Middle Grade Mavens

By Julie Grasso+Pamela UeckermanArts Books

Middle Grade Mavens episodes

February 25, 2021 Episode 75: Interview Nicki Greenberg / Interview Amie Kaufman
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela interviews Nicki Greenberg about her book, "The Detectives Guide To Ocean Travel, published by Affirm Press 0n 23rd Feb 2021, cover by Sylvia Morris, and Julie, interviews Amie Kaufman, about her book, "The World Between Blinks," co-authored by Ryan Graudin, published by Harper Collins Australia on February 11, 2021, cover by Julia Murray.
About Nicki's Book: The Detectives Guide To Ocean Travel
For as long as she can remember, Pepper Stark has wanted one thing: to join her father, the Captain, aboard the magnificent RMS Aquitania on a voyage to New York. She has never been allowed to set foot on her father’s ship – until now.

From the decadent food to the star-studded passenger list, travelling First Class on Aquitania is every bit as glamorous as Pepper had imagined. And most dazzling of all is American stage sensation Perdita West, wearing the world-famous Saffron Diamond around her neck. When the priceless jewel disappears mid-voyage, Pepper unexpectedly finds herself entangled in the crime.

With the Captain’s reputation at stake, Pepper and her new friends set out to solve the mystery. But finding a missing diamond isn’t so easy on Aquitania, where everyone has something to hide
Author Links: NICKI GREENBERG
Illustrator Links: Sylvia Morris – illustration + science communication
About Amie and Ryan's book: The World Between Blinks
Discover a magical world where lost things are found ...

Whenever cousins Jake and Marisol get together, adventure follows. They have their late Nana to thank for that. Her epic trips and treasure hunts were the stuff of family legend.

This summer, with the whole family reuniting for one last vacation at Nana's home, the cousins are in for a legendary trip of their own.

Following a map Nana left behind, Jake and Marisol sneak out to a nearby lighthouse - then accidentally slip into another world ... The World Between Blinks is a magical place, where all kinds of lost things (and people!) end up. Everywhere they turn, the cousins find real mysteries from history - plus a few they thought were only myths.

But the man who holds the key to Jake and Marisol's journey home doesn't want to be found ... and if the cousins don't catch him fast, they could end up lost in this world forever.
Author Links: amiekaufman.com
Amie's Podcast link: Amie Kaufman on Writing: A Podcast
Illustrator Links:
Julia Murray - Illustrator + Designer (jumurray.com)
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 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/middlegrademavens
1 hr 10 min
February 17, 2021 Episode 74: The Detective's Guide to Ocean Travel / The World Between Blinks
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, "The Detectives Guide to Ocean Travel," by Nicki Greenberg, illustrated by Sylvia Morris, and Julie reviews, "The World Between Blinks," by Amie Kaufman and Ryan Graudin, illustrated by Julia Murray.
Author Links: NICKI GREENBERG
Illustrator Links: Sylvia Morris – illustration + science communication
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author:  Nikki Greenberg
Illustrator: Sylvia Morris
Title: The Detectives Guide To Ocean Travel
Format: Book
Publisher:  Affirm
Date: 23 Feb 2021
ISBN: 9781922400673
Author Links: amiekaufman.com Ryan Graudin
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author:  Amie Kaufman, Ryan Graudin
Title: The World Between Blinks
Format: Book
Publisher: Harper Collins Australia
Date: 11 Feb 2021
ISBN: 9781460757628
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 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/middlegrademavens
23 min
February 10, 2021 Episode 73: Rebecca Lim interview: Author of Tiger Daughter / Katrina Nannestad Interview: Author of We Are Wolves
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Julie chats with Rebecca Lim, about her new release, "Tiger Daughter," on February 2, by Allen and Unwin.
And Pamela Chat's to Katrina Nannestad, about her recently released, "We Are Wolves,' on October 2020.
About Rebecca's book:
Tiger Daughter
Wen Zhou is determined to create a future for herself that is more satisfying than the life her parents expect her to lead. Equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful, Tiger Daughter is a wonderfully compelling and authentic Own Voices novel about growing up Asian in Australia.
What I feel most days is that nothing is ever going to change. That my life won't even start, and that I'll be stuck like this forever.
Wen Zhou is the daughter and only child of Chinese immigrants whose move to the lucky country has proven to be not so lucky. Wen and her friend, Henry Xiao - whose mum and dad are also struggling immigrants - both dream of escape from their unhappy circumstances, and form a plan to sit an entrance exam to a selective high school far from home. But when tragedy strikes, it will take all of Wen's resilience and resourcefulness to get herself and Henry through the storm that follows.
ISBN: 9781760877644
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
Publication Date: February 2021
Page Extent: 224
Format: Paperback - B format
Age: 11 - 14
Author Interview: Katrina Nannestad
About Katrina's book:
We Are Wolves
Sometimes it's good to be wild.
When the Russian Army marches into East Prussia at the end of the war, the Wolf family must flee. Liesl, Otto and their baby sister Mia find themselves lost and alone, in a blizzard, in the middle of a war zone. Liesl has promised Mama that she will keep her brother and sister safe.
But sometimes, to survive, you have to do bad things. Dangerous things. Wild things.
Sometimes to survive, you must become a wolf.
Bestselling author Katrina Nannestad returns with her most masterful novel yet - a book to crack open your heart, a book to light you up inside, a book to love.
Published: 29th October 2020
ISBN: 9780733340888
Number Of Pages: 320
For Ages: 10+ years old
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 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/middlegrademavens
55 min
February 04, 2021 Episode 72: Mavens return 2021 / We are Wolves / Tiger Daughter
Welcome back to Middle Grade Mavens 2021. Today, Pamela reviews, "We Are Wolves," by Katrina Nannestad and Julie reviews, "Tiger Daughter," by Rebecca Lim. Plus Katrina stops by the Mavens hot seat for an interview...
Author links: Katrina Nannestad
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Katrina Nannestad
Title: We Are Wolves
Format: Book
Publisher: ABC Books
Date: 29 October 2020
ISBN: 9780733340888

