What occurs when a chaotic flight inspires a fun picture book? In this episode of Reading in the Middle, host Annisha Jeffries interviews author, poet, and educator K.E. Lewis about his latest book, Never Take Your Rhino on a Plane, illustrated by Isabel Roxas. They discuss how a frustrating travel moment turned into a rhyming cautionary story, the role of rhythm and representation in K.E.’s work, and why picture books remain important even on a podcast focused on middle-grade literature. Prepare for rhino chaos, storytelling insights, and a reminder that books for young readers are for everyone.

Guest: Dr. Ibram X. Kendi

Book Featured: Malcolm Lives (2025, Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Host: Annisha Jeffries, Kidlit Advocate & creator of Reading in the Middle

Topics Covered:

• ​Why Malcolm Lives was written for middle-grade readers in Malcolm X’s centennial year
• ​How Dr. Kendi balances biography with imaginative storytelling
• ​The importance of introducing complex, courageous figures to young readers
• ​What young people today can learn from Malcolm’s legacy of transformation
• ​How educators and librarians can use this book to foster honest, empowering discussions

Lightning Round Highlights:

• ​Favorite book at age 11
• ​Dream historical conversation
• ​Writing snack of choice
• ​“Middle-grade readers are _____.”

Where to Find the Book:Available wherever books are sold. Request it at your local library or independent bookstore!

Connect with me:📚 Instagram: @reading_in_the_middle🌐 Website: readinginthemiddle.blog📧 Email: hello@readinginthemiddle.blog

🎙️ If this conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and share. Middle-grade stories are essential, and so are the readers who cherish them.

• ​In this episode of Reading in the Middle, librarian and kidlit enthusiast Annisha Jeffries chats with author Elissa Brent Weissman about her latest middle grade novel, So Over Sharing.They discuss the inspiration behind the book, what it’s like to write for today’s tech-savvy tweens, and how Elissa strikes the perfect balance between humor and heart. From awkward school moments to the pressure of social media, this book captures it all, and Elissa gives us the behind-the-scenes scoop.Highlights include: What sparked the idea for So Over Sharing How kids navigate oversharing in a digital worldWriting relatable, funny characters.A lively lightning round with Elissa and a few surprises along the way!
• ​📚 Buy the Book:So Over Sharing on Bookshop.org
• ​About the Guest: Elissa Brent Weissman is the award-winning author of middle-grade favorites, including Nerd Camp, The Length of a String, and So Over Sharing. Her work is bright, warm, and laugh-out-loud funny, making it perfect for readers in the middle grade range​
• ​Follow Annisha:
• ​📸 Instagram: @reading_in_the_middle
• ​🌐 Website/Platform: http://readinginthemiddle.blog

What do fairy houses, mossy trails, and bug pooters share? They’re all ways to connect with nature—and today’s guest knows how to make the wild feel wonderfully magical.

In this episode, Annisha Jeffries chats with Susie Spikol, naturalist, educator, and author of two inspiring books for middle-grade readers: The Animal Adventurer’s Guide and her newest, Forest Magic for Kids. Whether helping kids find salamanders or stir up a bit of phoenix tea, Susie brings her signature blend of science, storytelling, and sensory wonder to everything she does.

Tune in to learn:

• How fairy tales and field guides work together

• Why writing in a “Secret Nature Notebook” builds mindfulness

• How to bring forest magic to urban environments

• What a bug pooter is (and why every kid needs one)

• And how educators and librarians can build programs around Susie’s books

Whether you’re a parent, librarian, teacher, or young explorer, this episode will remind you that the world is still full of wonder—you must slow down and look. ✨

Show Notes

Guest: Susie Spikol
Books Discussed:

• Forest Magic for Kids – Buy here

• The Animal Adventurer’s Guide – Buy here

Hosted by: Annisha Jeffries, Youth Services Manager at Cleveland Public Library
Follow the Podcast: Instagram: @reading_in_the_middle

Subscribe & Review: Your support helps others discover stories that inspire curiosity and creativity.

Today on Reading in the Middle, Annisha speaks with New York Times Bestselling author Ben Guterson, the creative force behind the acclaimed.

Winterhouse Trilogy, The Einsteins of Vista Point, and the captivating World-Famous Nine series. As a former educator, Ben discusses how his teaching experience influences his storytelling, how he weaves intricate mysteries packed with puzzles and emotion, and his belief that middle-grade fiction can be both enchanting and profoundly significant.

✨ In this episode, we discuss:

The Teacher Behind the Stories: Discover how a decade spent teaching impacted Ben's views on character, empathy, and narrative structure.

Winterhouse Origins: Learn about the inspiration behind the enchanting Winterhouse Hotel and the puzzles that keep readers engaged.

