Episodes
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Christine Suggs discusses AY MIJA
Graphic Novelist Christine Suggs and S&L Marketing Coordinator Amber Mercado discuss the multiracial experience, the struggles of learning another language, the art in AY MIJA, and more! Credits: The following music was used for this media project: Music: Verano Sensual by Kevin MacLeod Free...
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#QueerAllYear - Nina Varela discusses JUNIPER HARVEY & THE VANISHING KINGDOM
“This bright start to a Greek mythology–inspired fantasy series blazes with intense, vibrant imagery and crackles with lively, humorous character dynamics…moments of levity balance the suspenseful drama of a world facing impending peril and the sensitive exploration of June’s sexuality, anxiety,...
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Ami Polonsky on WORLD MADE OF GLASS
Ami Polonsky's middle grade novel, THE WORLD MADE OF GLASS, is off to a great start with four starred reviews already. We are honored to have her on as a guest on the podcast as she discusses her how she takes young readers back to the 1980s AIDS epidemic and shows how anyone can get involved in...
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Graphic Novelist Kindra Neely discusses NUMB TO THIS
In this emotional episode, author and illustrator Kindra Neely discusses with Oregonian Victoria Stapleton, Neely's graphic memoir, NUMB TO THIS. NUMB TO THIS depicts the aftermath of the Umpqua Community College shooting and details Kindra's journey towards healing through art. "Neely astutely...
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Amina Luqman-Dawson discusses FREEWATER
Debut Author Amina Luqman-Dawson talks to us about the research behind her empowering historical middle-grade novel about Homer who flees Southerland Plantation and finds a secret maroon community called Freewater, created by formerly enslaved people and some freeborn children. FREEWATER has five...
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Natasha Anastasia Tarpley Discusses KEYANA LOVES HER FAMILY
Bestselling author Natasha Anastasia Tarpley tells us about her new picture book series starring Keyana, the original protagonist from her modern classic, I Love My Hair! In this book, Keyana's latest and greatest plan is to host a perfect family movie night. She knows the best way to impress her...
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Laurie Keller on WAKE ME UP IN 20 COCONUTS
Happy Picture Book Month! We have a special episode featuring the hilarious Laurie Keller discussing her book, WAKE ME UP IN 20 COCONUTS. This silly book teaches the important message that it's okay to say "I don't know"!
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Andrew Nance discusses Odd Occurrences
Just in time for Spooky Season, Andrew Nance guest stars on this episode of the LBYR School & Library Podcast! He talks ghost stories, podcasts, writing for middle grade, and Alfred Hitchcock with S&L Marketing Coordinator, Amber Mercado. Odd Occurrences is available now wherever books are sold!...
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Laekan Zea Kemp on Heartbreak Symphony
Pura Belpré Honoree Laekan Zea Kemp is back! We discuss the power of music, the importance of mental health, and her sophomore YA novel, HEARTBREAK SYMPHONY! Heartbreak Symphony Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/64g0dGDu4a5cdI79IZdnip?si=26768ed9810546dd ★ "Kemp eloquently captures how...
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April Henry on TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE
New York Times bestselling author April Henry has written another thrilling mystery for young adults, TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE. This episode, April fills us in on this bone-chilling murder-mystery she's crafted about a group of theatre kids trapped in a motel with a murderer during a blizzard. In a...
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Mamle Wolo on The Kaya Girl
Award-winning Ghanaian-German author, Mamle Wolo takes the time to talk with Executive Director Victoria Stapleton about her new middle grade novel, The KAYA GIRL. The tale of two girl who form an unlikely and powerful friendship that transcends their social inequities and opens up new worlds to...
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Wallace West discusses MIGHTY RED RIDING HOOD
Author/Illustrator talks to Victoria Stapleton about his clever twist on Little Red Riding Hood, in which a boy who loves his frilly, swishy riding hood turns the tables on a big, bad, bullying wolf!
