In this episode of The Book Faire Podcast, Anthony Soto interviews Alex Gino, author of 'Chris Makes a Friend,' diving deep into the powerful themes of loneliness, friendship, and the vital role of diverse voices in children's and YA literature. Alex reveals autobiographical influences in their writing and discusses the vulnerability involved in character development. The conversation explores the challenges of chronic illness on family dynamics, the maturity of young characters, and the importance of new experiences. They also highlight the harmful effects of book bans on identity formation and understanding. This episode underscores the need for inclusive literature that truly reflects young readers' lives and emphasizes empathy as a cornerstone of storytelling.

New Releases:

• Shaped by Love: An Ode to Mom Bods by Nikki Powers and illustrated by Amanda Calatzi
• Trail Rides and Starry Eyes by Katrina Emmel
• Twin Tides by Hien Nguyen

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:25 The Great Summer 72 Book Challenge

06:28 Family Dynamics and Character Development

15:05 Chris Makes a Friend: Meet Mia Yarning

21:24 Author Responds to Book Bans

27:40 New Releases

32:52 Updates on Library Funding Issues

37:21 Concerns Over LGBTQ+ Book Crackdown

In this insightful episode of the Book Fair Podcast, Anthony interviews Kate Frick, a digital content librarian, to discuss the critical role of digital content in schools and its impact on children's literature. They delve into the importance of representation and diversity in children's and YA literature, addressing the challenges posed by censorship and book banning. The conversation highlights new releases and recommendations for young readers, offering valuable insights for librarians and educators committed to expanding access to diverse literature. Additionally, the episode covers recent news about book bans in Ohio, updates from school and library boards, and Franklin's publisher's response to recent events, underlining the ongoing challenges for children’s books and libraries.

New Releases:

• At the Speed of Gus by Richard Scrimger
• Down Came the Spiders by Ally Russell
• The Stolen Songbird by Judith Eagle and illustrated by Jo Rioux

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:06 Engagement with Schools and Content Curation

05:55 Recommendations for Young Readers

08:24 The Importance of Representation in Literature

13:02 Censorship and Book Bans

17:22 Resources for Combating Censorship

24:54 New Book Releases Overview

30:15 Ohio's Parents' Bill of Rights

35:30 Alabama Library Board's Restrictions

40:11 Positive News for Freedom to Read

45:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Keywords

digital content, Sora, children's literature, book banning, representation, librarians, censorship, young readers, education, community support

Takeaways

Digital content librarians play a crucial role in curating school collections.

Sora is a valuable resource for accessing digital content in schools.

Engagement with schools varies, with some librarians communicating frequently and others less so.

Recommendations for books should be tailored to the specific needs of students.

Representation in literature is essential for all children to feel seen and understood.

Censorship and book banning are significant issues affecting access to diverse literature.

Librarians face challenges from pressure groups and government entities regarding book access.

Resources like ALA can help students and librarians combat censorship.

Community support is vital for librarians facing challenges in their work.

The freedom to read is fundamental for empowering young readers.

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony Soto interviews author and illustrator Steph Littlebird, exploring her contributions to children's literature and Indigenous art. Steph discusses her new children's book 'You Are the Land,' highlighting the importance of cultural representation in children's and YA literature. She shares insights into her Indigenous background, her journey as an artist, and how digital art shapes Indigenous futurism. This episode delves into the impact of literature and art on young readers, emphasizing community connection and the creative process, including collaboration and feedback. Listen in for an insightful conversation about the power of literature and art in shaping youth perspectives.

New Releases:

• The Christmas Sweater by Jan Brett
• A Knot Is Not a Tangle by Daniel Nayeri, illus. by Vesper Stamper
• The Snow Theater Ryoji Arai, translated from the Japanese by David Boyd

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:31 You Are the Land: A Universal Message

05:16 Cultural Roots and Indigenous Identity

09:49 The Journey into Digital Illustration

14:29 The Power of Community and Representation

17:09 Final Thoughts and Artistic Responsibility

20:07 New Releases

24:46 Lawsuit against ILMS and DOGE

27:20 Book Ban News

33:50 School Board Elections News

In this episode of the Book Fair podcast, host Anthony Soto engages in an insightful conversation with author Kathleen Troy and her contributions to children's literature and young adult (YA) literature. Kathleen discusses her series 'Dylan's Dog Squad' and 'Never Believe', diving into themes of hope, redemption, and the essential role of character development in YA fiction. Kathleen also shares her perspective on the use of suspense in storytelling and how literature can profoundly influence readers’ lives. Further conversations explore the significant impact of book bans in schools, emphasizing the importance of diverse and thought-provoking literature for young readers. The episode includes a news segment highlighting new children's and YA book releases, as well as current censorship debates in Arkansas and Colorado, underscoring ongoing challenges in literature access for youth. Tune in for a meaningful discussion about the power and relevance of children's and young adult literature today.

