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Author Spotlight: Chrystal Giles

By on May 7, 2026   /   Author Interviews  

In today’s Author Spotlight, Sydney Dunlap chats with author Chrystal Giles about her highly acclaimed new middle-grade novel, Listen to the Girls.

Chrystal D. Giles is a champion for diversity and representation in children’s literature. Chrystal often says she’s a lover of both words and numbers, she spent fifteen years as an accountant before transitioning to writing full-time. Chrystal made her debut with Take Back the Block, which received multiple starred reviews, was a Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and NPR Best Book, and won the IRA Social Justice Literature Award. Her latest middle-grade novel, Not An Easy Win, received four starred reviews and has been named an ALA Notable Children’s Book. She is continuing to expand her catalog with new releases in 2026, a novel, Listen to the Girls, and her debut picture book, We Are Joy, illustrated by Kitt Thomas. Chrystal lives outside Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and son.

All About the Book!

When Calla finds out her favorite teacher has been accused of inappropriate conduct, she decides to take action in this powerful story about growing up and speaking up, about listening to others and learning to listen to yourself. Because the more Calla listens . . . the more she realizes that maybe she has something to say too.

“Important and empowering—this story is a testament to the power of girls supporting one another.”—Kate Messner, New York Times bestselling author

What if the truth really is as powerful as it feels?

Calla has always had smart-girl energy. She’s Josiah the track star’s practical younger sister. Charlee and Jacoby’s problem-solving best friend. Attorney Dionne Howard’s model daughter. So it’s nice when someone seems to see her for her, outside of all that. But what if that person is a grown-up who maybe isn’t as trustworthy as Calla thought? Calla’s mom likes to say “Always do what you know is right.” But what if you don’t know what the right thing is?

These are the questions Calla faces on the last day of seventh grade, when she finds out that her favorite teacher has been accused of inappropriate conduct at his old school. Calla doesn’t know what really happened. She does know that people are saying mean things about the girls who have spoken out—and that can’t be right . . . can it? Inspired by her favorite newsblogger, EboniiNews (whose motto is Amplify. Connect. Truth. ACT.), Calla has an idea. Can she find a way to ACT?

Interview with Chrystal Giles

Welcome, Chrystal! Thank you so much for being a guest on the Mixed-up Files! Congratulations on your new release! I found LISTEN TO THE GIRLS to be absolutely riveting. What a timely story that is sure to resonate with young readers and also with older teens/adults. What was your inspiration for writing this?

Thanks so much for reading and for having me on Mixed-up Files!

There are lots of inspirations for this story, but two main concepts guided my writing.

One, the real life issue of young girls (and boys) being placed in inappropriate situations with adults who are in a place of authority; whether it be a coach, neighbor, member of clergy, or family member. For this particular narrative, I used a teacher, in part, because of the high incidents of misconduct reported over the years in my own school district.

Two, I wanted to capture the emotional battle many people face when trying to navigate the process of understanding and reporting sexual harassment—a process I’ve battled with myself.

Craft

This novel is sure to spark many important conversations about what kind of behavior crosses a line and what makes something not okay even if it isn’t necessarily a criminal action. It will be such a wonderful resource for schools to use to promote discussion, as well as for kids to read at home. You weave in nuance beautifully throughout as your protagonist struggles to come to terms with her experience. Was it difficult to craft this novel? What was your biggest challenge in writing it?

Yes, definitely difficult at times. I understand and accept the weight of tackling a topic like grooming and sexual harassment, but I also know how needed this work is. The most challenging moments were waiting to hear from my main character, Calla. I always try to remove myself from the story and let my characters lead me and for this story that required patience. Lots of patience.

There were moments of complete silence from Calla during the drafting process and I had to pause and wait to find her voice again. The story (and me as a writer) are better because of those pauses, but it was definitely challenging.

Ideas

I loved the EboniiNews blog and how it ultimately helped Calla to find her own voice. Was this blog based on a certain one? If not, how did you come up with the idea for it?

The blogger in story isn’t based on anyone in particular. It was important to me to have a safe, trusted, well-liked adult in Calla’s orbit that she could glean guidance from. EboniiNews acts as an information source but also as a seeker of truth and a guide for Calla when she’s navigating the uncertainty. EboniiNews also highlights the need for independent journalism—especially imperative in our current environment.

Characters

Along with Calla, I especially enjoyed Jacoby, Charlee, Si, and Emery.  Do you have a favorite secondary character? Who and why?

