In this episode, Jennifer chats with Kate Messner to discuss her love for middle grade novels, her writing process, and her latest projects. Discover the inspiration behind Kate's popular series, "The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class," and her journey in writing her first verse novel, "The Trouble with Heroes."

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

Chapters

In this episode, Jennifer chats with Rex Ogle to talk about his journey from working behind the scenes in publishing to becoming one of the most beloved authors writing for young readers. Their conversation explores the importance of normalizing discussions around mental health, and why it's crucial to have more books that help boys navigate what it truly means to “be a man” in a world that too often rewards toxic masculinity.

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

Chapters

In this episode, Jennifer LaGarde and Natalie Lloyd explore their shared love for literature, the impact of childhood reading experiences, the importance of authentic representation in books and, of course, Dolly Parton. They discuss the joys of audiobooks, the challenges of writing about disability, and the significance of creating relatable characters. Natalie shares insights into her writing process and upcoming projects, emphasizing the power of storytelling to connect with young readers.

Show notes, including episode transcripts and information about connecting with this episode's guest, can be found here. 

Chapters:

In this episode, Jennifer chats with two-time Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly. Their conversation delves into themes of anxiety, character development, and the importance of positive adult figures in children's literature. Erin reflects on her journey as a writer, her influences, and her background in journalism, which has shaped her writing style. The conversation concludes with a glimpse into her upcoming projects, showcasing her continued dedication to creating meaningful literature for young audiences.

Show notes, including episode transcripts and information about connecting with this episode's guest, can be found here. 

Chapters

In this episode, Jennifer chats with Allie Millington about the profound impact of literature, particularly middle grade books, on identity and connection. They discuss the themes of loneliness and bravery in Millington's book Olivetti,'and the importance of fostering authentic connections in a hyper-connected world. Millington shares her experiences with young readers during school visits, the significance of endorsements from figures like Tom Hanks, and her upcoming projects, including a new middle grade novel and a picture book.

Show notes, including episode transcripts and information about connecting with this episode's guest, can be found here. 

Chapters

In this engaging conversation, Padma Venkatraman chats with Jennifer about her new novel in verse, Safe Harbor, exploring themes of belonging, empowerment, and mental health representation. They delve into Padma's personal reading journey, her experiences as a writer, and the significance of music and nature in her storytelling. The discussion also touches on Padma's future projects and the importance of diverse representation in children's literature.

Show notes, including episode transcripts and information about connecting with this episode's guest, can be found here. 

Chapters

00:00 Getting to Know Padma

05:07 Exploring Safe Harbor

11:48 Themes of Belonging and Empowerment

18:01 Mental Health Representation

23:58 The Role of Music and Nature

33:08 Looking Ahead: Future Projects

Summary:

New York Times best selling author, Dashka Slater, joins Jennifer LaGarde to explore the profound impact of literature on young readers, the journey of becoming a writer, and the intersection of journalism and storytelling. Dashka shares her early reading experiences, her path to writing for young people, and the challenges of addressing complex social issues through her work. The discussion highlights the importance of empathy, understanding, and the role of educators and parents in guiding young readers in today's digital landscape.

Show notes, including episode transcripts and information about connecting with this episode's guest, can be found here. 

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction to Reader's Heart

06:55 The Reader's Journey: Dashka's Early Reading Life

10:59 The Path to Writing for Young People

14:46 The Intersection of Journalism and Young Adult Nonfiction

23:02 Exploring Humanity in Complex Stories

30:38 Engaging Educators and Parents in Conversations

36:08 Looking Ahead: New Projects and Lighter Themes

Summary

In this episode, Federico Erebia joins Jennifer for an engaging conversation in which they explore the profound impact of literature on personal identity and the importance of representation in children's books. They discuss Federico's journey as a reader and writer, the significance of first books, and how stories can help children navigate complex emotions and experiences, particularly around themes of abuse and identity. The conversation culminates in a book talk about Federico's latest work, Pedro and Daniel, highlighting its unique perspective and relevance. The conversation concludes with a glimpse into Erebia's future projects, highlighting his commitment to storytelling and the power of literature.

Show notes, including episode transcripts and information about connecting with this episode's guest, can be found here. 

Chapters

Summary

In this conversation, Jennifer and chat's with Paula Yoo about her love for writing narrative non-fiction and how her background in journalism influences her work. They also explore the power of literature for young people in shaping their hearts and understanding the world. Paula shares her experience as a reader, starting with her childhood love for Charlotte's Web and how it influenced her writing style. They discuss the importance of tackling tough topics in books for young people and the need for nuance and context in storytelling. Paula also talks about her latest book, Rising from the Ashes, which explores the 1992 LA uprising, and the importance of amplifying lesser-known stories and challenging stereotypes in media coverage.

Show notes, including a discount code for purchasing Paula's books from Bookelicious, can be found here. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Paula's Writing Journey

04:42 Charlotte's Web and the Influence of Setting

08:19 Tackling Tough Topics in Books for Young People

15:02 The Importance of Nuance and Context in Storytelling

26:34 Protesting Unfair Media Coverage

28:52 The Power of Collective Action

33:01 Exploring 'Han'

36:32 Emotional Journeys: Han, Hwa, and Jung

45:18 Future Projects

In this conversation, Jeff Zentner chats with Jennifer  about his reader's heart and his writing process. They discuss the power of literature written for young people to shape hearts and help readers navigate the world. They also explore the themes of found family and redefining masculinity in Zentner's books. They delve into Jennifer favorite Jeff Zentner book: Rayne and Delilah's Midnight Matinee, and the importance of depicting relationships with mental illness in young adult literature. They also discuss Zentner's new book, Sunrise Nights,'a verse novel co-authored with Brittany Cavallaro, and Zentner's upcoming adult novel set in a puppet studio in 1970s New York City.

Show notes, including a chance to win 2 signed copies of Jeff's books mentioned in this episode from Bookelicious, can be found here. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Connection

03:02 The Power of Literature for Young People

08:26 Exploring Found Family and Redefining Masculinity

11:26 Depicting Relationships with Mental Illness in Young Adult Literature

40:46 Upcoming Adult Novel: A Journey into a Puppet Studio