Jennifer Swanson's Blog

December is here. Take a break from the year-end rush and curl up with some fun December New Releases. (They all pair well with some hot cocoa, a couple of cookies, and a cozy blanket).

 

Asterwood by Jacquelyn Stolos

Family secrets, friendship, and magic burst from the seams of this thrilling fantasy adventure that follows a ten-year-old girl as she discovers a new world behind her home in desperate need of her help and within it, her own troubling family legacy.

Madelyn has always been satisfied with her life of cozy meals, great books, and adventures with her father in the woods behind their farmhouse.

But when a mysterious child appears and invites her down a forbidden trail and into a new world, Madelyn realizes that there’s far more to life than she ever allowed herself to realize.

This new world, Asterwood, is wider, wilder, and more magical than she could ever imagine. And somehow, it’s people know who she is—and desperately need her help.

Accompanied by new friends—one ​who can speak the language of the trees and one with a mind as sharp as her daggers—and her calico cat, Dots, Madelyn embarks on an epic quest across a strange and sprawling forest world whose secrets  just might help her save her own.​

 

 

At the Speed of Gus by Richard Scrimger 

A smartly funny and sympathetic story about being different and understanding that there is more than one way to see the world.This new novel from middle grade master Richard Scrimger will reach so many kids who need to see that their brains are a gift.

Augustus (Gus) Constantine’s brain moves fast, and not necessarily on a straight track. His mind (and mouth) operates at a different speed than everyone else he knows. This might have something to do with the fact that Gus has ADHD. Sometimes it feels like the best thing about him, and sometimes it lands him in a load of trouble.

For example, one morning, Gus takes morning announcements wildly off script. Even though he hears nothing but laughter from fellow students at Pendrell Elementary, he’s finally pushed Miss Funn (who’s anything but) and Principal Gorby (who’s getting tired of Gus’s endless jokes and unfiltered stream of consciousness) to the limit.

Now he’s suspended for two whole days. With nothing else to do, Gus takes up his sister’s invitation to take the ferry to meet her at her college. But on the ferry, Gus’s thoughts begin to race. He’s having trouble concentrating and can’t calm down. At the speed of Gus’s brain, the ride gets wilder and wilder, until it’s hard to tell what’s real from what’s imagined. But despite the convoluted road he takes, can he still find a way to get to his destination?

Fast-paced, funny and deeply sympathetic, At the Speed of Gus is about not always fitting, but figuring out how to find your own way.

 

 

The Stolen Songbird by Judith Eagle (Author) and Jo Rioux (Illustrated by)

When Caro finds a stolen masterpiece in her missing mother’s suitcase, she’s thrust into a thrilling art-heist caper in 1950s London.

When Caro Monday’s mother disappears on one of her jaunts across the globe, Caro is forced to stay with her miserable great-aunt all the way across town. To make matters worse, Caro’s beloved rabbit, His Nibs, isn’t allowed to come with her. Of course, Caro sneaks him into her aunt’s strict household anyway. Although Caro’s wild behavior exasperates her dour aunt, she never dreamed of the trouble she finds herself in when she discovers a small painting of a thrush hidden in the lining of her suitcase—a stolen masterwork that some dangerous art thieves are desperately searching for! Catapulted into a caper with more twists and turns than the alleys of London, Caro and her friends, including budding fashion designer Horace, expert knitter Albie, and a wise “gentleman of the road”—not to mention His Nibs himself—must unravel a decades-old mystery and return the purloined picture before the thieves hunt them down. Plenty of surprises and a diverse cast of memorable characters await in this rousing art-themed adventure.

 

 

 

 

 

Talons of Power: A Graphic Novel (Wings of Fire Graphic Novel #9) by Tui T. Sutherland (Author) and Mike Holmes (Illustrated by)

The graphic novel adaptations of the #1 New York Times bestselling Wings of Fire series continue to set the world on fire!

For every villain, there is a hero …

Turtle isn’t one of the heroes he reads about in stories. If he were, he’d use his animus powers to help Pyrrhia — instead of keeping his abilities a secret, even from his own sister. Now that Darkstalker, the sinister and impossibly old dragon from Pyrrhia’s most notorious legends, has returned, Turtle knows his own role is simple: hide. And stay hidden.

The more he watches Darkstalker from the shadows, the more Turtle knows that someone needs to stop the powerful dragon. A real hero. But Turtle is running out of time to find one, which means … he might have to try to save the day himself.

 

 

 

Outer Space by Ken Jennings (Author) and Mike Lowery (Illustrated by)

Blast off into outer space with this interactive trivia book from Jeopardy! host and champion and New York Times bestselling author Ken Jennings—featuring updated facts!

Take one giant leap into space with Ken Jennings to become a Junior Genius! In this book about outer space, you’ll discover Mars’s massive volcanoes, witness the birth of stars like our sun, explore black holes, and more! With stellar illustrations, cosmic facts, and out-of-this-world activities, this Junior Genius Guide will have you reaching for the stars!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red & Blue: Monster Hunters by Sara Soler (Author), Silvia Perea Labayen (Translated by), and Joamette Gil (Illustrated by)

When Red and Blue started out on the road to being professional heroes, they didn’t expect it to be so…well, difficult.

Written and drawn by celebrated comics creator Sara Soler (Us, Season of the Bruja), with English translation by Silvia Perea Labayen and letters by Joamette Gil, Red & Blue: Monster Hunters is a stand alone, action packed graphic novel full of humor and heartfelt adventure!

While Blue is feeling disheartened by what seems to be a dead-end internship, Red is struggling to find jobs that actually pay in cash. But all this could change when they get sucked into a hidden crime ring that might help them get their dream jobs…if they’re willing to compromise their heroic morals and fall in line.

After waiting months and months to get their shot at being real heroes, Red and Blue join an excursion to take down a dragon that’s been terrorizing local inhabitants. But when they enter the creature’s mountain stronghold, they discover the truth behind the operation’s purpose: the head of the hero corporation Slayer, Inc. is out to capture a valuable and highly endangered giant chicken that lays golden eggs.