New Releases:

• How Girls Are Made by Mindy McGinnis
• I’ll Find You Where the Timeline Ends by Kylie Lee Baker
• The Last Ember (The Aerimander Chronicles #1) by Lily Berlin Dodd

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:54 Creating Relatable Protagonists: The Case of Sage

06:00 The Role of Optimism and Survival in Character Development

11:46 Exploring the Never Believe Series: Plot and Character Arcs

16:17 The Dylan Dog Squad Series: Adventures and Life Lessons

24:58 Themes of Redemption and Hope in Literature

27:56 The Impact of Writing: Creating Memories and Changing Lives

32:59 New Releases

38:10 Recent Book Challenges and Censorship

41:16 Community Responses to Book Bans

There was an issue recording audio for the interview with Sophia Brown, fortunately only my audio was affected. Please bare with lower quality audio for our discussion.

Sophia Brown on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sophia-Brown/author/B0CMS4CF6R?ref=dbs_m_mng_rwt_byln&qid=1724299535&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

New Releases:

• The Secret Dead Club by Karen Strong
• Glass: A Cinderella Story by Kathryn Lasky
• A Bánh Mì for Two by Trinity Nguyen

Resources:

• Greenville County Library (SC) Wants to Remove Trans Books from YA Section: https://bookriot.com/greenville-county-library-sc-wants-to-remove-trans-books-from-ya-section/
• Most Americans Oppose School Book Bans and Restrictions: New Research Supports: https://bookriot.com/most-americans-oppose-school-book-bans-and-restrictions-new-research-supports-freedom-to-read/
• Full Study: https://knightfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024_AmericansViewsonBookRestrictions_Supplement_KnightFoundation_LangerResearchAssociates.pdf

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast; we discuss recent children's literature releases and the implications of a new executive order affecting library funding. The episode highlights several new books aimed at young readers, emphasizing themes of adventure, self-discovery, and resilience. Additionally, we address library services, stressing the importance of libraries in communities.

New Releases:

• The House at the Edge of Magic (The House at the Edge of Magic #1) by Amy Sparkles, with illustrations by Ben Mantle

• At Home in a Faraway Place by Lynne Rae Perkins

• True Life in Uncanny Valley by Deb Caletti

• A Catalog of Burnt Objects by Shana Youngdahl

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and New Releases Overview

02:54 Exploring New Children's Books

08:01 Impact of Executive Order on Library Funding

Jillian Hughes and Kenny Curtis talk about retelling Greek mythology for young audiences. Book Riot talks How to Fight Book Bans in 2024. PEN America report shows educational censorship in higher education. Libraries become invaluable in states struck by natural disasters.

New Realeses:

• Happy & Sad & Everything True by Alex Thayer
• The Other Side of Tomorrow by Tina Cho, illus. by Deb JJ Lee
• All the Truth I Can Stand by Mason Stokes
• Streetlight People by Charlene Thomas

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Book Bans and Censorship

07:09 Libraries as Community Hubs

10:33 Censorship in Higher Education

15:11 New Children's Literature Releases

21:16 Interview with Kenny Curtis and Jillian Hughes

More from Robin Benway: https://www.robinbenway.com/

Instagram @Robinbenway

This week: An interview with Robin Benway for her new book The Girls of Skylark Lane. Alabama Library reclassifies young adult collection as fiction. An Arizona teacher is under police investigation after a parental complaint over a reading assignment.

Recent Releases:

• Find Her by Ginger Reno
• Girlmode by Magdalene Visaggio, illustrated by Paulina Ganucheau
• Sixteen Minutes by K.J. Reilly

Chapters

00:00 The Rise of Book Bans in Schools

03:40 Community Responses to Censorship

09:50 Recent Book Releases and Their Themes

14:29 Interview with Robin Benway: The Girls of Skylark Lane

40:36 The Role of an Author in Contemporary Literature