The SSR Podcast

Let’s have a Judy Blume moment, shall we? Episode 260 takes a close look at the iconic author’s 1972 “divorce book,” It’s Not the End of the World. Alli and her guest discuss the ways in which our conversations with kids about divorce have changed… but also the ways they’ve stayed the same! They also talk about the emotional immaturity of the adults in the book, kid psychology, imperfect parents, and the importance of centering children’s feelings.

TW: markers for domestic abuse

Laura Taylor Namey is the New York Times and international bestselling author of Reese’s Book Club pick A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, The Library of Lost Things, When We Were Them, and the forthcoming A British Girl’s Guide to Hurricanes and Heartbreak. Follow her on Instagram (@laura_namey).

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Episode 259 centers around The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett! Originally published in 1911, this is one of the oldest books covered on the podcast yet, making it a unique case for discussion. Alli and her guest talk about the notion of “classics” as a whole, as well as colonialism, disability, manifestation, the supernatural, unlikable kid protagonists, and mind-over-matter approaches to health.

Genevieve Wheeler is the author of Adelaide. Follow her on Instagram (@geewheeler).

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For the first time in YEARS, SSR once again takes on Gertrude Chandler Warner’s beloved Boxcar Children series. Episode 258 is all about the second installment, Surprise Island… and the biggest surprise of all might just be that it’s a pretty quiet story! All aboard for the discussion about the general appeal of the Boxcar Children, gender roles, what makes a mystery, domestic fantasy, wish fulfillment, and more.

Andrea Bartz is an essayist, journalist, and the New York Times-bestselling author of The Lost Night, The Herd, We Were Never Here, and The Spare Room. Follow her on Instagram (@andibartz) and Twitter (@andibartz).

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Tune in for a special announcement in the episode intro!

Get ready to investigate, listeners, because we’re revisiting the Baby-Sitters Club Mystery spin-off series. Episode 257 is all about Jessi and the Jewel Thieves, in which BSC junior officer Jessi Ramsey takes a trip to the Big Apple, plans to break-up with her long-distance BF, and somehow manages to get involved in what she *thinks* is a brewing plot to steal some high-value gems. Alli and her guest begin with a big-picture conversation about the Baby-Sitters Club and then chat about the particulars of this installment in all its endearing chaos.

Danielle Jackson is the author of The Accidental Pinup and Accidentally in Love. Follow her on Twitter (@DJacksonBooks) and Instagram (@djacksonbooks).

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On Episode 256, Alli and her guest cover not just one throwback read, but a whole series of them! Adventurers and decisive bookworms, this one’s for you, because it’s time to take a walk down memory lane to chat about the Choose Your Own Adventure series. This episode offers lots of insight into the history of these books, along with why so many kids love them and what they teach us about making choices.

Sara Desai is the author of diverse romantic comedies, including The Singles Table, The Dating Plan, The Marriage Game, and To Have and to Heist. Follow her on Instagram (@saradesaiwrites) and Twitter (@saradesaiwrites).

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On Episode 255, Alli and her guest consider Frank B. Gilbreth and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey’s Cheaper By the Dozen… and it’s absolutely nothing like the romp of a Steve Martin movie you remember from your childhood. Instead, the book that inspired the movie(s) opens up conversations about the problematic nature of efficiency experts, narcissism, the Duggars, corporal punishment, and extremely toxic masculinity. You don’t want to miss this thoughtful, thorough discussion!

Jake Maia Arlow is the author of Almost Flying, How to Excavate A Heart, and The Year My Life Went Down the Toilet. Follow them on Instagram (@jakewhosasillygoose).

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Buckle up for some real darkness this week, listeners, because we’re heading back to the world of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events! Episode 254 is all about the fifth installment in the series, The Austere Academy, in which the Baudelaire orphans are dropped off at an absurdly horrendous boarding school. Join Alli and her guest as they unpack the appeal of Snicket’s work and chat about what makes this particular book an especially fun read.

Noelle Crooks is the author of Under the Influence. Follow her on Instagram (@noellecrooks).

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Join us on Episode 253 for a nostalgic journey back to Beverly Cleary’s Klickitat Street, more specifically, a discussion about the 1968 classic Ramona the Pest. Alli and her guest discuss their favorite Ramona-isms, fangirl over this self-aware young heroine, and chat about the many things that Cleary gets so incredibly right about childhood.

Kara Alloway’s debut novel Most Hated is now available! Follow her on Instagram (@karaalloway) and Twitter (@karaalloway).

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Grab your favorite pens, markers, and stickers and prepare to jump back into the pages of Amelia’s Notebook! Listen to Episode 252 for a cozy, nostalgic visit back to the days of handwritten documentation and old school creativity. It’s a super fun ride that features discussions about likability, sass, jelly roll noses, and more.

Mikki Hernandez is an actress, voiceover artist, and the author of Cake Mix: Learning to Love All Your Ingredients. Check out her blog MixedKids&Co and follow her on Instagram (@momikki | @mixedkidsco) for more.

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SSR is BACK from summer break and jumping right into a conversation about 2009’s Beautiful Creatures, a southern gothic novel that explores witchcraft, first love, and teen angst. Tune in to hear Alli and her guest discuss everything from revisionist history and slut shaming to the “not like other girls” trope and iPods. They also discuss one major question: is this book *too* long?

Joelle Wellington is the author of Their Vicious Games. Follow her on Instagram (@jowellington) and Twitter (@joelle_welling).

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