Middle Grade Mavens

By Julie Grasso+Pamela UeckermanArts Books

Middle Grade Mavens episodes

August 01, 2024 Episode 115
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela and Julie talk about
Hi from outer space by @fionakatauskas
Is my phone reading my mind by @drmattagnew
18000 holes in the universe by @adamwallacestuff @lisafoleyauthor and James Hart
Marion and the forty thieves by Sarah Luke
Kev and Trev: snot funny sea stories by @kylie_howarth
Bernie thinks in boxes by @jesshornauthor @zoebennettillustration
Plus we have some thoughts on this weeks, “there’s nuthin in that cup!

35 min
July 17, 2024 Episode 114: Picture books galore and a graphic novel
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, we discus some great books.
Included:
Some Families Change by Jess Galatola and Jenni Barrand
The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell
The Book Star by Beck Nanayakkara and Joanna Bartel
Grow Big Little Seed by Beck Nanayakkara and Sarah Capon
ABC Disability by Sarah Rose, Alley Pascoe and Beck Feiner
The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln
Two Turtles by Kiah Thomas and Jake Minton
Hooray, Hooray, It's Library Day by Julie Anne Grasso and Heath McKenzie
Unreal by Kate Simpson and Leila Rudge

19 min
June 26, 2024 Episode 113: We're back after 1.5 years!!!!
Middle Grade Mavens returns to the airways after 1.5 years on hiatus...
Pamela and Julie discuss Pamela's picture book debut, "Ayla's Christmas Wish," as well as Julie's upcoming picture book debut, "Hooray, hooray it's library day," with Scholastic July 1, Illustrated by Heath McKenzie.
Julie has also been delving into "Choose Your Own Adventure," stories after inspiration from Helen from Forrest Hill College, which are now available for free download on julieannegrassobooks.com
They also discuss some great new middle grade, in Kate and Jol Temple's "Frog Squad," as well as Nat Amoore's "Showerland," series and Dani Vee's upcoming "Riley's failproof guide to breaking a school record," by Larrikin House with Jules Faber Illustrating.
Welcome back and we hope you join us for 2024!

21 min
December 19, 2022 Episode 112: Christmas 2022 and our top reads for the year 2022!
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, we chat about the year that was and a couple of books we loved...
Pamela announces her Christmas picture book deal with the National Library of Australia, due for October 2023
Plus, we are now accepting Picture books to Maven central, for reel and or review, so if you have a book coming out, direct your publicist to our website contact.
Happy holidays and see you in 2023!

To learn more about the Mavens, head on over to https://www.middlegradepodcast.com
For Julie's author services drop by Author Services – Julie Anne Grasso Books
And for Pamela online find her at https://www.ueckerman.net
Find us on Instagram: Podcaster + Librarian + Author + Book & Reels Coach (@juliegrasso_middlegrademavens) • Instagram photos and videos
Have a question or comment? Email us at [email protected]

