Middle Grade Mavens

By Julie Grasso+Pamela UeckermanArts Books

Middle Grade Mavens episodes

April 11, 2022 Episode 105: Star the elephant / Rainbow the Koala / Our Country / Ming and Flo / Interview with Remy Lai
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Julie reviews, "Star the elephant," and "Rainbow the Koala," by Remy Lai, and Pamela reviews "Ming and Flo," by Jackie French as well as "Our Country, Ancient Wonders," by Mark Greenwood and Frane Lessac. Plus Remy stops in for an interview.
Star the Elephant, Surviving the Wild by Remy Lai | 9781250784995 | Booktopia
Rainbow the Koala, Surviving the Wild : Book 1 by Remy Lai | 9781761065453 | Booktopia
Remy's website: REMY LAI - Home
Ming and Flo Fight for the Future , The Girls Who Changed the World by Jackie French | 9781460760208 | Booktopia
Our Country, Ancient Wonders by Mark Greenwood | 9781760652241 | 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
31 min
March 24, 2022 Episode 104: Interview with Yvette Poshoglian, Author of "Dear Greta."
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Julie chats to Yvette Poshoglian, Author of "Dear Greta," which Julie reviewed on episode 103.
Yvette Poshoglian is the bestselling author of over 40 books for children and young readers. She writes the wildly popular Ella and Olivia series (30 books + 6 treasuries and counting!), the Puppy Diary books and the Frankie Fox Girl Spy stories, and has written historical fiction including My Australian Story: Escape from Cockatoo Island.
Her website: Yvette Poshoglian
Published: 1st March 2022
ISBN: 9781761043789
Number Of Pages: 288
For Ages: 9 - 11 years old
This was meant to be Alice's year to shine, but things are already going wrong...

At school, she's given young environmental activist Greta Thunberg as her pen pal for a fictional writing assignment. Why couldn't Alice get someone easy to write to, like a pop star?

Then she's put in charge of taking the Harmony Day Food Fair online, which seems impossible, especially when she is teamed up with the most annoying boy in her school.

As if she didn't have enough on her plate, Alice gets kicked out of her bedroom by her grandmother coming to stay. And no matter what Alice does, she'll never be able to live up to her infuriating big sister's achievements, right?

Through her letters to Greta, Alice finds herself opening up about her life. And as Alice approaches the hard questions by wondering, 'What would Greta do?', she starts to believe that she can make a difference - a big one.
Where to buy
Dear Greta by Yvette Poshoglian | 9781761043789 | 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
35 min
March 16, 2022 Episode 103: Friday Barnes 10: Undercover / Big Apple Diaries / Rabbit, Angel, Soldier, Thief / Dear Greta / Alyssa Bermudez
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, Friday Barnes book 10: Undercover by R.A. Spratt, and Rabbit, Angel, Soldier, Thief by Katrina Nannestad. Julie reviews Big Apple Diaries by Alyssa Bermudez, and Dear Greta by Yvette Poshoglian, plus Alyssa stops by for a chat about her incredible graphic novel.

Book links
Friday Barnes 10, Undercover by R.A. Spratt | 9781761043659 | Booktopia
Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief, CBCA's Notable Younger Reader's Book 2022 by Katrina Nannestad | 9780733341465 | Booktopia
Big Apple Diaries by Alyssa Bermudez | 9781250774279 | Booktopia
Dear Greta by Yvette Poshoglian | 9781761043789 | 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
February 08, 2022 Episode 102: Pow Pow Pig 2 / Mermaid Tales / Xavier In The Meantime/ The Riddle of Tanglewood Manor
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela and Julie return for season 8 2022!
We review the books below and discuss all things "Save The Cat" by Blake Snyder and Scrivener.

Affiliate links where to buy:
Let the Games Begin, Pow Pow Pig : Book 2 by Anh Do | 9781761065194 | Booktopia
The Great Treasure Hunt, MerTales 3 by Rebecca Timmis | 9781760526573 | Booktopia
Xavier in the Meantime by Kate Gordon | 9780645218091 | Booktopia
Storytorch. - The Riddle of Tanglewood Manor

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
22 min
December 13, 2021 Episode 101: Mavens top 11 for 2021: Listen to find out!
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela and Julie share their top 11 Middle Grade books for 2021.