Author links: Tiger Daughter - Rebecca Lim - 9781760877644 - Allen & Unwin - Australia (allenandunwin.com)
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Rebecca Lim
Title: Tiger Daughter
Format: Book
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
Date: 2 February 2021
ISBN: 9781760877644

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 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/middlegrademavens
23 min
January 13, 2021 Episode 71: Bonus: Crossover with Words And Nerds Podcast:
Today on Middle Grade Mavens we are doing something different. We are crossing over to have a chat with the wonderful Dani Vee.
Dani is host of the popular literary podcast Words and Nerds, where she chats to authors of all genres about the social and political impact of the writing and the writing process. An English educator for 17 years, she has been a bookworm since birth and loves the classics, crime fiction, contemporary fiction, kid lit and everything in between. Don’t even get her started on her love for Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray!
Dani is happiest reading a book underneath a blanket with a cup of tea and a lot of dark chocolate. With a love for the creative, she has also been a back up singer/ dancer for the award winning Australian Tina Turner Show, as well as the lead singer for a few original bands. The only place you’ll find her singing now is in the shower or the rare occasion she’s in the kitchen burning something.
Dani is a passionate advocate for an empathic and just society, and believes that books have the power to change the world.
We chat about all things books, authoring, interviewing, podcasting and so much more....
To learn more about Words and Nerds Podcast, head on over to Home | wordsandnerds
We will return to our regular reviews and interview, February 4 2021, so stay tuned...
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 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/middlegrademavens
54 min
December 10, 2020Episode 70: Top 20 for 2020 / The Odds / The Carbon-Neutral Adventures of the Indefatigable Enviroteens / Kate O'Donnell /Matt Stanton interview
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Julie reviews, "The Odds," by Matt Stanton, and "The Carbon-Neutral Adventures of the Indefatigable Enviroteens," by First Dog On The Moon.

But first, please stop by Maven Julie's gorgeous sister's new website, give her a like and subscribe! https://daybreakenglish.com/

Author links: About — Matt Stanton
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Matt Stanton
Title: The Odds
Format: Book
Publisher: Harper Collins
Date: October 2020
ISBN: 9780733340635

Author links: Glorious home of Walkley Award winning political cartoonist - First Dog On The Moon
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: First Dog on the moon
Title: The Carbon-Neutral Adventures of the Indefatigable Enviroteens
Format: Book
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
Date: December 2020
ISBN: 9781760526122

Mavens top 20 for 2020! So be sure to stop by Sun Bookshop – 10 Ballarat Street, Yarraville to support local bookshops!
Julie's top picks...
The Lizards tale by Weng Wai Chan, published by Text.

Anzac Girl, by Kate Simpson illustrated by Jess Racklyeft, published by Allen and Unwin.

Gargantis, by Thomas Taylor, published by Walker Books

The Power of Positive Pranking by Nat Amoore, published by Penguin Random House.

The Theory of Hummingbirds, by Michelle Kadarusman, published by UQP.

The Strangeworlds Travel agency, by LD Lapinski, Illustrated by Natalie Smillie published by Hachette.

The Inkberg Enigma by Jonathan King, published by Gecko Press.

The Heartsong of Wonder Quin, by Kate Gordon, published by UQP.

Egg and Spoon by Alexandra Tylee, Illustrated by Giselle Clarkson, published by Gecko Press.

The Odds by Matt Stanton, published by Harper Collins.

