Reading Our Way to Hope: Two Middle Grade Novels that Heal and Inspire

In this heartwarming episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two middle grade authors whose stories are perfect for sparking big family conversations. First, singer-songwriter and author Tia McGraff joins us from the shores of Lake Erie to celebrate her new novel In Your Dreams, Jake, part of the Jake the Road Dog series. Tia shares how her rescue dog Jake, once just a day away from being euthanized, became a beloved "road dog" traveling to festivals, bookstores, and schools—and eventually inspired a middle grade story told through his eyes. She and Jed talk about the joy of live family events, the sacred honor of performing for kids, and how music, books, and creativity help families cope with grief, change, and challenging times. Tia also reflects on her journey from country music stages and Johnny Cash appearances to writing children's novels and kid-friendly songs like her "Caterpillar Song." Then, Jed chats with Austin Kairnes, author of The Blind Boy Who Saw the Invisible King. Austin explains how a title that came to him on a COVID-era walk grew into a rich quest story about Joe, a blind boy searching for answers from a mysterious king. They explore themes of bullying, empathy, faith, and seeing the world through non-visual senses. Austin shares how his Catholic faith quietly shapes the story, how reading aloud shaped his own family life, and why he believes nightly reading is one of the best ways to pass on values and build lifelong connections.