In this episode, Jasmine Warga chats with Jennifer about the power of read alouds, using stories as conversation starters, and the importance of representation in literature. Jasmine shares her personal journey as a reader and writer, and how books helped her feel less alone. They also talk about Jasmine's latest book, A Rover's Story and her upcoming mystery novel set in an art museum: A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall. The conversation highlights the impact of books on readers' hearts and the

need for diverse and engaging stories for middle grade readers.

Show notes and other information related to this episode (including a discount code from Bookelicious) can be found here.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Reader's Heart

03:30 The Power of Read Alouds

06:36 Books as Conversation Starters

08:30 Using Stories to Bridge Chasms

09:23 Writing for Middle Grade Readers

14:34 Book Talk: Rover, A Rover Story

25:34 Writing Mysteries for Middle Grade Readers

29:51 Upcoming Projects

33:08 Conclusion

In this episode, Torrey Maldonado chats with Jennifer about children's literature, his work and the magic of teaching middle school! They discuss the power of children's literature and how it can shape readers' hearts and help them navigate the world. Torrey shares his own experience as a reader and how he found storytelling through cinema and comics. He also talks about his teaching background and how he writes books for the students he teaches. Torrey's books are known for being short yet rich and robust, challenging the myth that shorter books lack depth. They discuss the impact of Torrey's books on students and how they inspire and engage reluctant readers. The conversation also touches on the importance of representation in books and the need for young readers to see themselves as both characters and creators in the stories they read. In this conversation, Torrey shares the impact his mother had on his love for reading and writing, and how she continues to inspire him. He reflects on his first reading and the emotional moment when his mother realized he was living her dream. Torrey shares his upcoming projects and the themes of his future books. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the power of empathy and the importance of connecting and understanding one another through literature.

Show notes and other information related to this episode (including a discount code from Bookelicious) can be found here.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:01 The Power of Children's Literature

07:31 Middle School Students at a Crossroads

09:51 The Impact of Torrey's Books on Students

13:07 The Attainable Richness of Torrey's Books

16:06 Recognition and Validation

21:42 Representation and Seeing Yourself in Books

22:39 Representation in Books

27:29 Torrey's First Reading

30:17 The Legacy of Torrey's Mother

32:53 What's Next for Torrey Maldonado

34:17 Review of 'Relit'

45:00 The Power of Empathy

Mike Curato joins Jennifer to discuss the power of children's literature to shape our hearts and navigate the world with compassion. They explore their own experiences as readers and artists, emphasizing the importance of personal storytelling and self-expression. They also discuss the impact of social media on creativity and self-perception. Mike shares his approach to school visits, focusing on his personal journey and the challenges he faced. Mike discusses his book Flamer'and the importance of creating stories that address issues faced by marginalized communities. He also shares his upcoming projects, including an adult graphic novel and a middle-grade graphic novel.

Show notes and other information related to this episode (including a discount code from Bookelicious) can be found here.

Chapters

00:00 The Power of Children's Literature 10:58 The Impact of Social Media 36:57 Upcoming Projects