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 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/middlegrademavens
1 hr 20 min
November 26, 2020 Episode 69 reload: The Witch's Boy / Zoe, Max And The Bicycle Bus / Steven Herrick
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, "The Witch's Boy," by Kelly Barnhill and Julie reviews, "Zoe, Max and The Bicycle Bus," by Steven Herrick, Illustrated by Jo Hunt. Plus Steven stops into the Mavens hot seat for an interview.
Author links: Kelly Barnhill, Writer
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Kelly Barnhill
Title: The Witch's Boy
Format: Book
Publisher: Bonnier
Date: 1 September 2020
ISBN:9781848129351
Author links: index (stevenherrick.com.au)
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Steven Herrick
Title: Zoe, Max And The Bicycle Bus
Format: Book
Publisher: UQP
Date: October 2020
ISBN: 9780702263002
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 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/middlegrademavens
44 min
November 11, 2020 Episode 68 : The Werewolves Who Weren't /Fly On The Wall / Pierre's Not There / School Rules Are Optional / T.C Shelley / Ursula Dubosarsky
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, "The Werewolves Who Weren't," by T.C. Shelley, and "Fly On The Wall," By Remy Lai, and Julie Reviews, 'Pierre's Not There," by Ursula Dubosarsky, and "School Rules Are Optional," by Alison Hart. Plus Shelley and Ursula stop by for a chat.
https://www.naidoc.org.au/
Children's Laureate Tales of All Kinds by Ursula Dubosarsky: https://www.childrenslaureate.org.au/tales-of-all-kinds?fbclid=IwAR1ehED7KC-_jPFfq5KRKhGCnadtmX5HrjpIe39ijYxrIhyfSlDMdm0CnsM
https://australiareads.org.au/
Author links: https://www.bloomsbury.com/author/t-c-shelley/
Illustrator links: http://www.claire-powell.com/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: T.C Shelley
Illustrator: Claire Powell
Title: The Werewolves Who Weren't
Format: Book
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Date: 29th September 2020
ISBN:9781526600806
Author/ Illustrator links: https://remylai.com/books.html
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Remy Lai
Title: Fly On The Wall
Format: Book
Publisher: Walker Books Australia
Date: September 2020
ISBN:9781760652654
Author links: http://ursuladubosarsky.squarespace.com/
Illustrator links: http://www.chrisillo.com/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Ursula Dubosarsky
Illustrator: Christopher Nielsen
Title: Pierre's Not There
Format: Book
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
Date: November 2020
ISBN: 9781760525934
Author links: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/childrens/School-Rules-Are-Optional-The-Grade-Six-Survival-Guide-1-Alison-Hart-9781760525712
Illustrator links: https://lizanelli-illustration.com/#
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Alison Hart
Illustrator: Liz Anelli
Title: School Rules Are Optional
Format: Book
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
Date: November 2020
ISBN: 9781760525712
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 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/middlegrademavens
2 hr 1 min
October 28, 2020 Episode 67: The Boy, The Wolf And The Stars / This One Is Ours / Shivaun Plozza / Kate O'Donnell
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, "The Boy, The Wolf And The Stars," By Shivaun Plozza, Illustrated by Julia Iredale, and Julie reviews, "This One Is Ours," by Kate O'Donnell, Illustrated by Astred Hicks, plus Shivaun and Kate stop into the Mavens hot seat for an interview.

Author links: https://www.shivaunplozza.com/
Illustrator links: http://www.juliairedale.com/book-covers-1
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Shivaun Plozza
Illustrator:
Title: The Boy, The Wolf and the Stars
Format: Book
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia
Date: 17 November 2020
ISBN: 9780358243892

Author links: https://www.kateodonnell.com.au/
Illustrator links: http://designcherry.com/about-2/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Kate O'Donnell
Illustrator: Astred Hicks
Title: This One Is Ours
Format: Book
Publisher: University of Queensland Press
Date: 29 September 2020
ISBN: 9780702260285

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 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/middlegrademavens

1 hr 9 min
October 14, 2020 Episode 66: The Grandest Bookshop In the World / How To Write the Soundtrack To your Life / Never and Forever/ Amelia Mellor / Lian Tanner
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, "The Grandest Bookshop In The World," by Amelia Mellor, Illustrated by Sylvia Morris, and "The Wizards of Once book 4: Never and Forever." Julie reviews, "How To Write the Soundtrack To Your Life," by Fiona Hardy, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft. Plus, Amelia Mellor and Lian Tanner stop into the Mavens hot seat for an interview.
Author links: https://liantanner.com.au/for-teachers/

Author links: https://ameliamellorsfantasticnarratograph.wordpress.com/about/
Illustrator links: https://sylviamorris.com.au/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Amelia Mellor
Title: The Grandest Bookshop In The World
Format: Book
Publisher: Affirm Press
Date: 29 September 2020
ISBN: 9781925972955

Author links: https://affirmpress.com.au/publishing/fiona-hardy/
Illustrator links: https://jessesmess.com/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Fiona Hardy
Illustrator: Jess Racklyeft
Title: How To Write the Soundtrack To Your Life
Format: Book
Publisher: Affirm Press
Date: August 2020
ISBN: 9781922419132

Author Links:
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Cressida Cowell
Title: The Wizards of Once book 4: Never and Forever
Format: Book
Publisher: Hachette
Date: 22 September 2020
ISBN: 9781444956627

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 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/middlegrademavens
1 hr 33 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.