Category Archives: Middle Grade

The Hundred Dresses: An interview with Ann Burg

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Podcast #093

For my ninety-third Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Ann Burg about the novel The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes. The Hundred Dresses is a classic novel about a young girl, Wanda Petronski, who teaches a group of young children about kindness and acceptance in the most surprisng way.

Ann Burg is the author of such books as Unbound and Serafina’s Promise.  Her latest books is the historical verse novel Flooded, Requiem for Johnstown. You can find her website at annburg.com.

I also talked to author and literacy advocate Pam Allyn about World Read Aloud Day 2021, which will be Wednesday, February 3. You can find more information about World Read Aloud Day 2021 at www.litworld.org and teacher.scholastic.com/worldreadaloudday.

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 Victoria Bond about the novel The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation by M. T. Anderson. It will be published on Monday, February 15, 2021.

Dear Mr. Henshaw: An interview with Amy Hest

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Podcast #090

For my ninetieth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Amy Hest about the middle grade novel Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary. When Leigh Botts writes a letter to his favorite writer, Boyd Henshaw, little does he suspect that response he gets will lead him on a journey to learn what it takes to be a writer. A classic children’s novel about writing and living and knowing when to let go.

Amy Hest is author of many books, such as  Remembering Mrs. Rossi, When Charly Met Grandpa,  The Dog Who Belonged To No One, and Letters to Leo. Her latest novel is The Summer We Found the Baby. You can find her website at www.amyhest.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 Mathew Klickstein about the picture book The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Suess. It will be published on Monday, January 4, 2021. There will be no podcast on the third Monday in December, but starting January 2021 the podcast will continue to be posted on the first and third Monday of each month.

Just As Long As We’re Together: An interview with Holly Hatam

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Podcast #089

For my eighty-ninth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed illustrator Holly Hatam about the middle grade novel Just As Long As We’re Together by Judy Blume. Thirteen year old Stephanie has been with friends with Rachel for as long as she can remember. But when a new girl, Alison, enters her life, Stephanie must figure how to gain a friend without losing her old one.

Holly Hatam is illustrator of such books as Dear Girl, Dear Boy, Dragons are Real,  and Happy Right Now. Her latest book  is Dear Baby, with text by Paris Rosenthal. You can find her website at www.hollyhatam.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 Amy Hest about the middle grade novel Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary. It will be published on Monday, December 7, 2020.

The Baby-Sitter’s Club #1-Kristy’s Great Idea: An interview with Janae Marks

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Podcast #088

For my eighty-eighth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Janae Marks about the first book in the Baby-Sitter’s Club series, Kristy’s Great Idea. Kristy and her three friends – Claudia, Mary Anne, and Stacey – start a babysitting service called The Baby-Sitter’s Club. What follows is a story of friendship, family, and a whole lot of baby-sitting misadventures. The first of many, many books in a series that is still going strong for more than thirty years.

Janae Marks is author of the middle grade novel From the Desk of Zoe Washington. You can find her website at www.janaemarks.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 illustrator Holly Hatam about the middle grade novel Just As Long As We’re Together by Judy Blume. It will be published on Monday, November 16, 2020.

Pie in the Sky: An interview with Angela Dominguez

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Podcast #087

For my eighty-seventh Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Angela Dominguez about the middle grade novel Pie in the Sky , written and illustrated by Remy Lai. Eleven year old Jingwen has to deal with moving to a new country, his annoying little brother, as well as the grief of losing his father. It’s all too much, so Jingwen decides to secretly bake all of the cakes from his fathers Pie in the Sky bakery in the hopes that somehow life will turn out a little bit better once he’s finished.

Angela Dominguez is an award winning illustrator and author of  such books as Marie Had a Little Llama, and I Love you Baby Burrito, as well as the Stella Diaz books Stella Diaz Has Something to Say and Stella Diaz Never Gives Up. In addition, Angela also teaches at the Academy of Art University. You can find her website at www.angeladominguezbooks.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 Janae Marks about the middle grade novel The Babysitter’s Club: Kristy’s Great Idea by Ann M. Martin. It will be published on Monday, November 2, 2020.