Congratulation to the authors and illustrators honored by the 2023 Sydney Taylor Book Awards. I am pleased to have interviewed some of the winners and notables this past year. Check out the interviews below. Interview with Mari Lowe, author of AVIVA…
In Samara Shanker’s new middle-grade novel NAOMI TEITELBAUM ENDS THE WORLD (Atheneum, 2022), Naomi is surprised when she receives a small clay figure as a Bat Mitzvah gift. When the golem comes to life and grows out of control, only…
Perfect for middle-grade readers who love humor with heart, BITE THE BAGEL (Simon & Schuster, 2022) the second installment of the illustrated middle-grade ALLEY & REX series by Joel Ross with illustrations by Nicole Miles, will engage readers with likable…
I am pleased to welcome Danica Davidson, the coauthor of the middle grade memoir I WILL PROTECT YOU: A TRUE STORY OF TWINS WHO SURVIVED AUSCHWITZ (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2022) written with her friend, the late Eva…
I am so excited to interview my friend, author and poet Jacqueline Jules. I am a big fan of Jacqueline’s picture books and chapter books, and I was thrilled to hear about her newest book, a middle-grade verse novel titled…
In Emi Watanabe Cohen’s debut fantasy middle grade novel THE LOST RYŪ (Levine Querido, 2022) set in 1965, Kohei Fujiwara embarks on a search for a big ryū, a type of dragon that disappeared after World War II. Although Kohei…
I am thrilled to welcome Pamela Ehrenberg and Tracy López to discuss their new middle-grade novel, DETOUR AHEAD (PJ Publishing, 2022). Pamela is a lovely, longtime friend. I have interviewed her about several of her wonderful books over the years.…
I’m excited to share my interview with Betsy R. Rosenthal about her middle-grade novel WHEN LIGHTNIN’ STRUCK (Kar-Ben, 2022). I have known Betsy for many years, and it’s always a special treat to celebrate a friend’s new book. WHEN LIGHTNIN’ STRUCK…
Elly Swartz is the author of several middle grade novels. Her newest book, DEAR STUDENT (Delacorte Press, 2022), follows Autumn, a middle schooler who is facing challenges at home and school. Feeling resentful that her dad has left to serve…
I’d like to welcome Mari Lowe, author of AVIVA VS THE DYBBUK (Levine Querido, 2022). The story follows a lonely girl named Aviva who is mourning the loss of her beloved father. As she grapples with her grief, Aviva also…