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Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell on CORNBREAD AND POPPY
Caldecott medalist Matthew Cordell debuts his first early reader series about two best friends who are as different from each other as can be. ★ "Cornbread and Poppy are endearing characters, poised to join the ranks of other memorable early reader sets of best friends old and new, including…
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Barry Lyga discusses TIME WILL TELL
Barry Lyga discusses TIME WILL TELL by LB School & Library
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Samira Ahmed discusses AMIRA & HAMZA THE WAR TO SAVE THE WORLDS
From bestselling author Samira Ahmed comes a thrilling and magical adventure intertwining Islamic legend and history, perfect for fans of Aru Shah and the Land of Stories. "As compelling as it is informative. Even readers who don’t believe in magic will find themselves wishing on a star." —…
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Chuck Wendig discusses DUST & GRIM
Bestselling author Chuck Wendig's middle grade debut is equal parts spooky, funny, and heartfelt—perfect for Halloween and year-round reading! A fun adventure about rival siblings running a monster mortuary. *"Playing to strengths demonstrated in his many comics and tales for older audiences, not...
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Marcie Colleen on SURVIVOR TREE
In this emotional and powerful episode, LBYR's Victoria Stapleton discusses with author Marcie Colleen her new picture book, SURVIVOR TREE. The hopeful story of a resilient tree that grew (and still grows) at the base of the twin towers is a simple introduction for young readers to gain an...
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J.S. Puller discusses THE LOST THINGS CLUB
Playwright and author of Captain Superlative, J. S. Puller, discusses with LBSchool's Victoria Stapleton the healing and imaginative world in her middle grade book, THE LOST THINGS CLUB. ★ "An important title for social workers, parents, and educators about the critical role art and imagination…
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Author Marcy Campbell on her new book SOMETHING GOOD
LBSchool's Victoria Stapleton talks to author Marcy Campbell on how to tell a difficult story when words are not enough. ★ "The honest, matter-of-fact narration places readers squarely in the shoes of the child in the troubled class and offers multiple ways to look at one’s roles in the world and...
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J. Albert Mann on FIX
“Intense, unflinching…a gratifying story.” —Kirkus Reviews “A devastating and beautiful read that clearly shows the complexities of addiction, fear, love, and friendship.” —SLJ “A gratifying story of a young woman’s path to recovering pieces of her past self through a present laced with pain.”...
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Caldecott Honor winner Peter Brown discusses FRED GETS DRESSED with editor Alvina Ling
⭑ "Positive, powerful, and affirming." —Kirkus ⭑ "Truly delightful." —Booklist From a New York Times bestselling author and Caldecott-honor winning artist comes an exuberant illustrated story about playing dress up, having fun, and feeling free. The boy loves to be naked. He romps around his…
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J. C. Geiger discusses THE GREAT BIG ONE
"Compelling... This story will find an audience in teens with a sense of wanderlust and an itch for adventure." —SLJ With natural disasters and nuclear war threatening their small town, two twin brothers find themselves enraptured by mysterious music that could change the course of their lives....
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Daniel Aleman discusses INDIVISIBLE
⭑ "Debut author Aleman was born in Mexico and his writing is stellar, clear and emotional, realistic and suspenseful. The story is complex and heart-wrenching, yet full of hope and familial love, making this an excellent choice even for younger YA readers." —Booklist This timely, moving debut…
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Zoraida Córdova on ILLUSIONARY
A darkly rich tapestry of twisted magic, deadly consequences, and riveting stakes. —Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of the Belles series Reeling from betrayal at the hands of the Whispers, Renata Convida is a girl on the run. With few options and fewer allies, she's…
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Laekan Zea Kemp on SOMEWHERE BETWEEN BITTER AND SWEET
⭑ "Fans of Elizabeth Acevedo’s With the Fire on High (2019) will cherish Xander and Pen’s love story and Pen’s passion for food. This stellar debut offers a cathartic take on a relationship between a father and daughter. Authentic flavor inside and out." —Kirkus, starred review I'm Not Your…
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Kathleen Lane on PITY PARTY
Kathleen Lane discusses her new book for middle graders, PITY PARTY. ⭑ " All the varied moods and textures of these pieces come together into an original, convincing, spot-on, and weirdly moving collage portrait of middle-school-age insecurities, anxieties, awkwardness, and interpersonal…
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A. J. Sass on ANA ON THE EDGE
A. J. Sass discusses his debut middle grade novel, ANA ON THE EDGE. ★ "Sass masterfully balances Ana's passion for competitive figure skating with her journey to coming out. ...Sensitive and realistic."—Booklist For fans of George and Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World, a heartfelt coming of age...
