From The Mixed Up Files

The Counter Clockwise Heart Cover Reveal It’s always a great day when we get to reveal a brand new book cover … artwork means a book is one step closer to reaching readers. Today, we have an extra special treat: an excerpt from THE COUNTER CLOCKWISE HEART, by Brian Farrey, set to publish in February 2022 from Algonquin Books. But first, the moment we’ve all been waiting for (drum roll) … THE COUNTER CLOCKWISE HEART: The Counter Clockwise Heart Cover Artist Stunning, isn’t it? The cover artist is Rovina Cai, from Melbourne, Australia, who says,...

Today is D.E.A.R. day– otherwise known as Drop Everything and Read. It’s a celebration of late author Beverly Cleary’s birthday; she would have been 105 today (April 12.) The reference comes from one of Cleary’s most beloved books, RAMONA QUIMBY, AGE 8. The day is designed to remind families to celebrate reading and to make it a priority in their lives. We at MUF are always happy to carve out at least 30 minutes today just to read!  And today, perhaps we’ll also have a cake and toast to Beverly Cleary and the wonderful legacy of literature she left us....

Moving is a watershed experience in a young person’s life whether it is across town or across the world. Here are six recently published or soon to be published diverse books about moving and migration. One of my favorite things about historical fiction is the window into seldom studied chapters...

  Change Ah, the world of scientific understanding. It’s exciting. It’s fascinating. It’s ever-changing. And with that comes some challenges for the science writer. How’s a writer supposed to commit to providing the “truth” about a topic when the scientific understanding is likely to change in the future? And if...

I’m very excited today to welcome author Tricia Springstubb to The Mixed-Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors! We’re here to talk about her newest middle-grade novel The Most Perfect Thing in the Universe. Before we get started, let’s take a look at the book. Eleven-year-old Loah Londonderry is definitely a homebody....

Moving is a watershed experience in a young person’s life whether it is across town or across the world. Here are six recently published or soon to be published diverse books about moving and migration. One of my favorite things about historical fiction is the window into seldom studied chapters...

People are buzzing about Lisa Fipps and her debut novel, STARFISH! For good reason, it’s bound to be a classic. This poignant novel in free verse has already earned numerous starred reviews and a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection. Wow! And she is just getting started. I met Lisa via Twitter...

To celebrate Women’s History Month, I put out a call for writing advice from women middle-grade authors. Here are their wonderful tips: “Write your truth! There’s a reader out there who needs it.” —Mae Respicio, ANY DAY WITH YOU “All the talent in the world will not get you over...