Magic and fantastical elements can get kids reading. Young adult fantasy novels construct portals readers can get sucked into, and when they emerge, they often have more nuanced and keen insights for making or remaking the world around them. The parallels to contemporary society can even give kids another way to see themselves. In this episode, Megan Whalen Turner, author of the Queen’s Thief series, Roseanne A. Brown, author of A Song of Wraith and Ruin, and Garth Nix, author of the Old Kingdom series, describe how the real world can be an inspiration for fantasy worlds, how a civilization’s myths and religions offer depictions of the people, how to create compelling and dynamic characters who overcome even when great harm befalls them, and the many forms of magic in stories.

To learn more about Megan Whalen Turner, Roseanne A. Brown, or Garth Nix’s books, visit harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/megan-whalen-turner

harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/roseanne-a-brown

harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/garth-nix

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[1:21] Looking back at how Megan created The Thief’s fantastically detailed world.

[5:16] Historical and geopolitical strife are not common components in Young Adult novels.

[8:16] Roseanne describes how adding myths to a story gives readers an understanding of how characters see the world.

[11:24] Megan describes the unique process she used when writing the Queen’s Thief series.

[12:09] The role of storytelling and folklore in Roseanne’s book, A Song of Wraith and Ruin.

[13:59] Upending the idea of what a hero should be to create stories with integrity.

[17:27] Garth and Rosanne describe how they create and utilize magic in their stories.

Continue Your Journey:

Megan Whalen Turner

Rosanne A. Brown

Garth Nix

HarperCollins

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