Posts Tagged kidlit

Interview with Author and Podcaster Jonathan Rosen

By on February 12, 2026   /   Articles, Author Interviews   /   Leave a comment

I’ve known Jonathan Rosen for almost a decade, but there’s some disagreement on how we met. Jonathan claims it was at a photoshoot for People magazine, where I interviewed him for the “Sexiest Man Alive” cover. Jonathan further maintains that he beat out Zac Efron and Idris Elba for the honor, and that the men were so distraught, Annie Leibovitz needed three assistants and a bottle of Jameson’s to calm them down.

I won’t bother to tell you the real story, because it’s not nearly as entertaining (😀), but I will say this: Jonathan Rosen is a dear friend and former Mixed-Up Files member, and I’m delighted to talk to him about his career as a writer, podcaster, blogger, and literary agent. So, without further ado…

Heeeeere’s Jonathan Rosen!

MR: Thanks so much for joining us today, Jonathan. We’ve missed you at the Mixed-Up Files, but I know you’ve been busy. Let’s start with your writing life. Can you tell readers what you’ve been working on these days?

 JR: For the record, Zac Efron was inconsolable after I beat him for the title, but that’s all in the past and I feel guilty for rehashing it. But it happened. As far as writing goes, I’m in a mix of things now. I’m working on a middle-grade novel as well as a couple of things for adults. A romcom and a nonfiction.

Pop Culture Retro

MR: In addition to writing, you’re the co-host of the popular podcast, Pop Culture Retro, which celebrates past trends in music, fashion, TV, movies, and more.  How did you first got involved with the podcast? Also, what attracts you to pop culture from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s?

JR: I’ve always had a love of Pop Culture. I was a movie and TV kid. A huge viewer. Always read entertainment books on the history of cinema and show business. I grew up watching old shows from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s as well. I moved around a lot as a kid, so went to the movies. You didn’t need anyone to go to the movies.

As far as the podcast goes, it happened almost by accident. I was doing interviews with editors and agents for MUF and would usually ask them what their favorite childhood movie was. A couple of people said Escape to Witch Mountain. A friend of mine, Jan Eldredge, reached out to me and said that she was friends with Ike Eisenmann, who starred in Witch Mountain. I asked to interview him for MUF, and he graciously accepted. I became friendly with Ike, and eventually suggested that we do a podcast. It was a good dynamic, since Ike had been in the business, and I was a huge, and I’d like to think knowledgeable, fan.

We began interviewing people who had appeared in many shows and films from when I was a kid, and it was surreal to me. If I had told kid-me that I’d be interviewing people that I grew up watching, I would never have believed it. One of the people we interviewed, a friend of Ike’s was Moosie Drier. He had also had been in many beloved shows and films when he was a kid, including Oh God!, Laugh-In, The Bob Newhart Show, and many others. When Ike eventually stopped doing the show to focus on other things, Moosie agreed to take over, and I’ve had a blast straight through. We’re now good friends.

Rubbing Elbows with the Stars

MR: As a follow-up, you’ve interviewed dozens of iconic celebrities for the show, including Tiffany, Hal Linden, Morgan Fairchild, Mason Reese, Christopher Knight from The Brady Bunch, Audrey Landers from Dallas, Willie Aames from Eight Is Enough, the stars from Little House on the Prairie, and many more. Of all the celebs you’ve chatted with, which ones stand out the most?

JR: I’m not just saying this, but I actually enjoy every interview. I’m a fan, and I enjoy hearing behind-the-scenes stories. But if you want me to focus on one, I’ll answer–and also give the reason. For me, it was Meeno Peluce who was also a big star when he was a kid. He was in the TV show Voyagers, the time-travel show that also starred the late Jon-Erik Hexum. Voyagers was on for only one season, but it was my favorite show. I loved it, and it was one of the first shows I remember being really upset about when it was cancelled. I had gone back and watched the series many times since then, and when Meeno came on, it brought me back to my childhood.

Cher: The Icon… the Legend… the Fantasy

MR: Last celebrity question, and it’s a deeply personal one. What’s the deal with Cher? Not only are you her biggest fan, but you’ve also asked her to appear on Pop Culture Retro at least 365 times. She hasn’t said yes (yet), but do you think she will? Also, what is it about Cher that resonates with you so profoundly? I am being dead serious here.

JR: Okay, I LOVE Cher! And I asked a LOT more than 365 times. She DID answer me once. I asked for an interview daily for a while, and at one point she answered, “What interview??” I think she got confused, thinking she was actually scheduled for an interview.