Red and Blue have to choose between doing what’s right in trying to save the chicken and her baby, and following orders to secure their places among the ranks of professional heroes.

Originally published in Spanish, Red & Blue: Monster Hunters is translated to English for the first time!

 

Vortex of the Chaos Dragon: A Branches Book (Dragon Masters #30) by Tracey West (Author) and Graham Howells (Illustrated by)

Drake and Worm face off against the evil wizard Maldred with the help of the mysterious Chaos Dragon in the latest action-packed installment of this New York Times bestselling series perfect for newly independent readers!

Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!

The evil wizard Maldred has been turned into one hundred mini-Maldreds! Dragon Masters around the world are battling them, and it’s up to Drake, Worm, and their friends to stop Maldred once and for all. Drake, Rori, Bo, Ana, and their dragons travel to Goryeo to meet the Chaos Dragon Seong-Min and her Dragon Master Ji-Min. Seong-Min is the only dragon powerful enough to stop the chaos the Maldreds are causing! But Ji-Min warns that the Chaos Dragon is very difficult to control, even for her. Will Drake and his friends convince Ji-Min to help them defeat the Maldreds? What will happen when the Chaos Dragon uses his powers?

With engaging black-and-white artwork on every page, kids won’t be able to put down this page-turning adventure!

 

Any of our December New Releases catch your fancy? Let us know in the comments.

The post December New Releases appeared first on From The Mixed Up Files.

In 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!

 

The post The People Have Spoken: Let’s Support School Libraries appeared first on From The Mixed Up Files.

According to the LKG Agency website, Lauren Galit is “a story cheerleader, a contract negotiator, and a champion of unforgettable kidlit books.” And according to client Clinton Kelly, she’s “a totally chill agent who’s not even a jerk.”

 

Lauren opened LKG Agency in 2005 and has worked hard to build a thriving agency with a robust client list. She loves working with middle-grade authors, and we know that our MUF readers will love getting to know Lauren!

 

Lauren, tell us a little about your background and how you found your way to agenting.

I was the kind of kid who read constantly, and I always knew I wanted to work with words and language. I initially focused on magazines — Tina Brown was my idol — but eventually realized it was the writers themselves I adored and wanted to support, so a move to books made sense. I began agenting nonfiction because it was a natural extension of my editorial work, but I pivoted to kidlit after my assistant asked me to represent her middle-grade novel, and we grew from there. Now I can’t imagine doing anything other than fiction. I primarily specialize in middle-grade, young adult, and now new adult, but I’ve also realized I will go where my authors go — my main job is to support their writing journeys.

 

LKG Agency has been going strong for 20 years now! What’s the secret to your success?

As a boutique agency of one, with support from a foreign rights agent, I focus on offering a highly personalized experience. I may not have the size of a major firm, but I make up for it by being deeply responsive and very editorially hands-on. When an author is struggling with a scene, plot point, or character arc, they know they can send me questions or pages — or we can hop on the phone and strategize together.

 

What excites you most about your job?

While I love many parts of my job, my favorite thing by far is brainstorming with authors as they work through their projects. We talk worldbuilding, how that world influences the plot, who the characters are and how that shapes their choices, and then we dig into craft — how to make all those elements sing. When they send me a revision and I can see the transformation, I get downright giddy.

 

I read that you got your start as a magazine editor. How did that prepare you for the shift to agenting?

Working in magazines taught me the mechanics of editing — I used to constantly ask the copyeditors to teach me every rule of the road. Being an obsessive reader helped me develop a sense of what works on the page. And working closely with so many talented editors across publishing — learning not just their wishlists but their tastes and approaches to craft — has been an education in itself.

 

It’s clear that you love books! If you could be described as a champion of any particular type of book, what type of book would that be?

I tend to be a middle-grade maven. I gravitate toward it maybe because it feels like such a pivotal time in a child’s reading life — hook them then, and you may have them for life. I’m especially drawn to magical realism or contemporary fantasy; those genres create incredible opportunities to explore the emotional changes young adolescents go through. A perfect example is Wendy McLeod MacKnight’s The Change Up. When her protagonist enters adolescence and discovers she’s a shapeshifter who can’t control her transformations, it becomes a powerful metaphor for how kids are still figuring themselves out; they are easily influenced until they learn who they want to be.

 

You’re speaking our language. Here at MUF, we’re all about middle-grade novels! What do you like most about this category?

The sense of wonder. Everything feels new to these readers, and I love seeing a book crack open a world for them. Even an adventure series like Percy Jackson shows kids that it’s okay to be different — that maybe their differences are actually strengths.

 

What are some of your favorite middle-grade novels?

From my childhood, I adored The Chronicles of Narnia, The Chronicles of Prydain, and Anne McCaffrey’s Harper Hall trilogy. In the present day, there are so many of my authors’ books I could name, but I do remember reading Steven Banbury’s Pumpkin Princess submission and immediately thinking, “I must represent this.” That feeling of joy and excitement is unmatched. I recently had that same reaction reading my new author Laura Boggs’s Margot of Manhattan — her voice is so unique, and it’s a love letter to my dear city of New York.

 

What types of books are you drawn to?

As I mentioned, I have a soft spot for magical realism, but my range is fairly wide —contemporary, thriller, mystery, sci-fi, high fantasy, even nonfiction. While not MG, my young adult nonfiction project Obsessed, about the author’s experience with OCD, remains one of my proudest editorial moments. Typically, I’m not a big fan of horror, but after meeting some truly wonderful horror writers at a retreat, I might be softening on that front.

 

Are there any current projects you’re excited about?

So many! I’m not sure what was in the air this summer, but all my authors seemed to finish projects at once and place them lovingly in my lap. I mentioned Margot, which is on sub. I just put the finishing touches on Jaime Formato’s Rogue Richardson and Sly Silver Take Back the Golden Age, an homage to comic books and geek culture. And I’ve been working with Mike Thayer on his older MG A Place Among Heroes, which has one of the best concepts I’ve seen in a while — a boy and his father competing in a reality show that’s essentially a real-life role-playing game, complete with experience points and side quests. The emotional arc is even more compelling than the fictional one.

