophie Kirtley, author of Wild Way Home and Way to Impossible Island joins us on the show! Sophie and I chatted about the psychology of kids emotions, finding the right POV for the novel, and coming up with Stone Age Names. Sophie was a great guest to have on the show and we are very grateful she was able to join us on the...

Hey hey hey! Welcome back to this week’s Author Interview. In this episode, Darren Simpson, author of Scavengers and the Memory Thieves, joins us on the show! Darren and I chatted about switching from adult to children's fiction, how memories and honest come through, and growing in writing. Darren was a great guest to have on the show and we are very grateful he was able to join us on the show. En...

Hey hey hey! Welcome back to this week’s Author Interview. In this episode, Kimberlie Hamilton, author of Rebel Animals series joins us on the show! Kimberlie and I chatted about animal stories, writing under extreme deadlines, and story inspirations.  Kimberlie was a great guest to have on the show and we are very grateful she was able to join us on the show. Enjoy! ***COMPETITION*** If you...

Hey hey hey! Welcome back to this week’s Author Interview. In this episode, Hannah Peck, illustrator and now author of Kate on the Case, joins us on the show! Hannah and I chatted about pitching books, the transition from picture books to middle grade, and the fun in ryhmes. Hannah was a great guest to have on the show and we are very grateful she was able to join us on the show. Enjoy! ***COMPETI...

Hey hey hey! Welcome back to this week’s Author Interview. In this episode, Bali Rai, author of the Now or Never and Mohinder's War, joins us on the show! Bali and I chatted about finding diversity in history, writing multiple projects at once, and what makes us think of family. Bali was a great guest to have on the show and we are very grateful he was able to join us on the show. Enjoy! ***COMPET...

Hey hey hey! Welcome back to this week’s Author Interview. In this episode, Onjali Q. Raúf, author of the Boy at the Back of the Class, joins us on the show! Onjali and I chatted about finding inspiration in refugee camps, writing books that challenge our minds, and writing her first book in university and never allowing it to be seen again! Onjali was a great guest to have on the show and we are...

Hey hey hey! Welcome back to this week’s Author Interview. In this episode, Steve Cole, author of over 100 novels for kids joins us on the show. Steve and I chatted about finding stories naturally  Steve was a great guest to have on the show and we are very grateful he was able to join us on the show. Enjoy! *** As part of this podcast, we are promoting UNICEF, a children's charity that's kee...

Hey, hey, hey! It’s a new month so I’m joined by Rab ( @rabtales ) for a boys only monthly book chat as we get all chilled and break into Summer Reads in this month's topic. ----------------------------------------------------- Onwe Press - https://www.onwe.co/ and the pre-order campaign for Landfill Mountains is on special offer right now and those who buy it will receive a bonus short story from...

Hey hey hey! Welcome back to this week’s Author Interview. In this episode, Pooja Puri, author of A Dinosaur ate my Sister, joins us on the show. Pooja and I chatted about the differences writing for middle grade compared to young adult as well as her thoughts on being nominated for Carnegie awards and being the first pick for Marcus Rashford's book club. Pooja was a great guest to have on the sho...