But back to her. She was the first celebrity crush I had as a kid. The first celebrity poster I had on my wall. Others had the Farrah poster. I had Cher. Love her films, love her music, and I love the persona she has. Just an icon.

The Jewish Lens

MR: Pop Culture Retro” isn’t your only podcast. You’re also the host of The Jewish Lens, which covers themes such as Jewish identity, cultural challenges, and social issues, with episodes featuring such topics as antisemitism, Holocaust education, and the impact of Jewish culture in various industries. I know that your Jewish identity is integral to who you are as a person. Can you share your thoughts on what inspired you to create this podcast, and what it means to you?

JR: October 7th happened. I felt helpless. I saw Jew hate skyrocket and felt like I wanted to do something. And part of what I do is interview people. I wanted to give a platform to Jewish voices. I’ve had on authors, sports figures, movie people, activists, politicians, etc. It really is just a place where I want to give a place for Jews to speak. I don’t always agree with my guests, or necessarily share all opinions, but I like that there’s conversation, and giving a place to share a Jewish voice.

Substack: Platform of Choice

MR: You’ve also created a Substack recently. Can you tell readers more about it?

 JR: Lately, Substack has been the social media platform where I’ve spent the most time. I had intended to do a lot on writing, and using my experience as an author and former literary agent, and I still will talk about publishing from my lens. But so far, my Substack veered off. I talk a lot about Jew hate, and the Jewish experience socially, as well as in publishing.

Adventures in Agenting

MR: In addition to writing and podcasting, you’ve worked as a literary agent. What was that experience like for you? Also, what advice would you give to both agented and querying writers?

JR: I am an admirer of whoever is an agent. It’s not something I enjoyed at all. I say it often. No author is happy unless you sell them, and in publishing, there are a lot more non-sells than sells. It can be frustrating, and I knew that from the author side as well. I also put so much time into it, that I was seriously neglecting my own writing. I had sales, which I’m happy I could help make someone’s publishing dream come true, but I’m happy to be doing something else. As far as advice, I will be posting a lot of it on my Substack, so check there. 😊

Jonathan’s Writing Process

MR: What’s your writing process like, Jonathan? Are you a plotter or a pantser? Also, do you have a specific writing routine?

JR: I usually plot extensively. I plot every detail. But with that being said, Night of the Living Cuddle Bunnies and its sequel, From Sunset to Sunrise, were really more of an example of being a pantser. So, you never know.

No Jonathan Rosen interview is complete without a CHER LIGHTNING ROUND, so…

Favorite Cher song? I like so many, but “Just Like Jesse James” is the song I’ve kept on repeat more than any other.

Favorite Cher movie? Moonstruck, but I also like Witches of Eastwick a LOT!

Favorite Cher hairstyle? I can’t answer that. It’s like choosing between your children.

Favorite Cher outfit? I do have one, but this is a site dedicated to children’s books, so will pass. [Oh boy… I knew it would come to this 😂. –MR]

Favorite Cher quote? “Yes, Jonathan Rosen, I’d be delighted to come on for an interview!” (Okay, to be fair, she hasn’t said this one yet, but she will, and it’ll be my favorite quote.)

Sonny Bono or Gregg Allman? Can I say Jonathan Rosen? Between those two, you have to go with Sonny, but once I meet Cher in person, I think it’s going to be a foregone conclusion to have my name listed there.

You’re stranded on a desert island with Cher, with only three items in your possession. What are they? Why would I need anything else if I had Cher on an island??

MR: Thanks for stopping by the chat, Jonathan. It was a real pleasure!

JR: Always a pleasure, Melissa! (You can now stop threatening me to do the interview.)

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STEM Tuesday– Chemistry– In the Classroom

By on February 10, 2026   /   Chemistry, STEM Tuesday   /   Leave a comment

Cover of How Do Molecules Stay Together?How Do Molecules Stay Together?
by Madeline J. Hayes, illustrated by Srimalie Bassani

How Do Molecules Stay Together? is a picture book that introduces readers to some basic chemistry concepts. This could be a good read-aloud as an introduction to chemistry, although I suspect older students may find the call-and-response phrases a little too childish for their liking.

 

Marie Curie for Kids
by Amy M. O’Quinn

This is a book that’s great for readers who love history and activities. Follow Marie Curie’s life from a bright, young girl in occupied Poland through her Nobel prize winning discoveries. This book is packed from activities that explore a wide range of topics, including geography, culture, and science. I read this book in its e-book version, which had some formatting issues that occasionally made it challenging to absorb. This could be an opportunity to explore those areas with an activity. (See below)

The Radium Girls
by Kate Moore

What happens when people are exposed to light waves emitted from radioactive material? That’s what this book covers, by telling the stories of a group of women who worked with radium. This is not an easy read emotionally, but it tells a very important story. It’s referenced in Marie Curie for Kids, and would be a great follow-on book for that one.

