Middle Grade Mavens

By Julie Grasso+Pamela UeckermanArts Books

Middle Grade Mavens episodes

September 30, 2020 Episode 65: The Wild Way Home / Hollowpox / A Clue For Clara / Egg and Spoon / Renee Treml / Jessica Townsend
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, "The Wild Way Home," by Sophie Kirtley and "Hollowpox," by Jessica Townsend and Julie reviews, "A Clue For Clara," by Lian Tanner, Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini and "Egg and Spoon," by Alexandra Tylee, illustrated by Giselle Clarkson. Plus Renee Treml and Jessica Townsend stop in to the Mavens hot seat for an interview.

Author links: https://www.sophiekirtley.com/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Sophie Kirtley
Illustrator:
Title: The Wild Way Home
Format: Book
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Date: August 2020
ISBN: 9781526616289

Author links: https://www.hachette.com.au/jessica-townsend/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Jessica Townsend
Title: Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow
Format: Book
Publisher: Hachette
Date: 29 September 2020
ISBN: 9780734418241

Author links: https://liantanner.com.au/
Illustrator links: https://cherylorsiniillustration.blogspot.com/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Lian Tanner
Illustrator: Cheryl Orsini
Title: A Clue For Clara
Format: Book
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
Date: 4 August 2020
ISBN: 9781760877699

Author links: https://geckopress.com/author_illustrator/alexandra-tylee/
Illustrator links: https://www.giselledraws.com/about/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Alexandra Tylee
Illustrator: Giselle Clarkson
Title: Egg and Spoon
Format: Book
Publisher: Gecko Press
Date: October 7 2020
ISBN: 9781776572984

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 50 min
September 16, 2020 Episode 64: The Silver Arrow / Rebel Gods / The Heartsong of Wonder Quin/ Will Kostakis / Kate Gordon
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, "The Silver Arrow," by Lev Grossman as well as "Rebel Gods," by Will Kostakis, and Julie reviews, "The Heartsong of Wonder Quin," by Kate Gordon, Illustrated by Rachel Tribout. Plus Will and Kate stop by the Mavens hot seat for an interview.

Author links: http://levgrossman.com/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Lev Grossman
Title: The Silver Arrow
Format: Book
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Date: 1 September 2020
ISBN: 9781526629418

Author links: http://willkostakis.com/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Will Kostakis
Title: Rebel Gods: Monuments book 2
Format: Book
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Date: 25 August 2020
ISBN: 9780734419262

Author links: https://kategordon.com.au/
Illustrator links: https://racheltribout.com/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Kate Gordon
Illustrator: Rachel Tribout
Title: The Heartsong of Wonder Quin
Format: Book
Publisher: University of Queensland Press
Date: 1 September 2020
ISBN: 9780702262821

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 32 min
September 02, 2020 Episode 63: The Fire Star / Sherlock Bones / The Peski Kids; The Final Mission / When This Bell Rings / Allison Tait / R.A. Spratt / Laura Harris
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, "The Fire Star," by Alison Tait. Joke Boy reviews "Sherlock Bones book 2; by Renee Treml, and Julie reviews, "The Peski Kids book 5; The Final Mission," by R.A. Spratt , Illustrated by Erica Salcedo, and "When This Bell Rings," by Alison Rushby. Plus, we have three bumper interviews for you. Allison Tait and R.A Spratt drop into the Mavens hot seat, plus a super duper treat as we celebrate 80 years of Puffin books with Laura Harris, Publishing Director of Penguin Random House.
https://www.penguin.com.au/ages/

Author links: https://allisontait.com/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Allison Tait
Title: The Fire Star
Format: Book
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Date: 1 September 2020
ISBN: 9781760897079

Author links: https://reneesartwork.com/about/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author/Illustrator: Renee Treml
Title: Sherlock Bones; Sea Creature Feature
Format: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
Date: 1 September 2020
ISBN: 9781760525262

Author links: https://raspratt.com/
Illustrator links: https://ericasalcedo.myportfolio.com/
Rachel's Podcast: https://bedtimestories.buzzsprout.com/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: R.A. Spratt
Illustrator: Erica Salcedo
Title: The Peski Kids: The Final Mission
Format: Book
Publisher: Puffin
Date: August 2020
ISBN: 9781760895785

