In this episode of Reading in the Middle, host Annisha Jeffries interviews middle-grade author Taryn Souders about her latest book, Secrets of the Broken House, as well as mysteries, memorable characters, and her creative process. Taryn discusses how she developed Tucker Stephens and the quirky town of Everson, where goats can run for mayor, and how a suspicious death draws three friends into a web of secrets. Annisha and Taryn examine how humor, heart, and curiosity blend in her stories and why middle-grade mysteries remain popular among young readers. They also talk about Taryn’s other favorite books, her writing journey, and offer advice for kids aspiring to be authors. This episode is ideal for librarians, educators, parents, and middle-grade fans who enjoy smart, engaging stories.

• Secrets of the Broken House
• How to Almost Ruin Your Summer
• Coop Knows the Scoop
• The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle

• How Taryn builds kid detectives and small-town mysteries
• The inspiration behind Secrets of the Broken House
• Why flawed, funny, and curious characters matter
• How she balances suspense with emotional depth
• Writing advice for young storytellers

Learn more about Taryn and her books at:

www.tarynsouders.com

Taryn Souders writes middle-grade novels filled with humor, heart, and clever mysteries. Her books explore friendship, community, and what happens when kids decide to ask big questions—and follow the clues.

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In this episode, I have a conversation with Tracy Wolff, the #1 New York Times, USA Today, International, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author and creator of the Crave series. We discuss her brand-new middle-grade fantasy, The Aftermyth* (Book One), published by Simon and Schuster. Penelope Weaver believed she knew who she was meant to be, but a surprise sorting at Anaximander’s Academy turned her world upside down. Tracy and I explore Penelope’s journey of self-discovery, her unexpected friendships (including a shout-out to Fifi and her chaotic muse!), the intricacies of mythological worldbuilding, and the heart that drives this enchanting new series.

Whether you love myth-inspired school stories, character-driven adventures, or crafting imaginative worlds, you’ll want to hear this conversation.

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Welcome to Reading in the Middle, where we explore the stories that help kids understand themselves and the world around them. I’m your host, Annisha Jeffries.

Today’s episode centers on a book that speaks directly to children who feel different, unheard, or unsure where they belong. Jonathan Del Arco and Trisha DiFazio join me to talk about Freddy the Alien.

Inspired by Jonathan’s experience immigrating from Uruguay to New York City, Freddy the Alien follows a young boy who feels like an outsider in a new country, a new school, and a new language. Trisha brings her background as an educator to the story, grounding Freddy’s experience in what many multilingual learners face—especially the quiet, often misunderstood “silent period” of language acquisition.

Together, Jonathan and Trisha have created a story about identity, patience, empathy, and the power of adults who truly see and support children as they find their footing.

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I’m your host, Annisha Jeffries, and today’s guest is one of the most celebrated voices in contemporary literature. Angie Thomas’s debut novel, The Hate U Give, not only debuted at number one on The New York Times bestseller list, but also received significant recognition from the American Library Association — including the William C. Morris Award for a standout debut, and honors such as the Michael L. Printz and Coretta Scott King Honors for its literary achievement and cultural impact.

Her novels have won Goodreads Choice Awards, been adapted into major films, and become classroom staples — all while giving voice to young people worldwide. Today, I start with Angie’s newest work for middle-grade readers — the Nic Blake and the Remarkables series, including The Manifestor Prophecy and The Book of Anansi — before exploring how her YA work continues to influence readers of all ages.

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