PODCAST · arts
BookHuddle with Readgab
by Karen Reeder
Welcome to Book Huddle with Readgab where you get to hear from authors of children's books and others having to do with children's literacy. We chat not only about what inspired these amazing authors, but also time relevant themes in their books and how kids can benefit from these themes. Each guest also recommends one of their favorite children's books at the end of the episode so you will constantly be building a wonderful list of books for the kids in your life.
Episodes
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104: RJ Palacio and Brett Helquist on Working Together to Create a Picture Book and Why it is Important for all Ages to Take Time to Have Fun
RJ Palacio (the author of Wonder) and Brett Helquist (the illustrator of A Series of Unfortunate Events) come together as a powerhouse team to create a brilliant new Halloween picture book, THE HAUNTED PLAYGROUND. Hear all about how they created this story, what their reactions were to each…
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103: Middle School Monsters by Robin Easter on Friendship, Community and Being Yourself
Robin Easter's own life experiences influenced the creation of their graphic novel about a new kid at a new middle school. In today's episode Robin and I discuss friendships, community and being true to yourself. Find author Robin Easter https://www.instagram.com/vellichorvictim/?hl=en Middle...
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102: Take Charge of Your Own Destiny - Jessie Latimer YA Author Interview
Rigby is given a second chance when she is pulled into her favorite fantasy novel, but can she help the villian discover his second chance as well? Author Jessie Latimer and I discuss her debut novel, Again Behold the Stars, and all about second chances, redemption, taking charge of your own...
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101: Children and Their Aging Loved Ones - Sue Lloyd-Davies Middle Grade Author Interview
This interview was very personal for me, so I, of course, got emotional. Sue Lloyd-Davies and I discuss her beautiful, heart-rending, fun, entertaining, and uplifting book Pinkie's Turnabout. This episode is for all of those kids whose lives are affected by the unique changing lifestyles with…
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100: Celesta Rimington Middle Grade Author Interview - Magic in Our World
Sometimes you find magic in unexpected places. Celesta's books all have some light fantasy to them, but are all based on some things in our real world that just seem magical. In Celesta's newest release, Reach, a boy is struggling with blended family relationships when he meets a tree that can…
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99: What If Your Dog Became Human - Interview with A.J. Symon YA Author
Do you have a pet that you love so much that you think they would make the best friend if only they were human? I mean, no one understands you the way your pet does, right? What if your dog became human? YA author AJ Symon explores this fantastic possibility in his book, Golden Boy. Find author...
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98: The Secret to Belonging - New Young Adult Book - Megan E Freeman Author Interview
Author Megan E. Freeman is widely known for her popular middle grade books Alone and Away. The Secret to Belonging is Megan's debut young adult novel in verse about a girl from a hard home life who finds an escape as a foreign exchange student in Norway. Listen in to hear Megan share how her own...
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97: Motivate Kids to Achieve Their Dreams - Micah Johnson Middle Grade Author Interview
For Micah Johnson his creation of Aku is a symbol for limitless dreams. In this episode we get to discuss how Micah went from retired baseball player to artist and children's book author. Micah uses his art and writing to inspire kids to achieve their dreams. Find author Micah Johnson...
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96: Unexpected Friendships in Middle Grade Books - Michelle Lee Author Interview
Do you ever go looking for a book that will feel like reading it is like getting a hug? Then The Magic of Someday Soon is the book for you. In this episode Michelle Lee discusses her light magical book set in a small town, finding unexpected friends, how she has experienced magical moments in her...
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95: Middle School Theater with Disability Representation - Wendy Lu Middle Grade Author Interview
Casting April by Wendy Lu is partly based on Wendy's own youth experiences with theatre and living with a tracheostomy tube. While April is partly based on Wendy as a youth, April has a lot of her own experiences as well. We get to hear all about parts of the story that were very much a part of...
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94: Everything a Horse Story Can do for Kids - Interview with Middle Grade Author Melanie Sue Bowles
LIberty Biscuit and Little Pearl by Melanie Sue Bowles Find author Melanie Sue Bowles Chapters 00:00 Meet middle grade author Melanie Sue Bowles 03:50 What is Liberty Biscuit about? 07:53 How did Melanie create the story? 10:27 A happy/strong family that has weaknesses 13:05 A mixed race family…
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93: Life Altering Moments for Writers and Their Characters - Jessica Khoury Author Interview
Do you remember the moment you fell in love with reading? Or a magical moment in a story that stuck with you forever? In this episode I talk with author Jessica Khoury about creating her newest book, Monster and Apprentice, how the story developed, how she discovered its themes, and all of the...