Creating characters is my absolute favorite part of writing novels! I love bringing real-feeling characters to my stories. Because the events of this book can be emotionally weighty at times, I wanted Calla to have support and uplift and ease in her friendship group and all the characters you named add to that goal. I don’t know if I have a favorite, but Si has a special place in my heart. He was my way to add a supportive (and sometimes irritating) older brother, but also model a kind, empathic male figure who Calla can trust.

Reader Takeaways

This novel is so empowering as it examines what it means to believe girls and to believe yourself. What do you hope readers take away from the story?

I hope Listen to the Girls can be part of a larger conversation around grooming, sexual harassment, and right versus wrong. I hope any reader who has experienced this type of unwanted attention will feel less alone and know it is not their fault. I also hope readers will feel more empowered to find a safe place—or be a safe place for someone else—and to listen and speak out against wrongdoing.

Writing About Tough Topics

You handle the difficult topic of Calla being groomed by her teacher with grace, care, and sensitivity. I’m always interested in hearing how authors make tough topics accessible to young readers and would love to hear your thoughts on this.

I approach all my stories with care, honesty, and balance. As an author of contemporary realistic fiction, it is incredibly important to reflect and document society as it is, while also remembering my obligation to protect the readers—and my characters— from harm on the page. For this story in particular, I offer moments of levity and humor to balance the heavier ones with banter between characters, through Calla’s love of flowers, and in her free time enjoying summer break fun.

Process

Will you tell us a little about your writing process? Are you a plotter or pantser? Where/when do you prefer to write?

My process begins with forming and connecting to the main character. I wait until I hear their voice loud and clear before I attempt a draft.

I am a panster, for sure. I start with a good idea of the overall plot but I like to dance on the page without a strict outline to follow. Writing is the place where I am most creative, so I let that creativity flow. Which also means my revision rounds are long and arduous!

Influences

What are some current books that have influenced you as a kidlit writer?

The first time I read Ghost by Jason Reynolds, I was captivated by how real his characters felt. It totally inspired me to change my focus to more character-driven stories. I also always return to Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia and Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri. All three are modern classics for me.

Advice

What is your advice for aspiring writers?

Read. Write. Reflect.

Read wide and varied—great writers read a lot.

Write whenever you can, even if it’s not formal story writing—notes and journal entries count too.

Reflect on your art—who it’s for, and who you want to share it with.

Other Works

Can you share a bit about your other books?

Both my other middle-grade titles Take Back the Block and Not an Easy Win are contemporary stories that focus on community, friendship, and finding one’s voice. Both books also explore real life topics that impact society and the Black experience, i.e.: gentrification, parental incarceration, social justice. My work also balances those real topics with childhood fun, growth, and connection.

Upcoming Projects

Can you give us some insights into what you’ll be working on next?

In June my debut picture book, We Are Joy, illustrated by Kitt Thomas will be an exciting addition to my catalog. I’m thrilled to share this joyful, lyrical book that has been called, “Persistently lovely and hopeful,” in a Kirkus starred review.

And for the lightning round:

Coffee or tea?

Coffee

Sunrise or sunset?

Sunset

Favorite place to travel:

Any place that is warm, welcoming, and has great food.

Favorite dessert:

Anything that includes chocolate ganache!

Superpower:

Planning! I pride myself on analyzing situations and developing a well-thought-out plan of execution.

Favorite music:

Lately, 1980s soul music.

Favorite book from childhood:

The first book I loved was Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe.

Thanks again, Chrystal! It was so much fun to learn about you, your writing journey, and your amazing novel! Learn more about Chrystal on her website and follow her on Instagram, Blue Sky, and Threads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coffee or tea?

Coffee

Sunrise or sunset?

Sunset

Favorite place to travel:

Any place that is warm, welcoming, and has great food.

Favorite dessert:

Anything that includes chocolate ganache!

Superpower:

Planning! I pride myself on analyzing situations and developing a well-thought-out plan of execution.

Favorite music:

Lately, 1980s soul music.

Favorite book from childhood:

The first book I loved was Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe.