 

Bonus Books:

Werewolf, dressed as an astronaut, standing on a scale. Scale reads: "Matter Meter: 100% Werewolf"Werewolves and States of Matter
by Janet Slingerland, illustrated by Angel Mosquito

For readers who love graphic novels and/or werewolves, this book provides a great introduction to chemistry. It explores the concept of matter, what states it can exist in, and how matter transforms from one state to another.

 

Cartoon character appears to create molecular structure out of sand with the help of another character with a bucket.Explore Atoms and Molecules! (with 25 Great Projects)
by Janet Slingerland, illustrated by Matt Aucoin

If you’re looking for activities that help explore atoms and molecules, be sure to check out this book. It covers lots of different chemistry topics, including atomic structure, the periodic table, and chemical reactions. There’s even a section that introduces readers to Lewis dot diagrams, a great way to visualize how atoms combine.

 

As always, there are lots of different things that can be done with these books. Be sure to check out the activities provided in the books. Some of the books also have educator materials or informative websites associated with them. Here are links to some of them:

There is a website dedicated to The Radium Girls. There is an educator guide linked on this page of the site: https://www.theradiumgirls.com/the-radium-girls-young-readers

The Atoms and Molecules page of my website has some links of interest: http://janetsbooks.com/atoms-and-molecules

There is a classroom guide and a free downloadable activity on the Nomad Press site: https://nomadpress.net/nomadpress-books/explore-atoms-molecules

Some of this month’s books are older, and the web links provided in them no longer work. However, since the authors thought they were worthy of inclusion, exploring them might be a good exercise. If a link no longer works, can you find the same information on another reliable website or page?

Here are some other ideas for activities.

Create a Timeline

As mentioned in the book descriptions, I had some difficulties with the book formatting in Marie Curie for Kids. This was particularly true for the timeline provided in the book. In order to better visualize the timeline, create one of your own. This could be done on a single sheet of paper, or it could be constructed so it wraps around an entire room. This can also be an opportunity to explore the use of technology in presenting a timeline, whether it’s created with a graphic tool like Canva, a slideshow like PowerPoint, or whatever your favorite tool is.

Students can choose what should be placed on the timeline, based on the books they’ve read. Including pictures or illustrations of the events helps everyone visualize the events better. This provides lots of opportunities to practice research skills. This is also an opportunity for students to work together to create it.

Here are some ideas of things that could be included on the timeline:

  • Major life events for the people involved in the science (the Curies, Mendeleev, Bohr, etc.).
  • Important discoveries, including elements, atomic structure, effects of elements, etc.
  • Key dates related to products using chemicals.
  • Major world events like the World Wars.

Get Messy!

Chemistry can be one of the messiest of the scientific disciplines. The books on this month’s book list include lots of experiments that explore chemical reactions. Here are a few popular experiments:

Elephant Toothpaste:

Erupting Soda:

Making slime:

Get Thoughtful

Scientific discoveries often have unintended consequences. The stories of the Curies and the Radium Girls are perfect examples of this. Here is an article from the Society of Physics Studies and the American Institute of Physics that addresses this topic:  https://students.aip.org/radiations/discoveries-unintended-consequences-and-the-values-of-science. After reading it, have some discussions about the topic. Does the scientific process help to address this?

This opens up the topic of the scientific process. This website from UC Berkeley has lots of information on this topic: https://undsci.berkeley.edu/understanding-science-101/how-science-works

Explore (Largely Unsung) Scientists

Marie Curie was the first women to achieve many accomplishments. There are other groups of people who have historically faced huge obstacles to achieving things like college degrees and scientific discoveries. Often, discoveries made by women and minorities were attributed to others.

Explore some of the underrepresented people who have made great discoveries related to chemistry.

Each student could explore a different scientist and incorporate it into the timeline from above.

February is Black History Month. Here are a few lists of scientists to explore (there is some overlap between the lists):

March is Women’s History Month. Here are some lists of women scientists to explore:

Woman with short brown hair and glasses, smiling.Janet Slingerland has written over 2 dozen books for young readers, including Werewolves and States of Matter and Explore Atoms and Molecules! (with 25 Great Projects). To find out more about Janet and her books, check out her website: http://janetsbooks.com

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Author Spotlight: Megan E. Bryant

By on January 2, 2026   /   Articles, Author Interviews  

Photo credit: Kris Fulk Photography

Today, let’s give a warm Mixed-Up Files welcome to Megan E. Bryant, author of Abby in Between: Face Forward, the second installment in the Abby in Between series. Praised by Kirkus as “a winning sequel that sees the welcome return of a flawed yet big-hearted protagonist,” the novel is available now from Penguin Workshop.