 

Prospective clients are reading this and asking one question: Are you currently open to submissions?

Yes — though as mentioned above, I’m working through a small backlog thanks to the summer wave of manuscripts.

 

Can you describe any “dream submissions” you’d like to find in your inbox?

OMG, so much pressure! I hate this answer, but it’s the truth: I know it when I read it. What I’ve learned is that when an author LOVES their work, that comes through. When they have a clear vision, a deep understanding of their characters, and genuine joy in the story they’re crafting — that’s what I want to see in my inbox.

 

Will interested authors ever find you participating in pitch parties?

I have participated, and I enjoy seeing what authors are working on, how they distill their stories into just a few lines, and what trends are emerging. I don’t do pitch parties too often because my submissions portal stays busy, and I want to make sure those writers receive proper attention.

 

Where can authors learn more about you?

Mostly through my website and interviews like this. I keep meaning to do more on social media, so stay tuned!

 

What are your favorite things to do that have nothing to do with being an agent?

Other than reading? Hanging with my dog, Luna (whom my 12-year-old named after Luna Lovegood — though personality-wise she’s much more of a Katniss), spending time with my kids when they’re home from college, and traveling with my husband.

 

Lauren, it’s been great getting to know you! Is there anything else you’d like to say before we close out our interview?

Just a thank you to you — and to all the writers out there who keep creating, even as the middle-grade landscape becomes more challenging. With attention spans shrinking and reading levels dropping, we need to work smarter to turn kids into lifelong readers. As research shows, reading builds empathy and has a direct correlation with success. What could be better than that?

The post Meet Lauren Galit of LKG Literary appeared first on From The Mixed Up Files.

 

 

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

Today we’re interviewing Jennifer Swanson, author of Save the Crash-test Dummies. The book discusses how restoring the balance between the primary predator and prey was instrumental in restoring a U.S. park’s ecosystem.

This book won a Parent’s Choice GOLD Award!!

 

“Attractively designed and engagingly written—sure to appeal to readers with a taste for the scientific and technical.”—Kirkus Reviews

★ “[An] innovative blend of history, technology, and engineering. . . insightful fun. STEM at its best.”—Booklist, Starred Review

 

 

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks so much for joining us today!

 

ST: Tell us a little bit about Save the Crash-test Dummies and the impetus behind writing it?

JS: For an earlier book I was doing, I had to research the self-driving car. At the time, Google was the only one making them. I LOVED the idea of a self-driving car! I mean, I am not a fan of driving. For more than 5 years I spent every afternoon from 3pm to 7pm in the car. That’s the price of  having 3 kids in 3 different sports across town all at the same time. Have a robot drive you? YES! Sign me up! (After all, I had alerady survived 3 teenage drivers).

But I knew I wanted this book to be a trade book, so I had to find the right hook. One night I was walking with my husband and we were talking about an old Crash-test dummy commercial that they had brought back (from the 70’s). I said something like, “Hey, if we have self-driving cars, we won’t need the dummies.” He said, “Yes, that would certainly, save the crash-test dummies life.” OMG! That was it! The hook, the title—everything all in one neat package. Suddenly,  the whole book popped into my head. I sat down to write my book about the history of car safety engineering from the Model T to self-driving cars.  The rest, as they say, is, well history.

 

 

ST: It looks fascinating! Everyone should go buy the book, but can you give us one thing that really surprised you while researching?

JS: It might surprise people to know that engineers were always concerned about safety, but the first group to create seatbelts was an emergency room doctor who saw first-hand the dangers of not having them in your car. He made them for his family.

 

ST: Have you ever been to see an actual crash test in person?

JS: Unfortunately, no. I would love to do so, though! I think it would be cool to see all of the equipment that is hooked up to the dummy. These things may be called “dummies” but they are really smart pieces of equipment, holding thousands of sensors to track every tiny movement and impact. We owe our lives to these “dummies” .

 

ST: Yes, we do. You’ve been very prolific in getting books out. How long does it take you to go from concept to finished product?

JS: Well that all depends on the publisher. I have TONS of ideas. But since I write for middle grade readers, I don’t write the entire manuscript, instead I submit a proposal. Sometimes the proposals are accepted right away. Then I start writing. If that happens, it can be about 3-4 months from idea to first draft. But if it takes longer to sell, it can take a while. In the meantime, though, I’m off and running on my next project and proposal. At any one time I may be working on 4-6 different projects (at various stages of publication) at once. It’s fun, if a bit challenging. But I love my job!

 

ST: What was the first book you wrote?

JS: The first book I ever wrote was in kindergarten. I used to write “books” about my dog, Lucky. I even illustrated them (with stick figures). My first nonfiction book that I wrote was called “Uninvited Guests: Invisible Creatures Lurking Inside Your Home” by Capstone Press. Very cool, but creepy if you don’t like crawly things.

 

ST: Can you tell us about any other books you have out recently and what we might expect to see from you in the future?

JS:  Yes, thanks for asking! My two recent books are:

 

The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide to Inventing the World 

by Dylan Thuras (Author), Jennifer Swanson (Author), Ruby Fresson (Illustrator)

The team behind the bestselling Atlas Obscura presents a kids’ illustrated STEM-oriented exploration of the world’s most interesting technologies, inventions, and scientific discoveries.

 

 3 Weeks in the Rainforest: A Rapid Inventory in the Amazon
by Jennifer Swanson

A women-led team of scientists protect the Amazon rainforest from destruction as readers get a firsthand account of real-life fieldwork in action.  A compelling, nonfiction, photo-illustrated STEM read for 8-12-year-olds who aspire to be future scientists, environmentalists, and conservationists!

 

As for what’s in the future, I have a middle-grade graphic novel about science coming out in 2027. And a book titled, How to Talk to an Alien (Should You Ever Meet One), also in 2027.

 

Thanks so much for having me!

The post STEM Tuesday– Transportation– Author Interview appeared first on From The Mixed Up Files.

