In this episode, we talk to "Nanny Diary" authors Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus about their creative process and their latest novel, "The Real Real." Emma and Nicola field questions from some local readers, and conclude their visit by reading a passage from "The Real Real." The episode is 29.36 minutes long.

Many thanks to Emma and Nicola, to the Mt. Kisco audience for their great questions, to Kyle and The Illiad for our opening song, and to Cursor Miner for our closing song.

In this episode, Maria and Deirdre interview Fidencia Solomon, whose poem, "Looking for Change," was published in Seventeen magazine when she was fifteen. Her poem has since been republished, both in print and online, and has gained a whole new readership. Fidencia tells us how she happened to write the poem, and gives us some good tips on how to write what you love and love what you write! Here is the text of her poem.

LOOKING FOR CHANGE

I run into a phone booth,

digging through my coat pockets

for some change.

Instead I pull out

a handful of old gum wrappers

and a stale Hershey bar

that I never got around to eating.

Three unemployed hairpins

that once kept the hair off my face.

A note I meant to send

to my best friend,

unopened ketchup packets

from recent binges at Mickey D's.

A shiny gold locket

with a broken clasp

…and a broken heart.…

I find a tissue to wipe away

a single tear

running down my cheek,

and still no change.

— Fidencia Solomon, age 15, Brooklyn, New York

In this episode, we interview Gaby Biederman, a local teenager whose poetry has been published in a novel. We talk about what can inspire young people's creativity, and about the importance of finding a genre you really love. We also hear a song, "Frozen," by Amy Snow, of "Romilda Vane and the Chocolate Cauldrons."

Thanks to Gaby and Juliana for the interview, and to The Iliad, Romilda Vane and the Chocolate Cauldrons, and Cursor Miner for our music.

We discuss first time author R.J. Anderson's "Spellhunter" series. R.J. reveals some of the subtleties of her novel. She also talks about the writing process, the persistence it takes to get published, and what we can look forward to in her next books!

We conclude with some library news, including Summer Reading club information.

Many thanks to R.J. Anderson, and to The Illiad for our theme song, and Cursor Miner for our closing song.

In this episode, Maria and Deirdre focus on storytelling, to get listeners ready for the Sunflower Story Arts festival, which will be taking place in Mount Kisco over Memorial Day weekend. They also present three examples of stories: 1. Courtesy of storynory.com, "The Monkey and the Boar," told by Natasha. 2. "The Blackbird," a story song written and performed by Mary 3. "The Legend of the Sword," a short story by G.K. Chesterton, read by Deirdre.

We hope you enjoy this episode, and we would love to see you at the festival this weekend!

Many thanks to Hugh and Natasha of Storynory for the wonderful Japanese story, Kyle and the Illiad for our opening song, and Cursor Miner for our closing song.

And, don't forget! Visit your local library for all your storytelling and information needs!

Deirdre and Maria of the Mount Kisco Library talk with Kristin Cashore, author of "Graceling," about her novel, her writing process, her upcoming books, and her ideas on YA literature.