But first…

Abby in Between: Face Forward – A Summary

Big things are heading Abby McAdams’ way: her eleventh birthday, fifth-grade graduation, and the end of elementary school. There’s also the end-of-year overnight camping trip, and she can’t wait to practice her science skills. Oh, and there’s another thing. Abby suspects she’s going to get her period any day now, but after a few false alarms she’s not quite sure. Can Abby navigate new emotions, friendship dynamics, and her changing body, all while figuring out what kind of person she wants to be?

Q&A with Megan E. Bryant

 MR: Welcome to the Mixed-Up Files, Megan. Huge congratulations on the publication of Abby in Between: Face Forward!

 MEB: Thank you so much! I’m so excited to chat with you about Abby and all things middle grade!

MR: What was your inspiration behind Abby McAdams? I know she’s a lot like your daughter, Clara, and a lot like you when you were a preteen. Can you elaborate?

MEB: I always envisioned Abby as an “every girl” character, hoping to write about her early puberty experience in a way that would be relatable and reassuring for girls embarking on their own puberty journeys. One of the things I love most about Abby is how deeply she feels emotions. There’s an intensity to the way Abby experiences the world—from her excitement about big milestones in her life to her compassion for animals, the environment, and people in need—that has endeared her to me.

Abby McAdams vs. Margaret Simon

MR: Abby has a very distinctive voice, reminiscent of another preteen protagonist, Margaret Simon, in Judy Blume’s groundbreaking 1974 novel, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. How are the two girls similar? In which ways are they different?

MEB: I think both Abby and Margaret are curious about puberty and how their bodies are changing, and they express this curiosity in very natural and normal ways. Margaret is older than Abby—part of the inspiration for writing the Abby books is that puberty tends to start earlier now—and as a result, I think that Margaret grapples with more mature topics. I also think both characters’ puberty experiences are affected by the times in which they live and cultural norms.

 

That’s SOOOO (NOT) Awkward

MR: Speaking Judy Blume, you write about puberty in a similar, straightforward way, without shame or embarrassment (yay!). What’s the secret to handling potentially awkward topics, from pubic hair and body odor to vaginal discharge and periods, in such a no-nonsense way? I’m sure your readers are beyond grateful! (I know I would have been as a tween. 🙂)

MEB: From the start, I knew I needed to write these books with unflinching honesty—or I shouldn’t bother writing them at all. So anything that made me feel squeamish or cringey was something I needed to work through on my own. It became an opportunity to examine any negative messages I’d absorbed about girls’ and women’s bodies and overcome them, while remembering that the whole range of emotions and reactions to puberty are completely normal. I figured that if a topic were embarrassing for me, an adult woman, to write about, then there would probably be readers who were embarrassed to be experiencing it, and I owed it to them to face it with honesty and compassion.

Dear 11-year-old Megan…

MR: As a follow-up, what advice would you give to 11-year-old Megan?

MEB: While I was deep in the process of writing Face Forward, something remarkable happened: my husband developed an old roll of film from my childhood, and there was a picture of me at my 11th birthday on it—the same age as Abby. I looked at the image of my younger self with so much tenderness. Incredibly, I wasn’t nearly as ugly, awkward, or messy as I’d felt at the time. So I think I’d tell 11-year-old Megan, “Go easy on yourself. You’re doing just fine.”

Writing about Climate Change

MR: In addition to stressing over the onset of her period, Abby is concerned about the state of the environment, including climate change and global

warming. This is a topic on many middle graders’ minds. What’s your approach to making such a weighty, often confusing subject palatable for young readers?

MEB: Many years ago, I attended a talk by Joyce Carol Oates, who was asked about writing for young people. She said, “You’ve got to give them hope,” which resonated deeply with me. It’s a message that imbues all of my writing. I found the global warming sections of this book to be perhaps even more challenging to write than the puberty ones, because the problem is grave, and young people will inherit a crisis worsened by the inactivity of prior generations. But there is hope, which can inspire us to work toward a solution.

MR: One more Abby question: Abby is desperate for a kitten, and she comes up with a detailed plan to get one. This is relatable to many preteens who ask for pets. Did you have a pet as a child? Do you allow your kids to have one (or maybe more than one 🙂)?

