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A Lit Life

Children's Literature

The Power of Middle Grade Novels with Ann Braden

March 23, 2023 in Children's Literature, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
How’s your Middle Grade March been going? I’m here with a VERY special guest. She is one of my favorite middle grade authors: Ann Braden! Today, we celebrate the power of middle grade novels. You’ll learn about her unexpected backstory, the pieces of...
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Books to Celebrate Middle Grade March

March 7, 2023 in Books & Reading, Children's Literature, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
Middle Grade March is here! We have the entire month to read, enjoy and celebrate all things middle grade children’s literature and that’s exactly what I’m doing today. Here are the books mentioned in this episode. You’ll find links to my Amazon and Bookshop affiliate stores below. Thanks for your bookish...
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Celebrating Children’s Literature with James Preller

February 16, 2023 in Children's Literature, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
Love is still in the air! Chocolate is being eaten, roses are being given and it’s time to think about what sets our reading hearts on fire. For me, that’s an easy one: children’s literature! I love all things children’s literature. I devoured books when I was a kid, read them...
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Ten Poetry & Verse Books Every Adult Needs to Read

January 22, 2023 in Books & Reading, Children's Literature
I adored poetry when I was child. First, the rhymical lines of Dr. Suess. Later, the funny poems of Shell Silverstein. And eventually, the more moving poetry I encountered in my English classes. But as I continued in my schooling, the purpose of poetry became focused on analysis and evaluation, rather...
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Ten Middle Grade & YA Books Every Adult Should Read

December 12, 2022 in Books & Reading, Children's Literature
Childhood is ripe with imagination in real life and in books. And while many children adore fantasy books that take them outside of the realm of possibility, I’ve found that fewer adults tend to do so freely. But that can change with this list. Here are ten middle grade and young...
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Ten Middle Grade Historical Fiction Books Every Adult Should Read

October 27, 2022 in Books & Reading, Children's Literature
I wasn’t always a fan of my social studies and history classes growing up. The events seemed so far away, so far removed and so devoid of story. I read passages, underlined facts, memorized dates and regurgitated information for a test at the end of each topic of study. But I...
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10 Young Adult Books Every Adult Should Read

September 25, 2022 in Books & Reading, Children's Literature
Adulting can be hard. With so many things vying for our attention, pulling us in different directions and maybe even taking us off the path we had planned for ourselves, we can find ourselves wondering how we got here. We might even find ourselves yearning for an earlier time in our...
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Ten Middle Grade Books Every Adult Should Read

August 27, 2022 in Books & Reading, Children's Literature
There’s a special kind of magic inside the pages of literature written for middle grade students. Memorable characters, connectable themes and a strong sense of place all come together to provide a reading experience like no others…including adults. Middle grade literature prompts adults to connect with their inner child, gain a...
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10 Early Reader Books Every Adult Should Read

July 19, 2022 in Books & Reading, Children's Literature
One of my greatest joys as an educator, mother and reader is seeing the look of utter delight on a child’s face when they read a book on their own for the first time and get lost inside the pages. It’s my professional everything.  That’s why I’m always on the hunt...
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10 Picture Books Every Adult Should Read

June 21, 2022 in Books & Reading, Children's Literature
Books hold a special place in my heart and particular books have made an indelible impression on my life. The books we read matter, and as we grow, each one changes our impression of ourselves and of the world around us. But just because we grow older doesn’t mean we have...
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Stephanie

A book-loving, notebook-hoarding bookologist on a mission to change lives one book and one notebook at a time.

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Stephanie's books

Paperweight
Paperweight
by Meg Haston
I read this hauntingly beautiful book on the recommendation of my teenage daughter. She told me it was powerful, told me I wouldn't want to stop reading it...and she was right. Meg Haston invites readers into the mind of Stevie, causing ...
The Gifts of Imperfection
it was amazing
The Gifts of Imperfection
by Brené Brown
I haven't stumbled across anything written by Brene Brown that I did not love and this book is no exception. Written so conversationally as if Brene was literally speaking directly, and only, to me, I could'n help bu be personally moved ...
I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life
it was amazing
I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life
by Anne Bogel
True to its title, this book was simply delightful. I felt like I was talking with a long-lost friend, a fellow book-lover whose life was just as entangled with the plots, settings and characters of fictional books as they were those in ...
Some Places More Than Others
it was amazing
Some Places More Than Others
by Renée Watson
It was almost like I was reading a book that was written just for me, even though the daily lives and locations of the characters were vastly different. The theme of love, self-worth and family connection was prevalent on each and every ...
Touching Spirit Bear
it was amazing
Touching Spirit Bear
by Ben Mikaelsen
This book shook me to my motherly core. I read this with my 13-year old twins as part of a school assignment and was swept into Cole's story of literally fighting for survival and for love. My children were drawn to Cole's story of survi...