18 min
October 11, 2022 Episode 111: Interview with Kate Temple: Author of "The Dangerous Business of being Trilby Moffat."
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Julie chats to Kate Temple, author of "The Dangerous Business of being Trilby Moffat."
To learn more about Kate head to Kate Temple Books - Hachette Australia
This is NOT just any old book. THIS is a legal document. It contains a truthful record of how Trilby Moffat was accidentally promoted to the most important job that ever existed. The job of Time Keeper.
A mystery illness is making people bake ancient cakes, speak dead languages and then fall asleep and never wake up. When Trilby Moffat's mother catches this strange sickness, Trilby must find her only other surviving relative, a 300-year-old aunt who lives in a secret antique shop on the edge of time.
Ahead of Trilby lies an unusual inheritance, an opportunity that will never be repeated and a man in a top hat who will try to kill her . . . more than once.
This is the story of how one ordinary girl finds herself on a deliciously fast-paced adventure, fleeing to an island where time doesn't exist, cats are particularly rude and cake is always on the menu. Here she will take on the most treacherous job of all time. Well . . . outside of time, to be precise.
THIS IS THE DANGEROUS BUSINESS OF BEING TRILBY MOFFAT.
Check out Kate's book here The Dangerous Business of Being Trilby Moffat, Trilby Moffat : Book 1 by Kate Temple | 9780734420909 | Booktopia
To learn more about the Mavens, head on over to https://www.middlegradepodcast.com
For Julie's author services drop by Author Services – Julie Anne Grasso Books
And for Pamela online find her at https://www.ueckerman.net
Have a question or comment? Email us at [email protected]
To follow us on Instagram: Kidlit podcaster + Graphic Novelist + Librarian (@middle_grade_mavens_pitch_reel) • Instagram photos and videos
20 min
October 04, 2022 Episode 110: Mini Revies + Interview with Reece Carter: author of "A girl called Corpse."
Today on Middle Grade Mavens,
Pamel and Julie discuss some great middle grade book releases...
The Goodbye Year by Emily Gale | 9781922458599 | Booktopia
The Bookseller's Apprentice by Amelia Mellor | 9781922400871 | Booktopia
The Dangerous Business of Being Trilby Moffat, Trilby Moffat : Book 1 by Kate Temple | 9780734420909 | Booktopia
Julie chats to Reece Carter, author of "A girl called Corpse," Illustrated by Simon Howe, published by Allen and Unwin in October 2022.
To learn more about Reece, head to : Meet Reece — Reece Carter
To buy the book, head to: A Girl Called Corpse, An Elston-Fright Tale by Reece Carter | 9781761066788 | Booktopia
'Find the thing the Witches call a treasure,' says Old Man, 'and you'll get back all those memories you're missing.'
With a body made of wax, seaweed for hair and polished abalone shells for eyes, Corpse is bound to haunt the Witches' sea shack forever. She has no memory of the kid she was before she was snatched and ended up on the rock-that-doesn't-exist. But the delivery of an unexpected message sets Corpse off on a surprising quest, searching for answers to the old and familiar questions that have filled her not-brain since the day she first woke up a ghost. Questions about her name. Questions about her family. With only her eight-legged friend Simon for company, Corpse heads into the unknown. There will be danger - cruel Witches, a silver-eyed sea monster and a cunning Merchant with a hungry grin - but Corpse is not afraid. She'll stop at nothing to uncover the truth about her past. Only some answers, it turns out, are much closer than she thinks.
To learn more about the Mavens, head on over to https://www.middlegradepodcast.com
For Julie's author services drop by Author Services – Julie Anne Grasso Books
And for Pamela online find her at https://www.ueckerman.net
Have a question or comment? Email us at [email protected]
To follow us on Instagram: Kidlit podcaster + Graphic Novelist + Librarian (@middle_grade_mavens_pitch_reel) • Instagram photos and videos
38 min
August 18, 2022 Episode 109: The Sugar Cane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat / The Detectives Guide to New York City / Cross Bones / Interview with Jack Henseleit and Chris Kennett
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews The Sugar Cane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold, and "The Detectives guide to New York City," by Nicki Greenberg. Julie reviews Cross Bones, by Jack Henseleit and Chris Kennett.
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold | 9781922458520 | Booktopia
The Detective's Guide to New York City by Nicki Greenberg | 9781922711748 | Booktopia
Plus, Julie chats to Jack Henseleit and Chris Kennett.
Cross Bones: A Dog's Breakfast, Cross Bones by Jack Henseleit | 9781760509255 | Booktopia
For more information on Jack's books head to... JACK HENSELEIT – AUTHOR / PIRATE
For more information on Chris's books go to... Chris Kennett Illustration

To learn more about the Mavens, head on over to https://www.middlegradepodcast.com
Or to find Julie online drop by https://www.julieannegrassobooks.com
And for Pamela online find her at https://www.ueckerman.net
Have a question or comment? Email us at [email protected]
To follow us on Instagram: Middle Grade Mavens (@middle_grade_mavens_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos

57 min
May 17, 2022 Episode 108 / When Granny came to stay/ Maku / Brett Perkins, author of The Prison for the Magically Cursed review and interview
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, "When Granny Came to Stay," by Alice Pung, illustrated by Sally Soweol Han, as well as Maku by Meyne Wyatt, and Julie reviews, "The Prison for the magically cursed," by Brett Perkins.