 

 

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Author Interview – Angela Cervantes – The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy

By on May 6, 2026   /   Author Interviews, books, New Releases  

From Pura Belpré Honor recipient Angela Cervantes and perfectly timed for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy follows 12-year-old sleuth Diez Espada on a high-stakes case as he tracks down the tournament’s stolen trophy in time for the championship match. Also available in Spanish!

book cover of mystery of stolen world cup trophy - character all in black running down the stairs holding the world cup trophy

Photo of author angela cervantes sitting at a table

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diez Espada—named after the jersey number of his soccer-obsessed father’s favorite player, Lionel Messi—would rather be chasing clues than soccer balls. When the World Cup trophy disappears at a glitzy party in Miami, he’s suddenly at the center of the most thrilling match of his life—a race to find the trophy before it’s gone for good.

Teaming up with his crush, Rio, and the world-famous Detective Enzo, Diez dives headfirst into a one-night whirlwind of secret tunnels and a squad of suspicious suspects: a spoiled son of a Miami tycoon, a famous sportscaster, and even Rio’s two prankster younger brothers.

The clock is ticking, the suspects are slippery, and the stadium lights are ready to shine. Will Diez find the trophy in time for the World Cup championship match?

 

Let’s get the big question out of the way at the beginning: I’m guessing you’re a huge Messi fan? Or is there another player/team you admire?  

AC: That’s so funny you ask that. At all my school visits, the second I reveal that I love soccer. Students ask me who’s the GOAT? Messi or Ronaldo. It’s a dangerous question and I try to avoid answering it because it means I’ll lose half of the audience. But I’m happy to reveal the truth with you: For me, Messi is the GOAT. I’ve been a fan of Leo Messi since his days at Barcelona. And I’ve been lucky enough to see him play twice: once in Barcelona at the legendary Camp Nou. The second time his team Inter Miami came to Kansas City to play our home team Sporting KC. He even scored a goal during the game which was a dream to witness. There are many other fútbol players I admire like Marta from the Brazilian national women’s team, Vini Junior from Brazil, but Leo will always be my fave! On and off the pitch, he’s an inspiration.

I loved all the little details through your novel – the lobster costume, the squawking bird, Al Capone’s tunnel, etc. What was the research like for writing this book? 

AC: Thanks! I love the talking bird! The green parrot, Soledad, and the lavender poodle, Spice, were so much fun to write. Inspiration for both came from an article I read about an exclusive hotel in Miami and Las Vegas that had a popular mascot that everyone treated like celebrities. I thought that was an over the top and fun detail! Research for this book was one of my favorite parts of writing this book. Miami has such rich history and culture that I wanted the city to feel like a real character, not just a backdrop. I started digging into Al Capone’s connection to Miami. He really did live there, and at the time, Miami’s city officials were not happy about it. Also, my dive into the history of the Jules Rimet trophy, kept feeding the story. Every new discovery opened another secret tunnel. 

 I had no idea the original world cup trophy had been stolen so many times and a couple never recovered! Was this your inspiration for the book and/or what inspired you? 

AC: Yes, the real history of the original FIFA World Cup trophy, known as the Jules Rimet, is what sparked everything. This extremely valuable and coveted trophy was stolen twice! The first theft was in London in 1966. The robbers took it while it was on display and demanded a ransom. Of course, FIFA refused to pay a ransom. With no other choice, the robbers dumped the trophy. Luckily, a sweet dog named Pickles found it wrapped in newspaper on his morning walk. Pickles deserves a hundred books about him! The second (and final) theft was in Rio De Janiero, Brazil in 1983. The trophy had been given to the country of Brazil after their team won the world cup three times—thanks to the legendary Pele.  

Sadly, this time there was no ransom note. No Pickles the dog to recover it. The trophy was never found, and no one arrested. To this day no one knows what happened to it. That unsolved mystery was the spark: what if the FIFA trophy went missing during the 2026 World Cup in North America? Once that idea took hold, the book followed.

I loved your Detective Enzo and the International Criminal La Lechuza.  How fun was it to write these characters? 

AC: Thank you. Detective Enzo and La Lechuza were completely inspired by classic Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes type detectives and villians. And I love the idea that we haven’t seen the last of these two characters. I wanted my young sleuth Diez to feel like he was out of his league and to doubt whether he truly belonged in the game or should stay on the bench. Of course, Diez knows he can’t sit this one out. No chance. Like he says, solving mysteries runs in his blood.  

What would you say is the hardest and easiest part about writing a mystery? 

