Reading in The Middle

By Annisha JeffriesArts Books Kids & Family Stories for Kids Visual Arts

Reading in The Middle episodes

March 03What Does It Mean to Win? | Donna Galanti on The Secret Winners Club
What happens when kids who feel overlooked finally discover their power?
In this episode of Reading in the Middle, Annisha sits down with Donna Galanti to discuss her middle-grade novel, The Secret Winners Club, a story about belonging, visible differences, bullying, and the true cost of winning.
At the heart of the novel is Sunny, a girl with alopecia who joins a group of kids determined to rise above being underestimated. But as competition heats up—from swim team rivalries to social power struggles—the question shifts from how to win to what winning is really worth.
Together, Annisha and Donna explore:
Subtle and competitive forms of bullying
The emotional drive of “beating your bullies.”
Complex family dynamics, including single-parent households and the return of an absent father
Why middle grade is the perfect space for moral gray areas
This episode is for librarians, educators, caregivers, and anyone who believes middle-grade books face the biggest questions with the most honesty.

✨ Listen, subscribe, and keep reading in the middle.
Visit Donna on her website: donnagalanti.com
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22 min
February 18A Princess, A Heart Witch, and Destiny: Tulip Moody on The Spell That Named Her
Annisha Jeffries interviews author Tulip Moody about her fantasy novel The Spell That Named Her, featuring a princess navigating rejection, hidden magic, mysterious dreams, and powerful forces shaping her destiny. A compelling conversation about courage, identity, and belonging for middle-grade readers, educators, and fantasy lovers.
In this episode, We Discuss:
The inspiration behind The Spell That Named Her
Building a fantasy world rooted in emotion and identity
The role of dreams, magic, and destiny in the story
Creating complex allies and adversaries
Writing a heroine searching for belonging
Why fantasy resonates with middle-grade readers
Visit Tulip Moody at her website, Tulip Moody, and follow her journey as a storyteller

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34 min
February 10 Why HBCUs Matter: A Conversation with The HBCU Crew Author Bridgette Hickman
In this episode of Reading in the Middle, host Annisha talks with Bridgette Hickman, author of The HBCU Crew, about introducing young readers to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. They explore HBCU history, culture, and pride, discuss the characters Monet, Keni, and CJ, and examine why representation and empowerment matter in middle-grade books. A must-listen for librarians, educators, and families.
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38 min
February 09 Cracking Codes and Crossing Borders: James Ponti Takes the City Spies to EUROPA
New York Times bestselling author James Ponti joins Annisha Jeffries on Reading in the Middle to discuss his latest City Spies novel, EUROPA. They explore puzzles, teamwork, leadership, and close reading, as well as how characters like Kat, Sydney, and Paris solve high-stakes mysteries. James also shares writing insights and takes on a fun lightning round. Learn more at www.jamesponti.com.
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54 min
February 07Mystery, Mayhem, and Middle Grade with author, Taryn Souders
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.

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

🎙️ In This Episode, You’ll Hear:
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

🌐 Author Website
Learn more about Taryn and her books at:
www.tarynsouders.com

🌟 About the Author
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.

📢 Connect & Subscribe
If you enjoyed this episode:
Subscribe to Reading in the Middle
Leave a review
Share with a fellow reader

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24 min
February 03 Finding Your Power with Judd Winick | Hilo Presents: The Mighty
In this episode of Reading in the Middle, host Annisha Jeffries interviews New York Times bestselling author Judd Winick about his latest graphic novel, Hilo Presents: The Mighty. They discuss Miranda Luna’s adventure, superhero tales, humor blended with heartfelt moments, and how books assist children in managing intense emotions. The episode also includes a lively lightning round and some enthusiastic admiration for Judd’s early work. Ideal for librarians, educators, parents, and middle-grade readers.
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1 hr 3 min
February 01 Mischief, Mood Swings & Middle Grade Magic with Megan McDonald
Join host Annisha Jeffries for an engaging and lively interview with bestselling author Megan McDonald, known for creating the beloved Judy Moody series, the Stink spin-off, and the early-chapter-book Fairy Door Diaries. We explore: how Megan’s librarian background influences her storytelling, the enchantment behind Judy Moody’s moods and Stink’s adventures, and the inspiration and creation process of her latest caper-style series, Bunny and Clyde On the Lam (Book 2 of the Bunny & Clyde series, scheduled for release on February 3, 2026). Published by Candlewick Press
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49 min
January 30 Talking The Aftermyth with Tracy Wolff
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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📌 Find me on social @reading_in_the_middle
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44 min
January 15 Inside Derrick Barnes’s New Novel The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze: A Conversation on Worth, Talent, and Belonging
Award-winning author Derrick Barnes joins Reading in the Middle to discuss his compelling new middle-grade novel, The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze. In this interview, we discuss themes such as Black boyhood, identity, family, community expectations, and the emotional toll of being defined by talent. Barnes offers insights into writing for middle-grade audiences, developing authentic characters, and crafting stories that help children recognize their worth beyond just performance. This is ideal for parents, teachers, librarians, and young readers seeking meaningful, relatable fiction.
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39 min
January 09 Most Anticipating Books for 2026 with Karen Reeder
In this special bonus episode, Annisha teams up with Educator Karen Reeder from Book Huddle Podcast to showcase some of the most exciting middle-grade and children's books set for 2026. They discuss early highlights, emerging themes, and stories that are likely to resonate with readers in schools, libraries, and homes. This engaging and insightful conversation provides a behind-the-scenes look at the books already creating excitement, along with reasons why these titles are important for young readers. Whether you’re a librarian, teacher, parent, or avid reader, this episode will make your 2026 TBR list grow.
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50 min

About Reading in The Middle

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to Reading in the Middle, the podcast dedicated to exploring the captivating world of middle-grade books, hosted by Annisha Jeffries, Librarian and literary enthusiast. Each episode dives into…