What does it mean to help young people carry burdens they didn't create?

In this episode, Jennifer chats with Newbery Medal-winning author Tae Keller about her latest novel, When Tomorrow Burns. Together, they explore climate anxiety, online radicalization, toxic masculinity, and the pressure many young people feel to somehow fix the challenges they have inherited. Most importantly, they discuss why hope requires us to reject the idea that any one generation must carry these burdens alone and how stories can help readers imagine a more connected future.

Show notes, episode transcripts and other goodies can be found here.

Educators can also download a free student activity inspired by this conversation and designed to help readers engage more deeply with the themes explored in When Tomorrow Burns.

Chapters

00:00:00 Opening Reflection: A World on Fire

00:00:43 Welcome to The Reader's Heart

00:01:56 The Reader's Heart and the Magic of Story

00:05:19 Building When Tomorrow Burns

00:10:29 Inheriting the Fires We Didn't Start

00:22:16 Vi, Nomi, Identity, and Being Seen

00:32:02 Hope, Media Literacy, and Closing Reflections

00:39:16 Closing Credits