S2 Ep 8: The lunch room is still hard...even on the moon-Middle Grade Sci-Fi with Michelle Barry

Secret Garden + Divergent = Moongarden.Join us as we talked with Michelle A Barry about writing her science fiction series, Moongarden. We touched on plotting, planning, magic systems, and tying middle school life into it all in our latest podcast. Here were a few of our favorite lines that stood out to us as we read:* Brittany: “The public will never accept a garden.”* Alexis: “I turn in a circle marveling at what my magic can do even if it don’t know how I’m doing it.”Share your favorite lines!Further down in the description you can read more about the book, where to buy your own copy, and what we are doing next.You can listen to the podcast above or on Apple Podcasts. We also have transcripts available if listening is not for you. Note: Transcripts on Substack are only available in the web version, not the app.We would love to hear what you thought of the book and our talk with the author.Music credits: Will SaulnierAbout Michelle A Barry Michelle has worn many hats, including working as a newspaper reporter, freelance writer and editor, and marketing professional. Barry currently has three books published, but listen to our podcast for more about her history of writing as well as what is coming!About Moongarden"Moongarden blooms with heart and adventure. A stellar update of The Secret Garden, woven with a little science-fiction, a lot of magic, a vibrant heroine, and a plucky robot sidekick to rival R2D2." —Victoria Aveyard, New York Times bestselling author.The Secret Garden meets The City of Ember. Failed climate change policy, an intergalactic conspiracy, and the magical, unlikely heroine who could unearth it all. An explosive STEAM-inspired series starter perfect for young change makers.Centuries ago, Earth’s plants turned deadly, and humanity took to space to cultivate new homes. Myra Hodger is in her first year at an elite school on the Moon, and she’s crumbling under the pressure. She doesn’t fit in and, worse, the tattoos that signal her Number Whisperer magic aren’t developing. In her heart, she knows she doesn’t have a Creer, and soon everyone else will, too.Wandering the halls while cutting class, she discovers a secret lab hidden behind one of the unused classrooms and, beyond that, a secret garden overflowing with plants. Dangerous toxic plants.As she learns more about the garden, Myra begins to wonder if she does have a Creer after all—one that died out when the Earth did. One that could help solve the food shortages the government doesn’t want anyone to know about.Re-envisioning The Secret Garden for a new generation, Moongarden weaves together STEAM themes and intense social pressures in a stunning series starter, and introduces a dynamic heroine who might just grow a revolution.Thanks for reading Read to Write Kidlit Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.Looking aheadThanks for reading Read to Write Kidlit Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readtowritekidlit.substack.com