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
52 episodes
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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. ...
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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...
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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...
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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 ...
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34:09
42: The Best Books of 2025 So Far... Shannon Balloon and Karen Reeder chat about some new favorites
What are the best middle grade books that have released in 2025? Shannon Balloon from Middle Grade Matters and Karen Reeder from Book Huddle talk about their favorites of the year so far. There were so many new wonderful books released January ...
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43:01
41: Grace Lin Author Interview - Chinese Folklore Mixed with the Modern
In this episode we discuss themes from the amazing New York Times best seller, The Gate, The Girl And The Dragon by middle grade author Grace Lin. Find more great author interviews https://youtu.be/qUHRchnB8Cw?si=V1yY1LZVd5TKa4TUFind au...
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35:26
40: If Walls Could Talk - Allie Millington Middle Grade Author Interview
We are joined by middle grade author Allie Millington to discuss her most recent book, Once for Yes. We talk about how she writes from unique perspectives including those of an old building and a typewriter. We also discuss the importance of co...
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25:31
39: Control Your Mind Control Your Life - Middle Grade Author Interview with Ben Guterson
Middle grade author, Ben Guterson, joins us to discuss his newest book, The Shadow of the World-Famous Nine. If you love a good mystery and solving puzzles while reading a story, the World-Famous Nine is for you. Like many authors, Ben's main g...
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32:28
38: Dhonielle Clayton on the Future of Magic Schools Where Every Person Is Seen - Middle Grade Author Interview
What if there was a school where every person was welcome? From all backgrounds. Where diversity in all of its forms is truly seen. Middle grade author, Dhonielle Clayton, joins us to discuss her incredible series, The Conjureverse. The New Yor...
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35:20
37: Scary Books Get Kids Interested in Reading - Wendy Parris Middle Grade Author Interview
Summer is the perfect time to read scary stories! Wendy's middle grade spooky story, Stage Fright, is such a great book for older kids and adults alike. Find it anywhere books are sold, including Walmart, as it is one of their Summer Reading 20...
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29:20
36: Teach Kids How to Talk to Someone They Disagree With - Interview with Stuart Gibbs
Stuart Gibbs newest book, FunJungle: All Ears, just came out and it is not only such a FUN book, it also has some powerful themes. For instance, can you have respect for someone who feels differently on a subject that you are passionate about? ...
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29:50
35: Memories Make Us Who We Are - Middle Grade Author of The Abandoned Theater - Interview with Dana Robertson
What if you couldn't remember several years of your life? What effect would that have on you? What would happen if you could get those memories back? Dana Robertson takes us on a fantastical adventure that has been compared The Goonies and The ...
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20:26
34: Depression Through the Eyes of a Child - Interview with Middle Grade Author Bobbie Pyron
Middle Grade author, Bobbie Pyron, absolutely wowed me with her newest book, Octopus Moon. This powerful novel in verse, about a preteen learning to understand and confront her depression, is a book that you will want on your shelves. Mental he...
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31:46
33: What Happens When Characters Step Into Their Creativity - Interview With Middle Grade Author Lauren Wolk
Children make the best artists. Children make the best writers. And singers. And every other type of creators. Partly because they don't worry about the "rules." Partly because they aren't limited by fears. I was so touched by Lauren Wolk's bea...
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34:00
32: Forgiveness, Family, and Healing - Interview with Children's Book Author Sydney Dunlap
Considering the other side of a story and why that is important in healthy relationships. How do we walk in someone else's shoes? And why?Why is forgiveness important? Why is family important? How can we go about healing broken relations...
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34:46
31: Being a Good Friend While Being Yourself - Interview with Author Kevin Garone
Two of the major themes of Kevin Garone's I Know What UFO Did Last Summer are friendship and being true to who you are. Sometimes it can feel difficult to accomplish both, but his main characters show us that this is possible. Find...
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25:16
30: On Being Bullied and Finding Someone to Talk To - Interview with Middle Grade Author Carolyn Mackler
What if you wrote a letter to the past and the past wrote back? In this episode middle grade author, Carolyn Mackler, talks about using letters for two kids who are getting bullied to make connections and help each other through their challenge...
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22:11
29: You Choose Your Own Destiny - Finding the Couarge to Be Yourself - Interview with Philippa Leathley Middle Grade Book Author
Philippa Leathley's astounding new middle grade fantasy challenges readers to be the ones to discover their own personalities and futures. When kids are 10 years old they are given a tattoo that helps determine their fate. But is your destiny r...
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24:23
28: The Problem with Forever - Interview with Middle Grade Author Stacy McAnulty
What if you could live forever? Would there be any problems with that? In this episode Stacy discusses themes from her middle grade series, The Evers: Forever Twelve and Never Thirteen. Find more great author interviews https://youtu.be/4O1-rLz...
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30:57