When I brought Real-Life Mysteries and Disasters into my home, it immediately created a mystery of its own. Every time I went to grab the book from where I had left it, the book had vanished! Leave it on the side table and a few minutes later Poof! empty table. Leave it on the chair and next thing I know Puff! nothing there. Since it is exceedingly difficult to interview an author about a book you haven’t read, I had to get to the bottom of this book’s disappearing act. (Plus, if I could discover the source of this vanishing power, maybe I could harness it to clean my house!) Once the book re-appeared, I laid it in the middle of the living room floor like bait in a trap and . . .  Snap! caught my eight year old and my ten year old in the act of swiping it to read. I couldn’t have been happier to discover that the cause of my confusion was my boys’ love of this fascinating book! (And I did harness their powers to clean their rooms.)

Today I’m interviewing Susan Martineau author of Real-Life Mysteries and Disasters an engaging middle grade browseable book that examines evidence of mysterious circumstances and spooky happenings like: Does the Loch Ness Monster actually exist? What made the Black Death so lethal? And was there really a documented case of time travel? My boys were drawn in by the colorful illustrations and case-file design then held captive by the often eerie information.

So, if you are feeling brave. . . let’s investigate!

Emily Starr: What sparked the idea for Real-Life Mysteries and Disasters, and what made you want to dive into these topics?

Susan Martineau: I’ve always loved reading about mysteries and strange or extreme events. My dad was really into all things mysterious, so there were a lot of books in our house for a budding mystery fan like me. The one I remember best is the Reader’s Digest Book of Strange Stories and Amazing Facts. I used to pore over it in fascination and horror (usually when I was supposed to be doing my homework)! I became quite obsessed with trying to work out what had really happened and if any of it was true! It was handy to be taken on holiday to Scotland so I could sit for hours by Loch Ness in Scotland in the hope of spotting the monster. As an adult, I’ve now visited quite a few of the places mentioned in the book. I am disappointed to say I didn’t see Bigfoot when I was hiking in California or Queen Marie-Antoinette at the palace of Versailles in Paris. I still love mysteries, though, and for as long as I have been a writer, I have wanted to write my own book about strange happenings and unexplained events. It was amazing to finally get the chance!

Emily Starr: Fifty mysteries is a lot of rabbit holes to go down! Because many of our blog readers are also authors, can you please share how you managed so much research?

Susan Martineau: It was a huge task, but so enjoyable, and it certainly did lead me down an incredible number of rabbit holes—and some pretty weird and wacky ones at times! Once I’d decided which mysteries and disasters to include, I read as much as I could about each one. I tried to go back to primary sources like eyewitness statements and diary entries where possible. I looked at any videos or photos, and I read the books that some people had written about their experiences. I checked out newspaper reports, documentaries, and other secondary source material, too. The whole time I was asking, “How reliable or credible are these witnesses or reports?” and “What are the theories being put forward to explain these mysteries?” I always tried to find as many sources as I could to corroborate what was being said or written. In the case of the disasters, I also checked what the specialist experts or organizations said or did about the terrible events. It left me in awe of the bravery of some of these people, like volcanologists who put their lives at risk to figure out when a volcano might next erupt.

Emily Starr: Was there any mystery that you felt more convinced was true after you read all of the evidence? If so, why?

Susan Martineau: There is one form of “haunting” that I find especially fascinating and really rather comforting. These are the “friendly ghosts,” or Third Man Syndrome. There are many stories about folks in danger or difficult situations being “visited” by a benign presence (often a deceased loved one) who helps them get through and watches over them. I read a brilliant book by John Geiger called The Third Man Factor as part of my research. I was blown away by just how many people, from NASA astronauts and extreme mountaineers, have experienced this. It may be our own brains conjuring these “ghosts,” but I think there’s something to it, and I want to believe in it!

Emily Starr: How would you recommend educators use your book to teach students about disinformation and misinformation?

Susan Martineau: I love the idea that educators might use my book for this essential critical literacy skill. It’s so important for students to navigate the jungle of content out there on the internet and in other forms, too. I would try to make it fun, though! After sharing one of the mysteries from my book plus case file, maybe the students could choose another mystery or disaster (there are some suggestions for further investigations in the book) and research it. They could then make their own case file, along the lines of the ones in the book. They might draw diagrams or timelines to analyze the information. However, the most important thing is for students to consider WHO is writing or presenting the information, WHY they are writing it, and WHEN it was written. Can the students find the most reliable sources of information and corroborate it across more than one source? It is important to encourage healthy skepticism and enable students to think for themselves. My tips for all budding mystery investigators are: keep an open mind, follow the facts, and try not to be influenced by emotion or fear!

Emily Starr: The book is designed like a series of case files. While making the content look appealing, it also helps young readers to access the text. How did you come up with that organization idea?

I am so lucky to have a wonderful designer and illustrator, Vicky Barker, working with me. I wanted the first double-page spread of each mystery to “tell the story” and get the reader hooked on it without having too much to read. I think Vicky’s artwork really helps get things rolling along. Then I asked her to design a “detective”-style pinboard for the second double-page spread so that it would change the tone and make it like a serious investigation. I love watching detective shows, and I wanted it to look like one of those old-fashioned pinboards with sticky notes and bits of evidence, along with visuals and the main theories that might explain what has happened. It was important to have a “follow the experts” section for all of the disasters, too, as I really wanted to reassure young readers that there are wonderful people out there trying to prevent disasters from happening. The inclusion of “Big Words” is something I love to put into all my books, as I like learning new words myself!

Emily Starr: Were there any mysteries you uncovered that didn’t make the book? If so, could you share one and why it was excluded?

There were so many mysteries on my list, and it’s growing all the time! In fact, I have just published two books in the UK that include many of the stories I could not include this time. Tales of Scary Beasts and Tales of Ghosts and Hauntings also tell the stories of weird occurrences and unnerving mysteries followed by a “let’s investigate” section for each chapter so that readers can flex their critical muscles.

I had some misgivings about including Spontaneous Human Combustion in Real-Life Mysteries and Disasters at first, but it was one of the stories that always fascinated me (such a gruesome child!) as a young Reader’s Digest reader! It made the cut, and I believe that, like me, children have quite an appetite for this kind of tale!

