For Writers

The Best Middle Grade Podcasts and What You Get From Them

Why we love podcasts about kids books?

Podcasts are the perfect way to consume quality material while running errands, cleaning, driving, getting ready for work, etc. We build connections, learn, are entertained, expand our thoughts and opinions, and get inspired to be and do better. With so many great hosts out there it is so fun to feel like you are in the room with these creators hearing them talk about things that interest you. And what interests us? Children’s books, of course! Especially middle grade books which are filled with hope, intense emotions, and are wonderfully fun!

The Best Podcasts Focusing on Children’s Books

There are so many amazing podcasts out there, but when I first went searching for podcasts where they talk to authors of children’s books I had a surprisingly hard time finding what I was looking for. Not because they didn’t exist, but because what came up in my searches were usually read alouds for kids, instead of podcasts for adults looking to dive further into children’s literature. Where were the podcasts for parents, teachers, and librarians who wanted to know about the important books published for kids? Why these books were written? What inspired these authors? And deeper discussions about these amazing books?

This incredible list is part one of two parts that I am posting as I have over twenty amazing podcasts to share with you. Some of these podcasts are aimed specifically by writers. And some of them are for anyone with an interest in children’s literature. Many of these are interview format, but some are solo episodes with the podcast host. It was hard to put it in any kind of order so when all else fails, go by alphabetical order, right? I hope you will find some awesome new podcasts to add to your listening list and don’t forget to come back for more in our upcoming part 2 article of The Best Podcasts Focusing on Children’s books.

 

BackStory Podcast from StoryCon Logo

BackStory is a podcast presented by StoryCon and hosted by New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen. Each episode is presented in two parts. First, our extraordinary host Jennifer A. Nielsen gives us a teaser of the upcoming interview with an author, she doesn’t say who she will be interviewing, but gives us some of their backstory, just enough to get us interested in what is to come. Then in part two we find out who that author is and get to dive further into their BackStory and hear more about the creation of their amazing books! Check out her most recent interview with wildly successful author of The School for Good and Evil Series, Soman Chainani

Book Friends Forever B.F.F. Podcast Logo

Book Friends Forever is hosted by two best friends, award-winning author/illustrator Grace Lin, and one of NYC’s top editors, Alvina Ling. In these very authentic and raw conversations between friends you will discover some fascinating secrets of the children’s book publishing world. Just like you were listening in on any old conversation between two close friends, you will get a wide range of topics, for example this most recent episode, Chop Suey, discusses “a bunch of different pieces of publishing news, including the launch of Google’s Gemini Storybook App, the cancellation of the NEA Creative Writing Grant, the creation of a new MFA program of writers of young people’s literature… Children’s Literature Specialist Alison Morris joins them to discuss two recent studies on the decline of pleasure reading, and about how Gen Z isn’t reading to their kids as much as previous generations.”

BookHuddle With Readgab Podcast Logo

BookHuddle with Readgab is hosted by children’s literacy advocate Karen Reeder. In each author interview we discover not only a bit about why the author created their story but we also get to dive into time relevant themes that we experience in the book. Listening in on these chats gives us food for thought for ourselves as well as ways that we can bring up these important topics with the kids in our lives. Whether you are a parent, educator, librarian, or simply a lover of kids books, you will love listening in on these powerful conversations. Most interviews are with middle grade authors, but there are also some with authors of picture books and other individuals having to do with children’s literacy. In their most recent episode author Mari Mancusi and Karen explore how Misunderstandings Have Higher Stakes When Dragons are Involved!

The Bookish State Podcast Logo

The Bookish State is a brand new podcast hosted by New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Grace Lin and teacher librarian Melissa Thom. The pair discusses tips and tricks for teachers and librarians by focusing on different state children’s book award lists. Season one features titles from the Connecticut Nutmeg book award list. They only have two episodes out, but it will be fun to listen in as this unique new podcast grows.

 

 

The Book of Life: Jewish Kidlist (Mostly) Podcast LogoThe Book of Life Podcast focuses mostly on Jewish Kidlit, but sometimes we get to dive into some young adult or adult books which also feature Jewish literature, music, film, and web. The host is Heidi Rabinowitz. The podcast is updated semimonthly and has been around for 20 years now, which is amazing! One of my personal favorite children’s books is Max in the Land of Lies so this is a definite must to check out from their list of interviews. Listen in as Adam Gidwitz discusses his Holocaust historical fantasy novel.

