Posts Tagged writing tips

When You Reach Me Turns Sweet 16! An Interview with Rebecca Stead

By Melissa Roske on July 10, 2025 / Author Interviews

MG author Rebecca Stead needs no introduction.

We’ve all read, and reread, and re-reread her Newbery-winning classic When You Reach Me—which was published in 2009 and has sold 1.5 million copies—as well as her bestselling booksLiar & Spy, First Light, Goodbye Stranger, and The List of Things That Will Not Change. The two novels she co-authored with Wendy Maas, Bob, and The Lost Library, are familiar favorites as well.

Rebecca’s books—which have been lauded as “mesmerizing” (The New York Times), “incandescent” (The Washington Post), and “superb” (The Wall Street Journal)—have been awarded the Newbery Medal, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Fiction Award and Fiction Honor, and the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize; shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, Waterstones Book Prize, Barnes & Noble Children’s Book Award; and named New York Times Notable Books for Children, NPR’s Books We Love, and a Time Top Ten of the Year.

Today, Rebecca stops by to chat about her long and storied career, her writing life, and When You Reach Me’s sparkly new cover (below), which was released on July 1 by Random House Children’s Books to commemorate the novel’s 16th year in print.

And now, without further ado…

Rebecca Stead!

MR: Welcome to the Mixed-Up Files, Rebecca! I am beyond excited to have you here today and I know our readers are, too. Now, before we dive in, I want to congratulate you on When You Reach Me’s gorgeous new cover. Can you believe it’s been sixteen years since the book came out? (Rhetorical question, I know.) What prompted your publisher’s decision to update the cover?

RS: It’s wonderful to be here – thanks for the invitation. Ah, this new cover from R. Kikuo Johnson is such a delight. Covers are a real puzzle. I’m still in love with the original (by Sophie Blackall), but I think the blue and yellow font-driven paperback was a dish with too many cooks (I was one of them, and definitely throwing elbows.) One day, Barbara Marcus (formerly head of Random House Children’s Books) said she’d been thinking for a while about something different, and this time the process was magically easy. Everything felt right. The new cover has “story energy” and it’s so appealing. I love covers that yield more as you read the story. This one does that, too.

MR: Since time travel plays an essential role in When You Reach Me, I thought we could do some time travel of our own; specifically, looking back on your impressive career, starting with the publication of your first novel, First Light (2008). How has your writing—and your life as a writer—changed since then? What’s stayed the same?

RS: What’s different: I have more writing friends and publishing-world knowledge. Writing a first book without book community can be a good thing – I was alone with my story for a long time, and oblivious to the publishing world in helpful ways. I didn’t know about “buzz” or starred reviews. I told my editor, Wendy Lamb, that I’d be coming to ALA in DC without realizing that I was supposed to be invited! (She was gracious, met me for coffee, and let me come to a party I wasn’t supposed to be at.)

What’s not different: Writing. It’s not easier, and I expected it to be. I have absolutely learned things, and those things help in small ways: I no longer feel compelled to explain that my characters grab doorknobs before they leave rooms. But the big picture is the same – gathering material, shaping it over time and hoping it amounts to something.

When You Reach Me: A Modern Classic

MR: As stated in the intro, When You Reach Me has received countless accolades and is considered a modern classic. Without making you blush or think I’m fawning (which I probably am), how does it feel to have written a book that’s so beloved by middle-grade readers? It must be pretty mind-blowing.

RS: It still feels surreal that a lot of people have read the book. Despite the time travel, When You Reach Me is a personal story, and so when someone tells me they connected with the book it feels like acceptance. I’ll never stop feeling grateful that it came together the way it did. I could easily have swerved or doubted, but I had genuine support from my agent, Faye Bender, from my editors, and from my other readers, my family and friends. So much support.

MR: Along these lines, I’m sure your fans have been begging for a sequel since the book was released. You must have considered it, right?

RS: I actually haven’t considered. I know when to leave something alone. (In fact, I have never written a sequel. And I did try, once, for another book.) The most common thing I hear is that I should re-tell the story from Marcus’s point of view, which is fun to think about, but the truth is that I’m not as smart as Marcus is.

Readers of the World: Unite!

MR: Like you, I grew up in New York and attended an elementary school where I was lucky enough to sit on the windowsill, or under a table, with good book. What were your favorites in addition to A Wrinkle in Time? Also, how did your experience as a book-loving child impact your decision to become a writer?