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Leslie C. Youngblood on LOVE LIKE SKY
★ "Youngblood's debut is a celebration of intergenerational family bonds. Readers in co-parenting or blended families especially will relate to the conflicts between Georgie's loving but imperfect parents. An openhearted, endearing, and unforgettable debut about the challenges of friendship,...
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Christiane M. Andrews discusses SPINDLEFISH AND STARS
Christiane M. Andrews discusses the power and importance of art, building empathy, stargazy pies, and her debut middle grade novel, SPINDLEFISH AND STARS. ★ "An epic tale of abandonment, travel, secrets, family, and the meaning of art.... Exquisite in detail.... A tapestry, both humble and rich."...
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Zoraida Córdova discusses INCENDIARY
Set in a lushly drawn world inspired by Inquisition Spain, Zoraida Córdova’s hotly anticipated new fantasy is an epic tale of love and revenge perfect for fans of Sabaa Tahir and Sarah J. Maas. As a memory thief, the rarest and most feared of the magical Moria, Renata was used by the crown to…
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Melanie Conklin on EVERY MISSING PIECE
Melanie Conklin discusses her latest middle grade novel for middle, EVERY MISSING PIECE. A stunning voice-driven novel about grief, family, and putting the pieces back together for “fans of Rebecca Stead and Erin Entrada Kelly” (BCCB) and “readers who enjoyed The Thing About Jellyfish (Booklist)....
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Dusti Bowling on THE CANYON'S EDGE
Hatchet meets Long Way Down in this heartfelt and gripping novel in verse about a young girl’s struggle for survival after a climbing trip with her father goes terribly wrong. ★ "Elements of the survival story and psychological thriller combine with strong symbolism to weave a winding, focused,...
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Jewell Parker Rhodes on BLACK BROTHER, BLACK BROTHER
From award-winning and bestselling author, Jewell Parker Rhodes comes a powerful coming-of-age story about two brothers, one who presents as white, the other as black, and the complex ways in which they are forced to navigate the world, all while training for a fencing competition. ★ "A powerful...
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Zetta Elliott on SAY HER NAME
Zetta Elliott discusses her poetry collection, SAY HER NAME. Inspired by the #SayHerName campaign launched by the African American Policy Forum, these poems pay tribute to victims of police brutality as well as the activists insisting that Black Lives Matter. Elliott engages poets from the past…
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Mark Tatulli discusses THE BIG BREAK
Mark Tatulli discusses his influences, why graphic novels are great to read, and his own graphic novels SHORT & SKINNY and THE BIG BREAK.
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Sonja K. Solter discusses WHEN YOU KNOW WHAT I KNOW
A sensitive, harrowing, and ultimately hopeful novel in verse about one girl’s journey in the aftermath of abuse. One day after school, on the couch in the basement, Tori’s uncle did something bad. Afterward, Tori tells her mom. Even though telling was a brave thing to do, her mom still doesn’t...
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Greg Pizzoli discusses Baloney and Friends
A 2020 Junior Library Guild Selection Three-time Theodor Seuss Geisel Award recipient Greg Pizzoli launches a full-color graphic novel series about four funny friends that Dav Pilkey declares “will inspire young readers to write and draw their own stories”! Meet Baloney! He’s the star of this…
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Monica Hesse discusses THEY WENT LEFT
Monica Hesse joins the LB School podcast to discuss historical fiction, writing about post war Europe, and more. ★ "Excellent ... a must-purchase." —SLC ★ "Hesse again proves to be a master of verisimilitude ... beautifully realized, highly empathetic ... superbly crafted." —BCCB ★ "Compelling.”...