 

The Children's Book Podcast Stories Worth Noting with Matthew C. Winner logoWhile The Children’s Book Podcast was featured in a previous article, I would feel remise is I did not mention it as it has been around for so long and is so popular and I wouldn’t want seekers of kidslit themed podcasts to miss out on this one! Host Matthew C. Winner is a writer and children’s librarian who is “Celebrating the power of storytelling to reflect our world, expand our perspectives, and foster connections between readers of all ages. They feature interviews with authors, illustrators, and everyone involved in taking a book from drawing board to bookshelf.” In this recent episode Diana Rodriguez Wallach discusses her recent book, The Silenced, and reading through a different cultural lens.

The Children's Book Review: Growing Readers Podcast LogoThe Children’s Book Review: Growing Readers Pocast is of course focused on growing readers of all ages. In this most recent episode host Bianca Schulze chats with graphic novel creator Stan Yan about why represenation matters and the importance of not only advocating for others, but also for yourself. The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang was a book Grace Lin recommended for me to read and I can’t wait to read it and then listen to this podcast episode.

 

The Creative Life Podcast with Sara Zarr LogoThis Creative Life podcast is hosted by author Sara Zarr who writes both middle grade and young adult books. Her podcast focuses on life between the process of writing lines down on paper. She does both solo and interview episodes. So when you have a pile of chores, but you want to also keep your mind on writing you might check out an episode like this one What Counts as Writing.

 

KidLit Craft Podcast LogoKidlit Craft is another great podcast for writer’s of kids books. They take a look at “mentor texts to figure out the mechanics of how writers do what they do, so we can improve our writing.” Cohosts Anne-Marie Strohman and Erin Nuttall focus on just one novel per season with each season containing at least twelve episodes so you really do get a deep dive into each book they focus on. Episodes last anywhere from 8 to 45 minutes. You might want to check out this episode from season 2 about Complicated Family Relationships from the book Thieve’s Gambit.

 

Kidlit Happy Hour Podcast LogoKidlit Happy Hour podcast is hosted by New York Times bestselling author Joanna Ho and author Caroline Kusin Pritchard. On the show they talk about the craft, the industry and the creative life of the children’s book world. They recognize that storytelling happens in many spheres so they include a myriad of topics and guests so that listeners can further their enjoyment of and/or expand their talent in the beauty of kid’s books. In this recent episode the hosts are joined by the talented Dan Santat to discuss The State of Publishing and Hope.

 

From The Mixed-UP Files has created lists about podcasts in the past but it has been over 5 years and while some of those podcasts are still creating wonderful content, I wanted to introduce you to these other amazing new podcasts out there as well. Don’t forget to watch for our upcoming part 2 of this article because we have at least ten more to share with you! If you want to read our previous articles you might check out

Share in the comments your favorite podcast to listen to or which one you look forward to listening to next.

Middle School Readers Want to Be Seen

Knowing the current reality of middle school students’ lives is essential for creating engaging middle grade fiction. Accurately reflecting their language, humor, worries, and hopes promotes emotional connection and empathy. This is especially true for contemporary fiction but is similarly valuable for other sub-genres such as fantasy and science fiction—even historical fiction benefits from connecting with readers’ lives today.

Furthermore, knowledge of current trends, apps, slang, and cultural references prevents writing from feeling outdated. It ensures characters align with middle schoolers’ approach to friendships, family relationships, and the world.

Ultimately, writing authentic characters builds credibility and relevance. It strengthens plotlines and themes while giving young readers characters they can believe in and relate to, increasing a book’s impact and success.

Thus, those who write books for middle school readers benefit from periodically updating themselves on what’s happening with this age group. Although they’re not a monolithic group, and some elements of their lives are unique, many of their experiences are similar across schools and regions.

Middle School Safety Goggles advised by Jessica Speer book coverThe 2022 book Middle School—Safety Goggles Advised, by Jessica Speer, illustrated by Lesley Imgart, captures the middle school experience through thorough research and student interviews. All parents, teachers, and kids can find something in it to help them understand and cope with this challenging time. You will find hard facts, fun explanations, youthful commentary, quizzes, cautions, insights, discussion questions, activities, and more.

