Book Settings (3:11)

If you could travel back in time, where would you want to go? Prehistoric Europe? The land of the ancient Inca civilization? … There’s always Egypt with its untold mysteries, marvels, and mummies. Our first guest, Young Adult book author, Jennifer Nielsen, takes her readers on flights of fancy in her book series, Mark of the Thief. The setting is ancient Rome, with some magic mixed in. Nielsen visits with Rachel about her work behind-the-scenes including the research that goes into these books. Jennifer Nielsen is a New York Times Bestselling author. Her books include The Ascendance trilogy – beginning with The False Prince; the Mark of the Thief series; and, A Night Divided.

Hi/Low Books (15:24)

Next on Worlds Awaiting, Rachel welcomes librarian, Rebecca O’Neil. They’ll be discussing a common predicament. We’ve all have known young readers, many of them teens, who want action and more intense reading but may not yet have the necessary reading ability. Instead of giving up altogether, such readers really just need to find their favorite themes and genres written at their reading level. Rebecca O’Neil is a Collection Development Librarian at the Westerville Public Library in Ohio, where 10 years in youth services was perfect preparation for ordering youth materials. When she’s not tricking you into reading all of her favorite titles, she’s most likely creating her next tiny drawing or flipping through yet another lavish book about home décor. 

Rhymes (25:44)

We finish up the show with some delightful playtime rhymes - you may recognize some of them - Sleepy Fingers, There Was a Little Turtle, Snowflakes, and The Wheels on the Bus – read by siblings  -- Eleanor, 14 years of age; Mercy, 12; Solomon, 10; Elisha, 8; Muriel, 3; and mom, Sarah. Take special note during The Wheels on the Bus where little Muriel seems to think she got the place of honor, piping up at the end of each verse as soloist!