BookHuddle with Readgab
Welcome to Book Huddle with Readgab where you get to hear from authors of children's books and others having to do with children's literacy. We chat not only about what inspired these amazing authors, but also time relevant themes in their books and how kids can benefit from these themes. Each guest also recommends one of their favorite children's books at the end of the episode so you will constantly be building a wonderful list of books for the kids in your life.
Episodes
67 episodes
67: Our Favorite Middle Grade Books of 2025 with Melissa Taylor and Karen Reeder
There were so many wonderful middle grade books released in 2025, and in this episode Melissa Taylor and I discuss just some of the best books of 2025 from our lists. Want to hear more of my favorite books from 2025 then check out this episode ...
•
51:52
66: The Importance of Community in Life and Death, on Land and Sea - Meg Medina Author Interview
Meg Medina's newest middle grade book is a beautiful fantasy adventure about the relationship between a sea spirit and a unique living boy with a common goal. They may be from different worlds with completely different views, but this book has ...
•
39:46
65: Christmas Reindeer Bring Hope, Magic and Joy - Matt Tavares Dasher Picture Book Author Interview
Have you ever wondered why reindeer pull Santa's sleigh? The picture book Dasher provides a beautiful origin story families and schools will love to add to the seasonal readings. Matt Tavares has added a new Dasher book this year with Dasher an...
•
24:36
64: The Beauty of Novels in Verse Enhance the Way We Connect to Stories - Interview with Marcella Pixley
A captivating ghost story evolves into an intense family drama with strong themes of forgiveness, self-identity, and family. Neshama, this powerful novel in verse, brings all the feels of a middle grade adventure amid beautiful verses of poetry...
•
39:09
63: Graphic Novels Make the Best Gifts - Tom Angleberger Author Interview BookHuddle
Don't take life too seriously, have some fun too! If you could spend all day doing what you loved most, what would it be? Would you write silly stories that get published into graphic novels? Middle grade author Tom Angleberger shares with us a...
•
37:36
62: The Power of Read Alouds and Why You Should Make Time for Them - Interview with Kate DiCamillo
Those who have experienced the magic of a read aloud know they are a must in every home and classroom. Reading to children is so important and in this interview Kate shares some of the reasons why we should all find the time to read to children...
•
30:05
61: YOU Are Worth Embracing Exactly As You Are - Erin Soderberg Downing Middle Grade Author Interview
What happens when a group of extended family members who barely know each other spend a summer together on an island? Old family secrets arise. Is there a way to bridge old hurts and find ways to communicate? Can everyone learn that they are wo...
•
45:18
60: Remembering Our Veterans - Honor Flight by Jeff Gottesfeld Author Interview
A beautiful way to teach kids about Veterans Day is to use picture books and Jeff Gottesfeld has written some incredible ones with beautiful illustrations by Matt Tavares. In this interview I discuss with Jeff his inspiration for Honor Flight: ...
•
31:02
59: Don't Fear the Graphic Novels - Interview with Middle Grade Author Brian Gonsar BookHuddle
Brian Gonsar's recently published graphic novel for middle grade readers is wonderfully spooky without being scary. In our interview we discuss not only the creation of Dracula's Brunch Club, but also benefits of graphic novels and how you coul...
•
29:17
58: Kim and Penn Holderness Author Interview - A Picture Book For Everyone With ADHD and Without It!
Do you have ADHD? Does someone you love have ADHD? Do you know anyone at all who has ADHD (yes, you do!) Then this picture book, All You Can Be With ADHD, is for you. It is a powerful picture book for kids with ADHD, but everyone who reads it w...
•
40:20
57: Chris Grabenstein Middle Grade Author Interview - New Puzzle Book for Kids
Many reluctant readers are pulled in by an incredible middle grade puzzle book. In this episode Chris Grabenstein and I discuss his newest book, Ms. Pennypickle's Puzzle Quest. Readers who loved the Mr. Lemoncello books are going to want to div...
•
34:44
56: Memories, Grief, and Magic - Middle Grade Author Interview C.M. Cornwell
Memories are an important part of our identities, but what happens when an individual loses some of their foundational memories? Could she get them back with the help of magic? In this episode we explore these and other questions while discussi...
