Posts Tagged book lists

STEM Tuesday– Zombies (Real and Otherwise)– Kim Long interview

By on October 28, 2025   /   STEM Tuesday, Zombies  

Welcome to STEM Tuesday: Author Interview, a repeating feature for the last Tuesday of every month. Go Science-Tech-Engineering-Math!

Today we’re exploring the intersection of science and spooky with Kim Long, author of Catching Cryptids: The Scientific Search for Mysterious Creatures (May 6, 2025) by Running Press Kids, illustrated by Nicole Miles. Catching Cryptids explores various technological advances in a fun way by pairing them with mythical creatures and discussing how modern technology could be used to locate or “catch” these beasts. Let’s learn more about Kim and her cryptids!

Want to win a copy of Catching Cryptids? Leave a comment or email Andi Diehn (andi@diehn.net) to be entered into a random drawing! U.S. addresses only, please.

 

Andi Diehn: This seems like a really fun topic to research! How and when did your fascination with cryptids begin?

Kim Long: I’ve always been a huge fan of the strange and weird! When I was a kid I devoured books on the Bermuda Triangle, Bigfoot, Atlantis, and other oddities. I’m also a huge animal lover, so stories about scientists discovering new species are always on my radar. Squid are one of my favorites, and it’s only been in the last twenty years that scientists have been able to even view a squid in its natural habitat. It really makes me think about what else is out there that we haven’t found or been able to verify.

What was your research process like?

 

 

Kim: I think I’ve read every book, magazine article, and blog about cryptids! There are some great texts out there by cryptozoologists who have organized expeditions to find the Mongolian Death Worm and other cryptids. Even more fascinating in some respectsis the work wildlife scientists are doing with the latest tech. For the most part, I’d read an article or blurb in an Internet news story and then track down the actual scientific paper that served as the source for the story. Scientific journal articles list all of their sources (i.e. more articles), which sent me down many a rabbit hole as I pieced together what type of tech could partner with which cryptids.

I love how you explored the technology used in identifying new species and searching for cryptids. Do you think we’ll find even more species every year as technology improves?

Kim: Absolutely! It wasn’t until March 2025 (MARCH 2025!!!) that scientists captured the very first image of a colossal squid in its natural habitat! And it was such a baby! I can’t wait for pics of a full-size colossal squid. There is so much more of the ocean to explore. We haven’t scratched the surface. For land animals, drones make it so much easier to explore hard-to-reach places. And as airborne DNA collection advances, we’ll be able to identify species without even seeing them. That’s huge. Right now, so much is based on eyesight and catching a glimpse, but environmental DNA and airborne DNA open the door to discover where super secretive animals may be hiding.

You manage to pull a lot of threads into this book – climate change, technology, species discovery, sociology, psychology – what is it about cryptids that invites such a layered approach to examination?

Kim: I think the mysterious nature of cryptids opens the door to discussing some aspects that might not lend themselves to traditional wildlife research. If someone says they saw a dog running down the street, there’s no reason to question their opinion. But if someone says they saw a 6-foot bird screeching at them, our eyebrows raise. So, if we assume the person saw something, let’s take a look at what factors might be affecting their opinion, and then we can get into the traditional wildlife science of habitat and what technologies can help figure out what that something is.

Love the career connections in the last chapter! Why include this section?

Kim: When I was a kid, I loved animals and science and the only job I heard about was a veterinarian, which didn’t interest me. I want kids to know that there are tons of fields related to wildlife research, and not all jobs require higher education. Perhaps a kid who’s into computers never thought wildlife coding or programming was an option and will be thrilled to discover that these opportunities exist.

What’s your favorite cryptid – and why?

Kim: Ooooh. This is a tough one!! I love the kraken because WHO KNOWS WHAT’S IN THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN??? Plus, so many characteristics of the kraken match the giant squid. But, I also love the Mongolian Death Worm because there absolutely could be a worm/snake creature that lives in the sand. Then there’s Mothman, who’s been sighted in five different states and for over 50 years. And the Loch Ness monster is . . .

OK, I guess it’s fair to say I don’t have a favorite!

Want to win a copy of Catching Cryptids? Leave a comment or email Andi Diehn (andi@diehn.net) to be entered into a random drawing! U.S. addresses only, please.

 

Kim Long is a children’s book author and former attorney. She studied environmental management in college and environmental law in law school. Her love of science, nature, and animals is reflected in her books. While she has not yet spotted a cryptid, she keeps her eyes peeled at all times, waiting for Mothman to make a guest appearance as she bikes along Illinois’s trails.

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From the Classroom: If You Like…

By on October 27, 2025   /   For Teachers, From the Classroom  
If you like the Lightning Thief then read Hugo Cabret, with images of both book covers
If you like Funjungle books, read Spy School

Middle grade readers often have strong opinions. In earlier From the Classroom articles we shared how to Build Reflective Readers and reasons why we Don’t Pigeon-Hole Middle Grade Readers. This time I’d like to share a sure-fire way to get kids interested in new books: “If you like…” posters and recommendations.

If You Like … Posters

Every Friday is First Chapter Friday in my fifth grade classroom. Most weeks I read aloud the first chapter of an enticing middle grade book, and students have the chance to sign up to be the first readers. It’s a great way to expose kids to new authors, genres, topics, and formats of books than they might usually read.

If you like scary stories, then try ... with a list of 8 books

But some weeks, I share a group of books related by a theme. This Friday, being Halloween, our theme is “If you like… Scary Stories!” Not only will I share several of the titles above with my students (blurbs this time, not every first chapter), but I will also hang the poster up above our classroom library. This year I went the extra step of adding a basket specifically for “scary books,” to help readers find them easily.

