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 could use them in the classroom or at home with your own children.

Find author Brian Gonsar
https://www.bgonsar.com/books
https://www.instagram.com/bgonsar/
Dracula's Brunch Club https://www.amazon.com/Draculas-Brunch-Club-Brian-Gonsar/dp/1637158408/

Chapters
00:00 Meet middle grade graphic novel author Brian Gonsar.
03:55 What is Dracula’s Brunch Club graphic novel about?
04:56 What inspired Brian Gonsar to write Dracula’s Brunch Club?
06:37 How did Dracula’s Brunch Club evolve into a graphic novel?
08:58 How did Brian Gonsar find his illustrator Keenan Gaybba?
11:10 What are the benefits of graphic novels?
16:40 A spooky book that isn’t scary.
21:08 What is next for author Brian Gonsar?
25:52 Brian’s book recommendations

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 will be better for it. Listen in to hear about how Penn and Kim Holderness created this brilliant book and how you could use it in your classroom or family.

Find Kim and Penn Holderness
https://theholdernessfamily.com/
https://theholdernessfamily.com/podcast/
https://www.instagram.com/theholdernessfamily
https://www.facebook.com/TheHoldernessfamily
https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@holdernessfamilylaughs⁩
https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@theholdernessfamily⁩  

All You Can Be With ADHD by Penn and Kim Holderness and Vin Vogel as illustrator
https://www.amazon.com/All-You-Can-Be-ADHD/dp/0316597678/
ADHD is Awesome: A Guide To (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD by Penn Holderness and Kim Holderness (Authors), Edward Hallowell (Foreword)
Everybody Fights: So Why Not Get Better at It? by Kim and Penn Holderness

Chapters
00:00 Meet Kim and Penn Holderness
05:07 What is All You Can Be With ADHD picture book about?
06:44 Why did Penn and Kim Holderness create a picture book about ADHD?
11:35 What’s your advice for adults helping other adults understand individuals with ADHD?
16:55 The process creating the Holderness ADHD picture book.
23:46 Working with an illustrator to create the images in All You Can Be With ADHD - Vin Vogel
27:37 Penn and Kim Holderness favorite image or line in All You Can Be With ADHD
29:22 Was there a part that was difficult to put into the book?
30:57 All You Can Be With ADHD is not just for kids with ADHD.
32:03 How do you balance being compassionate with everyone around you who is neurodiverse and also with yourself?
34:41 What do you tell yourself on the hard days?
36:24 What do you hope others will say or think toward you during your hard moments?
37:15 Kim and Penn Holderness children’s book recommendations

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 dive right into this new series. 

Find author Chris Grabenstein
https://chrisgrabenstein.com/
https://www.facebook.com/chris.grabenstein
https://www.instagram.com/ChrisGrabenstein/

Ms. Pennypickle's Puzzle Quest by Chris Grabenstein https://www.amazon.com/Pennypickles-Puzzle-Quest-Chris-Grabenstein/dp/0593707982/
Max in the House of Spies and Max in the Land of Lies by Adam Gidwitz https://www.amazon.com/Max-Land-Lies-Operation-Kinderspion/dp/B0DCYZX7SF/

Chapters
00:00 Meet Middle Grade Author Chris Grabenstein
05:07 What is Ms. Pennypickle’s Puzzle Quest about?
07:50 Chris Grabenstein’s family road trip.
10:23 Why does Chris Grabenstein write puzzle books?
12:15 How did Chris Grabenstein go about starting a new book series?
15:10 Which of all Chris Grabenstein’s characters is most like him?
16:55 Which of his characters would be Grabenstein’s best friend?
17:45 How is Grabenstein’s book applicable to real kids?
20:25 How have books changed from when you were reading as a kid to now?
21:58 Rapid fire questions based on Ms. Pennypickle’s Puzzle Quest for Chris
29:10 What is next for Chris Grabenstein?
32:22 Chris Grabenstein’s book recommendation.

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 discussing C.M. Cornwell's debut middle grade book, The Memory Spinner. 

