Share
Reading in The Middle
Jason Douglas on Jane American: Family History, Courage, and a Ringo Award-Winning Graphic Novel
What happens when a family story becomes an award-winning graphic novel?
In this episode of Reading in the Middle, host Annisha Jeffries talks with Ringo Award-winning author and educator Jason Douglas about Jane American, a powerful coming-of-age graphic novel inspired by his grandmother's life in Southeast Michigan during and after World War II.
Together they discuss family history, identity, belonging, resilience, and why the struggles young people face today aren't so different from those faced generations ago. Jason also shares how 26 years as a public-school teacher shaped his storytelling and why graphic novels can be such powerful tools for literacy and learning.
Perfect for middle-grade readers, educators, librarians, graphic novel fans, and anyone who has ever wondered about the stories hidden within their own family tree.
READING IN THE MIDDLE
Show Notes
đź“š About Jane American
Set in historic Southeast Michigan during the aftermath of World War II, Jane American follows Betty Jane Johnson as she navigates family, loss, friendship, identity, and the difficult choices that shape who she becomes.
Inspired by the life of Jason Douglas's grandmother, Jane American explores:
• Identity and belonging
• Self-worth and self-determination
• Family and friendship
• WWII homefront history
• Women in wartime factories
• The Great Migration
• Social-emotional growth and resilience
🏆 Awards & Recognition
• Winner, Ringo Award for Best Original Graphic Novel
• First fully self-published graphic novel to win a Ringo Award
• Published by Papercutz
• Distributed by Simon & Schuster
đź“– Preorder Jane American
Simon & Schuster:
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Jane-American/Jason-Douglas/9781545836217
đź“š Educator Resources
Educator Pitch Deck:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sYBjbJGRkbNSFzWW9Ri-kzZxqHgYHfBYwjbCbgsfLXA/edit?usp=drivesdk
🎓 Special Educator Discount
Papercutz is offering a 50% educator discount for classroom sets, school libraries, public libraries, literacy initiatives, and educational organizations.
Order Here:
https://papercutz.com/product/jane-american-vol-1/?wdr_coupon=janeamerican50&v=0b3b97fa6688
🏫 Educational Features Included in the Book
• Historical Endnotes & Easter Eggs
• Common Core Alignment
• Discussion Questions
• Four Corners Activities
• See / Think / Wonder Activities
• Socratic Seminar Frameworks
• Writing Prompts
• Persuasive Writing Activities
• Cross-Curricular Teaching Ideas
• Social-Emotional Learning Connections
Ideal for:
• Grades 4–12
• English Language Arts
• U.S. History
• Social Studies
• Historical Fiction Units
• Graphic Novel Studies
• Literature Circles
• Independent Reading Programs
👤 About Jason Douglas
Jason Douglas is a Michigan-based author, playwright, and public-school teacher. After more than 25 years in education, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of creating graphic novels.
His debut graphic novel, Parallel, earned two Ringo Award nominations. His second graphic novel, Jane American, became the first fully self-published graphic novel to win the Ringo Award for Best Original Graphic Novel.
Jason's newest graphic novel, No Man's Land, explores friendship, trauma, and survival through the lens of World War I horror.
đź”— Connect with Jason Douglas
https://linktr.ee/jdouglaswrites
🎧 About Reading in the Middle
Reading in the Middle is a podcast hosted by Annisha Jeffries featuring conversations with authors, illustrators, and creators whose work inspires middle-grade readers.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a teacher, librarian, parent, or reader in your life.
More episodes
View all episodes
11. Jasmine Guillory on First Love, Finding Your Voice, and Her YA Debut | Reading in the Middle
30:07||Season 4, Ep. 11New 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.
10. Bunns Rabbit Returns! A Conversation with Oscar-Winning Storyteller Alan Barillaro
30:40||Season 4, Ep. 10What 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!
9. Sunny Gets to Work: Big Dreams, Hard Work & Finding Your Way
24:35||Season 4, Ep. 9Author 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.
7. Shifa Saltagi Safadi on Sisters Alone, Kareem Between & Winning the National Book Award
47:50||Season 4, Ep. 7National 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.
6. Robin Easter on Middle School Monsters and Finding Your Pack
28:53||Season 4, Ep. 6In 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.
5. Once a Wasteland: Diane Muldrow and Amy Jindra Hodgson on Healing Cuyahoga Valley
36:53||Season 4, Ep. 5A 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.Â
4. Judith Jacques on Gardenland: Friendship, Inclusion & Belonging
40:58||Season 4, Ep. 4When 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.
3. Little Monsters with Máire Roche | A Spooky Little Women Reimagining
23:49||Season 4, Ep. 3What if the March sisters were hiding more than just family secrets? In this episode of Reading in the Middle, Annisha Jeffries interviews author Máire Roche about her new middle-grade novel, Little Monsters, a spooky, humorous reinterpretation of Little Women. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy are sisters with a very unusual secret: they are monsters. While Meg strives to protect her family and keep their secret, she also faces questions about belonging, identity, fear, and being accepted for who she really is. Máire discusses why she chose Meg as the story's focal point, how each March sister corresponds with her own monstrous alter ego, the significance of setting the story near Salem, and the enjoyment and challenges of reimagining beloved characters with supernatural elements. We also explore themes of sisterhood, family, anxiety, secrecy, and the idea that our hidden parts often define us. Additionally, Máire participates in a lively rapid-fire round about monsters, March sisters, spooky environments, and more. Little Monsters by Máire Roche is available now, perfect for fans of middle-grade fantasy, supernatural mysteries, spooky tales, family narratives, Little Women retellings, and stories about finding your place.
2. Ghost in the Night with Tiffany D. Jackson
24:27||Season 4, Ep. 2What if the ghost you’re searching for isn’t the only story waiting to be uncovered? In this episode of Reading in the Middle, Annisha Jeffries chats with award-winning author Tiffany D. Jackson about her new middle-grade novel, Ghost in the Night. Twelve-year-old Harmony Roundtree enjoys photography, ghost tours, and the idea that those we've lost might still linger. After her beloved grandmother's passing, Harmony travels with her father and his blues band, taking ghost tours in each city and hoping her camera will prove ghosts exist. In Savannah, Georgia, Harmony becomes entangled in a mystery where history, memory, grief, and the supernatural intertwine. Tiffany and Annisha discuss creating Harmony’s memorable voice, the emotional connection between Harmony and her grandmother, photography as a tool for memory, Savannah’s haunted history, Gullah Geechee traditions, and the role of storytellers in shaping narratives about real people and painful pasts. They also ponder one of the novel’s key questions: Who has the right to tell history, and what if the most entertaining story isn’t the factual one? This is a conversation about ghosts, grief, family, history, and discovering that sometimes what we seek isn’t quite what we expect.