RS: For me, there is no writing without reading. If I’m not reading, the desire to write abandons me within about eight hours. As a kid, I loved science fiction (Robert Heinlein’s Red Planet and Stranger in a Strange Land, Ursula LeGuin’s A Wizard of Earthsea, Ray Bradbury’s stories, Anne McCaffrey’s Pern books, and all the L’Engle, of course.) I loved contemporary stories that felt emotionally honest (too many to list! Judy Blume, Norma Klein, Louise Fitzhugh, Paula Danziger, Louise Meriwether); I loved stories about siblings (Half Magic, The Bobbsey Twins); I liked biographies (Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings) but often lost interest after the “childhood” part. All of this reading kindled a secret longing to write, but a writer wasn’t what I “wanted to be” until I was in my thirties.

Story of Her Life

MR: As a follow-up, your first published story appeared in the P.S. 75 magazine, The Spicy Meatball. Do you remember what it was about? (As a frame of reference, my first story, “Behind the Lily Pond,” appeared in the City & Country School magazine and started: “Anna didn’t have a mother. Well, she did… before she died.”)

RS: That’s a great start! I do remember my story (title: “The Story”), which was about a girl who finds candy in the woods that allows her to understand what animals are saying. Coincidentally, my first book was about a girl who can understand what dogs are saying. The Spicy Meatball felt very special, thanks to our teachers at P.S. 75 and Teachers & Writers Collaborative, a group that really transformed my elementary school experience, along with a lot of other peoples’.

Easy Writer

MR: In one of your many (many!) glowing book reviews—this one in the Guardian, for Liar & Spy—you are praised for making writing look “easy.” What’s the secret to making writing seem effortless when in reality it’s hard, painstaking work?

RS: I don’t know why people say that about my writing – maybe it’s because I write short books? I do try to eliminate a lot of words while I revise. I’ll have my list of things to fix and also try to cut maybe 500 words a day. You can get a lot done with nothing but the delete key. I’m not a big “word count” person, but counting down is somehow satisfying.

Rebecca’s Writing Routine

MR: While we’re on the subject of writing, what does your writing routine look like? Do have a specific time of day set aside for writing? Also, are you a plotter or a pantser?

RS: Ahem. I prefer “plunger” to pantser, it sounds more dignified. What I am not is a plotter.

I have a process but I wouldn’t call it a routine because my days vary and I (very) often don’t write at all. Mornings are definitely better. My first draft is pencil and paper, and it’s really more of an exploration of territory than a story. It’s a collection of scenes that are often repetitive. When I feel TOO repetitive and there’s no forward motion whatsoever, I type up what I have. Then I draw a map of whatever is in there, just notes in little squares that summarize each scene. While I’m doing that I take notes and make little to-do lists, nothing too intimidating. I make those changes, moving things and doing bits of writing here and there. Then I made a new map. This goes on for a long time.

Advice, Please

MR: One more writing question: what’s the best piece of advice you’d give to writers—aspiring and well-seasoned alike? Also, do you remember any of the writing advice you received from Frank McCourt when he was your creative writing teacher at Stuyvesant High School?

RS: I hope someone corrects me, but I don’t remember Frank McCourt teaching us anything about writing. What I remember is that he read to us, and what he read was very, very good. It was teaching by example, maybe. He wanted us to read our work aloud, but I couldn’t bear to do it and I wildly admired everyone who could. If no one wanted to read, he would quietly chant the word “Warriner’s” in a sing-song way (“Warriner’s Warriner’s, Warriner’s Warriner’s . . .”) which was a threat. If no one stood up, he would have to teach us grammar. Warriner’s was the name of our textbook. He once wrote at the end of a story I wrote that I had talent, and I definitely never forgot that. Ever. That’s mostly what you need to become a writer – a word of encouragement.

My best advice is to treat writing as a discovery of your own process. Try different things and figure out what works for you. Always write toward yourself – what you know, or what you love, what makes you curious. Don’t reach for some idea that you hope others will approve of. Every one of us has memories, fantasies, and questions. Use those.

Anything Is Possible

MR: Changing gears, you’ve recently released your first picture book—Anything, illustrated by Gracey Zhang, about a father and daughter who move into a new home. What was it like for you to explore a new genre?

