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11 Resolutions For 2026 From The Mixed-Up Files Team

By on January 1, 2026   /   Articles, Oh MG News   /   Leave a comment

To kick off the new year, I polled the busy members of From The Mixed-Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors to share their bookish goals for 2026, whether for reading, writing, or something else. Here’s what they said: 

New Year's 2026 Writerly Resolutions

“I’d like to stretch my writerly wings and attempt something out of my wheelhouse, like a picture book or chapter-book series. It’s time to shake off the cobwebs in 2026!” — Melissa Roske

“Instead of reading and writing more, more, more, I want to engage with books in an intentional and thoughtful way.” — Jennifer Kraar

“I’d like to finish the second draft of the middle grade fantasy I’m working on!” — Jackie Peveto

“Like Melissa, I’d like to try something new in 2026 – maybe an adult novel or even some short stories. Time to shake things up 🙂.” — Patricia Heinrich Bailey

“Finish a picture book manuscript I’ve been writing and explore some new topics in a middle grade or YA book. Also make a dent in my to-be-read pile!” — Karen Latchana Kenney

“I’d like to carve out the time to meet my writing goals.” — Faran Fagen “My resolution is to re-read at least 15 of the classics, both adult and children’s.” — Jo Hackl 

“Write for at least a little bit 6 days a week!” — Sarah Allen

“I have a few new projects I’ve started and a couple of projects that need to be revisited and revised…but nothing feels finished. I need to focus and finish one of these projects.” — Susan Koehler

“Revise my current work-in-progress to be full of kid-brain imagination and get it ready to query in summer.” — Kate Penndorf “Spend some time with my manuscript every day – even if just for a few minutes.” — Landra Jennings

And for me? I recently started using Pagebound to keep track of the books I’ve read and want to read, and I’ve set a goal there to read 26 books in ’26. Here’s to reading all the books you have in your TBR pile!

Here’s to a healthy and happy 2026! And don’t forget to tell us your goals on MUF’s Facebook or Instagram pages. 

—The MUF team 

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The People Have Spoken: Let’s Support School Libraries

By on December 1, 2025   /   Oh MG News  
Middle Grade Authors

Several voters cast their ballots at a polling placeIn November, as pundits discussed polls and politicians held watch parties, a quiet victory took place. Of course it was quiet — this victory went to the librarians.

Publishers Weekly reports that in thousands of school board elections across the country, “voters leaned toward candidates who emphasized equity and consensus-building, and rejected division and censorship.” The trend is undeniable: People want diversity, access, and professional respect returned to public education.

In one Kansas county, a parent entered the race because diversity, equity, and inclusion were being erased from the local school system; that parent won. In New Mexico, two candidates endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers built their platform on labor issues; they won. In several Colorado counties, teacher unions played an active role in supporting candidates who wanted to uphold the professional autonomy of educators; they all won.

And do you remember that sixth-grade teacher in Idaho who was told to remove her “Everyone Is Welcome Here” sign because it was deemed controversial? Well, her name is Meghan Brown, and she just won a seat on the West Ada School Board. Maybe everyone really will be welcome soon.

Even in Texas, the tide seems to be turning. In the Dallas area, an incumbent who wants to “clean up libraries” lost to a former teacher who wants to restore classroom libraries. In the Houston area, Moms-for-Liberty-endorsed candidates lost to candidates who voiced advocacy for the restoration of politically dismantled libraries.

“‘The school board election results we saw here in Texas seem to show us that Texas parents are tired of culture wars being waged in their children’s classrooms and libraries,’ Laney Hawes, cofounder of the Texas Freedom to Read Project (TFTRP), told PW. ‘The misinformation-based political messaging of ‘groomer’ librarians, the dangers of CRT, and the LGBTQ agenda in library books isn’t garnering the votes it did as recently as a year ago.'”

National Education Association President Becky Pringle summed up the trend as a desire to bring in “new leaders committed to making sure every student has the support they need to succeed.” Let’s keep moving in a positive direction for our schools, our libraries, and most importantly, for our students!

 

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Book Bans Impact School Visits Around the Country

By on November 1, 2025   /   Oh MG News  

In just the past few weeks, multiple kidlit authors have seen their author visits canceled.

Talk on the True Story of the First Woman to Bike Around the World: CANCELED

Pedal Pusher

According to author Mary Boone’s piece in The Seattle Times, she was scheduled to talk about her book Pedal Pusher: How One Woman’s Bicycle Adventure Helped Change the World at the Tacoma Children’s Museum site on the U.S. Army base Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The book tells the true story of Annie Cohen Kopchovsky, the first woman to bike around the world.

However, a few days before the event, Boone was told the planned talk was off because it “violated the administration’s executive order restricting so-called “radical” Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs across federal institutions.”

Book Talk Celebrating Freedom to Read: CANCELED 

According to BookRiot, Joanna Ho and Caroline Kusin Pritchard showed up at the Country Club Elementary School in San Ramon, California to talk about the current landscape of book bans and their book The Day The Books Disappeared, a picture book that celebrates the freedom to read. Upon arrival, the authors were told by the school’s principal they could not talk about book bans, nor could they mention “queer-centered stories at all.”

The Day The Books Disappeared

Ho and Kusin Pritchard said they didn’t plan on changing their talk, so they were sent home, and the students who’d been waiting for the talk to start were sent back into their classrooms.

What Can You Do?

  • Sign up for Authors Against Book Bans to be notified about actions you can take against book bans in your state.
  • Join PEN America protect the freedom to read.  They offer actions you can take to lend a hand.
  • Learn more about banned books from the American Library Association.
  • According to Unite Against Book Bans, attending your local library board, school board, and city council meetings is “one of the most critical actions you can take to fend off book bans.” Attending these events in support of the freedom to read is a powerful statement.
  • MUF contributor Patricia Bailey has other suggestions, too. Remember, most people do not want book bans, research shows. Don’t lose hope!

 

 

 

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