In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, Anthony interviews author, illustrator, and educator Steve Giddings about his children's book , Mikey's Place. The conversation delves into themes of belonging, friendship, and the importance of finding one's place in the musical landscape. Giddings discusses the interactive edition of his book, how he incorporates it into education, and the creative process behind his writing. He emphasizes the significance of student feedback and the empowerment that comes from allowing children to choose their instruments and express themselves through music. The episode concludes with reflections on the journey of creativity and the importance of validating students' emotions.

New Releases:

• The Freedom Seeker by Ruchira Gupta

• The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall, illus. by Matt Phelan

• • The L.O.V.E. Club by Lio Min

  Chapters

  
  

  00:00 Introduction

  03:29 The Interactive Edition of Mikey's Place

  08:20 Using Mikey's Place in Education

  13:59 Inspiration and Creative Process

  18:05 Incorporating Student Feedback into Future Works

  20:20 Empowering Students Through Music Education

  22:08 New Releases

  
  

Joan Reardon:

• writingreardon.com

• https://www.ralaw.com/people/joan-stebelton

• jstebelton@ralaw.com

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, Anthony interviews author Joan Reardon about her middle grade novel, Dad Rock Dragon Quest. The conversation delves into the book's themes of family dynamics, the importance of agency for young characters, and the inspiration behind the characters and rock music elements. Joan shares her writing journey, balancing her career as a lawyer with her passion for writing, and offers valuable advice for aspiring writers. The episode concludes with Joan's vision for her readers and the joy she hopes to bring through her stories.

New Releases:

• The Last Tiger by Brad and Julia Reiw

• Masks by Brian Nathanson and Margaret Rae, illustrated by Beck Kurbick

• A Mastery of Monsters by Liselle Sambury

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:54 Exploring Family Dynamics

05:51 The Role of Parents in Middle Grade Fiction

09:09 Character Development and Inspirations

11:54 Themes of Love and Understanding in Family

15:06 Writing Journey and Balancing Law and Literature

19:47 Advice for Aspiring Writers

26:40 New Releases

31:58 South Carolina Lawsuit

New Releases:

• Codebreaker by Jay Martel

• Evil-ish by Kennedy Tarrel

• The Library of Curiosities by Jenny Lundquist

• The Metamorphosis of Bunny Baxter by Barbara Carrol Roberts

• Schoolbot 9000 by Sam Hepburn

In this episode of the Book Faire Podcast, host Anthony Soto interviews his wife, Madison Soto, an aspiring author. They discuss the challenges of finding time to write, sources of inspiration, and the importance of representation in literature. Madison shares her thoughts on how art reflects political climates and the significance of diverse stories. The conversation also touches on the evolving nature of writing, the exploration of gender identity in characters, and the messages of hope that can emerge from storytelling. Madison emphasizes the role of writers in shaping future generations and the power of stories to enact change in society.

New releases:

• The Day the Books Disappeared by Joanna Ho and Caroline Kusin Pritchard, illus. by Dan Santat
• Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom (Jazzy the Witch #1) by Jessixa Bagley
• Elvira Vance and the Monster Mystery by Kacy Ritter

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:07 Aspiring Writer's Journey

03:59 Representation in Literature

07:21 Writing for Underserved Communities

10:08 The Importance of Diverse Stories

12:36 Evolution of Story Ideas

15:57 Exploring Themes of Tragedy and Hope

18:17 The Power of Storytelling in Society

21:50 New Releases

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews author Tiffany D. Jackson about her latest book, 'Blood in the Water.' They discuss the themes of class dynamics, the challenges of writing for middle grade audiences, and the importance of representation in literature. Tiffany shares her journey as a writer, her inspirations, and her vision for the future of children's literature, particularly in the thriller genre.