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On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m ta On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Christy Mandin about two of her new releases: MILLIE FLEURS WORST DAY EVER and MILLIE FLEUR’S PUMPKIN PROBLEM.

These two picture books are her most recent additions to her MILLIE FLEUR series and teach important life lessons while inviting readers into the beautiful world of Garden Glen. You’ll want to reread them again and again!

Come listen as we talk about the way Christy both writes and illustrates the books likened to a Willy Wonka ride, the shocking reveal about her color palette that I loved and her beautiful hopes for readers around permission to feel, to be and to ask for help. You’ll love this conversation!

https://kidlitlove.substack.com/p/e256-millie-fleurs-worst-day-ever?r=azy11&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m ta On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Huda Fahmy about her newest book: HUDA F WOULD LOVE YOU?

This book is the funny and tender finale in the HUDA F series and explores themes of love, dating, self-discovery, self-worth and what it’s like growing up Muslim in America. 

Come listen as we talk about how old Huda was when she knew she wanted to write, the stick figures she started drawing and the advice from her sister that launched the career Huda has today. It was a true delight!

@yesimhotinthis 
#KidLitLove PODCAST LINK IN BIO
#HUDAF
Books make Mondays better! Today, I'm starting TH Books make Mondays better!

Today, I'm starting THE LAST LETTER OF RACHEL ELLSWORTH by Barbara O'Neal. 

Here's the publisher's summary:

Recently and abruptly divorced Veronica Barrington is anxious for a new direction when she answers a listing for a travel companion. It’s from Mariah Ellsworth, a young woman adjusting to an injury that ended her Olympic career. She’s also grieving her mother, Rachel, a lauded food writer, and Mariah aims to trace the steps of her mother’s final, unfinished project so she can heal and also honor the woman she misses.

Veronica seizes on the opportunity to experience with Mariah the culture, traditions, and intoxicating aromas of Parsi cafés throughout London, Paris, Morocco, and India. Accompanied by a former war photographer who has a wounded history of his own, and with just Rachel’s letters to guide them, the quest is a chance to not only close a chapter in life but also begin a new one.

Following the letters one by one—each a clue to an illuminating mystery—Veronica and Mariah must face the painful and beautiful challenges of freeing themselves from the dark shadows of the past. Together, far from home, they can find the light.

I absolutely cannot wait to join these two on their journey!

What books are making your Monday better?

@barbaraonealauthor
#BooksMakeMondaysBetter
#IMWAYR
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m ta On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Amy Sarig King about her newest release: IT CAME FROM THE CREEK.

Set in 1980, this middle grade novel deals with timely themes of community activism, environmental neglect and bullying in a kid-friendly way with lots of humor and heart. It’s a book that will invite you into the story, make you think and perhaps even take some action.

Come listen as we talk about why weird is good and the different ways Amy writes her middle grade novels versus young adult, the haunted house that planted the seed for this book and her dual hopes for readers everywhere. 

@as_king_
#KidLitLove PODCAST LINK IN BIO
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m ta On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Leslie Adame about her newest release: CHLOE VEGA & THE MISSING UNSEEN.

This book is the second in the middle grade CHLOE VEGA series that expands Choloe’s magical world and examines timely themes of identity and justice. Readers are sure to get lost in the fantasy, but feel the very real themes of the book in our present world. 

Come listen as we talk about the original career Leslie thought she’d have, the possibilities of the fantasy genre to explore real-world themes and topics and the two-word question that not only sparked the content of the book, but that Leslie hopes will spark readers, too. 

@leslieadame
#KidLitLove PODCAST LINK IN BIO
Books make Mondays better! I’m breaking one of my Books make Mondays better!

I’m breaking one of my reading rules this week and am reading a holiday book to celebrate the start of my annual Notebooking tradition: my holiday notebook!

It’s the notebook I create each year to launch the holiday season, keep it organized and make sure I enjoy as much of it as I can. I’m hosting a live co-notebooking session inside my community and this book is going to get me in the festive mood:

THE CHRISTMAS WISH by Lee Heart

Here’s the quick summary from the publisher:
A girl full of holiday spirit hopes to get her secret crush’s attention for Christmas in this latest installment in the acclaimed tween middle grade rom-com series, Spotlight Sprinkles—full of evergreen tropes like holiday parties and the magic of the season!

What books are making your Monday better?

One more thing: Comment or message me if you’d like to know more about my Notebooking session this Thursday at 7pm EST! 

#BooksMakeMondaysBetter
#IMWAYR
#ALitLife
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