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92: Creating Books Good Enough for You - Interview with Author Nancy Hudgins
Nancy Hudgins is a nonfiction middle grade author of Books Good Enough for You: The Storied Life of Ursula Nordstrom. You will likely be familiar with many books that Ursula edited during her long career championing children's books: Goodnight Moon, Charlotte's Web, Where the Wild Things Are,...
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91: What To Do When Failure Arises And How Kids Can Be Happy Regardless - Interview with Kate Lumsden and Nate Pieplow
No one likes to fail. It isn’t fun. But it is how we grow. The way authors Kate and Nate illustrated this powerful theme while providing an entertaining story fascinated me and I am so thrilled that they joined me in this podcast episode to discuss it. I love all that I learned about their…
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90: Stories of Resistance and Resilience with Maria Dolores Aguila - Middle Grade Author Interview
Maria Dolores Aguila is both a picture book and middle grade author of historical fiction. Her novel in verse, A Sea of Lemon Trees won both a Newberry Honor and Pura Belpre Honor. Find out how this book has changed her and more in today's episode. Find author Maria Dolores Aguila...
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89: The Importance of Disability Representation in Books For Kids - Author Interview Diane Debrovner and Stacy Cervenka
When Diane Debrovner decided to write a middle grade book about a character with blind parents she decided that she would like a coauthor and so she approached her friend Stacy Cervenka. Stacy adds her unique perspective with her blindness and the experiences she knows about many other…
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88: The Power of Curiosity - Picture Book Author and Illustrator Interview Matthew Cordell
Caldecott Award Winning author and illustrator Matthew Cordell talks about the importance of curiosity and how this trait features in his newest picture book, 102. I was so surprised to discover that the brilliantly illustrated picture book was drawn with a multi-color pen. Learn more about this...
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87: All the Worst and All the Best of Writing for Kids - PJ Gardner Middle Grade Author Interview
Have you ever wondered about the greatest aspects about being an author? Or about the lowest moments? While discussing PJ Gardner's newest book I thought it was the perfect time to delve into some of these questions since the title of this book is: Worst in Show. Find author PJ Gardner...
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86: Accidentally Becoming an Illustrator with Carmen Mok
Chapters 00:00 Meet illustrator Carmen Mok 02:48 How did Carmen Mok get into illustrating books 05:15 What made Carmen want to stay in illustration? 08:39 Carmen’s process from start to finish for when her illustrations are in a published work 12:16 How the art directors feedback effects Carmen’s...
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85: Teens Crave Mysteries and Thrillers - Interview with YA Author April Henry
Bring on the high stakes tension! April Henry is a New York Times bestelling author of young adult and adult fiction books. In this episode we discuss her 32nd book, In the Blood. What is it like to go all in researching for these thrillers and what are some of April's experiences with writing...
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84: Hawaiian Legend Turned Into a Middle Grade Fantastical Adventure - Malia Maunakea Author Interview
Do your readers love fantastical shapeshifter books? Werewolves? Vampires? Sharks? Malia Maunakea joins us to talk about her newest middle grade fantasy based on Hawaiian legends. The Shark Prince is about a boy cursed to transform into a shark. You decide if it is a curse or a blessing. Find...
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83: A Story Out of Order with Caldecott Medal Winning Philip Stead Middle Grade Author Interview
Philip Stead is best known for his writing and illustrating of picture books, but after a little convincing from others and a lot of creativity on his part he recently published his first middle grade novel. "A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic or Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm a Story...
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82: Poetry Is For Everyone! John Schu Children's Book Author Interview
Poetry is not something that should be dreaded by students or adults. John shares how poetry can be found in multiple forms and can be a benefit to children and teens in many ways. Not only has John written a number of beautiful picture books, but John has a New York Times bestselling novel in...
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81: Everything Animal Stories Can Do For Us - Interview with Jasmine Warga
Kids love animal stories because kids love animals, but these stories can also teach us so much about ourselves and the world.
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80: Unsolved Mysteries and Spooky Stories Mixed With Some Very Real Historical Fiction About Enslaved Individuals - Interview with Shakirah Bourne
Join Shakirah and I discussing one of my favorite books of the year, Here Lies a Ghost. The mystery of the moving coffins of the Chase Vault is one of the top 100 greatest unsolved mysteries in the world. Middle grade author Shakirah Bourne shares with us how she went from a young girl exploring...
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79: Discussion on Body Image with author Rebecca Morrison
There is so much going on in this discussion because there is so much going on in the incredible book, The Blue Dress, by Rebecca Morrison. We talk about body image, being your authentic self, being an immigrant, complicated mother/daughter relationships. Find author Rebecca Morrison...