MEB: Goodness, yes! Growing up, I had pet rabbits and cats. We currently have four cats and two dogs. I always say our house is full, but my kids know that if they find an animal that needs a home, I’ll try to make it work—which is how we ended up with six pets, ha!

Advice for Writers

MR: Let’s move on to your writing career. It says in your bio that you’ve written 250 books for children. What is the secret to being so prolific? Also, what advice would you give to new writers? What about to more established ones?

MEB: I’m profoundly grateful for every writing opportunity I’ve had; for every idea that evolved from nebulous thought to printed book; and for every reader who has read my words. I’m not sure if there is a secret to being prolific besides making it a priority to write whenever you can. I often tell my writing students that they are the only ones who can prioritize their writing in a world that makes so many other demands on their time.

I’d tell new writers to persevere above all else—keep dreaming, keep plotting, keep reading, keep learning, keep writing, keep revising, and keep trying! For established writers, I’d encourage them to try mixing up their writing routine. Almost all of my books have been written linearly, but for a variety of reasons, I wrote Face Forward completely out of order, in much shorter writing sessions than I was used to. When it was time to read the manuscript from start to finish, I was really worried that it would be a jumbled mess of disconnected scenes. To my surprise, though, it flowed well, and I learned a good lesson about adapting my established writing process.

The Plot Thickens

MR: What is your writing process like, Megan? Do you have a specific routine or word-count goals? Any writing rituals? Also, are you a plotter or a pantser?

MEB: I am 100% a plotter! I’ll often spend months thinking about a new project before writing a single word. My outlines are usually 10-15 pages or more, and I use them like a roadmap to guide each writing session. As much as I love a detailed outline, though, I also have a notebook close at hand where I write all the new ideas and storylines that pop into my mind as I’m writing.

As for writing rituals, I keep a bottle of nail polish on my desk and when I get stuck on a sentence or paragraph, I’ll paint my nails. So if you see me wearing nail polish—especially if just a few of my nails are polished—chances are I’m working on a manuscript!

MR: What’s next on your writing agenda? More Abby books, I hope…

MEB: I’m always ready to revisit Abby and the McAdams family! Right now, I’m working on two projects—a family comedy focused on the misadventure of two brothers, and a futuristic trilogy. They couldn’t be more different, so no matter what mood I’m in, I have a project that suits it!

Lightning Round!

MR: Last thing: No MUF interview is complete without a lightning round, so…

Preferred writing snack? Chocolate

Coffee or tea? Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon

MG authors that inspire you? Madeleine L’Engle, Dana Levy, C.S. Lewis, Raina Telgemeier, Lois Lowry, Katherine Applegate, Jason Reynolds—I could go on and on!

Most cringe-worthy tween moment? Running into my eighth-grade science teacher while I was buying pads—horrors!

Zombie apocalypse: Yea or nay? Hard pass—you’ll find me hiding under the bed with my pets when it happens.

Superpower? Listmaking!

Favorite place on earth? Home is where my heart is.

You’re stranded on a desert island, with only three items in your possession. What are they? Practically: a solar-powered communication device, a water purification system, and sunblock. Whimsically: my knitting, a solar-powered fridge full of chocolate and coffee, and . . . sunblock!

MR: Thank you for chatting with me, Megan—and congratulations on the publication of Abby in Between: Face Forward. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I know MUF readers will too.

MEB: Thank you so much for your kind words! I really enjoyed answering these thought-provoking questions.

All About Megan

Megan E. Bryant has written more than 250 children’s books for ages ranging from babies to teens. Her most recent books include the middle grade novel series, ABBY IN BETWEEN; the CITIZEN BABY board book series, co-authored with her husband, historian Daniel O. Prosterman; the four-book chapter book series THE TINY GENIUSES; and the Kirkus starred and Best Young Adult Book of the Year GLOW. She lives in Winston-Salem, NC with her family.

Melissa Roske is a writer of middle-grade fiction. Before spending her days with imaginary people, she interviewed real ones as a journalist in Europe. In London she landed a job as an advice columnist for Just Seventeen magazine. Upon returning to her native New York, Melissa contributed to several books and magazines and selected jokes for Reader’s Digest. In addition to her debut novel Kat Greene Comes Clean (Charlesbridge), Melissa’s short story “Grandma Merle’s Last Wish” appears in the Jewish middle-grade anthology, Coming of Age: 13 B’Nai Mitzvah Stories (Albert Whitman). Learn more about Melissa on her Website and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

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