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Syed M. Masood on MORE THAN JUST A PRETTY FACE
Syed M. Masood discusses his influences, including John Green and Ray Ramono, writing from the margins, and his debut novel, MORE THAN JUST A PRETTY FACE. __________________ For fans of Becky Albertalli and Jenny Han, a sweetly funny YA debut about falling in love, family expectations, and being…
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Professor and author of THE DARK FANTASTIC Ebony Elizabeth Thomas speaks to Victoria Stapleton
Ebony Elizabeth Thomas studies how people of color are portrayed, or not portrayed, in children’s and young adult literature, and how those portrayals shape our culture. You can find her on Twitter at @Ebonyteach and learn more about her work at...
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Victoria Stapleton speaks to educator and booklover extraordinaire, Donalyn Miller
Donalyn Miller is a reader, a teacher, an author, a Book Whisperer, a #nerdybookclub co-founder, and the #bookaday founder. You can find her on Twitter at @donalynbooks and on her website at https://bookwhisperer.com/.
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Libba Bray on THE DIVINERS series
The breath-taking finale to the epic New York Times bestseller, The Diviners, from Printz winner and beloved author Libba Bray hits shelves on February 4, 2020. Here she speaks to Victoria Stapleton about the series.
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Caldecott Honoree Oge Mora discusses SATURDAY and THANK YOU, OMU!
Publishers Weekly Most Anticipated Children's Books of Fall 2019 A Fall 2019 Kids' Indie Next List ⭐ "Perfection." —School Library Journal ⭐ "How wonderful: a book with both racial diversity and class diversity that feels authentic. Special and splendid." —Kirkus Reviews ⭐ "The family handles the...
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Todd Parr on Teachers Rock!
Todd Parr is love, and we LOVE Todd Parr. In this podcast he discusses his book, Teachers Rock! Check out everything Todd Parr here: https://www.toddparr.com/
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Marc Favreau on SPIES
Marc Favreau returns to the LB School podcast to discuss his new book, Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia. Listen on for insights about writing nonfiction for young adults and what history can teach us about our present and future. ★ "Favreau weaves vivid, succinct accounts of...
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Ronni Davis on WHEN THE STARS LEAD TO YOU
Ronni Davis discusses her debut YA novel, WHEN THE STARS LEAD TO YOU. "Fans of Sarah Dessen and Nicholas Sparks need look no further than Davis' debut for their next book crush." —Booklist "Debut author Davis provides a new take on the archetypal first love novel by tackling the impact of mental...
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INTERNMENT author Samira Ahmed at SLJ Teen Live
New York Times bestselling author Samira Ahmed was the opening keynote speaker for School Library Journal's Teen Live event in 2019. Here, she discusses her acclaimed novel INTERNMENT, the power of libraries, and what representation means in YA fiction. Download the audiobook for INTERNMENT here:...
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Sarah R. Baughman on THE LIGHT IN THE LAKE
"Baughman convincingly portrays the varied reactions to the findings as well as everybody's desire for the lake to thrive...Compassionately told, this compelling debut brings to life conservation issues and choices young readers will confront as adults." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) ______ A...
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Bob Shea and Zachariah OHora on WHO WET MY PANTS?
* "Kindness is revealed to be the best answer to embarrassment and anger in this funny take on peeing your pants." —Kirkus, starred review * "A quick study in how saving face can be a team effort." —Booklist, starred review * "A comedy that is both laugh-out-loud off-kilter and deeply humane."...
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Jason Platt on MIDDLE SCHOOL MISADVENTURES
In Jason Platt’s debut graphic novel, Ferris Bueller meets Calvin and Hobbes in this hilarious and embarrassing middle school caper that asks the important questions–like how long can one kid vamp before he embarrasses himself in front of his whole school? Newell is always getting into...