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78: What Kids Want In a Book According to Middle Grade Author Michael Buckley - Author Interview
Weird books are some of the best books! Michael Buckley shares his experience writing The Weirdies series in this author interview on BookHuddle where we learn to embrace and love the weird! Find middle grade author Michael Buckley https://www.michaelbuckleywrites.com/...
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77: Behind the Scenes with Jen Calonita in Writing The Isle of Ever Series - Middle Grade Author Interview
Jen takes us behind the scenes in her writing the Isle of Ever and book 2, The Curse Breaker. We get to hear all about how it came together and maybe you'll have some questions at the end so maybe you should follow Jen Calonita on her socials and read all of the books in the Isle of Ever series....
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76: We Are Never Just One Thing - Confront Heavy Convserations With Middle Author Lisa Graff
In our lives we are always growing, always changing, and yet some aspects of us stay the same. We are never defined by just one thing; there is never just one thing going on in our lives. It is hard to explain A Scar Like a River with just one word. If I had to, I would say it is heavy or...
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75: Can I Be Brave? Author Interview Saadia Faruqi
Middle grade author and winner of the Schneider Family Book Award Honor for her book The Strongest Heart talks to us about her newest book Some of Us Are Brave, how we can be brave and also how to make it a conversation with our kids. Find author Saadia Faruqi https://saadiafaruqi.com/...
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74: Reading and Writing Help Process Our Own Thoughts and Emotions - Interview with author N. West Moss
I had such a fantastic time reading Birdy and then talking to the author N. West Moss about how she crafted this beautiful story! We talk about the benefits of journaling, how reading and writing help us process our thoughts and emotions and so much more in this middle grade author interview!…
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73: Art Heals, Art Inspires, Art Brings Comfort During Times of Turmoil and Always - Claire Swinarski author interview
Claire Swinarski created a beauitiful historical fiction/contemporary middle grade book called Each and Every Spark. I had a wonderful time talking to her about this story, how important it is to have good art during hard times and researching/creating a work of historical fiction. Also, we love...
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72: Children's Books Create Conversations with Kids - Shifa Saltagi Safadi author interview
Children's stories can be fun, silly, entertaining, important, and thought-provoking all within one book. In this episode Shifa and I discuss both her chapter book series and her middle grade novel in verse. She talks about how both can be used to create meaningful conversations with kids and how...
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71: Newberry Honor Author Daniel Nayeri on his Award Winning Books and Graphic Novels
How do you pass the 'interview' to win the Newberry? How to keep a story short? And a whole lot of fun are in store for this middle grade author interview with Newberry Honor winner Daniel Nayeri. Find Daniel Nayeri https://www.danielnayeri.com/ https://www.instagram.com/danielnayeri/...
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70: Connecting with Animals - Lynne Kelly Author Interview
What can you learn about yourself as you develop a relationship with another person? Or as you develop a relationship with an animal? How will you grow as an individual? Lynne Kelly's beautiful new book, Three Blue Hearts, is about a boy on a summer vacation where he rescues a hurt octopus and...
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69: The Importance of Relationships in the Children's Book Industry LeUyen Pham Illustrator Interview
LeUyen is the illustrator of The Princess in Black series written by Shannon and Dean Hale as well as other books with Shannon. She has been an illustrator for 30 years now with over 140 books published and has also written/illustrated her own books. She was awarded the Caldecott Honor for the…
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68: Most Anticipated Middle Grade Books of 2026 with Annisha Jeffries from Reading in the Middle Podcast
The last week of December Annisha from Reading in the Middle and I got together to talk about our most anticipated books of 2026. These are just some of the middle grade books that we are super excited to read this year. Keep listening to future episodes as we continue to read and discover more...
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67: Our Favorite Middle Grade Books of 2025 with Melissa Taylor and Karen Reeder
There were so many wonderful middle grade books released in 2025, and in this episode Melissa Taylor and I discuss just some of the best books of 2025 from our lists. Want to hear more of my favorite books from 2025 then check out this episode next...
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66: The Importance of Community in Life and Death, on Land and Sea - Meg Medina Author Interview
Meg Medina's newest middle grade book is a beautiful fantasy adventure about the relationship between a sea spirit and a unique living boy with a common goal. They may be from different worlds with completely different views, but this book has a treasure trove of themes, like the importance of...
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65: Christmas Reindeer Bring Hope, Magic and Joy - Matt Tavares Dasher Picture Book Author Interview
Have you ever wondered why reindeer pull Santa's sleigh? The picture book Dasher provides a beautiful origin story families and schools will love to add to the seasonal readings. Matt Tavares has added a new Dasher book this year with Dasher and the Polar Bear and it is my favorite one of the...
