S3 Ep 1: Experiencing history more deeply with Alyssa Colman

How much do you know about the Dust Bowl? Maybe you’ve seen some powerful photographs illustrating the struggles of the Great Depression or the power of Black Sunday? As we read Alyssa Colman’s Where Only Storms Grow we discovered that we really experienced and “felt” history more than we could in photographs from the time.We talked with Alyssa Colman and discussed writing historical fiction and how she developed her novel in our latest episode. We discussed how she really brings history to life through powerful characters, strong figurative language, and engaging scenes. Here are a few of our favorite lines from her book that really illustrate her use of language:* Alexis: “I thought how the dominoes were like twins. On one side they were the same, on the other, completely different.”* Brittany: “It goes to show, if you bury your troubles in the ground, they tend to grow.”Read her book and 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 SaulnierMeet Alyssa ColmanAlyssa Colman is the author of Where Only Storms Grow, which has been named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, the Writer’s Digest All Ages Read of 2025, and was featured in Time for Kids. Her other books include The Tarnished Garden and The Gilded Girl, which won the 2021 Northern Lights Book Award for middle grade fantasy and was a Bank Street Best Book of the Year. Alyssa is a graduate of Wake Forest University and resides in Virginia. When she’s not writing, she enjoys making messes in the kitchen with her kids and scaring her husband with DIY home improvements. About Where Only Storms GrowFor Fans of the I Survived series and The War That Saved My Life, this gripping middle grade novel is set during one of the most dangerous storms in American history.It’s been four years since rain fell on the Oklahoma panhandle and the closeness between the Stanton twins has dried up as much as the land. Howe has been practicing running away and longs for the family to quit this land of dust where only troubles grow. Despite the scoliosis that causes Joanna near-constant pain, she isn’t ready to give up like her brother. But when Daddy leaves the family behind to find work in California, saving the farm from ruin falls on Howe’s unwilling and Joanna’s uneven shoulders.To pay the family’s debts, Joanna takes a job at the local hospital and discovers purpose in helping others. Meanwhile, Howe finds unexpected joy in caring for his father’s horse and escapes in a borrowed book.But then a tragedy in town reveals the dust’s deadly dangers. With the worst storm of the Dust Bowl bearing down on their home, Howe and Joanna must put aside their differences and work together, or everyone and everything they love will be lost to the dust.Thanks for reading Read to Write Kidlit Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.Looking aheadSeason 3 is in full swing! Coming in October…Lindsay Currie! Yes, a repeat author to talk about the sequel to her mystery middle grade. We spoke with Lindsay about book one of the Delta Games series, Mystery of Locked Rooms, and are excited to get to talk with her about the sequel, The House with No Keys!Take a look at our podcast from last October and make sure to read the sequel! We would love to hear what you thought about our show-so leave us a comment or DM. Thank you for your continued support. Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!On Apple Podcasts? Leave us a review so others can find us!Thanks 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