If you like survival stories, with a list of 8 books

Some other popular topics for “If you like…” include survival stories, magical school stories, graphic novels, you name it! I’ve also done versions for genres, as a goal of fifth grade is introducing students to books in various genres (realistic fiction, historical fiction, mystery, and fantasy).

Have Students Make Their Own “If You Like…”

Another strategy is to have students make their own book recommendations using the “If you like…” format. It’s a great way for them to think about what kind of reader would like a certain book, and what other books that same reader might enjoy. Some of them come up with pretty straightforward recommendations, like the one at the top of the article: If you like the Funjungle series by Stuart Gibbs, then you might like The Spy School series also by Stuart Gibbs.

If you like the Lightning Thief then read Hugo Cabret, with images of both book covers

But students also come up with combinations that might seem more unexpected. One students suggested The Invention of Hugo Cabret if you liked The Lightning Thief. She said that “These books are adventurous, and exciting! I recommend these books to readers who like mysteries and fantasy.”

So there you go!

How do you use book talks or book recommendations to inspire readers in your life or classroom?

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Interview with Author Karen Latchana Kenney and her book: Fascinating Fungi and a Giveaway!

By on October 10, 2025   /   Articles, STEM  
Fascinating Fungi book

I am delighted to welcome one of our very own Mixed-up Files and STEM Tuesday members for her new release!

A huge welcome to Karen Latchana Kenney!

 

Karen Latchana Kenney

 

Karen Latchana Kenney is an Indian-Irish children’s author, born near the equator in Guyana, and raised far north in Minnesota. She writes both fiction and nonfiction stories about immigrant and biracial experiences, scientific wonders and discoveries, momentous historical events, and civil rights struggles.

Her books have received several starred reviews and have been named a 2025 Minnesota Book Awards Finalist, 2025 Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Awards Finalist, 2023 Mathical Book Prize Honor, YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, and a Book of Note from the TriState Review Committee. She lives in Minnetonka, Minnesota, with her family, where they explore all the wild places they can find.

 

Her newest book is a star-studded look at… FUNGI!

(The book received THREE stars from major reviewers. Congrats, Karen!!)

Fascinating Fungi book

 

Kirkus (starred review): An extraordinarily well-researched, well-presented, and visually appealing book on a fascinating subject.

Booklist (starred review) : Highly recommended to seasoned “fungi-philes” and those unfamiliar with the threading marvels.— Sharon Rawlins

School Library Journal (starred review): VERDICT A thoroughly researched, visually appealing, and reader-friendly title that brings the hidden world of fungi to life—highly recommended for all collections. –Jenna LaBollita

 

 

Thanks so much for joining us here today to talk about your awesome new STEM book for kids, Karen!

JS: What drew you to writing about fungi? 

KK: It was a really strange mushroom I found in my garden—one I’d never seen before. One day there was a giant puffball growing on its own, all of a sudden it was there. So, I started investigating and learning more about this mushroom that puffs clouds of spores into the air and I wanted to know more and more. I watched some incredible documentaries too, like Fantastic Fungi, and then I knew I wanted to write a book about these fascinating organisms.

 

JS: How did you figure out the organization of this topic? 

KK: There was so much to tell that it was hard to whittle down the topics, but I really wanted to showcase all of the amazing qualities of different kinds of fungi. I thought it was important to start off with a biological background and then move into different aspects of how they look, what they can do for people, and then what they can do within nature. Two chapters, “The Beauties” and “The Oddities,” were especially fun to write. They highlight all the beautiful and unusual forms fungi can take, including the terrifying Bleeding Tooth fungus that oozes a red liquid to the brilliant green Parrot Waxcap covered in slime.

 

JS: It seems like this is something many people don’t know, but how important are fungi to our world? 

KK: They are incredibly important. I don’t think we even know yet how important and pervasive they are yet. They nourish the soil, connect plants, provide food for all kinds of creatures, and decompose all kinds of materials. Without fungi, leaf litter and plant debris would pile up to make a thick layer covering our planet. Scientists are discovering different ways they can restore our planet as well—from breaking down plastics to cleaning toxic sites and water, and much more.

 

JS: Can you give us three intriguing fun facts that you learned while writing this book? 

KK:

  1. A bioluminescent fungus was used to illuminate the controls in America’s first combat submarine, called the Turtle, during the Revolutionary War.
  2. That fungi are genetically and biologically more like people and other animals than they are like plants.
  3. The concept of “wet computing” or wetware, which uses biological components along with hardware to create living, adaptable computers. A researcher I interviewed in England, Dr. Adam Adamatzky, is experimenting with fungi to create these kind of computing devices.

 

JS: What would you like readers to get out of this book?

KK: A sense of wonder about these organisms they may never have really thought about before, and a respect for the complexity and beauty of the natural world.

 

JS: How would you like teachers/librarians to use this book?

KK: I think this book would be perfect for science research or kids interested in ecology or biology.

 

JS: Can you give any tips to writers who want to break into nonfiction children’s books?

KK: Read the top nonfiction books out there and study how writers craft trade nonfiction. It’s filled with fictional elements that add so much interest. Having a great, high-interest angle is important. Also talk to experts in the area you are writing about. I often get the best research tips from the experts I interview.

 

JS: What are you working on now? 

KK: I’m working on a really exciting, top-secret STEM picture book right now!

That sounds fabulous, Karen. We can’t wait to read that one. Thanks for sharing about your new STEM book. Everyone go check out Karen’s website HERE for more of her fabulous books!

 

Want a chance to WIN a Copy of Karen’s New Book? She is doing a giveaway at Goodreads. Click HERE to enter!

 

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