However, there are some very peculiar mystery stories that I feel are not appropriate for young readers. I haven’t included UFO abductions in any of the books. I started to feel a bit uneasy about the accounts I was reading and the unpleasant things that people said happened to them.

Emily Starr: Are there any future projects in the works you can share with our readers?

I’ve been working on new editions of two other books I’ve written recently. How to Question Everything and How to Think Like a Scientist are toolkits for young readers to learn critical literacy skills. It is essential for them to be able to see clearly through the bombardment of information coming at them through social media and other platforms. The new editions include information and advice on AI-generated content. Students need to be aware of how AI is used, and how it is teaching itself to use information and data. I’ve also included some fun activities in both books and hope they can be of use to educators.

My aim is to enable young readers to be nimble, confident, and thorough fact-finders, unafraid of being curious about the wonderful world around them. My motto, learned from my father, is “Be brave and always think for yourself!”

 

Susan Martineau was born in London, but has lived in various parts of the world including Holland, France and Malaysia. She has written over 30 books for children and won the Blue Peter Book with Facts Award for her book Real-life Mysteries. She is fascinated by strange and weird information and tries to shine a light into the most unusual corners of the world, sparking a passion for discovery and curiosity in her readers. Susan spends a good deal of her time lost on the internet or rummaging through libraries researching, unearthing and checking facts for her books. She loves quiz programs and annoys her family by thinking she knows the answers. (Sometimes she does!) Keep your eyes peeled for new titles exploring the world around us.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————-As a former fourth grade teacher and founder of StarrMatica, a STEM publishing company, Emily Starr has developed award-winning K-5 science curriculumand professional learning materials for 20 years. She is a member of the Iowa State Science Leadership Team, a peer reviewer for the National Science Teaching Association’s journal Science and Children, and a frequent presenter at state and national education conferences. Her debut middle grade nonfiction book will be released in 2026 from the Iowa Ag Literacy Foundation.

The post The Case of the Disappearing Book: An Interview with Susan Martineau Author of Real-Life Mysteries and Disasters appeared first on From The Mixed Up Files.

Two years ago I wrote an article about how to utilize AI as a tool in children’s writing. At the time, ChatGPT was still in its first iterations, and many creatives had only the faintest ideas about generative AI. In the middle grade world, authors were mostly just trying to figure out what AI would mean for them, if anything at all. 

I think it’s safe to say things have changed since then, and I wanted to come back to this topic with fresh eyes to see if the undertones of techno-optimism that permeated my first piece on the subject still resonate the way they did back in 2023. There are, after all, some new realities that authors must face head-on.

For one, it’s simply no longer accurate to say that AI writing is cheesy, formulaic, and easy to spot. Large language models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini have become astonishingly good at mimicking human authors in tone, humor, and even complex themes woven through longer pieces. YouTuber and developmental editor Alyssa Matesic recently did a side-by-side of AI writing and short stories written by professional authors, and the two were startlingly difficult to tell apart.

That also begs the question of how AI models have gotten so good. Since 2023, big tech companies have scraped vast libraries of unlicensed and copyrighted material to train their models. It’s a controversial topic, and too intricate to dive into here, but it has forced many authors to divert attention away from the creative process and think carefully about how to protect their work.

Still, the biggest issue probably isn’t about detectability or fair use, but the mere fact that AI writing exists at all. The very possibility of humanlike AI writing has cast a shadow over the legitimate efforts of human writers everywhere. Even the once-loved em dash has become a symbol of AI skepticism, with many authors consciously adjusting their tone and techniques to look less like the AI that used their writing to develop its own voice in the first place. It’s a strangely ironic dance that creators across all fields have been doing since generative AI exploded onto the scene in the last few years. 

So is it really fair to say that AI is “just a tool” the way I described it back in 2023? It would be a bit like a master craftsman returning to his worksite after a lunch break to find that his hammer had come to life and built the rest of the house without him. It sounds nice, but what if the craftsman actually enjoyed building houses? What if he’d spent his whole life learning to do it well? What if everyone then assumed that all his houses – countless hours of work – had been built by the magic hammer? 

So what is a middle grade author to do in this strange new world? Since this post is just around the corner from Thanksgiving, I’m choosing to slant toward gratitude. Even in this weird and sometimes scary landscape of publishing in 2025, there are quite a few things to be thankful for.

 

Authors are fighting back and winning.

A U.S. federal judge gave preliminary approval to a $1.5 billion settlement between Anthropic PBC and authors who alleged nearly half a million books were pirated to train AI chatbots. It’s a major win for writers wanting more accountability from AI developers.

Readers want human-made books.

As AI writing continues to permeate the book market, consumers are becoming more vocal about their preference for human work. In a recent poll by YouGov, well over half of respondents reported that they’d feel less fulfilled after learning a book they’d read was authored with AI. There are also new projects popping up like the “Human Authored” initiative from the Authors Guild. It’s a promising sign that readers are rediscovering the incredible value of human connection and contribution.

 

As a tool, AI is only getting better.

In its rightful place, AI continues to be a transformative technology that can untether creators and allow them to make and explore more than ever before. As a research tool, for example, AI cites its sources with more accuracy than it did back in 2023, and it can also summarize and synthesize material extraordinarily well. Even for this piece, which is admittedly a bit skeptical of AI’s prevalence overall, I used AI tools to find sources and make connections. I just had to keep that hammer locked up in the toolbox when it came time to write, design the art, etc. Many have equated this dynamic with letting AI “do the dishes”. Artificial Intelligence can handle the chores so creatives can do the fun stuff (although not all the time, as we learned from NEO — skip to 2:55 for a good laugh).

 

So have I changed my mind about AI over the last two years? Should you? These are questions worth exploring, but let’s not spend too much time perseverating on a dynamic that changes almost daily. 

After all, we’ve got writing to do.

The post When the Hammer Builds the House: Grappling with AI in Kidlit appeared first on From The Mixed Up Files.

As a kid, I loved reading historical fiction. In my day, most of these stories centered on Europe and a war. I felt transported to other times and places, and was introduced to characters my age confronting challenges of survival. I enjoyed connecting with kids from the past who, with their friends and families, bravely faced difficulties.