•
32:19
55: Middle Grade Author Interview with Kimberly Newton Fusco - It is OK to be the Quiet Kid
Quiet kids are often told to speak up. But Kimberly knows that it is ok to be the quiet kid. In The Secret of Honeycake a story unfolds about a quiet girl who grows in her own ways, learning to speak up and yet remembering to love being quiet a...
•
39:41
54: Historical London, Orphans, and Shadow Monsters - Ryan James Black Middle Grade Author Interview
The London Blitz was scary enough, but combine it with a shadow monster? Middle grade author Ryan James Black has crafted an incredible spooky/historical fiction book that kids are going to eat up, The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham. We discus...
•
32:06
53: Adapting Tuck Everlasting Into a Graphic Novel - Interview with K. Woodman-Maynard
K. Woodman-Maynard and I discuss what it was like for her to adapt the classic middle grade book Tuck Everlasting into a graphic novel. We also explore the Tuck Everlasting themes of grief and death. Find author, illustrator, graphic no...
•
31:30
52: Misunderstandings Have Higher Stakes With Dragons Involved! Mari Mancusi Middle Grade Author Interview
Dragon fantasy and dystopian books are right up my alley. So combine the two and BAM! You have an amazing storyline by middle grade author Mari Mancusi. In this interview we discuss not only what inspired writing New Dragon City and Dawn of the...
•
29:38
51: We Need Fun, Ridiculous Books For Kids! Raj Sidhu Middle Grade Author Interview
Raj Sidhu has crafted a brilliant work of fiction about a group of kids that get pulled into their favorite role playing game. If you are looking for a silly laugh out loud adventure then look no further. In addition to talking about the need f...
•
32:48
50: Middle Grade Horror Novel in Verse With Autism Themes - Meg Eden Kuyatt Author Interview
Middle Grade Author Meg Eden Kuyatt shares about her newest novel in verse, The Girl In The Walls. Meg is autistic and shares powerful personal reasons for writing neurodiverse characters. This episode will resonate with you if you are neurodiv...
•
37:58
49: Sharing Cultural Differences Can Bring Us Closer Together - Author Interview with Kaela Rivera
Who has not wondered at some point in their lives, where do I belong? In this episode, middle grade author Kaela Rivera and I discuss her fantasy series Cece Rios. We explore how experiencing each other's cultures can foster respect and help us...
•
43:14
48: Powerful Novel in Verse On Neurodivergent Struggles and Success - Author Interview Jasminne Paulino
If you've read The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez you may have noticed that this book is full of emotion. That is because the topics and story are personal for middle grade author, Jasminne Paulino. In this episode we discuss the creating ...
•
33:47
47: Who is in Charge of Your Story? A MG Realistic Magical Tale About Anxiety - Erin Stewart Author Interview
Anxiety comes in many forms. Often it looks different for kids than for adults. Erin Stewart has crafted an incredible story about a couple kids with very different anxieties. Magic is woven into the pages of this incredible story with intense ...
•
36:21
46: Empowering Others With Hope and Confidence Judith Rossell Middle Grade Author Interview
Middle grade author Judith Rossell has a new captivating book out. In this episode we discuss the creating of The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls ("Unwanted Girls" in the Australian Title) and themes like Hope and Confidence. ...
•
37:10
45: Why Write Spooky Middle Grade Books? Interview with J.A. White Middle Grade Author
J.A. White is a middle grade author of some fantastically spooky books including: Nightbooks (a Netflix film), Gravebooks, Shadow School, The Thickety, and his newest book, Wish Monster. In this episode we focus on his books Wish Monster and Ni...
•
28:02
44: Love, Grief, and Death All Wrapped Up In One Of The Best Books I've Read- Aubrey Hartman Middle Grade Author Interview
Kids will love this amazing fantasy about an usher for deceased animals in an eternally autumn forest. In this episode middle grade author, Aubrey Hartman, and I discuss some of my favorite thoughts from The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest. For m...
•
32:41
43: Caroline Starr Rose - Acknowledging and Facing Our Fears - Middle Grade Author Interview
There are so many times in life where our fears come to us without our permission. Do we acknowledge them? Face them? Turn away? Caroline and I discuss these questions based on her incredible middle grade novel in verse, The Burning Season. We ...
•
34:09