Find middle grade author C. M. Cornwell 
https://www.cmcornwell.com/
https://www.instagram.com/cmcornwellwrites
https://www.facebook.com/cmcornwellwrites

The Memory Spinner by C. M. Cornwell https://www.amazon.com/Memory-Spinner-C-M-Cornwell/dp/0593898761/
Goose Girl Books of Bayern by Shannon Hale https://www.amazon.com/Goose-Girl-Books-Bayern/dp/1681193167/

Chapters
00:00 Meet Middle Grade author C.M. Cornwell
01:00 What is The Memory Spinner by Christina Cornwell about?
04:43 Why did C.M. Cornwell write about memories?
06:25 How would it alter a person to be without their memories?
08:30 Developing a spinner or weaving magic system. The mythology tied to fiber arts (the art of spinning)
12:15 Why write with magic?
14:20 Why write about grief when experiencing your own grief?
19:38 C.M. Cornwell’s difficult path to becoming a published author.
27:45 C.M. Cornwell’s next book The Paper Ballerina and more books to come
29:57 C.M. Cornwell’s book recommendation

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 at times as well. There is so much to this beautiful story and I hope that you will take the opportunity to read it!

Find author Kimberly Newton Fusco 
https://www.kimberlynewtonfusco.com/
https://www.instagram.com/kimberlynewtonfusco/
https://www.facebook.com/kimberly.n.fusco

The Secret of Honeycake by Kimberly Newton Fusco https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Honeycake-Kimberly-Newton-Fusco/dp/0593121775/
Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo https://www.amazon.com/Louisianas-Way-Home-Kate-DiCamillo/dp/1536207993/

Chapters
00:00 Meet middle grade author Kimberly Newton Fusco
04:20 What is The Secret of Honey Cake About?
07:25 Learning patience with a pet and other members of the family
09:02 A True Blue Friend
16:15 Being who you want to be - true to yourself
22:37 Why is it important to know our own and others attributes?
24:51 Benefits of journaling for kids.
26:00 Using tides as symbols and in poetry - Do you feel we really are limitless?
31:04 What is next for middle grade author Kimberly Newton Fusco
36:20 Kimberly’s book recommendation

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 discuss his creation of this fantastic story as well as evoking emotion in writing and the need for connections with other people in our lives.

Find author Ryan James Black
https://ryanjamesblack.com/
https://x.com/ryanjamesblack
https://www.instagram.com/ryanjamesblack
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13890651.Ryan_James_Black

The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham by Ryan James Black https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Times-Nimble-Nottingham/dp/0593698061/
The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson https://www.amazon.com/House-Chicken-Legs-Sophie-Anderson/dp/1338209973/
Hoodoo by Ronald L Smith https://www.amazon.com/Hoodoo-Ronald-L-Smith/dp/0544445252/

Chapters
00:00 Meet middle grade author Ryan James Black
04:40 What is The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham about?
07:33 How did Ryan go about creating a genre smash in the Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham?
10:09 The story behind the shadow monster in mythology
13:14 How author Ryan James Black evokes emotion through description
15:57 Why are making connections important for people? And how do you make relationships ring true?
21:13 What do you recommend to a child not seeing a need for connections to other people?
23:34 What is next for author Ryan James Black?
26:20 Ryan James Black’s book recommendations
28:49 What’s spooky for one person might not be scary for someone else

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 novelist, comic coach K. Woodman-Maynard
https://www.woodmanmaynard.com/
https://www.instagram.com/woodmanmaynard/
https://woodmanmaynard.substack.com/
linkedin.com/in/katharine-woodman-maynard-06508460/
https://www.tiktok.com/ ⁨@woodmanmaynard⁩  

Tuck Everlasting The Graphic Novel by Natalie Babbitt adapted to graphic novel by K. Woodman-Maynard https://www.amazon.com/Tuck-Everlasting-Graphic-K-Woodman-Maynard/dp/0374391866/
Flip Side the graphic novel by Jason Walz https://www.amazon.com/Flip-Side-Graphic-Novel/dp/0593617991/

Chapters
00:00 Meet graphic novelists and comic coach K. Woodman Maynard
03:04 What is Tuck Everlasting about?
03:55 How did K Woodman Maynard get into adapting classic novels into graphic novels?
06:15 The first time you ever read Tuck Everlasting.
07:30 The steps of adapting the classic novel Tuck Everlasting into a graphic novel.
10:48 The most difficult part of adapting Tuck Everlasting into a graphic novel?
11:55 Most enjoyable or most rewarding part of adapting Tuck Everlasting into a graphic novel?
12:50 Using images in Tuck Everlasting graphic novel to convey themes?
15:58 Which character do you most resonate with or which character do you feel a special connection to?
17:50 The theme of grief in Tuck Everlasting
25:07 What is next for graphic novel author K. Woodman Maynard?
26:30 Books K. Woodman Maynard recommends (fiction and graphic novels)

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 Dragons, but also why it is important to 'accept the fact that other people are going to feel different than you and figure out a way to still include them in your life.'