Now, we have more novels told by historically underrepresented voices that offer perspectives on a wide variety of events. Rudine Sims Bishop described how books can be mirrors to a readers life, or can build empathy through windows where readers can view lives of others, or may provide sliding doors where readers can step into another world and immerse themselves in a new reality.

Here, I offer six wonderfully written, diverse titles that serve as a portal to another time.

A Sea Of Lemon Trees by Maria Dolores Aguila, Macmillan, 2025, 273 pp.

This novel in verse is inspired by the true story of Robert Alvarez and the Lemon Grove Incident where one child’s courage to stand up for what is right and the determination of the Mexican community will transport readers to the challenges confronted by Robert in 1931 San Diego. Young Roberto was chosen to speak up about the horribly unfair conditions in the separate school for Mexican immigrants. This is the uplifting story of how his activism brought great changes to the “Americanization” efforts.

 

 

 

 

Zarina Divided by Reem Faruqi, Harper Collins, 225, 326 pp.

Zarina’s idyllic life in 1947 Poona, India is abruptly ended when her Muslim family moves to Pakistan during the Great Partition. Lyrical verse paints a realistic picture of Zarina’s hardships, including acts of violence and racism, as she journeys by train and boat to a new home. Just as Zarina begins to settle into her new life, she makes a big mistake. Her family agrees to let her go to boarding school, where a whole new set of challenges confront her. This novel brings a fresh perspective to the religious divide of a country.

 

 

 

The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glasser, Harper Collins, 2025, 420 pp.

 

Han Yu and Luli Lee live 1200 years apart, yet they both share a goal: they go to great risks to save their families. In 731 a plague threatens Chang An, China, and Han Yu must trek across the Silk Road to fulfill a promise and find a cure. In 1931, New York’s Chinatown, Luli starts up her own bun business to bring her family’s restaurant back from the brink of foreclosure. Big themes and small details – like buns and birds – connect these two stories. The ties that bind Han Yu and Luli across centuries are an unforgettable surprise.

 

Seabird by Michelle Kadarusman, Pajama Press, 2025, 199 pp.

Twelve-year-old Katina brings nineteenth century Indonesia (also known as the Dutch East Indies) to life through her letters to her best friend and her passion for learning. Inspired by the real-life Javanese noble turned activist, Raden Adjeng Kartini, this novel depicts how girls were given little freedom. Noble-born Kartini was confined to her house at twelve until she was to be married. Educated, Kartini turned to her best friend, Letsy, who had returned to Holland for help. Through her skills as a writer, Kartini speaks out, and like a seabird, gets free of her cage, and becomes a celebrated advocate for education.

 

 

How To Say Goodbye in Cuban by Daniel Miyares, Random House, 2025, 223 pp.

Readers get a visual and personal view of Castro’s Revolution in Cuba in this emotionally gripping graphic novel. Based on the experiences of the author’s father, readers see the uncertainty and fears Carlos faced as a child while his family was being threatened for owning land. Major events in Castro’s path to power are explained in a straightforward manner. Miyares does an excellent job describing the differing opinions of Castro that the Cubans held.

 

 

 

Will’s Race For Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes, Little Brown, 2025, 196pp.

This is a Western like no other. It’s 1889, and Will has persuaded his father to allow him to accompany him on the treacherous trek from Texas to Oklahoma. It’s been several decades since the Emancipation Proclamation, yet his father still does not have the right to own land – unless he takes advantage of the Oklahoma Land Rush. The journey is difficult not only because of the difficult terrain, but also because of the racism, poverty, and violence Will and his father experience along the way. Belle the mule, and frequent illustrations add charm to the story.

 

 

 

The post Blasts From the Past: Diverse Historical Fiction appeared first on From The Mixed Up Files.

Planes, trains, and automobiles.

Bikes, scooters, and motorcycles.

Boats, snowmobiles, and skateboards.

Modes of transportation. Ways to get from one place to another.

Luis Alvaz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If we know where we’re going and have a semi-reliable means of transportation, then odds are we will arrive at the intended destination. If we don’t know the way, we can use some form of a map to guide our travels. 

(Note: I still laugh forty-some years later at how, through the magic of those high school career aptitude tests, it was revealed that the perfect profession for me was as a cartographer. Of course, I had to consult the dictionary to find out what a cartographer actually was. After some consideration and with no clue how to become a cartographer, that plan was quickly scrapped. In hindsight, I question that decision.) 

 

Yan Irvan Ardi Ristanto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Reading is a mode of transportation. Reading takes the reader places. When I read one of my favorite authors, Rick Bass, his words bring me to the Yaak Valley of Montana or the Hill Country of Texas. When I read books from this month’s STEM Tuesday Transportation Book List, I’m transported underground with Big Bertha digging tunnels for roadways, discovering what makes various types of working boats work, and sitting alongside crash test dummies as they make our vehicles safer to operate. 

As writers, it’s our job to create the mode of transportation to take the reader where we want them to go, whether it’s for entertainment purposes, informational purposes, or both. But how do we do that?

We do it by having a plan. The writer of any stripe needs to have an idea of where the destination lies to create the way there. As a sign in my local elementary school reads, “Begin with the end in mind.” Know where you want to go and then plan the way to get there. 

Writers need a reliable tool to navigate their story, so they must develop a carographer skill set.

They need a map. They need an outline.

Yes, the DREADED outline.

Just like me in my school kid days, I hear your collective groan. I understand. The thought of the classic structured outline, with its headings and subpoints, often throws creators into full retreat. The utter stodginess of it all!

With apologies to my 5th-grade English teacher, Sister Verene, OSB, I do not employ the classic outline structure she drilled into her students. In fact, I spent many a frustrating day as a writer, knocking my head against the wall, thinking that was the only way to outline. 

 

Luis Alvaz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

I finally reached out to others and paid attention to craft tips from writers, and discovered that a working outline is simply a form that helps get the ideas down. 