The Power of Puzzles: Understand why wordplay and hidden codes are entertaining and practical tools for enhancing reader engagement and critical thinking.

Ben’s New Mysteries in The Shadow of the World-Famous Nine: Explore themes of fame, truth, and family secrets in Ben's best work.

Writing for the Quietly Curious: How Ben skillfully intertwines tension, tenderness, mystery, and meaning throughout his novels.

Winterhouse: The Secrets of Winterhouse, The Winterhouse Mysteries, The Einsteins of Vista Point, The World-Famous Nine, The Shadow of the World-Famous Nine

🎧 Subscribe to Reading in the Middle for enlightening discussions with today's engaging middle-grade authors.

🔗 More from ⁠Ben Guterson⁠

🌟 Rate and review to assist other readers and listen to the Discover Show.

In this episode of Reading in the Middle, Annisha sits down with acclaimed cartoonist and author Liz Montague to discuss her new graphic novel, Camp Frienemies. This summer camp story is full of humor, heart, and the beautifully messy journey of tween friendship.

Best known for her groundbreaking memoir Maybe an Artist, Liz shares how she crafted three unforgettable characters—Bea, Roxy, and Virginia—and how their one-week cabin experience catalyzes growth, connection, and maybe even forgiveness.

We talk about visual storytelling, bunk bed drama, the art of writing quiet kids, and why being a “little bit of everything” is something to embrace. Liz shares her thoughts on what she'd bring to camp (besides bug spray) and the campfire song that still haunts her.

📚 Camp Frienemies by Liz Montague – https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/740088/camp-frenemies-by-liz-montague
🎨 Maybe an Artist – Liz’s award-nominated graphic memoir
🖼️ Liz Montague’s work: lizmontague.com
📍 Liz's featured work in The New Yorker, Food Network, and the Joe Biden campaign
🎉 Follow Liz on Instagram: @lizatlarge]
🎙️ More episodes of Reading in the Middle: [Podcast Link]

00:00 – Intro and welcome
02:45 – Liz’s journey to Camp Frienemies
07:10 – Creating Bea, Roxy, and Virginia
12:55 – Drawing tension and quiet moments in comics
18:00 – Camp snacks, BFFs vs. frenemies, and camp survival gear
22:30 – What Liz hopes kids take away from the book
26:00 – Advice for young creatives
29:15 – What’s next for Liz Montague

Follow host Annisha Jeffries on Instagram:@reading_in_the_middle
Subscribe, rate, and review to support more conversations with your favorite middle grade authors!

What do skateboards, octopuses, and poetry have in common? In Bobbie Pyron’s newest novel-in-verse, Octopus Moon, they all play a role in one young girl’s emotional survival.

In this heartfelt conversation, Bobbie Pyron — author of beloved middle-grade novels Stay, The Dogs of Winter, Lucky Strike, and more — joins host Annisha Jeffries to talk about:

• The real-life ocean memories that shaped Octopus Moon

• Writing about mental health for young readers with honesty and hope

• Why verse was the perfect voice for Pearl’s story

• Skateboarding, friendship, and the metaphor of riptides

• Her path from librarian to author (with a few detours like rock bands and dog training!)

• The joy and challenge of creating stories that help kids feel less alone

Whether you’re a reader, an educator, or someone who’s ever felt like the world is a little too much sometimes, this conversation will speak to your heart.

📚 Featured Book:
Octopus Moon by Bobbie Pyron (Margaret Ferguson Books, 2024)
Now available wherever books are sold.

✨ Other books mentioned:

• Stay

• Lucky Strike

• The Dogs of Winter

• A Dog’s Way Home

🎧 Subscribe to Reading in the Middle for more conversations with middle-grade authors, and don’t forget to leave a review or share with a book-loving friend.

#MiddleGradeLit #OctopusMoon #BobbiePyron #ReadingInTheMiddle #PodcastForReaders #MGBooks #VerseNovel #MentalHealthInBooks #LibrariansWhoWrite

Award-winning author and illustrator @Grace Lin joins Reading in the Middle to discuss her newest middle-grade novel, The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon — a sweeping fantasy filled with Chinese folklore, stone lions, and a possibly-not-a-worm dragon.

In this episode, Grace reflects on her journey from aspiring ice skater to literary icon, shares behind-the-scenes stories about illustrating her work, and explains why she believes books can be both mirrors and windows. We also chat about her early books (The Year of the Dog, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, Ling & Ting), her advocacy work, and her beloved podcast Book Friends Forever.

Pick up The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon wherever books are sold, and don’t forget to support your indie bookstores and libraries.

🎧 Subscribe to Reading in the Middle for more conversations with the storytellers shaping middle-grade literature.