New Releases:

• An Encantadora’s Guide to Monstros and Magic by Sarah J. Mendonca
• Mirror Town (The Bizarre Bazaar #1) by Daniel Nayeri, illus. by Liz Enright
• Into the Bewilderness by Gus Gordon

• 
  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tiffany D. Jackson and Her Work

00:46 Exploring 'Blood in the Water'

02:45 Kalani's Journey and the Metaphor of Sharks

04:53 Contrasting Backgrounds: Kalani and London

07:05 Writing for Middle Grade vs. Young Adult

08:47 Kalani's Perspective on Martha's Vineyard

11:15 The Inspiration Behind Kalani's Character

12:12 The Thrill of Writing in the Thriller Genre

13:52 The Evolution of Tiffany's Writing Journey

16:04 The Challenges of Writing Middle Grade Thrillers

19:27 Setting a Precedent in Middle Grade Literature

20:27 Tiffany's Vision for Future Generations of Readers

22:36 New Releases

28:01 News

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews renowned author Gordon Korman, discussing his latest book 'Snoop' and the themes of privacy, technology, and character development in middle grade literature. Korman shares insights into his writing process, the importance of relatable characters, and the balance of humor and serious topics in his stories. The conversation also touches on the role of authority in young readers' lives and the collaborative nature of working with publishers and editors. Korman reflects on his journey as an author, celebrating milestones and the impact of middle grade literature on young audiences.

New Releases:

• Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson

• The Case of the Contraband Closet (Bubblegum Shoes #1) by Goldy Moldavsky

• The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks (Lottie Brooks #1) by Katie Kirby

• Free Piano (Not Haunted) by Whitney Gardner

• The Yomigaeri Tunnel by Kelly Murashige

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Current Events

05:18 Character Development: Carter's Journey

11:00 Balancing Technology and Healthy Limits

16:24 The Writing Process and Publishing Schedule

21:54 Finding Inspiration and Personal Reflection

25:40 The Role of Middle Grade Literature in Society

29:13 New Releases

36:30 News

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews Joanna Ho, author of 'Becoming Boba.' They discuss the cultural significance of milk tea, the evolution of identity through food, and the importance of self-discovery in writing. Joanna shares her journey as an Asian American writer and emphasizes the power of young voices in shaping culture and community. The conversation highlights the intersection of personal history and storytelling, culminating in Joanna's vision for empowering young readers to embrace their identities and create change. News stories include a roundup of Texas State Legislature's bills targeting freedom to read as well as book censorship policies in South Carolina,

New Releases:

• Angel Draws a Dinosaur by Pavonis Giron

• The Lost Heirs (Arcana #1) by Sam Prentice-Jones

• Tell Me Every Lie by Ellen Hagan and David Flores

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Joanna Ho and 'Becoming Boba'

02:50 Cultural Evolution of Milk Tea

06:12 The Impact of Colonization on Identity

08:04 Advice for Young Readers on Identity

09:56 The Balance of Fluff and Depth in Writing

11:39 Mindy's Journey and Self-Discovery

13:47 The Role of Youth in Cultural Change

14:53 Joanna Ho's Mission as a Writer

15:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

17:43 New Releases

22:48 Headlines

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews Kyle Casey Chu, a writer and drag queen, about his debut middle grade novel, 'The Queen Bees of Tybee County.' The conversation explores themes of identity, the writing process, and the importance of representation in literature. Kyle shares insights from his journey as a first-time author, the role of drag in his life, and how his experiences shape the characters and narratives he creates. The discussion also touches on family dynamics, intersectionality, and the significance of finding one's community.

New Releases:

• The Grove by Brooks Whitney Phillips

• The League of Littles by Casey Lyall, illus. by Sara Faber

• If We Survive This by Racquel Marie

• The Tournament by Rebecca Barrow

Chapters

00:00 Meet Kyle Casey Chu: Author and Drag Queen

02:50 The Writing Process: Insights from a First-Time Author

04:43 Exploring Identity: Derek's Journey in The Queen Bees of Tybee County

06:40 The Role of Drag Story Hour in Shaping Identity

07:45 Navigating Opposition: Realism and Optimism in Storytelling

08:49 Intersectionality: Derek's Experience as a Chinese American

10:50 Claudia: The Matriarch and Her Impact on Derek

12:30 Familial Pressure: Derek's Relationship with His Father

14:07 Ro: Breaking Stereotypes in Beauty Pageants

16:06 Finding Community: Derek's Exploration of Identity

18:04 Understanding Gender Identity and Expression

20:45 The Power of Storytelling: Creating Possibility Models

23:09 New Releases

30:42 News