Writers, embrace the outline! Find an outlining methodology that works for your brain and make it yours. Scribbles on scrap paper. Notes on your phone or computer. Even the classic outline format of headings and subpoints. Whatever gets the job done and transports the ideas in your head to the desired destination. 

When ideas become concrete on paper, and not just inside your head, they become real. They have a life. They can grow, be revised, and reach their final destination by following the outline map created. Ideas become complete stories that take the reader places. Therein lies the magic.

And that’s transportation at its finest!

Hop on, writers and readers! We’re going places.

 

Motacilla, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 

Mike Hays has worked hard from a young age to be a well-rounded individual. A well-rounded, equal-opportunity sports enthusiast, that is. If they keep a score, he’ll either watch it, play it, or coach it. A molecular microbiologist by day, middle-grade author, sports coach, and general good citizen by night, he blogs about sports/life/training-related topics at www.coachhays.com and writer stuff at www.mikehaysbooks.com. Two of his science essays, The Science of Jurassic Park and Zombie Microbiology 101,  are included in the Putting the Science in Fiction collection from Writer’s Digest Books. He can be found roaming Bluesky under the guise of @mikehays64.bsky.social and @MikeHays64 on Instagram.

 

The O.O.L.F Files

This month on the Out Of Left Field (O.O.L.F.) Files, we take a deep dive into getting from one place to another with an exploration of transportation.

20 Scientific Benefits of Reading Books for Cognitive Development

“Books transport readers to different worlds, stimulating imagination and fostering creative thinking.”

Each page turned is a gateway to an uncharted territory of ideas and visuals. While reading, your brain creates vivid images based on descriptions, which ignites your imagination and sparks creativity. This process can help you develop innovative solutions to problems by encouraging you to think outside the box.

How to Write an Outline via WikiHow

Outlining via the George Mason University Writing Center

University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies K-12 Lesson Plans

As the son of a civil engineer who specialized in bridges and highways, I can appreciate classroom projects like The Great Dinkytown Bridge Challenge. It reminds me of playing with my dad and building structures out of things we had around the house. 

MetroDreamin’ Transportation System Design app

MetroDreamin’ allows you to design and visualize the transportation system that you wish your city had.

 

The post STEM Tuesday– Transportation– Writing Tips and Resources appeared first on From The Mixed Up Files.

Recent headlines prompted me to research the SNAP program. My deep dive into this topic made me wonder what books and resources might be out there for middle-grade readers and educators on poverty, homelessness and food insecurity.

I have to admit there seems to be more picture book titles on food insecurity, which could encourage discussion about the topic with older readers. Here is a great resource.

But, I did find a number of books for middle-grade readers that feature characters, both real and imagined, who struggle with dire living situations. Even though these are tough topics, each of these books offer hope to middle-grade readers. This list includes several inspiring memoirs!

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate, Square Fish, 2017, 272 pp.

Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There’s no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again.

Crenshaw is a cat. He’s large, he’s outspoken, and he’s imaginary. He has come back into Jackson’s life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything?

Beloved author Katherine Applegate proves in unexpected ways that friends matter, whether real or imaginary. This title has Common Core connections.

 

 

Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo, Candlewick, 2020, 240 pp.

When Louisiana Elefante’s granny wakes her up in the middle of the night to tell her that the day of reckoning has arrived and they have to leave home immediately, Louisiana isn’t overly worried. After all, Granny has many middle-of-the-night ideas. But this time, things are different. This time, Granny intends for them never to return. Separated from her best friends, Raymie and Beverly, Louisiana struggles to oppose the winds of fate (and Granny) and find a way home. But as Louisiana’s life becomes entwined with the lives of the people of a small Georgia town — including a surly motel owner, a walrus-like minister, and a mysterious boy with a crow on his shoulder — she starts to worry that she is destined only for goodbyes. Called “one of DiCamillo’s most singular and arresting creations” by the New York Times Book Review, the heartbreakingly irresistible Louisiana Elefante was introduced to readers in Raymie Nightingale. Now, with humor and tenderness, Kate DiCamillo returns to tell her story.

And Then Boom! by Lisa Fipps, Nancy Paulsen Books, 2024, 256 pp.

Joe Oak is used to living on unsteady ground. His mom can’t be depended on as she never stays around long once she gets “the itch,” and now he and his beloved grandmother find themselves without a home. Fortunately, Joe has an outlet in his journals and drawings and takes comfort from the lessons of comic books—superheroes have a lot of “and then, boom” moments, where everything threatens to go bust but somehow they land on their feet. And that seems to happen a lot to Joe too, as in this crisis his friend Nick helps them find a home in his trailer park. But things fall apart again when Joe is suddenly left to fend for himself. He doesn’t tell anyone he’s on his own, as he fears foster care and has hope his mom will come back. But time is running out—bills are piling up, the electricity’s been shut off, and the school year’s about to end, meaning no more free meals. The struggle to feed himself gets intense, and Joe finds himself dumpster diving for meals. He’s never felt so alone—until an emaciated little dog and her two tiny pups cross his path. And fate has even more in store for Joe, because an actual tornado is about to hit home—and just when it seems all is lost, his life turns in a direction that he never could have predicted.Boundless, by Chaunte’ Lowe, Scholastic Focus, 2023, 240 pp. Everything seemed set against Chaunté Lowe. Growing up with a single mother in Paso Robles, California, where she experienced food insecurity, homelessness, and domestic abuse, Chaunté couldn’t imagine a future that offered a different sort of life. But then, one day, she turned on the TV and there was Flo Jo, competing in the Olympics and shattering records in track and field. Almost immediately, Chaunté knew what she wanted to do. She started running.

With the help of a small community of friends, family, and coaches, Chaunté worked as hard as she could – both in the classroom and out on the sports field – and through her own fierce determination and grit, she overcame every imaginable obstacle, eventually propelling herself to the place she always dreamed about: the Olympic medal podium.

Boundless is a story that will move anyone who’s ever had a big dream, ever dared to hope for a better future, and ever believed that nothing was impossible. In her own words, Chaunté presents her remarkable and inspiring story of loss and survival, perseverance and hope.

