Posts Tagged contemporary realistic middle-grade fiction

Author Spotlight: Chrystal Giles

By on May 7, 2026   /   Author Interviews   /   Leave a comment

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.

 

 

Back to Top

Read-Alouds for Middle Grades: An Rx for Reading Success in Today’s Fast-Paced World

By on April 22, 2026   /   Articles, For Teachers   /   Leave a comment
Book turning pages

Read-alouds aren’t just for younger students! Research shows that reading aloud—even for just a few minutes a day—is just as effective for intermediate grades, middle schoolers, and even high schoolers.

Whether at home or during dedicated time in class, reading aloud to students demonstrates that reading is not merely a difficult task required for testing. It transforms book discussions into opportunities for students to open up about complex topics and signals the true importance of literacy. “Never underestimate the power of a well chosen read-aloud. Even students who swear they don’t like books can be drawn in by a great story,” says Kinla Nelson, a Georgia-based educator with twenty-five years of classroom teaching under her belt.

Book turning pages

Photo by Horia Varlan

Thirteen fabulous reasons why you should read aloud to your older students:

1. Unlock higher-level thinking.

 Students can often listen and comprehend at a higher level than they can read independently.

2. Let students escape into the story.

They can experience the magic of the narrative without the struggle of decoding text.

3. Bridge spoken and written language.

Read-alouds connect oral fluency with literacy skills.

4. Model fluent reading.

Show students how a reader’s voice gives meaning to words, demonstrating how punctuation, sentence structure, pauses, and inflection shape understanding.

5. Demonstrate expressive reading.

Bring characters’ emotional states to life through tone and pacing.

6. Build active listening skills.

Students learn to concentrate on both the sounds words make and their meanings simultaneously.

7. Grow vocabulary and correct pronunciation.

Hearing words in context reinforces proper usage and articulation.

8. Improve working memory.

As students make connections between different parts of the story, they flex their memory and retention muscles.

9. Boost comprehension.

Especially for struggling readers, listening allows them to focus on the story rather than getting bogged down by reading mechanics.

10. Build classroom community.

Shared experiences level the playing field between students of all reading levels. Listeners can ask questions and feel fully part of the story, just like any other reader.

11. Create memorable experiences.

A well-told story leaves a lasting impression on the listener. And this experience is something the whole class can share.

12. Decrease stress.

Numerous studies highlight the social and therapeutic benefits for both the listener and the reader. Through the phenomenon of “Narrative Transportation,” listeners can momentarily forget their surroundings.

13. Increase joy.

As Jim Trelease noted, “Every time we read aloud to a child, we send a ‘pleasure message’ to their brain.” This reaction is triggered by feelings of happiness and self-worth when someone takes the time to invest in our enjoyment.

Why Read-Alouds Are More Important Than Ever:

  • Attention is fragmenting. In an age where digital media pulls focus, read-alouds recenter collective attention, prompting students to pause, listen, and engage deeply with language.
  • Equity gaps are widening. Frequent adult read-alouds boost vocabulary for historically underserved learners and, when structured inclusively, help close those gaps.
  • Standards demand higher-order thinking. Interactive read-alouds naturally embed inquiry, inference, and synthesis, aligning with Common Core and Next Generation Science expectations.
  • Teacher workload is growing. Measurable gains can be achieved in just a few minutes without adding to grading loads.

Find an engaging, vocabulary-rich novel (bonus points for STEM ties!) and start your read-aloud program today.

Let us know in the comments below which books you’ve found particularly great for read-alouds for older students!

Back to Top

Diversity in MG Lit #54: Jan & Feb 2026

By on February 18, 2026   /   Articles  
Here are seven titles from January and February, curated by Rosanne Parry, by diverse authors. Watch for in-depth interviews with several of the authors in the months ahead!

Hail Mariam

Hail Mariam by Huda Al-Marashi
Often in a MG book when the character belongs to a faith community the book centers the cultural aspects of that religion–the holidays, the cultural practices, the historical hardships. Here is a rare book which delves into Mariam’s actual experience of faith, her prayer life, consolation, and discernment. And its explores the interfaith experiences of a Muslim girl attending a Catholic school. (A more common experience than you might think. In my parents Catholic schools about a third of the student body was Jewish. My local Catholic high school had a Muslim student body president last year. It’s student body is a third religions other than Catholicism and a third students with no religious affiliation.) It’s refreshing to see religion addressed with such care and authenticity. Mariam’s thoughtfulness and moral courage as she navigates the new school and her sister’s illness makes for an appealing read.

Mythspeaker

Mythspeaker by Christopher Roubique
Roubique is an indigenous person, not enrolled in a tribe, who has written a work of fantasy inspired by the indigenous cultures of North America. This debut novel a sweeping adventure featuring a daring heist, a band of misfits and many magical creatures. I think it would appeal to the fans of Rick Riorden.

Goodbye, French Fry

Goodbye, French Fry by Rin-Rin Yu
Ping-Ping is a Chinese American. Like many two culture kids she feels not American enough for her school friends and not Chinese enough for her parents. But she does find physical, emotional, and social strength in the practice of taekwondo and in her piano lessons.

The Last Resort Books

This is the second in a new series, the first was The Last Resort by Erin Entrada Kelly. They are mystery puzzle stories with an interactive virtual element. Readers use their phone to see the pictures come to life and interact with the ghosts in the book to solve an additional mystery. It’s an exciting concept and I’m eager to see if readers at our bookstore respond.

A Year Without Home

A Year Without Home by V.T. Bidania
Set in Laos at the end of the Vietnam War, Bidania has written an ambitious tale spanning years and hundreds of miles from wartime Laos to the refugee camps of Thailand. The use of verse keeps the story accessible, emotionally vivid, and fast moving.

Hattie Mae Begins Again

Hattie Mae Begins Again by Sharon G. Flake
A novel in verse set in the Great Migration of the 1930s when many African American families moved from the rural south to cities in the north. Hattie Mae’s is new to Philadelphia and finding both new friends and new ambitions.

Nadia Islam, On the Record

Nadia Islam, On the Record, words by Adiba Jaigirdar art by Avani Dwivedi
Nadia is a student journalist, a growing environmental activist, and a celebrating her first Ramadan when she will fast just like the other grown ups. And then her family decides to go to visit relatives in Bangladesh for the whole month of Ramadan. Trepidation becomes opportunity as Nadia finds an opportunity to report on environmental issues abroad.
This is only a small sample of the diverse books published in the last two months. Please add any Rosanne missed in the comments.
Back to Top