Pamela's Picks:
Elsewhere Girls by Emily Gale | 9781922330451 | Booktopia
The Vanishing at the Very Small Castle, The Butter O'Bryan Mysteries: Book 2 by Jackie French | 9781460757734 | Booktopia
Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche, Enola Holmes: Book 7 by Nancy Springer | 9781761065255 | Booktopia
The Storm Keepers' Battle, The Storm Keeper Trilogy: Book 3 by Catherine Doyle | 9781526607966 | Booktopia
Pony by R J Palacio | 9780141377056 | Booktopia
From Stella Street to Amsterdam by Elizabeth Honey | 9781865084541 | Booktopia

Julie's Picks:
The Ballad of Melodie Rose by Kate Gordon | 9780702263217 | Booktopia
Tiger Daughter by Rebecca Lim | 9781760877644 | Booktopia
Seven Wherewithal Way, Book 1 by Samantha-Ellen Bound | 9781922419224 | Booktopia
The Magician's Map, A Hoarder Hill Adventure by Kelly Ngai | 9781913322564 | Booktopia
Shadowghast, An Eerie-on-Sea Mystery by Thomas Taylor | 9781406386301 | Booktopia

We hope you have a wonderful festive season and we will be back in 2022.

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

17 min
December 02, 2021 Episode 100: Pony/ The Incredible Talking Machine / Interview with Craig Cauchi of Genrecon / Interview with Sam Rutter, Publisher at Storytorch
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, "Pony," by R.J Palacio and Julie reviews, "The Incredible Talking Machine," by Jenni Spangler. Plus Julie chats to Craig Cauchi from Genrecon and Pamela chats to Sam Rutter of Storytorch.
Links to Books:
https://www.booktopia.com.au/pony-r-j-palacio/book/9780141377056.html
https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-incredible-talking-machine-jenni-spangler/book/9781471190391.html
Graphic Novels Julie mentioned:
This was our pact
https://www.booktopia.com.au/this-was-our-pact-ryan-andrews/book/9781626720534.html
Another kind
https://www.booktopia.com.au/another-kind-trevor-bream/book/9780063043534.html
The sleepover
https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-sleepover-michael-regina/book/9780593117361.html
Poison for breakfast
https://www.booktopia.com.au/poison-for-breakfast-lemony-snicket/book/9780861542611.html
Links to Storytorch:
Storytorch. - About Us
Links to GenreCon
GenreCon 2022
And don't forget to drop by our Instagram page for this episode (100) to request your discount code for GenreCon
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
1 hr 31 min
November 02, 2021 Episode 99: Wandi / Enola Holmes / Powerful Princesses / Courageous Queens / Interview Favel Parret / Interview Angela Buckingham
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, Wandi by Favel Parrett, Illustrated by Zoe Ingram, and "Enola Holmes and the black barouche," by Nancy Springer. Julie reviews, "Powerful Princesses," by Angela Buckingham, Illustrated by Anne Yvonne Gilbert, and "Courageous Queens," by Angela Buckingham, Illustrated by Debora Islas.

Where to find Wandi by Favel Parrett | 9780734420633 | Booktopia
Where to find Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche, Enola Holmes: Book 7 by Nancy Springer | 9781761065255 | Booktopia
Where to find Angela Buckingham – FiveMile
Plus Favel and Angela stop by for an interview...

