Two Lit Mamas

Margie hates it but Heather’s inner horsey girl catches her stride in Episode 33 as the Mamas share their childhood memories of horses and explore Middle Grade books and resources in the horsey genre. The Mamas also get on their high horses and rant about banned books. Saddle up and hold on tight!

Book Chat:

The Secret Horses of Briar Hill by Megan Shepherd

The Compton Cowboys by Walter Thompson-Hernandez

Pick 6: Resources for Horse-Themed Learning Activities

1. Horse Illustrated Online Magazine’s young rider tab
2. The Equinest
3. Horseloversmath.com
4. Horsecrazygirls.com science fair horse project
5. Przewalski’s Horse at the National Zoo
6. Stacy Gregg’s Ponies A-Z

 
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The Mamas embrace their inner Sporty Spice (or Benchwarmer Spice) to share reviews of Middle Grade novels (ages 8-12) about gymnastics, football and soccer, as well as, the personal and family trauma that can sometimes be associated with sports. The Mamas also share six sports-themed activities for the classroom and home. Put on your athletic supporters and let's get started!

Book Reviews:

• Chirp by Kate Messner
• Ten Thousand Tries by Amy Makechnie
• Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

Pick Six: Sports-Themed Activities

1. Fine Motor Skills: Basket Toss
2. Language & Sensory: Mystery Bag with Sports Items
3. Large Muscle Movement: Skiing on 2x4 Blocks
4. Math: Add and Subtract Game Scores
5. Science: The Physics of Football video and The Impossible Kick Ted Talk
6. Geography: Pin Team Pennants to the City, State or Country on a Map 

Show Links:
twolitmamas.com

In this episode, the Mamas get extra nerdy exploring the final frontier in the latest Middle Grade science fiction novels and short stories. So grab your communicators and listen in as they cover hermetically sealed post-pandemic apartments, talking heads, shape-shifting aliens, and murder on the moon.  Oh, it gets creepy, gross and dark, but you're gonna love it.

Science Fiction MG Book Chat:
Cleo Porter and the Body Electric by Jake Burt
Moon Base Alpha Series by Stuart Gibbs
Weird Kid by Greg Van Eekhout
The Mortification of Fovea Munson by Mary Winn Heider

Pick 6: The Mamas favorite Sci-Fi short stories

1. The Fermi Paradox is Our Business Model by Charlie Jane Anders
2.  Kin by Bruce McAllister
3.  Bloodchild by Octavia E. Butler
4. There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury
5. Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.  
6. The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

Reference Links:
Rethink ELA
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The Mamas don their Siskel & Ebert disguises and debate the pros and cons of the Mysterious Benedict Society’s new Disney+ series vs. the OG book series. Although you can probably guess what the lit-loving Mamas have to say (hint: the book is ALWAYS better), you might enjoy the Middle Grade series recommendations at the end, especially if you’re in love with Mr. Benedict and his society of kid geniuses, like two middle-aged spies we know (yes, we’re talking about the Mamas).    

Book Discussion: 

The Mysterious Benedict Society Disney+ Series

The Mysterious Benedict Society book series

 Pick 6: If you liked The Mysterious Benedict Society, the Mamas recommend these series

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

Artemis Fowl

Mr. Lemoncello series

Sisters Grimm

N.E.R.D.S.

Savvy, Scrumble & Switch

Show References:

www.twolitmamas.com

The Mamas’ fantasies are flying in Episode 29 with two hot Middle Grade fantasy picks. Following the book chat, the Mamas share six more MG fantasies from their TBR Lists for 2021. So, if animals talk to you, you should listen in because you’re in good company, or at least not alone in your fantasy world!

 Book Chat:

The Hatmakers by Tamzin Merchant

The Mysterious Disappearance of Aiden S. (as told to his brother) by David Levithan

Pick 6: MG Fantasies from the Mamas 2021 TBR lists

1. The Raconteur’s Commonplace Book (A Greenglass House Story) by Kate Milford
2. The Gilded Girl by Alyssa Colman
3. Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls by Kaela Rivera
4. Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliot
5. The Anti-Book by Raphel Simon
6. Arlo Finch Series by John August

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Two of the Mamas’ fave authors (yes, ones from the Franzia List) are back in the book chat with financially-focused Middle Grade characters who discover how to run a business and manage money in the most fantastic settings. Listen as the Mamas WERK IT, doing what they love—chatting about great Middle Grade Lit and natural disasters (yes, they get waaaay off topic).

