Two Lit Mamas

The Mamas are dreaming of hot cider, apple pie and cool nights so join them on an historical hayride as they travel back in time to the not-so distant past (Can the 70s really be considered historical fiction?!?) and fall in love with fantastic, new historical fiction for Middle Graders (ages 8-12).

Book Chat:

Yonder by Ali Standish

Show Me A Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte

Pick 6: More Great Historical Fiction for MG

1.     Daring Darleen: Queen of the Screen by Anne Nesbet

2.     Cookies & Milk by Shawn Amos

3.     Pies from Nowhere by Dee Romito

4.     Marika Marches for Equality by Salima Alikhan, Andrea Rossetto 

5.     Escape from East Berlin by Andy Marino

6.     Escape from Chernobyl by Andy Marino

 
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The summer flew by and sadly it's time to get back in school mode. The Mamas are here to help with a back to school book chat about The School For Whatnots by Margaret Peterson Haddix (or MPH if you gangsta). Listen to the Mamas fangirl about their author idol and goddess of kid robots.

Book Chat:
The School For Whatnots by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Pick 6:
The Mamas share their favorite tropes in Middle Grade fiction.

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 In episode 51, the Mamas cling to the last days of summer as tightly as they would an only son going off to college. If you can relate, join the Mamas’ book chat about risky midnight meetings at camp and unattended problem children who use their summertime freedom to find treasure in 2 fantasy series for middle graders (ages 8-12). Then reminisce with the Mamas as they each answer 3 important questions about the summer of 2022. 

Book Chat:

Vanishing Act by Laura Martin

The Problim Children by Natalie Lloyd

Pick 6: The Mamas answer 3 questions about summer. How would you answer?

 1.     What was the best thing you ate?

2.     What was the best thing you watched?

3.     What was the best thing you read?

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The Mamas go all Eco Warrior this month with Middle Grade fiction (for 8-12 years olds) that is destined to inspire next gen environmental scientists and animal lovers. They get a little weepy discussing manatee injuries, great white shark invasions, themes of loss, and fantastic debut fiction authors. Then, the Mamas share 6 healthy screen time options for summer learning. Put on your Birkenstocks and join the fun!

Book Chat:
Where the Sky Lives by Margaret Dilloway
Manatee Summer by Evan Griffith
The Line Tender by Kate Allen

Pick 6: Screen Time Parents Can Feel Good About
www.savethemanatee.org
www.nps.gov
https://www.epa.gov/students/games-quizzes-and-videos-about-environment
https://ypte.org.uk/topics/home-learning-packs
https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/marine-biology

Show Links:
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Listen in, as the Mamas dive into the big blue sea with Middle Grade (ages 8-12) seafaring fiction. Margie chases down her white whale while Heather dives for train treasure. That's right, we’re in vacay mode over at the Two Lit Mamas podcast. Grab your snorkel and join the fun! 

Book Chat:

Arch of Bone by Jane Yollen

Treasure Tracks by S.A. Rodriguez

 
Pick 6: The Mamas’ Vacay Reads

 1.     My Name is Red by Orham Pamuk

2.     A Passion for Killing by Barbara Nadel

3.     Turkish Delight Mystery Series by Mehmet Murat Somer

4.     The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill 

5.     Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech

6.     Grown & Flown by Lisa Heffernan and Mary Dell Harrington

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In episode 48, the Mamas are joined by everyone's favorite uncle to celebrate Pride month and chat about Tim Federle's middle grade character, Nate Foster, a theater lover who stars in a book series and a new Disney musical. The trio follows up the book vs.movie discussion with 6-ish adult and kid books that turned them into readers (or book nerds as Margie no-so-lovingly puts it). Johnny also spills the tea on Margie's grad school years from a century ago. Get your hot goss here!

Book Chat:

Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle

Pick 6: 
Books That Turned Us into Readers

1. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle
2. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tokein
3. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 
5. Call Me by Your Name by Andre Aciman
6. Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
7. The Island of the Sequined Love Nun by Christopher Moore

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The Mamas may not sound like themselves in this episode but they’re serving up great diverse reads for 8 to 12 year olds just like normal. Heather even discovers a way to love Realistic Fiction while Margie's just hoping to survive the Great Pollening. Join the Mamas for a fun chat and be grateful that the only thing contagious through your speakers are the laughs.

Book Chat:

Maizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee

The Night Bus Hero by Onjali Q. Raúf


Pick 6:
The Mamas chat about 6 things they're looking forward to this summer!

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The Mamas are split over their MG Fantasy Reads (for ages 8-12) but it’s not surprising since Heather loves flying horses and all things magical while Margie would rather read true crime stories unless a Sasquatch is involved. Find out where your loyalties lie by joining the debate. Plus, you can jump start your summer reading with six great new recommendations for all ages from the Mamas. 

Book Chat:

Solimar by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Amira & Hamza: The War to Save the World by Samira Ahmed

Pick 6: Summer Reads for All Ages

Margie’s Picks:

1. Lower Middle Grade: The Orphans of St. Halibuts by Sophie Wills
2. Teen/YA: Just Our Luck by Julia Watson
3. Grown Ups: A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers

Heather’s Picks:

1. Preschool: Roar! I’m a Dinosaur by Merrill Rainey
2. Middle Grade: Northwind by Gary Paulsen
3. Grown Ups: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

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On the eve of Mother’s Day, the Mamas are packing their bags for Mars. They’ve got their motion sickness cures and their poopoo spray tucked in travel bags; and they’re looking forward to a few days of weightlessness in the silence of space. Join the club so the Mamas aren’t left angry walking (or floating) alone.

Book Chat:
Packing for Mars for Kids by Mary Roach

 Pick 6:
Books for a Quiet (and less disappointing) Mother’s Day

1. Jane Austen’s Table: Recipes Inspired by the Works of Jane Austen: PIcnics, Feasts and Afternoon Teas By Robert Tuesley Anderson
2. Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children by Angela J. Hanscom
3. Craft in the Real World: Rethinking Fiction Writing and Workshopping by Matthew Salesses
4. Into the Wild by Jon Krakhauer
5. Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
6. Educated by Tara Westover & Educating by LaRee Westover

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After a break, the Mamas are back with a fun way to boost your summer reading: pairing a gown-up book series with a Middle Grade book series that share the same world and characters in the spirit of Spin-Offs that only kids of the 80's and 90's could love! Inspired by their cold beach walks, the Mamas jumped on an ocean-themed book series for Middle Graders that ties into a series of grown-up books with the same characters and overall themes. Parent/child book club, anyone?

Book Chat:

Grown-Up Book: Mangrove Lightning by Randy Wayne White
Middle Grade Book: Fins by Randy Wayne White
randywaynewhite.com

Pick 6: More Book Spins-Offs We Love!

1. Alexander McCall-Smith's chapter book The Great Cake Mystery has the same MC as his adult series the #1 Ladies Detective Agency

2. Carl Hiaasan’s Chomp, Hoot, Scat, Flush, Skink and Squirm are MG books that are styled like his adult books

3. Famous adult author Terry Pratchett's MG book, Only you Can Save Mankind

4. Finishing School Series is a steampunk MG series by Gail Carriger who also has adult steampunk books

5. Death Comes to Pemberley is a book and movie based on the Pride and Prejudice characters by Jane Austen written by famous mystery author P.D. James

6. The whole family can join the fun with Little House on the Prairie Picture Books that match up to themes and scenes in the Middle Grade series by Laura Ingalls Wilders


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