Barbara O’Connor Interview featuring WONDERLAND

If you asked me to recommend a good book for a kid who likes dogs, I’d immediately blurt out Barbara O’Connor’s name. She’s the author of seventeen novels and biographies for middle graders and the recipient of dozens and dozens of distinguished book awards. My favorite Barbara O’Connor books feature dogs: How to Steal a Dog, Wish (my dog’s favorite) and now Wonderland! Ten-year-old Mavis has to … Continue reading Barbara O’Connor Interview featuring WONDERLAND

THE LAW OF FINDERS KEEPERS by Sheila Turnage

It all started with Three Times Lucky  in 2012. Mo (Moses) LoBeau and Dale Earnhardt Johnson III became the detectives we all wanted to be as kids (and maybe as adults too)–charming, clever, witty, and always able to solve the most impossible case plus several others that snuck their way in. Three Times Lucky has murder, race cars, a stud muffin, drunkards, and karate. It’s so … Continue reading THE LAW OF FINDERS KEEPERS by Sheila Turnage

Interview with KA Reynolds, author of The Land of Yesterday

There’s nothing I love more than announcing a gorgeous new voice in middle grade fantasy. So it’s with great pleasure that I introduce you to K. A. Reynolds, debut author of the magical, glorious The Land of Yesterday. Welcome to The Winged Pen, K. A.! JA: More and more often, we’re seeing middle grade authors tackle tough subjects like grief, mental illness, and trauma for … Continue reading Interview with KA Reynolds, author of The Land of Yesterday

Windows & Mirrors: AMAL UNBOUND

Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. Today we are featuring Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed. Amal lives in a quiet, ordinary Pakistani village. An excellent student who dreams of being a teacher one day, she loves school and hanging out with her family and friends. But … Continue reading Windows & Mirrors: AMAL UNBOUND

Interview with debut author A.M. Morgen: The Inventors at No. 8

The gorgeous cover of THE INVENTORS AT NO. 8 by debut author A.M. Morgen pulled me in immediately. Imagine my delight when I realized it was a middle grade #STEM historical adventure fantasy starring Ada Lovelace and written by a NC author! Like a moist, delicious piece of chocolate cake, I ate it up much faster than I wanted to! The Inventors at No. 8 publishes … Continue reading Interview with debut author A.M. Morgen: The Inventors at No. 8