In this episode, Jennifer chats with Kate Messner to discuss her love for middle grade novels, her writing process, and her latest projects. Discover the inspiration behind Kate's popular series, "The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class," and her journey in writing her first verse novel, "The Trouble with Heroes."

Show notes, episode transcripts and other goodies can be found here.

Chapters

• Introduction and Welcome
• Kate's Reading Preferences
• The Joy of Paper Books
• A Writer's Journey
• The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class Series
• Crafting Multimodal Texts
• The Trouble With Heroes
• The Role of Humor and Grief
• Upcoming Projects
• Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode, Jennifer chats with Rex Ogle to talk about his journey from working behind the scenes in publishing to becoming one of the most beloved authors writing for young readers. Their conversation explores the importance of normalizing discussions around mental health, and why it's crucial to have more books that help boys navigate what it truly means to “be a man” in a world that too often rewards toxic masculinity.

Show notes, episode transcripts and other goodies can be found here.

Chapters

• Introduction and Friendship Goals
• Reading Preferences and Habits
• Writing Process and Organization
• Community and Support in Kidlit
• Exploring Difficult Topics in Writing
• Understanding Complexity in Human Behavior
• Lessons from Family and Personal Growth
• The Journey of Writing and Rejection
• Connecting with Readers and Their Experiences
• The Impact of Sharing Personal Stories
• Navigating Mental Health and Personal Healing
• The Importance of Representation in Literature
• Creating Stories for Boys and Challenging Norms

In this episode, Jennifer LaGarde and Natalie Lloyd explore their shared love for literature, the impact of childhood reading experiences, the importance of authentic representation in books and, of course, Dolly Parton. They discuss the joys of audiobooks, the challenges of writing about disability, and the significance of creating relatable characters. Natalie shares insights into her writing process and upcoming projects, emphasizing the power of storytelling to connect with young readers.

Show notes, including episode transcripts and information about connecting with this episode's guest, can be found here.

Chapters:

• Friendship and Literary Connections
• Reading Preferences and Habits
• The Joy of Audiobooks
• The Reader's Heart: Personal Stories
• The Impact of Childhood Reading
• Creating Authentic Characters
• Exploring Disability in Literature
• The Importance of Representation
• Upcoming Works and New Formats

In this episode, Jennifer chats with two-time Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly. Their conversation delves into themes of anxiety, character development, and the importance of positive adult figures in children's literature. Erin reflects on her journey as a writer, her influences, and her background in journalism, which has shaped her writing style. The conversation concludes with a glimpse into her upcoming projects, showcasing her continued dedication to creating meaningful literature for young audiences.

Show notes, including episode transcripts and information about connecting with this episode's guest, can be found here.

Chapters

• Celebrating Newbery Success
• The First State of Being: A Book Overview
• Anxiety and Relatability in Literature
• Character Development: Mr. Mosley
• The Role of Adults in Children's Literature
• Exploring Moral Ambiguity
• The Reader's Heart: Erin's Journey
• Meeting Literary Heroes
• The Impact of Journalism on Writing
• Upcoming Projects and Future Works

In this episode, Jennifer chats with Allie Millington about the profound impact of literature, particularly middle grade books, on identity and connection. They discuss the themes of loneliness and bravery in Millington's book Olivetti,'and the importance of fostering authentic connections in a hyper-connected world. Millington shares her experiences with young readers during school visits, the significance of endorsements from figures like Tom Hanks, and her upcoming projects, including a new middle grade novel and a picture book.

Show notes, including episode transcripts and information about connecting with this episode's guest, can be found here.

Chapters

• Books became an escape and a safe place for me.
• I want to write books that touch young people's lives.
• Middle schoolers are my favorite age group.
• The antidote to loneliness is connection.
• Olivetti is a story about bravery.
• Middle grade is not just for 9 to 12 year olds.
• Empathy and acceptance are important in storytelling.
• I want to encourage conversations about loneliness.
• Tom Hanks' endorsement changed everything for me.
• Typewriters connect different generations.

In this engaging conversation, Padma Venkatraman chats with Jennifer about her new novel in verse, Safe Harbor, exploring themes of belonging, empowerment, and mental health representation. They delve into Padma's personal reading journey, her experiences as a writer, and the significance of music and nature in her storytelling. The discussion also touches on Padma's future projects and the importance of diverse representation in children's literature.

Show notes, including episode transcripts and information about connecting with this episode's guest, can be found here.

Chapters

00:00 Getting to Know Padma

05:07 Exploring Safe Harbor

11:48 Themes of Belonging and Empowerment

18:01 Mental Health Representation

23:58 The Role of Music and Nature

33:08 Looking Ahead: Future Projects

Summary:

New York Times best selling author, Dashka Slater, joins Jennifer LaGarde to explore the profound impact of literature on young readers, the journey of becoming a writer, and the intersection of journalism and storytelling. Dashka shares her early reading experiences, her path to writing for young people, and the challenges of addressing complex social issues through her work. The discussion highlights the importance of empathy, understanding, and the role of educators and parents in guiding young readers in today's digital landscape.

Show notes, including episode transcripts and information about connecting with this episode's guest, can be found here.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Reader's Heart

06:55 The Reader's Journey: Dashka's Early Reading Life

10:59 The Path to Writing for Young People

14:46 The Intersection of Journalism and Young Adult Nonfiction

23:02 Exploring Humanity in Complex Stories

30:38 Engaging Educators and Parents in Conversations

36:08 Looking Ahead: New Projects and Lighter Themes

Summary

In this episode, Federico Erebia joins Jennifer for an engaging conversation in which they explore the profound impact of literature on personal identity and the importance of representation in children's books. They discuss Federico's journey as a reader and writer, the significance of first books, and how stories can help children navigate complex emotions and experiences, particularly around themes of abuse and identity. The conversation culminates in a book talk about Federico's latest work, Pedro and Daniel, highlighting its unique perspective and relevance. The conversation concludes with a glimpse into Erebia's future projects, highlighting his commitment to storytelling and the power of literature.

Show notes, including episode transcripts and information about connecting with this episode's guest, can be found here.

Chapters