No Fixed Address by Susin Nielsen, Yearling, 2020, 288 pp.

Twelve-and-three-quarter-year-old Felix Knutsson has a knack for trivia. His favorite game show is Who What Where When; he even named his gerbil after the host. Felix’s mom, Astrid, is loving but can’t seem to hold on to a job. So when they get evicted from their latest shabby apartment, they have to move into a van. Astrid swears him to secrecy; he can’t tell anyone about their living arrangement, not even Dylan and Winnie, his best friends at his new school. If he does, she warns him, he’ll be taken away from her and put in foster care.

As their circumstances go from bad to worse, Felix gets a chance to audition for a junior edition of Who What Where When, and he’s determined to earn a spot on the show. Winning the cash prize could make everything okay again. But things don’t turn out the way he expects. . . .

Susin Nielsen deftly combines humor, heartbreak, and hope in this moving story about people who slip through the cracks in society, and about the power of friendship and community to make all the difference.

Free Lunch by Rex Ogle, Norton Young Readers, 2021, 224 pp.

Instead of giving him lunch money, Rex’s mom has signed him up for free meals. As a poor kid in a wealthy school district, better-off kids crowd impatiently behind him as he tries to explain to the cashier that he’s on the free meal program. The lunch lady is hard of hearing, so Rex has to shout.
Free Lunch is the story of Rex’s efforts to navigate his first semester of sixth grade–who to sit with, not being able to join the football team, Halloween in a handmade costume, classmates and a teacher who take one look at him and decide he’s trouble–all while wearing secondhand clothes and being hungry. His mom and her boyfriend are out of work, and life at home is punctuated by outbursts of violence. Halfway through the semester, his family is evicted and ends up in government-subsidized housing in view of the school. Rex lingers at the end of last period every day until the buses have left, so no one will see where he lives.

Unsparing and realistic, Free Lunch is a story of hardship threaded with hope and moments of grace. Rex’s voice is compelling and authentic, and Free Lunch is a true, timely, and essential work that illuminates the lived experience of poverty in America.

 

 

The post Books Addressing Poverty, Homelessness and Food Insecurity appeared first on From The Mixed Up Files.

Today, we’re excited to host Max Brallier, author of a stupendous amount of books, including the wildly popular Last Kids on Earth middle grade series. The highly-anticipated tenth installment, The Last Kids on Earth and the Destructor’s Lair, is out now, and we had the chance to talk with Max about it as well as what’s up next for this prolific writer.

 

Thanks so much for joining us here at the Mixed-Up Files, Max. How exciting is it to be able to celebrate the release of the tenth book in the Last Kids on Earth series! As Quint says, that’s a lot of adventuring. This installment definitely doesn’t disappoint when it comes to shenanigans, superpowered boss fights, massive monsters, and an epic clash with Ŗeżżőcħ. It seems like the ultimate showdown is still yet to come, though. Can we expect even more adventuring with Jack and our other dauntless heroes?

Thanks for having me! Excited to chat. Super exciting to celebrate the release of the 10th book in the main series—although I have to admit it’s a confusing number, since there’s a 5.5 and a 7.5 and other ½ books that aren’t actually half books but kind of are. But it is, truly and really, the 10th anniversary for the series.

Friendship plays such a vital role in this series and in this book in particular. Though what a twist to have Jack and Quint fighting and not speaking for a big chunk of it! Quint is usually the man with the plan, and though he turns out to still be in the end in splendid fashion, Jack has to do a lot more on his own this time. How did you navigate having these two not communicating while still letting them explore the Monster Dimension and move closer to Ŗeżżőcħ?

It wasn’t easy! I’ve always resisted having the kids be locked in a fight for long periods of time; it never seemed like it would be fun to read or to write. But it made sense here. And I was able to do it in a way, I hope, that it won’t feel like a drag.

The Bewilderness was an exciting location to dive into (quite literally), and other places like BountyCon offered a lot of great visuals and details as well. Were there any places you would have liked to explore more in depth?

Lots more places! The Bewilderness sequence was initially a lot longer, and parts were very different. And the entire Hidden City itself was originally going to be more of a living, breathing creature-city.

 

It’s always struck me how fun and heartfelt these books are while there’s a lot of pretty serious stuff going on as well. In this story in particular, Jack is coming face to face with evil. How do you balance the lighthearted, funny tone with the more serious topics of loss and death that come with the apocalypse?

I find that to be the hardest thing about writing the series—and it has been, since book 1. I try to balance it by leaning into Jack’s 1st person POV and having him—usually—approach things in a way that’s lighthearted or wry.

The illustrations by Douglas Holgate are such a perfect match for the tone of the book, combining scale, energy, and cool monsters. At this point in the series, do you have a sense of which parts of the story would make for a good panel or aside in a dialogue bubble? Is that something you get to work on together?

Doug is incredible. More often than not, while writing the manuscript, I’ll call out which moments should be illustrated—stuff like cutaway gags or flashbacks or little asides. Or big action moments that I think we’ll really want to see. But then, when reading through the manuscript, Doug and the book’s designer, Jay, and editor, Dana, will often flag moments that they think would make for a good illustration.

You’ve written several other series in addition to the Last Kids on Earth, like Eerie Elementary and Mister Shivers. With all of these great stories and characters, I’d love to ask a question you probably get all the time: Where do you get your ideas?

Sometimes an idea will just hit me when I’m sitting in my car or running errands, or lying on the couch. Other times it’s a real hunt, where I’m pacing around, trying to crack something, trying to find that idea that’s hopefully going to save the whole book at the last minute.

Can you tell us more about what you’re working on right now?

The next two Last Kids on Earth books, finishing up The Last Comics on Earth #4, and two new ideas—one middle grade, one very different.

 

Do you have any advice you’d give to writers who are interested in creating a series?

Start small! Beginning, middle, and end of one story first, while allowing for questions that the reader will hope to have answered, and places the readers will hope to visit.

 

And last but not least, if there’s an Order 72, are there 71 others?

I’m more worried about Orders 73 and beyond!

 

You can learn more about Max and his books at his website: https:www.maxbrallier.com

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