The 2017 book The Manual to Middle School: The “Do this, Not that” Survival Guide forThe Manual to Middle School by Jonathan Catherman Guys, by Jonathan Catherman and sons Reed and Cole, gives direct advice on how to survive middle school from a boy’s perspective. It seeks to speak to boys at their level. You’ll find real-life hacks, humorous illustrations, and survival stories. Written in the second person and accompanied by graphic novel-type illustrations, it’s frank and funny while at the same time being factually grounded.

What follows incorporates some of the observations in these books and additional considerations based upon my input and that of other writers, parents, and teachers.

FROM REAL PEOPLE TO CHARACTERS

Middle School Milieu

Schoolwork, Tests, and Grades. The difference between elementary school and middle school is huge. There are classroom changes, new people, more intense workloads, and increased testing, all of which lead to stress. In addition, there is the joy and pressure of after-school activities such as sports, music, plays, clubs, and so on. Parents, who are conscious of the coming pressures of high school, urge the development of good study skills, adding to the tension. All of this can be complicated by family problems such as divorce and/or a sick parent or sibling. And of course, there are hormones.

Physiology. Middle schoolers are at the age of puberty. This means they are awash in hormones, faced with changes to their bodies, menstrual periods, facial and body hair, and pimples. Puberty also brings moodiness, hypersensitivities, hurt feelings, tears, feelings of alienation, rejection, insecurity, jealousy, and righteousness. The effects, both physical and brain-related, can vary wildly among kids and throughout the middle school experience. Typically, there is a transition into some degree of maturity, albeit with some flashbacks into childish behavior.

Instant Judgments and Gossip. Middle schoolers are prone to making quick judgments about others. This can be a good judgment: “She looks nice.”  But it is often negative and fuels, or is fueled by, gossip: “He’s a weirdo.” Students report that these hostile or harsh judgments can be the result of insecurity, comparing themselves to others, trying to be cool or fit in, jealousy, and insensitivity to differences. If you are the recipient of it, it hurts, it’s hard to tune out, and it takes courage to ignore it and seek out positive people. Middle schoolers are brave, but they can also be frightened.

Fraught Friendships. Problems in friendships may be the greatest challenge of middle school. They cause more tears, panic, and depression than anything else. Friendship problems typically derive from change: changing interests, changing personalities, changing moods. Students report that friendships are all over the place. One day you’re friends, and the next day you’re not. Sometimes you have no idea why. It can leave you alone at the dreaded lunch table. It’s awful, but many feel it’s okay if you dump or get dumped by a bad friend.  It takes a lot of self-possession and courage to get out of a hurtful friendship. The use of “BFF” may be waning in today’s culture.

Cliques, Groups, and Peer Pressure. Cliques and groups exhibit some of the same characteristics as changing friendships. Kids can be in or out in the blink of an eye. To stay in a group, a middle schooler must conform to the group’s rules. This can include what to wear, what jargon to use, who to acknowledge, who to dis, what table to sit at in the lunchroom, and so on. Adherence to the rules of the group is policed through peer pressure. If a group member doesn’t abide by the rules, they can be shunned by the group. Still, there is nothing wrong with being in a group. Groups form naturally among friends with shared interests and can be a social space where you don’t have to be judged. They can be open to new members but are rarely free of all peer pressure. Lots of intergroup gossip, hurt feelings, and attempted mediation among friends go on, but it typically resolves itself without a member being pushed out of the group.

Popularity or Lack Thereof. An outgrowth of cliques and groups, popularity still plagues middle schoolers. However, popularity isn’t what it once was or how it is portrayed in movies. There are still groups that consider themselves at the top of the appearance, sports, and academic ladder, and they dress a certain way, act a certain way, talk a certain way, and ignore others. They often have money and the newest technology, and they project “high status.” Some experts say the sway of popularity is greater in middle school than in elementary school or high school due to the strong emotional need to connect at that age. However, these days, the average student cares less about popular kids than in the past. There is more room for individuality and specialized groupings. Popularity can be more influential in a smaller school than in a larger school since in a larger school there is more room for personal image.

Crushes and Crashes. Crushing is not universal. Not every middle schooler has a crush, while others have one after another. Some are preoccupied with rushes and who’s “going with” whom. Others couldn’t care less. Today, there is a range of what it means to “go together” or “get together.” It can be merely saying you’re together, walking around the school together, texting, exchanging phone calls, holding hands, and maybe kissing. Sometimes they do it to be cool or to conform to the expectations of their group of friends. Mostly, middle schoolers like to do things in a group. Still, a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health reports that one in eight middle schoolers have had an encounter with oral sex, intercourse, and/or sexting (texting nude photos). This is a discomforting number, but the survey is nonetheless credible and needs to be considered. Unrequited crushes can be embarrassing if exposed by an insincere friend. The crush and immaturity can cause chaos in the preteen mind. And crushes, realized or rejected, can hurt the heart.

