Reading in The Middle

What happens when the very thing that makes you different becomes your greatest strength?On this episode of Reading in the Middle, Annisha Jeffries welcomes Claribel A. Ortega, New York Times bestselling author and winner of the Pura Belpré Award and the Eisner Award, for a magical conversation about friendship, identity, belonging, and the unforgettable world of Witchlings #5.With The Sea Witch Prophecy, the fifth and final book in the beloved series, Claribel brings readers back to Ravenskill, where Seven Salazar, Valley Pepperhorn, and Thorn Laroux face extraordinary challenges, dangerous secrets, and choices that test even the strongest friendships.Annisha and Claribel explore the heart behind the magic, the importance of creating characters who reflect the beautifully diverse world we live in, and what it means to say goodbye to characters who have become such an important part of readers' lives.Full of imagination, humor, and heart, this conversation celebrates storytelling's power and reminds us that sometimes the greatest magic comes from embracing exactly who we are.Listen in for a conversation that's as enchanting as the stories themselves!

What happens when growing up means leaving someone behind, even if that someone is a ghost?This week on Reading in the Middle, Annisha Jeffries welcomes award-winning author Wendelin Van Draanen for a lively conversation about storytelling, imagination, and her novel Ghosted.Wendelin, the Edgar Award-winning author of the beloved Sammy Keyes mysteries, Flipped, and the Schneider Family Book Award-winning The Running Dream, has spent decades creating unforgettable characters.In Ghosted, she introduces Gemma and Jimmy, whose extraordinary relationship explores friendship, first love, the passage of time, and the complicated art of letting go.With warmth, humor, and a storyteller's curiosity, Wendelin reminds us that the most imaginative stories often have something deeply human at their center.Whether you've been reading her books for years or are discovering her for the first time, this conversation is for anyone who has ever wished a great story could last just a little longer.

New York Times Bestselling author Jasmine Guillory joins Annisha Jeffries on Reading in the Middle to discuss her debut young adult novel and the excitement, uncertainty, and possibilities of growing up.Known for her beloved adult romances, Jasmine brings her signature warmth, humor, and unforgettable characters to a new generation of readers. In this conversation, we explore her journey into writing for teens, the importance of friendship and first love, and what it means to discover who you are while figuring out where you belong.Whether you're already a Jasmine Guillory fan or discovering her storytelling for the first time, this conversation is about books, growing up, and the stories that help us see ourselves a little differently.Join us for another engaging conversation on Reading in the Middle.

What happens when a little rabbit discovers that being different might just be her greatest strength?Academy Award-winning filmmaker, Pixar animator, and author Alan Barillaro returns to Reading in the Middle to talk about the next chapter in Bunns Rabbit's extraordinary journey.Best known for his Oscar-winning animated short Piper, Alan has a remarkable gift for telling stories that capture the complicated emotions of growing up. In this conversation, we explore what it means to return to a beloved character, how stories evolve in unexpected ways, and why courage, belonging, and self-discovery resonate so deeply with young readers.We also get a glimpse into Alan's creative process and the connections between animation, illustration, and children's writing.Whether you're meeting Bunns for the first time or returning for another adventure, this conversation explores imagination, finding your own voice, and the quiet power of storytelling.Reading in the Middle, hosted by Annisha Jeffries, brings you thoughtful, engaging conversations with the authors and illustrators creating books for middle-grade readers.Listen in, share with a young reader, and keep reading in the middle!

Author Zanni Louise and illustrator Susie Oh discuss Sunny Gets to Work on Reading in the Middle, exploring its themes of big ideas, determination, creativity, and adapting when plans change. They share insights on illustrating Sunny’s world, the harmony between text and images, and the inspiring message about persistence, problem-solving, and faith in one’s ideas for young readers.

National Book Award-winning author Shifa Saltagi Safadi joins Reading in the Middle to discuss her new middle-grade novel in verse, *Sisters Alone*, as well as her book *Kareem Between*. Shifa explores themes of grief, anxiety, faith, sisterhood, and survival, emphasizing the importance of providing young readers with stories that are both honest and hopeful.

In Robin Easter’s new graphic novel, Middle School Monsters, that feeling becomes wonderfully literal. Jamie is beginning seventh grade in a new town and wants nothing more than a normal year. That means hiding her hairy legs, keeping her emotions under control, and making sure no one discovers the werewolf she believes is lurking inside her.Then Jamie meets Vee, the school’s so-called vampire.Vee already has a reputation, much of it connected to what happened with her former best friend, Kennedy. Jamie is warned to stay away, but the more time she spends with Vee, the more she recognizes another person who understands what it feels like to be judged, misunderstood, and placed outside the group.On this episode of Reading in the Middle, Robin joins me to talk about creating Jamie, Vee, and Kennedy; turning the emotions of middle school into a monster story; and showing the difference between changing yourself to fit in and finding people who accept you as you are.

A polluted industrial dumping ground. Nearly 400,000 tons of contaminated soil. And, after decades of restoration, a thriving national park.In this special episode of Reading in the Middle, Annisha Jeffries guest-hosts the Ohio Center for the Book’s Page Count podcast for a conversation with author Diane Muldrow and illustrator Amy Jindra Hodgson about their nonfiction picture book, Once a Wasteland: From Toxic Dump to National Park.The book tells the remarkable true story of the Krejci salvage yard in Northeast Ohio’s Cuyahoga River Valley. Once so contaminated that wildlife could not survive there, the land underwent an extensive environmental cleanup and was eventually restored as part of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.Diane and Amy discuss how they transformed a complex environmental history into an accessible story for young readers, researched the land’s recovery, illustrated the movement from pollution to renewal, and helped children understand that damaged environments can heal when people take responsibility and work together.Selected as Ohio’s 2026 Great Reads from Great Places title for young readers and recognized as a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection, Once a Wasteland is a hopeful story about conservation, community action, environmental restoration, and the power of giving the natural world a fresh start.Special thanks to Don Boozer and the Ohio Center for the Book for inviting Annisha to guest-host this meaningful conversation.Listen to discover how one of Ohio’s most contaminated landscapes became a place filled with plants, wildlife, visitors, and possibility. 

When a single garden party splits into two, everyone faces the choice of where to belong.On this episode of Reading in the Middle, Annisha Jeffries discusses with author Judith Jacques her children’s book, Gardenland: The Peas' and Carrots' Party Shake-Up, illustrated by Trevor Pacelli. The story captures Gardenland's excitement for its annual celebration, which is disrupted when Peas and Carrots decide to host separate parties. This turn of events challenges the community's tradition and prompts Betty Beet to find a solution. With ingenuity and her friends' help, she works to reunite Gardenland. Judith explains the inspiration for Gardenland, the creation of Betty Beet and her quirky friends, her collaboration with Trevor Pacelli, and how she uses humor to explore children’s real feelings: friendship, exclusion, belonging, empathy, conflict resolution, and inclusivity. She also shares her personal connection through her grandmother, Bubbie Rose, the first gardener she knew, whose influence inspired Gardenland’s world. The conversation highlights a vibrant story with a meaningful message: everyone deserves to belong. Connect with Judith Jacques:🌱 Gardenland Books: GardenlandBooks.comLearn more about Gardenland: The Peas' and Carrots' Party Shake-Up, meet the Gardenland characters, and discover more from the series at GardenlandBooks.com.