AC: For me, the toughest part is managing the clues. I wanted to be sure to plant them carefully enough that a sharp reader could follow the trail, but not so obviously that the ending feels predictable. Personally, I despise a forced or predictable whodunit ending. I really aimed to avoid that by allowing my main character, Diez, to use his smarts to put the pieces together. For me, the easiest part of writing this novel was the momentum. Once the trophy is stolen and Detective Enzo shows up on the scene, the mystery takes off. Enzo’s arrival propels Diez’ desire to help despite every adult, including Detective Enzo, trying to keep him out of it. All this tension moved the story forward naturally. It made the writing exciting and fun. 

What are some of your favorite middle grade novels and why do you like them so much? 

AC: When I’m doing school visits, I always tell students about three books I absolutely loved! One is Charlotte’s Web by EB White, The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis, and Mary Downing Hahn’s Wait Till Helen Comes.  I also had a fair share of mystery books that I loved too. One in particular that I continue to pick up every once in a while, is From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. I think I love these books so much because the main characters face real stakes and have so much emotional depth.

Now that this book is out in the world, what are some next steps for you? 

AC: Now it’s time to shift into promotion mode, which is my least favorite part of this job. But I believe in this book, and I know there are readers out there who need it. It won’t find them if I don’t do my part to get the word out. So, I’ll show up, talk about it, and trust that it lands where it’s supposed to.

Beyond that, I’m finishing Anomalies 53: Dragon Dreams, Book 2 in my fantasy series, which comes out July 2026. I’m also considering a new mystery for Diez and I have ideas brewing for fans of The Cursed Moon. Plenty to keep me busy.

Is there anything else you want to share about The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy for our audience of teachers, librarians, and middle grade authors? 

AC: I’m happy to share that it will also be released simultaneously in Spanish on May 5th 

This is a huge deal to me as with most of my middle-grade novels, the Spanish version has come out about a year later, and only if the English book did well enough to justify it. The implicit message of this is that Spanish-speaking readers were secondary. Seeing this change feels meaningful. And especially with this World Cup-inspired novel. As everyone knows, the World Cup tournament is watched by billions of people around the world. And a large chunk of that includes Spanish-speaking countries and communities. So, it seems only fitting it should be released in both languages straight from the first whistle. 

It will also be available in an audiobook format too, which is awesome for those who prefer that format.

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STEM Tuesday– Math– Book List

By on May 5, 2026   /   Math, STEM Tuesday  

Mathematical tips and strategies, logic puzzles, infographic how-to information, inspirational mathematicians, mathematical reasoning and even animals with amazing math skills are waiting in the pages of books below:

Cover of the book Adventures in Math: How to Level Up Your Math Game

Adventures in Math: How to Level Up Your Math Game, by Carleigh Wu and illustrated by Sean Simpson encourages readers to change their mathematical mindsets. It debunks common misconceptions about math, provides tips and strategies, and reinforces that we can learn to think like mathematicians – belief and effort are what it takes. The book shares this message “Believe in yourself. Work hard. Make mistakes. Keep going. Ask for help. Work with others. Because it all adds up.” This 2026 Mathical Honor Book is a fantastic read and conversation starter and belongs in every upper elementary and middle grade classroom.

Cover of the book Calculating Chimpanzees, Brainy Bees, and Other Animals with Mind-Blowing Mathematical Abilities

People are not the only mathematical beings. Calculating Chimpanzees, Brainy Bees, and Other Animals with Mind-Blowing Mathematical Abilities by Stephanie Gibeault and illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett explores the amazing mathematical abilities of five different types of animals: guppies, hyenas, African grey parrots, chimpanzees, and honeybees. This 2025 Mathical Honor Book provides a window into how scientists study animal behavior and number skills. Readers are sure to be fascinated that fish can distinguish between large and small quantities; African grey parrots can represent numbers with symbols; chimpanzees can add; honeybees understand the concept of zero; and hyenas count.

Cover of the Book Hidden Women: The African-American Mathematicians of NASA Who Helped America Win the Space Race

Hidden Women: The African-American Mathematicians of NASA Who Helped America Win the Space Race, written by Rebecca Rissman, introduces readers to the African American women whose mathematical abilities were critical to the success of NASA’s early space missions. The 2019 Mathical Honor Book highlights their contributions, resilience, and the barriers they faced.