Phones and Social Media. Phone usage among middle schoolers is an epic pr blem. Not all kids have a phone, but they are becoming increasingly more ubiquitous. There are good reasons to have one: safety, education, communication, keeping in contact, emergencies, and school research. But there are huge downsides and many unknown risks: executive function and attention deficit, cognitive delays, impulsive reactions, and decreased ability to self-regulate. It’s a fact that families can be in a room together for hours, and a middle schooler will have their attention on the phone the entire time, missing the human interaction. When phones are restricted, kids will lie and sneak around to use them anyway. There is an undeniably addictive aspect to cell phones for kids and adults.

Social media, email, and other communications platforms are equally addictive and potentially harmful for middle school students. They steal healthy social and emotional growth time from life, leading to many of the same adverse outcomes as phones. Even more, they provide the opportunity for miscommunication, hurt feelings, and a record that never goes away. Beyond that, they can be the vehicle for contact from undesirable sources. Despite this, many kids use them (with and without adult approval), and it’s hard to ignore their existence.

Conflict and Bullying. Conflict in middle school can smolder over time or erupt in a flash. Sometimes it is attributed to the group mentality and an us-versus-them sense of division. Sometimes it’s one or two individuals with tendencies toward unkindness and cruelty. This can be psychologically damaging and physically dangerous. Sometimes, bullying behavior can be attributed to the fact that the bully is being treated that way at home, they have low self-esteem, or they don’t know how to behave appropriately. Reasons aside, the real problem in the school setting is whether the behavior is identified and addressed. The average middle school student who is bullied will attempt to ignore the conflict and may feel shamed by it. Peer support is important, and this is one circumstance where friendships and groups can play a positive role.

“Parents Don’t Understand!” As far as many middle schoolers are concerned, parents and other adults don’t know much about their world and their stresses. They think adults always approach an issue from their “old person’s” perspective. Sometimes, however, the same twelve-year-old critic regresses to younger childhood behavior and needs the comfort and understanding of Mommy, Daddy, or another significant adult. This swing in the need for an adult’s opinion or comfort can occur in seconds. Don’t blame the kids. This is attributed to hormones and the fact that at this age, kids are engaged in the awkward struggle for independence that will continue erratically for several years.

Diversity. Most middle schools are racially, ethnically, and religiously diverse—some widely, others not. A few may be all one race, religion, or gender. Mostly, the diversity in a middle school reflects the community. Younger kids can be more accepting and tolerant than adults, and middle school-age kids retain some of that natural ability. Parental influence is strong, however, and as eleven to thirteen-year-olds are beginning to develop their own unique identities, the dynamics of diversity play a role. They will mimic what is modeled for them, and feelings of discrimination will smolder. Their affiliations will be building blocks in their future.

Developing Identity. There are common themes in the life of a middle schooler. Students want to be accepted, have friends, be free of conflict, do well in their studies. Frankly, this is not unlike what adults want in their lives, but middle schoolers are struggling to achieve these goals in a sea of diverse kids with raging hormones and emotions. Not everyone experiences the abovementioned factors or matures on the same timeline. The slog through middle school to high school can hopefully bring self-respect, respect for others, trustworthy friendships, measured use of technology, accomplishment of things they enjoy, functional study skills, the ability to say no to things they don’t like, the ability to embrace things they do like, recognition of stress, and the ability to seek help. It’s a time of significant physical and emotional growth and maturity, so let’s cut middle schoolers slack. They’re eleven to thirteen years old. It’s a lot.

Anxiety. Anxiety may come about as a reaction to any of the above. It can affect physical health, emotional well-being, and social skills development. It appears in various forms and intensities and can cause students to feel isolated and stigmatized. For more discussion of anxiety identification and treatment, see: “Understanding Anxiety in Children and Teens: Anxiety is the body’s normal stress response. Learn how anxiety can be managed and treated when it becomes too much.”