RS: It was great. I love new experiences. Picture books are different – there’s nowhere to hide. The editorial relationship is key here (and I had two wonderful editors, Melissa Manlove and Ariel Richardson), and revision was satisfying in a brand new way. The art (by Gracey Zhang) felt like a giant gift. I’d like to write more picture books, but it’s not something I can force. I have to start with a whole idea, rather than just a beginning.

The Experiment: A Sneak Peak

MR: Your latest novel, The Experiment, which releases on September 16^th, is about a sixth grader whose family is from another planet. Can you give Mixed-Up Files readers a sneak peek?

RS: It’s about a kid who grows a tail, which is terrifying because he can no longer pass for human. His family gets called back to the mothership, where he discovers that his family’s “noble explorer” story might be a lie and that his crush likes someone else now. Meanwhile, his tail is growing a personality. I just said yes to plot for this one. And it’s also about a kid who lets go of the story that keeps his parents afloat. Which is hard because they’re good folks and he never stops loving them.

MR: What are you working on now, Rebecca? Enquiring minds want to know…

RS: I’m doing a picture book workshop next month at Milkwood, Sophie Blackall’s retreat for people devoted to books for young people. High hopes!

Lightning Round!

MR: And finally, no MUF interview is complete without a lightning round, so…

Preferred writing snack? Hmm. Last time I was asked this I said pretzels and tzatziki, so this time I’ll say dried apricots (or dried mango, new fave).

Coffee or tea? Coffee.

Superpower? Expert healer.

Time travel: fact or fiction? Fiction, and more please.

Favorite place on earth? New York City.

If you were stranded on a desert island with only three things, what would they be? Can I pick people? If not, I’ll take a powerful motorboat, sunscreen and a nav system. I don’t love being alone.

MR: Thank you for chatting with me, Rebecca—and happy 16th birthday to When You Reach Me!

RS: Thank you!!!! This was so great.

STEM Tuesday– Plants– In the Classroom

By STEM Tuesday on July 8, 2025 / Articles, Plants, STEM Tuesday

Most plants obtain their energy by converting sunlight into food, which makes them a target for hungry animals. But not all plants are defenseless. Some plants fight back, and a few even become a threat to those trying to eat them. These books explore many interesting plants and the strategies and adaptations they use to survive. They make a great starting point for nature explorations, classroom discussions, and activities!

Killer Carnivorous Plants

by Nathan Aaseng

Plants gather energy from the sun and turn it into leaves, flowers, fruit. Animals, who can’t produce their own food, eat the plants. But what happens when you turn the food chain upside down? When the plants are the hunters and animals the hunted? In this book you’ll meet sticky traps, trigger traps, and pits of death. There’s also a handy survival manual for carnivorous plants.

Classroom Activity – Build a Carnivorous Plant Model

How do carnivorous plants trap animals and insects? Divide students into small groups. Assign each group a type of carnivorous plant trap mechanism, such as snap traps, pitfall traps, and sticky traps. Each group should research their assigned trap and the plants that have it. Using classroom craft supplies such as paper, cardboard, string, and glue, each group should design a working model of their plant trap. When all models are completed, each group of students can share what they learned about the trap and demonstrate their model for the class.

When Plants Attack: Strange and Terrifying Plants

by Rebecca Hirsch

Beware the killer plants – the leaves that sting, the jaws that trap. This book, not for the faint-of-heart, is the perfect read for kids who want to know about the bird-catching plant, vampire vines, and corpse flowers.

A Deathly Compendium of Poisonous Plants: Wicked Weeds and Sinister Seeds

by Rebecca Hirsch

For older readers, Hirsch has an engaging, conversational, almost conspiratorial, text invites the reader on an exploration of the “science, history, and true crime coverage” of fourteen poisonous plants, seeds, and fungus found around the world. Gorgeous taxonomic illustrations, photos, and “Deadly Details” sidebars help highlight some innocent and more sinister encounters with these plants.

Classroom Activity – Design Your Own Deadly Plant

Nature has created many deadly plants. Now, it’s your turn! Students should use their imagination to create a poisonous or carnivorous plant. Write a description of the deadly plant and include the following details:

Where does the plant grow?
How does it trap or poison prey?
What adaptations does the plant have?
What animals or humans should avoid the plant?

Students can draw a picture, create a model, or build a representation of their deadly plant creation and present it to the class.

