From The Mixed Up Files

Creativity and Octopuses! The first of the cephalopods that comes to my mind is an octopus. To me, the metaphor of a multi-limbed being is in the multi-possibilities offered to apply to creative activities. Many arms and many legs and many muscular hydrostats mean that connections can go many ways. As my focus is STE(A)M, I began to run options though my head. I settled on music, research, and visual art (camouflage). Like a cephalopod, these are just three of the connected “arms” in the world of art. I make my case below. Music and...

June has arrived, a month with many great reasons to read. This edition of OhMG News provides resources to help you find some June-tastic middle grade books! Pride Month: LGBTQ Reads First of all, June is Pride Month. Sharing books is a great way to recognize the contributions and promote the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ Reads is a go-to resource for showcasing and sharing LGBTQ+ literature. Their middle grade selections can be searched by characters, age, state, or theme, and they even have a book list dedicated to kids with queer parents. Does your middle grade reader like...

It’s finally summery out, perfect for lounging with a good book! And this month, there are many new middle grade reads to check out. Here are few to spend some time reading out on the patio or the beach. Hope you enjoy these wonderful new releases! Encounter at Owl Rock...

Creativity and Octopuses! The first of the cephalopods that comes to my mind is an octopus. To me, the metaphor of a multi-limbed being is in the multi-possibilities offered to apply to creative activities. Many arms and many legs and many muscular hydrostats mean that connections can go many ways....

We’re excited to have Casey Lyall and Sara Faber on here today to talk about their new release: The League of Littles. Hi, Casey and Sara, let’s start with learning a bit more about you, and then we’ll talk more about your book. Did you have any childhood dreams for...

Writing Conferences I had the opportunity to volunteer at a writing conference for teens this year, and it was incredible! I seriously feel like that was an understatement. I hadn’t brought my own kids because I signed up to volunteer last minute and I didn’t realize how amazing it would...

It’s finally summery out, perfect for lounging with a good book! And this month, there are many new middle grade reads to check out. Here are few to spend some time reading out on the patio or the beach. Hope you enjoy these wonderful new releases! Encounter at Owl Rock...

Tara Weikum has worked in publishing for decades.  Starting as editorial assistant with ALA Booklist Magazine in 1996, she then spent three years  as an associate editor with Disney Publishing. In 2000, she moved to HarperCollins where she’s been ever since. Beginning as an editor, she became editorial director in...