Cover of the book How to Survive Middle School Math: A Do-It-Yourself Study Guide

How to Survive Middle School Math: A Do-It-Yourself Study Guide by Concetta Ortiz and Matt Fazio, focuses on what students need to know to thrive in the middle school math classroom. Part of the series currently of five books, How to Survive Middle School, this math book can also be used as a homeschooling resource. The book is colorful, divided into manageable sections, and is an important middle school companion.

Cover of the book Do the Math!: Challenging, Fun Math Puzzles for Kids

Do the Math!: Challenging, Fun Math Puzzles for Kids, by Steven and Jessica Clontz, provides a plethora of puzzles for the reader to complete while working on core math skills. Through clear instructions and a variety of activities, the reader develops logical thinking skills while solving different types of puzzles one chapter at a time.

Cover of the Logic Workbook for Gritty Kids

Choose different levels of fun puzzles and games to develop spatial reasoning, math skills, and focus in the Logic Workbook for Gritty Kids series. In each book, the puzzles grow in level of difficulty to ensure motivation. The Hardest Logic Workbook for Gritty Kids: Spatial Reasoning, Math Puzzles, Word Games, Logic Problems, Focus Activities, Two-Player Games, by Dan Allbaugh and Anil Yap was published in 2024. Other books in this collection include the Logic Workbook for Gritty Kids, Another Logic Workbook for Gritty Kids, and Brainteasers and Riddles for Gritty Kids.

Cover of the book Perfectly Logical!: Challenging Fun Brain Teasers and Logic Puzzles for Smart Kids

Another book of logic puzzles, Perfectly Logical!: Challenging Fun Brain Teasers and Logic Puzzles for Smart Kids was written by Jenn Larson, a school teacher for over 20 years.  The games focus on developing skills such as abstract reasoning and processing speed.

Cover of the book Show and Tell! Great Graphs and Smart Charts: An Introduction to Infographics

Show and Tell! Great Graphs and Smart Charts: An Introduction to Infographics written by Stuart J. Murphy and illustrated by Teresa Bellón is an excellent introductory guide that shows how information can be collected and displayed using eye-catching, easy to interpret, line graphs, bar graphs, pictographs, and pie charts. It’s perfect for children interested in surveys, organizing and interpreting data, and visually representing their findings for others.

Cover of the Book of Math by Anna Weltman

The Book of Math by Anna Weltman, 2021 delves into many interesting and perplexing mathematical questions. It looks at the math in nature, space, art, sports calculations, construction, and coding. It explores unsolved math problems, too. This 2023 Mathical Honor Book is full of appealing graphics, timelines, charts, puzzles, games and activities.

Cover of The Fallacy Detective: Thirty-Eight Lessons on How to Recognize Bad Reasoning

 
The Fallacy Detective: Thirty-Eight Lessons on How to Recognize Bad Reasoning by Nathaniel Bluedorn and Hans Bluedorn is a bestselling book about logic and fallacy. Illustrated by Rob Corley and Tim Hodge, the funny cartoons and easy-to-follow writing style keeps the reader engaged. Written for ages 12 and up, children can learn on their own or alongside their adult.

Cover of the book Which One Doesn't Belong?

In Which One Doesn’t Belong? author Christopher Danielson says, “I made this book to spark conversations, thinking, and wonder.” The book accomplishes all these goals. Its colorful pages show collections of four shapes, each of which might correctly answer the question “Which one doesn’t belong?” This 2017 Mathical Award winning book provides opportunities for readers to focus on properties attributes, and on rich geometry-focused conversations. It’s likely to appeal to readers of almost every age.

This month’s STEM Tuesday book list was prepared by:

Picture of Bev Schellenberg and her daughter

Bev Schellenberg is an author (A Prince Among Dragons; A Princess Among Dragons), as well as a writer of creative nonfiction, poetry, and picture books. She’s an advocate of STEM who was a science fair national winner and high school robotics club sponsor, and passionate about young people discovering, following the passion inside them and flourishing. She’s taught grades kindergarten to grade 12 and is currently an academic advisor, careers teacher, and armchair futurist. Learn more about Bev at BevSchellenberg.com.

Picture of Carolyn Pfister and her goats.

Carolyn Pfister is a STEM Content Developer, writer/illustrator, and coordinator of the California Early Math Project. She is interested in encouraging family and community STEM opportunities and maintaining children’s early love and success with math and science. Carolyn writes a monthly Substack on behalf of the California Early Math Project – https://carolynpfister.substack.com/. Learn more about Carolyn at Carolynpfister.com

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