Book Discussion:

Middle School’s a Drag You Better Werk by Greg Howard

Millionaires for the Month by Stacy McAnulty

Pick 6: The Mamas break down their worst jobs and their best work moments

The Worst:

1.     Pushing corpses to the crematorium

2.     Making the donuts

3.     Wrecking a house with two little kids

4.     Ruining wedding gowns

The Best:

5.     Making a golem with Philip Glass

6.     Making $400 on Mother’s Day and spending it all on clothes

Show Reference Links:

Lunch Money by Andrew Clements

Lawn Boy and Lawn Boy Returns by Gary Paulsen

Lemonade Wars series by Jacqueline Davies

The Toothpaste Millionaire by Jean Merrill

www.lemonadeday.org

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Find out what’s cooking in Middle Grade lit as the Two Lit Mamas drool­–err–chat about the latest novels with kid bakers and chefs. If you aren’t hungry now, you will be by the time the Mamas finish dishing their foody opinions and kid-friendly recipes. Bon Appetit!

 Book Discussion: 

Midsummer's Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca

All You Knead is Love by Tania Guerrero

A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

When Life Gives You Lemons Make Peach Pie by Erin Soderberg Downing

Pick 6: Kid-Friendly Recipes

1.     Soft Pretzels

2.     Baked Alaska

3.     Fruit Sauce & Fruit Soup (Fruktsoppa)

4.     Stuffed Grape Leaves (Margie might die if we share this recipe)

5.     Homemade Pizza Dough

6.     Avocado Pasta

Show Reference Links:

www.twolitmamas.com

In episode 26, the Mamas join forces with Uncle Johnny to discuss the latest in LGBTQIA+ books for Middle Graders. They look at how far we’ve come and how far we have to go through the lens of two great novels about love, loss and growing up queer in America. 

Book Discussion:

One True Way by Shannon Hitchcock

The Whispers by Greg Howard

Pick 6: Grown Up Books We’re Reading Now (Yes, we read do read them)

1.     The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

2.     Four Lost Cities by Annalee Newitz

3.     The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune

3.5  Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

4.     The Sacred Band by James Romm

5.     When I Ran Away by Ilona Bannister

6.     My Life with Women by Thomas E. Kennedy

Reference Links:

Trockadero Ballet

Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden

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On their one year anniversary, the Mamas share their favorite heartwarming and hard hitting immigrant & refugee novels for Middle Graders. Since Margie's life is one big immigrant story and Heather's small, rural world was widened by international students who came for the holidays, the topic of immigration and refugees is close to their hearts. So, think globally but listen locally as the Mamas discuss ways to introduce kiddos to other cultures through books and much more!

Book Discussion
The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Rauf
Front Desk series by Kelly Yang
One Good Thing About America by Ruth Freeman
The Only Road & Crossroads by Alexandra Diaz

Pick 6: Tips for introducing kids to other cultures

1. Try a new ethnic restaurant and randomly order off the menu
2. Learn how to pronounce someone's name correctly
3. Goog It! Research a country you know nothing about
4. Learn to say "hello" in other languages
5. Celebrate a holiday from another country
6. Order it on Amazon! Search for candy, drinks and snacks from other countries and try them
7. Bonus: Visit an international market or grocery store

Show Links:
www.twolitmamas.com

In Episode 24, the Mamas discuss two middle grade novels that take very different approaches to prepping from a kid’s perspective: one is apocalyptic and the other is fake news, but both are intensely entertaining and involve drinking toilet water. If you can hang with that, then grab your bug-out bag, dust off your survival skills, and join the Mamas in the bunker. Just don’t forget the Franzia. 

Book Discussion:

The World Ends in April by Stacy McAnulty

96 Miles by J.L. Eslpin

Pick 6: Summer Reading Recommendations 

1.     Historical Fiction: Gone to the Woods, Surviving a Lost Childhood by Gary Paulsen

2.     Mystery: The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson

3.     Adventure: The Mutant Mushroom Takeover & Attack of the Killer Komodos by Summer Rachel Short 

4.     Realistic Fiction: Thanks a Lot, Universe by Chad Lucas

5.     Science Fiction: The Last Gate of the Emperor by Kwame Mbalia

6.     Humor: My Life as a Potato by Arianne Costner

Show Reference Links:

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

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