Welcome to Episode 3 of Library Launchpad, the official podcast of FAME, the Florida Association for Media in Education. This podcast is meant to be a place where we can launch ideas by sharing best practices, highlighting innovative programs, and providing Professional development for librarians in Florida and beyond! Whether you are a veteran media specialist, first year librarian, and administrator, or just a person who loves the library, we are glad you are here!"

Mission Report:

Our guest today is Amar Shah, author of WIsh I Was a Baller and the Play the Game trilogy. Amar is a home-grown central Florida author living in the Orlando area with his family. Learn more about Amar on his website: amarshahwrites.com

Follow him on LinkedIn and Instagram. @amarshahism

Books mentioned in this episode:

The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing, by Judy Blume

Gary Carter's Iron Mask by Robert Montgomery

Front Desk, by Kelly Yang

You can learn more about FAME (Florida Association for Media in Education) by visiting our website: https://www.floridamediaed.org/

For information about the 2026 FAME Conference: 3...2...1... Launching Librarians into Greatness, please visit: https://www.fame-conference.com/

Welcome to Episode 2 of Library Launchpad, the official podcast of FAME, the Florida Association for Media in Education. This podcast is meant to be a place where we can launch ideas by sharing best practices, highlighting innovative programs, and providing Professional development for librarians in Florida and beyond! Whether you are a veteran media specialist, first year librarian, and administrator, or just a person who loves the library, we are glad you are here!"

Mission Report:

Today we are joined by Christina Diaz Gonzalez, author of such books as The Red Umbrella, Concealed, Invisible, and Offside. This Florida author makes her home in Miami. Find out more about Christina Diaz Gonzalez by visiting her website: www.christinadiazgonzalez.com

Follow her on Facebook and Instagram, @christinadiazgonzalez

Books mentioned in today's conversation:

A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle

The Sherlock Society, by James Ponti

The Last Cuentista, by Donna Barbra Higuera

Look for Christina's new book, UNiDENTiFiED, which will be released April 2027.

You can learn more about FAME (Florida Association for Media in Education) by visiting our website: https://www.floridamediaed.org/

For information about the 2026 FAME Conference: 3...2...1... Launching Librarians into Greatness, please visit: https://www.fame-conference.com/

This is the very first episode of Library Launchpad, the official podcast of FAME, the Florida Association for Media in Education. This podcast is meant to be a place where we can launch ideas by sharing best practices, highlighting innovative programs, and providing Professional development for librarians in Florida and beyond! Whether you are a veteran media specialist, first year librarian, and administrator, or just a person who loves the library, we are glad you are here!"

Mission Report:

You can learn more about FAME (Florida Association for Media in Education) by visiting our website: https://www.floridamediaed.org/

For information about the 2026 FAME Conference: 3...2...1... Launching Librarians into Greatness, please visit: https://www.fame-conference.com/