Author links: https://allisonrushby.com/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Allison Rushby
Illustrator:
Title: When This Bell Rings
Format: Book
Publisher: Walker Books Australia
Date: 2 September 2020
ISBN: 9781760651947

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 12 min
August 19, 2020 Episode 62: The Lost Soul Atlas / The Inkberg Enigma / Gemma Riley and the Fashion Fiasaco / Brain Freeze / Oliver Phommavanh/ Zana Fraillon
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, "The Lost Soul Atlas," by Zana Fraillon, and Julie does a whopping 3 reviews in "The Inkberg Enigma," by Jonathan King, "Gemma Riley and the Fashion Fiasco," by Jules Van Mil, and Brain Freeze by Oliver Phommavanh. Plus Oliver and Zana stop in to the Mavens hot seat for an interview.
Author links: https://www.zanafraillon.com/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Zana Fraillon
Illustrator:
Title: The Lost Soul Atlas
Format: Book
Publisher: Hachette
Date: July 14 2020
ISBN: 9780734419934

Author links: https://geckopress.com/bookshop/the-inkberg-enigma/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Jonathan King
Title: The Inkberg Enigma
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Gecko Press
Date: August 2020
ISBN: 9781776572663

Author links: https://julesvanmil.com/
Illustrator links: https://au.linkedin.com/in/anne-yi-494836b
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Jules Van Mil
Illustrator: Anne Yi
Title: Gemma Riley and the Fashion Fiasco
Format: Book
Publisher: Pan MacMillan
Date: 28 July 2020
ISBN: 9781760784201

Author links: https://www.oliverwriter.com/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Oliver Phommavanh
Title: Brain Freeze
Format: Book
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Date: 1 September 2020
ISBN: 9781760897147

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 15 min
August 05, 2020 Episode 61: Eloise And The Bucket Full of Stars / The Wolves of Greycoat Hall / Monstrous Devices / The Mummy Smugglers of Crumblin Castle / Lucinda Gifford Interview
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, "Eloise And The Bucket Full of Stars," by Janene Brian, as well as, "The Wolves of Greycoat Hall," by Lucinda Gifford. Julie reviews, "Monstrous Devices," by Damien Love, Illustrated by Sam LeDoyen and, "The Mummy Smugglers of Crumblin Castle," by Pamela Rushby, Illustrated by Nelle May Pierce. Plus Lucinda stops back into the Mavens hot seat to talk writing thing time...
As mentioned in our intro here is Dan The Veggie Bin Man links: https://dantheveggiebinman.com/

Author links: https://janeenbrian.com.au/
Illustrator links: https://traciegrimwood.com.au/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Janeen Brian
Illustrator: Tracie Grimwood
Title: Eloise And The Bucket Full Of Stars
Format: Book
Publisher: Walker Australia
Date: 1 June 2020
ISBN: 9781760651879

Author links: https://www.lucindagiffordbooks.com/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: The Wolves of Greycoat Hall
Title: Lucinda Gifford
Format: Book
Publisher: Walker Books Australia
Date: September 2020
ISBN: 9781760651596

Author links: https://damienlove.com/monstrous-devices/
Illustrator links: https://cargocollective.com/ledoyenillustration
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Damien Love
Illustrator: Sam LeDoyen
Title: Monstrous Devices
Format: Book
Publisher: Rock The Boat
Date: September 2019
ISBN: 978-0451478597

Author links: https://pamelarushby.com/
Nelle May's Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/nellemay/
Want this at your local library, here's what you'll need.
Author: Pamela Rushby
Illustrator: Nelle May Pierce
Title: The Mummy Smugglers of Crumblin Castle
Format: Book
Publisher: Walker Books Australia
Date: July 2020
ISBN: 978-1760651930

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

51 min
June 24, 2020 Episode 60: When Rain Turns To Snow /The Strangeworlds Travel Agency/ The Secret Library of Hummingbird House / Jane Godwin / Julieanne Negri
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, "When Rain Turns To Snow," by Jane Godwin, and Julie reviews, "The Strangeworlds Travel Agency, by L.D Lapinski, and "The Secret Library of Hummingbird House." by Julieanne Negri. The Mini Mavens review, "How To Make A Pet Monster; Hodgepodge, " by Lili Wilkinson, Illustrated by Dustin Spence. And Aleesah Darlison's "League of Llamas, Undercover Llama book 3," and "Rogue Llama, book 4." Plus Jane and Julianne stop in to the Mavens hot seat for an interview.

