Category Archives: Middle Grade

Maybe He Just Likes You: An interview with Paula Chase Hyman

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Podcast #086

For my eighty-sixth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Paula Chase Hyman about the upper middle grade novel Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee. Seventh grader Mila doesn’t know what do at when a group of boys start harassing her in increasingly uncomfortable ways, but she soon finds some allies and her own voice in this timely and empowering story.

Paula Chase Hyman is author of  such books as the Del Rio Bey series, and the middle grade novels Dough Boys and So Done. Her latest middle grade novel is Turning Point. In addition, she is one of the founders and a contributor to the Brown Bookshelf Blog. Her website can be found at paulachasehyman.com (previously paulachasebooks.com), and the website for the Brown Bookshelf can be found at thebrownbookshelf.com.  

Podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify. Please link, share, comment, write a review or subscribe. Let me know what you think! If you are interested in participating in the Dream Gardens podcast, send me a request through my contact page.

My next podcast will be with author Angela Dominguez about the novel Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai. It will be published on Monday, October 5, 2020.

The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J. R. R. Tolkien: an interview with Antonio Sacre

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Podcast #083

For my eighty-third Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author and storyteller Antonio Sacre about the classic fantasy novel The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J. R. R. Tolkien. Bilbo Baggins is a Hobbit like any other, wanting nothing more than to sit in his comfortable home with his pipe. But when adventure coming knocking on his door, literally, Bilbo sets off to meet trolls and dragons and elves and more adventure than he ever knew was possible.

Antonio Sacre is author of  such books A Mango in the Hand and My Name is Cool. He is also story teller who story telling recordings include Looking for Papito and High Five Dad. His latest story album is “World’s Second-Best Dad” which just won a 2020 Family Choice Award and a 2020 National Parenting Product Award. You can find his website at antoniosacre.com

Podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify. Please link, share, comment, write a review or subscribe. Let me know what you think! And if you are interested in participating in the Dream Gardens podcast, send me a request through my contact page.

My next podcast will be with author and motivational speaker Michael Arterberry about the classic children’s picture book Curious George by H. R. Rey. It will be published on Monday, September 7th, 2020.

Ghosts: an interview with Natalie Rompella

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Podcast #082

For my eighty-second Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Natalie Rompella about the middle grade graphic novel Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier. When Catrina’s little sister gets sick, her family moves to Northern California, just in time for the yearly gathering of ghosts. But Catrina is too afraid, both of the ghosts and what might happen to her sister. She has a lot to learn before she can set those fears aside.

Natalie Rompella is author of numerous educational guides for young readers as well as the middle grade book Cookie Cutter and Sled Runners and the non-fiction picture book The World Never Sleeps. You can find her website at natalierompella.com.

Podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify. Please link, share, comment, write a review or subscribe. Let me know what you think! And if you are interested in participating in the Dream Gardens podcast, send me a request through my contact page.

My next podcast will be with author and storyteller Antonia Sacre about the classic chldren’s novel The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien. It will be published on Monday, August 17th, 2020.

The Girl with the Silver Eyes: an interview with Alexandra Diaz

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Podcast #081

For my eighty-first Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Alexandra Diaz about the middle grade novel The Girl with the Silver Eyes by Willo Davis Roberts. In this book, Katie, who is trying to start a new life with her mother in a new town, is a bit different from other girls. It isn’t just her silver eyes; Katie has the power to move things with her thoughts. And she may not be the only one.

Alexandra Diaz is the award winning author of Good Girls Don’t Lie, The Only Road Home, and The Crossroads. Her latest book, Santiago’s Road Home, came out May, 2020. You can find her website at alexandra-diaz.com.

Podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify. Please link, share, comment, write a review or subscribe. Let me know what you think! And if you are interested in participating in the Dream Gardens podcast, send me a request through my contact page.

My next podcast will be with author Natalie Rompella about the graphic novel Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier . It will be published on Monday, August 3rd, 2020.

The Book of Three- The Chronicles of Prydain, Book #1: an interview with John David Anderson

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Podcast #078

For my seventy-eighth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author John David Anderson about the middle grade fantasy novel The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander, which is the first book of his Chronicles of Prydain series. Taran, tired of being just the assistant pig-keeper, wants a life of adventure. So when he meets the Horned King one day in the woods, adventure is exactly what he finds, and much more than he bargained for. Full of Lloyd Alexander’s trademark humor, fast pacing, and an array of quirky and interesting characters, the first book is a great introduction to the classic fantasy series.

John David Anderson is author of the novels Granted, Ms. Bixby’s Last Day which was the subject of another Dream Gardens podcast, Posted, and Finding Orion. His most recent middle grade novel is One Last Shot. You can find John David Anderson’s website at www.johndavidanderson.org.

Podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify. Please link, share, comment, write a review or subscribe. Let me know what you think! And if you are interested in participating in the Dream Gardens podcast, send me a request through my contact page.

My next podcast will be with author Karen Blumenthal about the YA non-fiction book The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives by Dashka Slaternder. It will be published on Monday, June 15th, 2020.