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64: The Beauty of Novels in Verse Enhance the Way We Connect to Stories - Interview with Marcella Pixley
A captivating ghost story evolves into an intense family drama with strong themes of forgiveness, self-identity, and family. Neshama, this powerful novel in verse, brings all the feels of a middle grade adventure amid beautiful verses of poetry. In this episode Marcella Pixley and I discuss not...
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63: Graphic Novels Make the Best Gifts - Tom Angleberger Author Interview BookHuddle
Don't take life too seriously, have some fun too! If you could spend all day doing what you loved most, what would it be? Would you write silly stories that get published into graphic novels? Middle grade author Tom Angleberger shares with us about the creation of his graphic novel series, The...
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62: The Power of Read Alouds and Why You Should Make Time for Them - Interview with Kate DiCamillo
Those who have experienced the magic of a read aloud know they are a must in every home and classroom. Reading to children is so important and in this interview Kate shares some of the reasons why we should all find the time to read to children. Find Kate DiCamillo https://www.katedicamillo.com/...
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61: YOU Are Worth Embracing Exactly As You Are - Erin Soderberg Downing Middle Grade Author Interview
What happens when a group of extended family members who barely know each other spend a summer together on an island? Old family secrets arise. Is there a way to bridge old hurts and find ways to communicate? Can everyone learn that they are wonderful individuals just the way they are? Find…
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60: Remembering Our Veterans - Honor Flight by Jeff Gottesfeld Author Interview
A beautiful way to teach kids about Veterans Day is to use picture books and Jeff Gottesfeld has written some incredible ones with beautiful illustrations by Matt Tavares. In this interview I discuss with Jeff his inspiration for Honor Flight: Celebrating America's Veterans and Twenty-One Steps:...
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59: Don't Fear the Graphic Novels - Interview with Middle Grade Author Brian Gonsar BookHuddle
Brian Gonsar's recently published graphic novel for middle grade readers is wonderfully spooky without being scary. In our interview we discuss not only the creation of Dracula's Brunch Club, but also benefits of graphic novels and how you could use them in the classroom or at home with your own...
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58: Kim and Penn Holderness Author Interview - A Picture Book For Everyone With ADHD and Without It!
Do you have ADHD? Does someone you love have ADHD? Do you know anyone at all who has ADHD (yes, you do!) Then this picture book, All You Can Be With ADHD, is for you. It is a powerful picture book for kids with ADHD, but everyone who reads it will be better for it. Listen in to hear about how…
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57: Chris Grabenstein Middle Grade Author Interview - New Puzzle Book for Kids
Many reluctant readers are pulled in by an incredible middle grade puzzle book. In this episode Chris Grabenstein and I discuss his newest book, Ms. Pennypickle's Puzzle Quest. Readers who loved the Mr. Lemoncello books are going to want to dive right into this new series. Find author Chris...
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56: Memories, Grief, and Magic - Middle Grade Author Interview C.M. Cornwell
Memories are an important part of our identities, but what happens when an individual loses some of their foundational memories? Could she get them back with the help of magic? In this episode we explore these and other questions while discussing C.M. Cornwell's debut middle grade book, The…
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55: Middle Grade Author Interview with Kimberly Newton Fusco - It is OK to be the Quiet Kid
Quiet kids are often told to speak up. But Kimberly knows that it is ok to be the quiet kid. In The Secret of Honeycake a story unfolds about a quiet girl who grows in her own ways, learning to speak up and yet remembering to love being quiet at times as well. There is so much to this beautiful...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to Book Huddle with Readgab where you get to hear from authors of children's books and others having to do with children's literacy. We chat not only about what inspired these amazing authors, but also time relevant themes in their books and how kids can benefit from these themes. Each guest also recommends one of their favorite children's books at the end of the episode so you will constantly be building a wonderful list of books for the kids in your life.
HOSTED BY
Karen Reeder
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does BookHuddle with Readgab have?
BookHuddle with Readgab currently has 103 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is BookHuddle with Readgab about?
Welcome to Book Huddle with Readgab where you get to hear from authors of children's books and others having to do with children's literacy. We chat not only about what inspired these amazing authors, but also time relevant themes in their books and how kids can benefit from these themes. Each...
How often does BookHuddle with Readgab release new episodes?
BookHuddle with Readgab publishes regularly with 103 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to BookHuddle with Readgab?
You can listen to BookHuddle with Readgab on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts BookHuddle with Readgab?
BookHuddle with Readgab is created and hosted by Karen Reeder.
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