Author Links: http://www.janegodwin.com.au/
Want this book at your local library? Here's what you'll need.
Author: Jane Godwin
Title: When Rain Turns To Snow
Format: Book
Publisher: Hachette
Date: June 30, 2020
ISBN: 9780734420053

Author Links: https://www.ldlapinski.com/
Want this book at your local library? Here's what you'll need.
Author: L.D. Lapinski
Title: The Strangeworlds Travel Agency
Format: Book
Publisher: Orion
Date: 28 April 2020
ISBN: 9781510105942

Author Links: https://www.juliannenegri.com/hattie-maxwell-and-the-library-of-l
Want this book at your local library? Here's what you'll need.
Author: Julieanne Negri
Title: The Secret Library of Hummingbird House
Format: Book
Publisher: Affirm Press
Date: 30 June 2020
ISBN: 9781925870497

Author Links: http://www.liliwilkinson.com.au/
Illustrator Links: http://www.illustratorsaustralia.com/portfolios/dustin-spence/
Want this book at your local library? Here's what you'll need.
Author: Lili Wilkinson
Illustrator: Dustin Spence
Title: How To Make A Pet Monster; Hodgepodge
Format: Book
Publisher: Albert Street Books
Date: July 2 2020
ISBN: 9781760877385

Author Links: http://www.aleesahdarlison.com/
Illustrator: http://www.simongreiner.com/about
Want this book at your local library? Here's what you'll need.
Author: Aleesah Darlison
Illustrator: Simon Greiner
Title: League of Llamas book 3; Undercover Llama's
Format: Book
Publisher: Puffin
Date: July 2 2020
ISBN: 9781760894191

Want this book at your local library? Here's what you'll need.
Author: Aleesah Darlison
Illustrator: Simon Greiner
Title: League of Llamas book 4; Rogue Llama
Format: Book
Publisher: Puffin
Date: 2 July 2020
ISBN: 9781760894207

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 54 min
June 10, 2020 Episode 59: The Book of Chance/ The Theory of Hummingbirds / Michelle Kadarusman / Sue Whiting / Kate O'Donnell Younger Sun Bookshop
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, we must pause to acknowledge #Reconcilliation Week in Australia.
https://www.reconciliation.org.au/national-reconciliation-week/
Please check out and support Magabala Books: https://www.magabala.com/collections/junior-fiction
And for excellent teaching resources Pamela mentions, hop on over to https://www.wingaru.com.au/ and
https://www.crackerjackeducation.com.au/
And we'd love it if you would hop on over and donate to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation: https://www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au/
For our reviews. Pamela explores, "The Book of Chance," by Sue Whiting, and Julie explores, "The Theory Of Hummingbirds," by Michelle Kadarusman, plus Sue and Michelle stops in for some authorly banter, and we also have Kate O'Donnell jump back into the hot seat for some May/June book recommendations...
Author Links: https://suewhiting.com/the-book-of-chance/
Want this book at your local library? Here's what you'll need.
Author: Sue Whiting
Title: The Book of Chance
Format: Book
Publisher: Walker Books Australia
Date: 1 April 2020
ISBN: 978-1-760651-36-7
Author Links: https://www.uqp.com.au/books/the-theory-of-hummingbirds
Want this book at your local library? Here's what you'll need.
Author: Michelle Kadarusman
Title: The Theory of Hummingbirds
Format: Book
Publisher: University of Queensland Press
Date: 2 June 2020
ISBN: 9780702262920

Sun Book Shop recommendations: http://www.sunbookshop.com
Note: PB Picture Book, JF Junior Fiction, MG Middle Grade, YA Young Adult
Super Sporty Girls: JF
Landing with Wings by Trace Balla: PB
Real Pigeons: Peck Punches: by Andrew McDonald, illustrated by Ben Wood: JF
Her Perilous Mansion by Sean Williams: MG
Otillie Colter and the Withering World by Rhiannon Williams: MG
The Smugglers Secret by Elly Griffiths: MG
Everybody Counts by Kristin Roskifte: PB
Everyone's Awake by Colin Meloy, Illustrated by Shawn Hariss: PB
No Never by Libby Hathorn and Lisa Hathorn - Jarmin, illustrated by Mel Pierce: PB
Sweep by Jonathon Auxier: MG
The Republic of Birds by Jessica Miller: YA
The End of The World Is Greater Than Love by Davina Bell: YA
Eloise and the Bucket of Stars by Janeen Brian: MG
The Lost Soul Atlas by Zan Fraillon: YA
Please Don't Hug Me by Kay Kerr: YA
Peter Lyre's Rating Normal by Anna Whately: YA