Find middle grade author Mari Mancusi 
http://www.marimancusi.com/
https://newdragoncity.com/
https://www.instagram.com/marimancusi
https://x.com/marimancusi
https://www.tiktok.com/@marimancusi8
New Dragon City by Mari Mancusi https://www.amazon.com/New-Dragon-City-Mari-Mancusi/dp/031637668X/
Dawn of the Dragons by Mari Mancusi https://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Dragons-New-Dragon-City/dp/0316588164/
The Official Wednesday Cookbook: The Woefully Weird Recipes of Nevermore Academy by Mari Mancusi (Author), Jarrett Melendez (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Official-Wednesday-Cookbook-Woefully-Nevermore/dp/0593797884/
Omega City by Diana Peterfreund https://www.amazon.com/Omega-City-Diana-Peterfreund/dp/0062310860/

Chapters 
00:00 Meet middle grade author Mari Mancusi
03:02 What is New Dragon City about? What is the prequel, Dawn of the Dragons about?
08:45 Why is it important to approach misunderstandings as a theme?
13:49 How could a real life child relate to a character from your book? A book about divorce
16:02 Why is it important to try and see things from the dads point of view?
18:50 Why is it important to have multiple types of people in a society?
22:33 Why do you love fantasy?
23:29 If you could bond with an animal, what would it be?
25:37 What is next for Mari Mancusi?
28:10 Mari’s book recommendation.

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 for these fun books for kids, Raj and I discuss helping kids see their potential and feel unconditional love from those in their lives.

Find middle grade author Raj Sidhu
https://www.rajsidhu.org/
https://www.instagram.com/rajhansidhu/
Thrash Force by Raj Sidhu https://www.amazon.com/Thrash-Force-Raj-Sidhu/dp/0316577162/

Chapters
00:00 Meet middle grade author Raj Sidhu
03:58 What is Thrash Force by Raj Sidhu about?
07:07 What inspired Raj to create Thrash Force
10:22 Who illustrated Thrash Force?  Billy Yong
11:00 Why is there a need for laugh out loud, ridiculous books for kids
21:26 How do you think we can help kids see their potential?
28:30 What is next for author Raj Sidhu?
29:44 Raj’s book recommendations

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 neurodiverse or if you have a loved one who is. It can also be a way for you and kids to gain empathy and connect with those who are neurodiverse. 

Find author Meg Eden Kuyatt
https://www.megedenbooks.com/
https://www.instagram.com/meden_author/
https://www.facebook.com/megedenwritespoems/

The Girl in the Walls by Meg Eden Kuyatt
http://amazon.com/Girl-Walls-Meg-Eden-Kuyatt/dp/1546110534/
Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt https://www.amazon.com/Good-Different-Meg-Eden-Kuyatt/dp/133881611X/
Neshama by Marcella Pixley https://www.amazon.com/Neshama-Marcella-Pixley/dp/1536236616/

Chapters
00:00 Meet middle grade author Meg Eden Kuyatt
02:10 What is The Girl in the Walls about?
03:29 What inspired you to write in verse? What inspired the story for The Girl in the Walls?
07:02 Why is it important to have books with main characters who are neurodiverse?
11:11 Different generations have handled neurodiversity differently
12:06 Emotions are so powerful, how do we handle our emotions? Don't let emotions pilot you
17:28 What do you think are first steps in moving forward when relationships have been hurt?
23:07 How do you start in your relationship in working with a neurodiverse individual?
29:29 The cover for The Girl in the Walls
30:33 What is next for middle grade author Meg Eden Kuyatt?
32:26 What do you hope children and adults get from your books about neurodiverse characters?
33:44 Meg’s book recommendation