Category: Middle Grade

Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Middle Grade

The Unicorn in the Barn: Review/Author Interview with Jacqueline Ogburn

Today we welcome to The Winged Pen the author of one of my all-time favorite picture books, THE MAGIC NESTING DOLLS. Jacqueline Ogburn is the author of ten picture books and, in just a few short days, the world will be able to read her beautiful debut middle-grade novel, THE UNICORN IN THE BARN.   … the presence of the unicorn and other magical creatures adding … Continue reading The Unicorn in the Barn: Review/Author Interview with Jacqueline Ogburn

Michelle Leonard3 Comments
Book Recommendations, Middle Grade, Writer's Life

Becoming an artist: Jackie Randall’s historical middle grade EMELIN

If you’re an eleven-year-old girl in the middle ages, becoming an artist is almost impossible! Even when you have a special talent. Author Jackie Randall brings the earthy but beautiful world of the middle ages to life in this story of art, theft, persistence, and friendship. “The year is 1398. Eleven-year-old Emelin Lambert is quick-witted, mouthy, and an orphan. She also has an incredible gift … Continue reading Becoming an artist: Jackie Randall’s historical middle grade EMELIN

Laurel Decher3 Comments
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Middle Grade

Interview with Adrienne Kress

Adrienne Kress is so cool. She’s an actor, playwright, filmmaker, and director. She teaches drama to kids, and she has her own production company. Most importantly for our purposes here, she is an author, of fantastical middle grade adventure stories with daring girls and careful boys, absurd predicaments and narrow escapes. I first came to love Adrienne’s work when I read her book, ALEX AND … Continue reading Interview with Adrienne Kress

Kate Hillyer1 Comment
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Middle Grade

LORD of MONSTERS by John Bemis

Do you like books with monsters and magic? Heroes and epic journeys? On June 6th, 2017 at a bookstore near you, one of the most imaginative books I’ve read in a long while will be released into the world. LORD of MONSTERS is the 2nd book in the OUT of ABATON series, and this Pinocchio retelling is sure to please. Goodreads   |     Amazon    … Continue reading LORD of MONSTERS by John Bemis

Michelle Leonard2 Comments
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Middle Grade

Book Birthday and Giveaway: Fakespeare by M.E. Castle

Today we’re joined by M.E. Castle, author of Fakespeare: Something Stinks in Hamlet. Q: M.E., welcome to The Winged Pen! I can’t wait to share the details of the book giveaway (and fun bonus content) with our readers, but first, tell us more about your story. A: In this silly middle school series, three kids get lost inside Shakespeare’s book and must help Hamlet finish … Continue reading Book Birthday and Giveaway: Fakespeare by M.E. Castle

Jessica Vitalis8 Comments
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Middle Grade

Leah Henderson’s ONE SHADOW ON THE WALL

This March, I had the pleasure of meeting author Leah Henderson at a writing workshop. When she described her debut middle-grade book set in contemporary Senegal, ONE SHADOW ON THE WALL, I couldn’t wait to read it. Eleven-year-old orphan, Mor, struggles to keep the promise he made to his dying father to keep his young sisters safe and to keep their family together. His aunt … Continue reading Leah Henderson’s ONE SHADOW ON THE WALL

Michelle Leonard4 Comments
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Middle Grade

Cover Reveal, Interview, and Giveaway with Oddity Author Sarah Cannon

The Winged Pen is thrilled to reveal the cover for Oddity, by debut author and pal Sarah Cannon. Read to the end, because there is a giveaway, too! JA: So Sarah, tell us about Oddity. SC: I can’t wait for everyone to read Oddity! It’s a Welcome to Night Vale-inspired adventure, so it’s both life-or-death and very tongue-in-cheek. It’s a love letter to geeky fan-children … Continue reading Cover Reveal, Interview, and Giveaway with Oddity Author Sarah Cannon

Julie Artz10 Comments
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Middle Grade

Shannon Hale Interview: Real Friends

GIRL TROUBLE––friends one day, enemies the next. Who doesn’t yearn for a real friend––one that gets you, always has your back, and someone that you can admire even in their darkest moments? Author Shannon Hale has captured the essence of friendship struggles girls face in her new graphic novel memoir REAL FRIENDS releasing on May 2nd. Girl relationships are difficult. And for the sensitive girls … Continue reading Shannon Hale Interview: Real Friends

Michelle Leonard3 Comments
Book Recommendations, Middle Grade

BOOK REVIEW: STAND UP AND SING!

I don’t normally review picture books, but when one of my fellows at The Winged Pen mentioned there was a chance to review STAND UP AND SING! Pete Seeger, Folk Music and the Path to Justice, I jumped at the chance. As a singer, social justice advocate, and fan of Pete Seeger, how could I not? The truth is, this book is important–not only because … Continue reading BOOK REVIEW: STAND UP AND SING!

Gabrielle Byrne2 Comments
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Middle Grade

The Mesmerist! Interview with Ronald L. Smith

I’ve got an irresistibly spooky #FridayReads suggestion for you today! Ronald L. Smith, Winner of the 2016 Coretta Scott King New Author Award for his debut middle-grade novel HOODOO, has a new book out. Cue the fog machine! THE MESMERIST, a thrilling mix of creepy, urban fantasy and historical fiction, released on 2/21/17. Perfect for fans of the Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children series and Lockwood & … Continue reading The Mesmerist! Interview with Ronald L. Smith

Michelle Leonard1 Comment
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Middle Grade

Author Interview: Ali Standish

Today we welcome debut middle-grade author Ali Standish to The Winged Pen. Ali is the author of THE ETHAN I WAS BEFORE, which released on January 24th! Pull up a chair and get comfy, Ali! Thank you so much, and thanks for having me!  Congrats on your debut middle-grade novel, THE ETHAN I WAS BEFORE. It has been described as a beautifully written mystery about … Continue reading Author Interview: Ali Standish

Michelle Leonard2 Comments
Book Recommendations, Middle Grade, News, Young Adult

BRAVE NEW GIRLS: STORIES OF GIRLS WHO SCIENCE AND SCHEME

BRAVE NEW GIRLS: STORIES OF GIRLS WHO SCIENCE AND SCHEME will be released August 2017! This YA sci-fi anthology (edited by sci-fi authors Paige Daniels and Mary Fan) features stories about girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)… Girls who engineer, tinker, hack, and more, using their smarts to save the day. It’s got space operas, sci-fi mysteries, steampunk, cyberpunk, all kinds of punk! … Continue reading BRAVE NEW GIRLS: STORIES OF GIRLS WHO SCIENCE AND SCHEME

Michelle Leonard2 Comments