Good Things. Ha! Yes, there are some. The recitation above might suggest that the entire stretch of middle school is nonstop misery. For a few, it may be, but most kids report having fun with friends, liking their teachers, loving their family, and enjoying sports and other interests. Most kids possess the skills and awareness necessary to transit this growth period, albeit with some emotional bumps and bruises.

RESOURCES

Catherman Jonathan. The Manual to Middle School: the “Do this, not that” Survival Guide for Guys. Revell. Grand Rapids. 2017. https://raisingthemready.com

Galanti, Donna. Grow Your Characters: 6 Tips to Enrich MG Characters http://www.literaryrambles.com/ 025/05/ row-your-char cters-6-tips-to-enric .html

Spear, Jessica. Illustrations by Leslie Imgart. Middle School: Safety Goggles Advised.  Familius. Reedley. 2022. http://(https://jessicaspeer.com/jessi a-speer-books/middle-school-safety-goggles-advised-2/)

Journal of Adolescent Health.  https://www.jahonline.org/ar icle/S1054-139X(05)00608-7/fulltext

“Understanding Anxiety in Kids and Teens.” https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/anxiety-kids-teens

© C.M. Surrisi

 

 

You’ve Received an Offer from an Agent. Now What?

Receiving an offer of representation from an agent is so exciting…especially after all your hard work. Celebrate! Then take some time to come up with important questions to ask before saying yes. Because not having an agent is better than having the wrong one for you and your career.

First Steps

Hopefully, you researched the agent before submitting, but there are times when you’ve received a critique, won a contest or an agent passed you on to another interested agent where you may not know enough about the agent. When they offer, thank them and let them know you’ll need two weeks to respond.

If you have queries or full manuscripts out with other agents, now is the time to contact them. If you’ve communicated via e-mail, reply in the thread but change the subject to OFFER OF REPRESENTATION. If you communicate through QueryManager, there’s a button to press to notify them of an offer. Give them two weeks to respond (even better if you can give them a deadline at least a day or two before you need to make your final decision, so you won’t feel too rushed).

Deciding Between Agents

I’m a huge fan of keeping a pro/con list for each offering agent. You can add to the list by:

  • Researching them online, in places like Querytracker.net and Publishers Marketplace (if they’re a new agent at an established agency, you can research the agency itself and make sure they have a mentor and the support they’ll need).
  • Asking them questions.
  • Chatting with their clients (hint: one of the most helpful questions to ask a client is what are one or two things you’d like to change about working with your agent).
  • Reading our Agent Spotlights.

Potential Questions to Ask the Agent

There are so many great questions you can ask! Have a list ready…but before you dive into it, realize that some may be answered while you chat. THE CALL can be such a wonderful blur, it’s good to take notes.

Here are some questions to consider asking:

  • How many editors do you submit to each round?
  • How often do you believe I’ll go out on submission rounds?
  • If I receive an editor request from a critique/conference/contest, would you send it to them?
  • How do you let me know where my manuscript is submitted and responses you receive?
  • Do you have publishers in mind for my novel? (They may not want to say the editor’s names at this point, but it’s nice to see if you have similar taste in houses.)
  • What’s your preferred method of communication with clients…and how long does it usually take you to respond?
  • Are there times when your communication might be less frequent?
  • At what stage would you like to know about future novels (share the idea before plunging in, after the first draft is finished, or after I’ve revised as much as possible)?
  • How many projects can I send you throughout the year?
  • Are you an editorial agent…and if so, how long does it typically take you to send feedback?
  • Do you plan to have me revise before submitting…and if so, ask for details to make sure you have the same vision for your book.
  • Have you cut clients, and if so…why?
  • How many editors do you submit to before giving up on a book?
  • If you aren’t able to agent for a period of time, what happens? (I don’t like asking this question, but it’s important to know. The agency that represents me pairs each agent with another one who can jump in and help clients, if needed. I hope it never will be necessary, but it’s good to know I’m covered.)

Final Tips

This can be an exciting, confusing, and stressful time…especially if you receive multiple offers. It often helps to chat about the agent/s with trusted critique partners and writing friends. After examining the pros and cons, listen to your gut. Does this feel right? Is the agent someone you can work with as a partner, without being afraid to ask questions or worrying they’ll drop you?

If you have additional questions, you can e-mail the agent or ask for another chat.

After all this, I hope you’ll sign with the most amazing agent for you and your career. And then…CELEBRATE!

Do you have any agent tips to add?