Favel's Website: Favel Parrett – Author
Angela's Website: Hello — Buckingham (angela-buckingham.com)
Nancy's Website: Nancy Springer | Legendary Fantasy Writer

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

1 hr 28 min
October 18, 2021 Episode 98: The What On Earth Institute of Wonder / My Brother Ben / The Magic of Magnolia Moon / Shadowghast / Andy Griffiths Interview
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, "The What On Earth Institute of Wonder," by Lisa Nichol, and "My Brother Ben," by Peter Carnavas, and Julie reviews, "The Magic of Magnolia Moon," by Edwina Wyatt, and "Shadowghast," by Thomas Taylor. Plus Andy Griffiths stops in for an interview about his latest book with Terry Denton, "The 143 Story Treehouse."
Links and Websites:
The What on Earth Institute of Wonder by Lisa Nicol | 9781761041556 | Booktopia
Lisa's Website: Lisa Nicol – Children's author
My Brother Ben by Peter Carnavas | 9780702263330 | Booktopia
Peter's Website: Books – Peter Carnavas
The Magic of Magnolia Moon, Magnolia Moon by Edwina Wyatt | 9781760652722 | Booktopia
Edwina's Website: Home : Edwina Wyatt
Shadowghast, An Eerie-on-Sea Mystery by Thomas Taylor | 9781406386301 | Booktopia
Thomas's Website: Blog - Thomas Taylor - Author / IllustratorThomas Taylor — Author / Illustrator | Thomas Taylor writing about his books.
The 143-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths | 9781760786236 | Booktopia
Andy's Website: About | Andy Griffiths
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 learn what books are in the pipeline, follow us on Instagram Middle Grade Mavens (@middle_grade_mavens_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos
1 hr 1 min
September 27, 2021 Episode 97: Dragon Skin / Seven Wherewithal Way / Karen Foxlee Interview / Samantha-Ellen Bound interview
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, "Dragon Skin," by Karen Foxlee, and Julie reviews, "Seven Wherewithal Way," by Samantha-Ellen Bound. Plus Karen and Sam both stop by in for an interview.
About: Dragon Skin: How to save a dragon:
1)Assemble equipment. Water, Weet-Bix, sugar, syringe, sticky tape, scissors.
2)Believe in everything.
Pip never wants to go home. She likes to sit at the waterhole at dusk and remember Mika, her best friend. At home her mother's not the same since her boyfriend moved in. They don't laugh anymore and Pip has to go to bed early, turn off her light and pretend she doesn't exist. When she finds a half-dead creature at the waterhole, everything changes. She knows she has to save this small dragon and return it to where it comes from. But how?
About: Seven Wherewithal Way:
Ferdinand fell out of the sky on the hottest day of the year, while Celeste and Esmerelda Barden were on the front porch eating ice-cream.
Celeste is having the worst summer ever. Her parents are off on an adventure and she's stuck at Gran's house with her annoying little sister, Esme, and strict instructions to be responsible. Or, as Esme says, boring. So when their eccentric cousin Ferd crash-lands a flying bus in the yard, what choice does Celeste have but to follow Ferd back home to Seven Wherewithal Way?
Wherewithal - Ferd's house, and the gateway to the many Realms unreachable from Earth - is bursting with magic and mystery and otherworldly creatures. It's Celeste's favourite place in any world. But when something tries to break in through the portal in the pantry - the door to the mystical Realm of Forests - Celeste learns that both Wherewithal and her beloved cousin are under threat. If Celeste wants to save her cousin, their home, its inhabitants and possibly even all the Realms, she is going to have to find her adventurous side. Fast.
Where to buy:
Seven Wherewithal Way, Bk 1 by Samantha-Ellen Bound | 9781922419224 | Booktopia
Dragon Skin by Karen Foxlee | 9781760526108 | 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 learn what books are in the pipeline, follow us on Instagram Middle Grade Mavens (@middle_grade_mavens_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos
1 hr 19 min
September 14, 2021 Episode 96: Night Ride Into Danger / The Wolf's Howl / Treasure in the Lake / Interview with Jason Pamment
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, "Night Ride Into Danger," by Jackie French, as well as "The Wolf's Howl by A.L. Tait. And Julie reviews, "Treasure In the Lake," by Jason Pamment, who also stops in for an interview!
Buy books:
Night Ride into Danger by Jackie French | 9781460758939 | Booktopia
The Wolf's Howl, A Maven & Reeve Mystery Book 2 by A.L. Tait | 9781761041792 | Booktopia
Treasure in the Lake by Jason Pamment | 9781760526238 | 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 learn what books are in the pipeline, follow us on Instagram Middle Grade Mavens (@middle_grade_mavens_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos
47 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.