Middle Grade Matters

In this episode, Amanda Zieba shares her journey from being a middle school teacher to an author and content creator for teachers. She discusses her experiences with self-publishing and hybrid publishing, the challenges and successes she faced along the way, and her latest book, Life in the Passenger Seat. Amanda also provides insights into her marketing strategies and offers  advice for writers considering different publishing routes. Finally, she shares insights on her First Chapter Fridays, which introduce students to new books, and her efforts to create engaging educational content for teachers. You can find Amanda and her WordNerd resources at amandazieba.com.

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On this episode, I'm playing an episode of the BookHuddle with Readgab Podcast in which host Karen Reeder and I discuss our favorite middle grade books of 2025 (so far). Karen and I each have our own favorite genres, which makes this discussion perfect for readers of all types of middle grade books. Listen and find your next favorite middle grade read.

Find Karen Reeder at https://readgab.com/ and find her podcast on all platforms as well as on YouTube.

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In this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, author Meg Medina discusses her latest book, Graciela in the Abyss, and shares insights into her writing process, the themes of her work, and the importance of community and culture in literature. She reflects on the challenges of writing, the role of illustrations, and her experiences as the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Meg emphasizes the significance of storytelling and encourages aspiring writers to focus on their craft while persevering through challenges.

A sea ghost, a mortal boy, and a dangerous enchanted harpoon . . . A Newbery Medalist takes us far beneath the waves in this extraordinary foray into fantasy.

In the deepest recesses of the ocean, Graciela—once an ordinary girl—now makes sea glass and assists her friend, Amina, as she welcomes newly awakened sea ghosts from their death sleep. Though Graciela’s spirit is young, she has lived at the bottom of the ocean for more than a hundred years. Meanwhile, in the mortal world on land, twelve-year-old Jorge Leon works in his family’s forge. He’s heard of the supernatural spirits living beneath the ocean’s waves—tales that do nothing to quell his fear of the water. But when Jorge discovers a hand-wrought harpoon with the power to spear a sea ghost, he knows he must destroy it any way he can.

When the harpoon is accidentally reunited with its vengeful creator, unlikely allies Graciela and Jorge have no choice but to work together to keep evil spirits from wreaking havoc on both the living and the dead. If only the answer to saving what they care about didn’t lie within the depths of the abyss . . . Newbery Medal winner Meg Medina and illustrators Anna and Elena Balbusso have crafted a thoughtful tale infused with magic and high-stakes adventure that will leave readers wondering what power lies in the depths of the ocean—and inside each of us.

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On this episode, writing expert Joel Brigham breaks down the components of a Query Letter as well as your First Pages - - the two most important things a writer seeking an agent needs (other than a completed manuscript, of course!).  Joel provides examples of what to do and what not to do, the ideal word count of a query letter, and what first pages must have to hook the potential agent (and future readers).

Joel Brigham is a freelance editor who helps writers and authors at all stages of their careers find the hearts and souls of their stories. Joel is on the board of Revise & Resub, where he’s served as an editor for the annual RevPit contest as well as its #10Queries events. In addition, he’s provided countless first-10-page critiques through Writing Day Workshops, and he served as a PitchWars mentor in 2021.

You can find Joel here: https://brighameditorial.com/

and on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/joelbrigham

For bonus content and  info on upcoming episodes, subscribe to the Middle Grade Matters newsletter here: Newsletter, and follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter.

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In this episode, author Katherine Marsh discusses her Medusa series, focusing on themes of empowerment and representation for young girls in literature. She shares insights into her writing process, the importance of world-building, and her research into Greek mythology. Katherine also reflects on her journey as a writer, the evolution of middle grade literature, and offers advice for aspiring writers.

From the Publisher: From National Book Award finalist Katherine Marsh: Percy Jackson meets Wednesday in this fantastical adventure series about 12-year-old Ava, who attends a boarding school for the descendants of Greek monsters and uncovers a terrible secret that could change the world forever.

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In this episode, Erin Entrada Kelly discusses her journey as a children's author, her transition into nonfiction writing, and the remarkable life of Joey Guerrero, the subject of her latest book, At Last She Stood. She shares insights into her writing process, the challenges of researching a historical figure, and her hope that young readers recognize marginalized voices in history. Erin also reflects on the impact winning a Newbery Honor and two Newbery Medals has had on her writing, her teaching role, and the joy that books bring to her life.

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In this conversation, author Kate O'Shaughnessy shares her journey as a middle grade fiction writer, including her experience of receiving a Newbery Honor for her book 'The Wrong Way Home.' She discusses the inspiration behind her writing and the themes of community and belonging. Kate also reflects on her writing process, the challenges of balancing motherhood with her career, and her advice for aspiring writers.

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In this interview, Dianne K. Salerni shares her journey as an author, discussing her latest middle grade novel, The Tontine Caper. The discussion delves into the humorous elements of her work, the role of the omniscient narrator, and the importance of character development. Dianne also addresses the challenges of writing shorter novels for middle grade readers and the evolving landscape of children's literature. She concludes with valuable advice for aspiring writers, emphasizing the importance of reading and persevering through the writing process.

For bonus content and  info on upcoming episodes, subscribe to the Middle Grade Matters newsletter here: Newsletter, and follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter.

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In this conversation, Newbery Honor winner Lauren Wolk discusses her latest middle grade novel, Candle Island, and shares insights into her writing process, character development, and the importance of setting in her stories. She emphasizes the maturity and resilience of her characters, the role of art in her work, and her creative journey as a children's writer. Wolk also shares her journey as a writer, discussing her transition from adult fiction to middle grade literature, the impact of awards on her career, and her dedication to engaging young readers. 

For bonus content and  info on upcoming episodes, subscribe to the Middle Grade Matters newsletter here: Newsletter, and follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter.

I love audiobooks! If you do, too, consider switching to Libro.fm, a platform that supports indy bookstores.

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In this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, I interview author Marie Benedict about her new middle grade novel, The Secrets of Lovelace Academy. The conversation explores the collaboration between Marie and co-author Courtney Scheinmel, the historical context of the story, the challenges faced by young girls in education during the early 1900s, and the relatable themes of classism and resilience. Marie shares insights into the writing process, the fun and fast-paced nature of the book, and the importance of bringing historical figures to life for younger readers. She highlights the historical context of women's roles in STEM, the challenges faced by female characters in her stories, and offers valuable advice for aspiring writers.

For bonus content and  info on upcoming episodes, subscribe to the Middle Grade Matters newsletter here: Newsletter, and follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter.

I love audiobooks! If you do, too, consider switching to Libro.fm, a platform that supports indy bookstores.

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