When Granny Came To Stay by Alice Pung | 9781760984991 | Booktopia
The Prison for the Magically Cursed eBook : Perkins, Brett: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store
Maku by Meyne Wyatt | 9781760987756 | Booktopia

Plus Brett Perkins stops by for an interview!!!!
To learn more about the Mavens, head on over to https://www.middlegradepodcast.com
Or to find Julie online drop by https://www.julieannegrassobooks.com
And for Pamela online find her at https://www.ueckerman.net
Have a question or comment? Email us at [email protected]
To follow us on Instagram: Middle Grade Mavens (@middle_grade_mavens_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos

45 min
May 02, 2022 Episode 107 : Interview with Nat Amoore, author of We Run Tomorrow
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Julie chats to Nat Amoore, author of We Run Tomorrow, illustrated by Mike Barry
As a kid, Nat Amoore did it all – run away from home, play epic pranks, plot a future in Hollywood, invent money-making schemes and never listen to a word her parents said. Now as a ‘responsible’ adult...well, nothing has really changed. But at least she uses her creative powers for good! The bestselling author of The Right Way to Rock, The Power of Positive Pranking and Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire teaches students how they can pluck moments from the chaos of childhood and mould them into hilarious tales of adventure and mayhem.
Book Link:
We Run Tomorrow by Nat Amoore | 9781760897697 | Booktopia
Nat's Website:
About - Nat Amoore Children's Author and Podcast Host
To learn more about the Mavens, head on over to https://www.middlegradepodcast.com
Or to find Julie online drop by https://www.julieannegrassobooks.com
And for Pamela online find her at https://www.ueckerman.net
Have a question or comment? Email us at [email protected]
To follow us on Instagram: Middle Grade Mavens (@middle_grade_mavens_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos

29 min
April 25, 2022 Episode 106 : Arthur The Always King / Prometheus High / The Brictionary / The Boy Who Hatched Monsters / Stuart Wilson
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, Arthur the Always King by Kevin Crossley-Holland Illustrated by Chris Riddell and The Brictionary by Ryan McNaught, as well as They Boy Who Hatched Monsters by T.C Shelley, and Julie reviews Prometheus High by Stuart Wilson, plus Stuart stops by for an interview.
Book links...
Arthur, The Always King by Kevin Crossley-Holland | 9781406378436 | Booktopia
The Bricktionary, Brickman's ultimate LEGO A-Z by Ryan McNaught | 9781922351807 | Booktopia
The Boy Who Hatched Monsters, Monster Who Wasn't 3 by T.C. Shelley | 9781526600790 | Booktopia
Prometheus High 1, How to Make a Monster by Stuart Wilson | 9781761042256 | Booktopia
To learn more about the Mavens, head on over to https://www.middlegradepodcast.com
Or to find Julie online drop by https://www.julieannegrassobooks.com
And for Pamela online find her at https://www.ueckerman.net
Have a question or comment? Email us at [email protected]
To follow us on Instagram: Middle Grade Mavens (@middle_grade_mavens_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos
45 min

About Middle Grade Mavens

From the publisher's feed

The Middle-Grade Mavens are two Australian authors reviewing middle-grade children's books. We also chat with authors and illustrators about their inspiration, processes and experience and sometimes we interview publishers and agents to find out more about the industry. Whether you're a writer, school librarian, teacher, or just a book fan, this is for you. Julie Anne Grasso is the author of the Frankie Dupont Mystery series, cupcake enthusiast and part-time library book wrangler. Pamela Ueckerman is a dance teacher, writer, book reviewer, editor and home educator.