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 36 min
May 28, 2020 Episode 58: Beyond Belief / As Fast As I can / The Power Of Positive Pranking / Dee White interview / Nat Amoore interview
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, "Beyond Belief," by Dee White, and Julie reviews two books. "As Fast As I Can," by Penny Tangey, and "The Power Of Positive Pranking," by Nat Amoore. Plus Nat stops back in to the Mavens hot seat for a one year post debut follow up interview.
Author links: https://www.deescribe.com.au/
Want this book at your local library? Here's what you'll need.
Author: Dee White
Title: Beyond Belief
Format: Book
Publisher: Scholastic
Date: 1 April 2020
ISBN: 9781760662516

Author Links: https://pennytangey.com.au/
Want this book at your local library? Here's what you'll need.
Author: Penny Tangey
Title: As Fast As I Can
Format: Book
Publisher: University of Queensland Press
Date: 31/03/2020
ISBN: 9780702262814

Author links: https://www.natamoore.com/
Want this book at your local library? Here's what you'll need.
Title: The Power Of Positive Pranking
Format: Book
Publisher: Puffin
Date: 2 June 2020
ISBN: 9780143796381

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 22 min
May 13, 2020 Episode 57: Interview with author Hayley Chewins
Today on Middle Grade Mavens we are doing something a little different. We have a wonderful interview with a truly inspiring writer.
Pamela chats to Hayley Chewins, a middle grade author with two great books soon to be in the world. http://www.hayleychewins.com/
Hayley grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, in a house so full of books that she learnt to read by accident. She’s fond of telling people that she writes books about magical girls with secrets—even if that’s not an actual genre. Her books are literary fantasy, or surreal fairy tales, or weird magic. (Or: all of the above.)

Her debut, The Turnaway Girls, was a Kirkus Best Book of 2018 and made the American Library Association’s Amelia Bloomer List of Best Feminist Books for Young Readers. Her second book, The Sisters of Straygarden Place, is forthcoming from Candlewick Press on September 15th, 2020.
Hayley lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with her soulmate/husband/fellow coffee addict, Liale, and their toy poodle, Darfer.

Her book the Turnaway Girls is available in all good book shops world wide: http://www.hayleychewins.com/the-turnaway-girls
The Sisters Of StrayGarden Place is coming soon: http://www.hayleychewins.com/the-sisters-of-straygarden-place

Want these in your local library? Here's what you will need.
Title: The Turnaway Girls
Format: Book
Author: Hayley Chewins
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Date: 19 September 2018
ISBN: 9780763697921

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
59 min
May 05, 2020 Episode 56: Bonus with Chrissie Perry/ Meg Whelan Affirm Press
Today on Middle Grade Mavens, we have something a little different. We chat to Chrissie Perry, author of over 35 books for children and young adults. Chrissie has been innovating in the time of Covid 19, and we wanted to bring you up to speed on her Penelope Perfect series. We also chat to Meg Whelan, Children's Editor at Affirm Press, about the changing nature of the children's book publishing industry.
For Links to Chrissie's You tube with Haileybury College, head on over to:
https://haileyburycollege.instructuremedia.com/embed/93ab15b3-5a31-45eb-8f8a-d2ac7c28adbd
https://haileyburycollege.instructuremedia.com/embed/a1c2d1bb-f1b2-4eb5-a14c-40660ff7169f
https://haileyburycollege.instructuremedia.com/embed/996aa78b-fe89-44e7-9474-ddd7b7812c67
Chrissie's Website: https://chrissieperry.com/
Want Chrissie's books at your local library? Here's what you will need.
Title: Penelope Perfect Best Friend Project
https://www.hardiegrant.com/au/publishing/bookfinder/book/project-best-friend-by-chrissie-perry/9781760505578

Meg Whelan's Affirm Press recommendations: https://affirmpress.com.au/
Affirm Press Mentorship Program: https://www.varuna.com.au/fellowships/affirm

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
38 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.