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Author Voices

Tween

Mae Respicio and Melissa Sarno Reflect on the Meaning of Home

What is a home? Is it a place, a feeling, or something else? These are questions that Mae Respicio’s The House That Lou Built and Melissa Sarno’s Just Under the Clouds — two middle grade novels that approach serious themes and big dreams with empathy and compassion — explore in depth.

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Tween

The Question Kids Always Ask

I stand in front of an auditorium chock-full of wide-eyed fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. We’re discussing my Newbery Honor book Three Times Lucky and I’ve come to the dangerous part of the presentation: Questions & Answers.

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Growing Reader

Standing Out and Fitting In: A Q&A with Chris Gorman, Author-Illustrator of One of a Kind

In One of a Kind, an impactful new picture book created by Chris Gorman, young readers are introduced to a pint-sized punk rocker who embraces what makes him happy and unique.

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Teen

Stay True to Who You Are: Scott Reintgen on the Nyxia Series and His Advice for Teens

With its authentic characters and realistic world, it’s no wonder YA fans are getting hooked on Scott Reintgen’s action-packed Nyxia triad.

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Tween

Teen

On the Complexity of Human Stories: A Q&A with Veera Hiranandani

Veera Hiranandani discusses The Night Diary, her moving novel that follows a family’s difficult journey as refugees seeking a new home during the Partition of India in 1947.

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Pre-K

Growing Reader

Green Bean ‘Fries’ and The Day the Crayons Quit — A Perfect Recipe and Read-Aloud Pairing

For a storytime snack, Kristin Cavallari likes to prep these Green Bean “Fries” and pair them with a read-aloud of The Day the Crayons Quit.

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Tween

Why Historical Fiction Is Important for 21st-Century Kids

In skilled hands, the factual history makes the character’s story feel real, and being immersed in that story makes history come alive for the reader, sometimes in surprising ways. Human emotions are timeless; relationships, social status, age- and gender-appropriate roles and issues are fluid and ever-changing.

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Just For Fun

One Skillet Butter Chicken and Orzo — A Kid-Friendly Dinner Recipe for Families

You'll hear no complaints from picky eaters with this delicious one-pot recipe from Half Baked Harvest Cookbook author Teighan Gerard.

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Pre-K

Growing Reader

Thinking Like a Coder: How Coding Concepts Appear in Kids’ Everyday Lives

Coding is adaptable to everything, and there is no question that it taps into all interests and facets of life today.

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Growing Reader

Tween

On Finding a Connection with Horses in Kids’ Literature and Beyond

Horses have taught me a lot: to be patient, to be observant, to think for myself, to enjoy the outdoors and being active, to take pleasure in who the horses are as much as in what they do.

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Just For Fun

Beef Empanadas — A Kid-Friendly Lunch Recipe for Families

A healthy twist on a kid-favorite recipe, these empanadas by Skinnytaste.com founder Gina Homolka are a delicious lunchtime choice.

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Pre-K

Meet the Illustrator: Elanna Allen

Elanna Allen’s picture book Pet Dad balances tender moments with essential life lessons, making it perfect for father-daughter duos everywhere.

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