Classroom Activity – Poisonous Plants Safety

What poisonous plants live in your community? Have students select a local poisonous plant to research, individually or in small groups. With the information they learn, students should prepare a public safety announcement to warn people about the dangers of the plant. They can make a safety poster, film a commercial, or make a PowerPoint presentation warning about the local poisonous plant. The warning should include information about where it is commonly found, how to identify the plant, symptoms that occur when one comes into contact with the poisonous plant, and first aid tips.

Oddball Histories: Spices and Spuds: How Plants Made Our World

by Andy Warner

From trees to rice, tea to spice, plants are central to our day-to-day lives. In graphic novel-style, this book explains how plants, from corn to potatoes, shaped human history. First, a grounding in plant essentials: photosynthesis, food web, and a fun graphic table of contents. Chapters focus on wood and wheat, tea and tulips, potatoes, peppers, cotton, corn, and rice.

Classroom Activity – What If Plants Disappeared?

Plants have had an integral role in Earth’s history. Animals and humans have relied on plants for food, shelter, and more. But what if plants disappeared from Earth? What impact would it have on ecosystems, animals, and humans? Conduct a group discussion or have students write a brief essay on the significance of plants to ecosystems and human life. Have them think about what life would be like without plants.

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Carla Mooney loves to explore the world around us and discover the details about how it works. An award-winning author of numerous nonfiction science books for kids and teens, she hopes to spark a healthy curiosity and love of science in today’s young people. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, three kids, and dog. Find her at http://www.carlamooney.com, on Facebook @carlamooneyauthor, on Instagram @moonwriter25 or on X @carlawrites.

Notes of Hope when the world is too much

By Ann Angel on June 28, 2025 / For Teachers, For Writers, Teacher Tips, Writing

When it seems like the world is just too much for our kids, when we witness hurt, fear, loneliness, a middle schooler’s loss of family or friends, it’s time to spread some hope. This is exactly how Libby, who comes from a long line of bullies, fights her reputation after finding a stone painted with the words Create the world of your dreams, in Flight of the Puffin by Ann Braden. In searching for ways to create that world, Libby, a lonely and art driven middle schooler, sets off a chain reaction of notes of hope when she writes You are awesome on an index card and leaves it outside for someone else who might need a bolster to find.

My own decision to create Notes of Hope with my students came as a project at Mount Mary University to coincide a visit from Diana Chao, originator of Letters to Strangers, to speak about “the largest global youth-run nonprofit seeking to destigmatize mental illness and increase access to affordable, quality treatment, particularly for youth.”

Letters to Strangers, recognizing that it often takes one voice to raise us up, collaborates with student clubs on campuses to write anonymous, heartfelt letters to share vulnerabilities and offer support for others who fight through difficult times.

My class, a group of future teachers, social workers, art therapists, and communication majors, was studying Young Adult Literature. We focused that semester on the literature of mental health and hope. We created origami envelopes using craft cover stock and wrote and decorated notes with ribbons, drawings, and our messages. We wanted to spread the word that creating the world of your dreams, can happen one note of hope at a time. Our Notes of Hope were included as part of the centerpieces at the speakers’ lunch. But my students found the exercise so uplifting that they created over 100 notes and saved some for friends and family, and dropped many more throughout campus knowing the found notes would bolster someone’s day.

Notes of Hope created by students at Mount Mary University and St. Joan Antida High School in Milwaukee

I repeated this activity with a high school group at St. Joan Antida High School in Milwaukee, and again, the group experienced an amazing day of peaceful sharing as they designed their notes and wrote hopeful phrases. While I strongly encourage students to write their own words, they were allowed to share those of artists and authors. Although many students began with published words of wisdom, as they personalized their notes, they wrote their own words offering praise for strength and calm and supporting those who struggle with self- esteem and mental health issues. This is an activity that would surely be successful with all ages.

In preparing students for this activity, we read Braden’s novel and studied the work of Letters to Strangers. I also created a sample note with Emily Dickenson’s poem:

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –

That perches in the soul –

And sings the tune without the words –

And never stops – at all –

Notes of Hope isn’t the only effort to stamp out loneliness and bullying and hate. Author Braden developed the Local Love Brigade where Vermont residents send out postcards to support Vermonters experiencing hate. In an interview for the vt digger, Braden explained her motivation. “Love can be seen as a soft and gentle emotion, but it can also be fierce and strong and powerful. That’s really what we’re channeling here.”

I’d love to see what you and your students create to spread hope and create the world of your dreams. Drop me a line and I’ll post your photos. (aangel@aol.com).

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