Magic and fantastical elements can get kids reading. Young adult fantasy novels construct portals readers can get sucked into, and when they emerge, they often have more nuanced and keen insights for making or remaking the world around them. The parallels to contemporary society can even give kids another way to see themselves. In this episode, Megan Whalen Turner, author of the Queen’s Thief series, Roseanne A. Brown, author of A Song of Wraith and Ruin, and Garth Nix, author of the Old Kingdom series, describe how the real world can be an inspiration for fantasy worlds, how a civilization’s myths and religions offer depictions of the people, how to create compelling and dynamic characters who overcome even when great harm befalls them, and the many forms of magic in stories. To learn more about Megan Whalen Turner, Roseanne A. Brown, or Garth Nix’s books, visit harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/megan-whalen-turner harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/roseanne-a-brown harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/garth-nix Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. [1:21] Looking back at how Megan created The Thief’s fantastically detailed world. [5:16] Historical and geopolitical strife are not common components in Young Adult novels. [8:16] Roseanne describes how adding myths to a story gives readers an understanding of how characters see the world. [11:24] Megan describes the unique process she used when writing the Queen’s Thief series. [12:09] The role of storytelling and folklore in Roseanne’s book, A Song of Wraith and Ruin. [13:59] Upending the idea of what a hero should be to create stories with integrity. [17:27] Garth and Rosanne describe how they create and utilize magic in their stories. Continue Your Journey: Megan Whalen Turner Rosanne A. Brown Garth Nix HarperCollins Remember Reading Podcast @ReadingPod on Twitter

Remember Reading Podcast

Myths, Magic, and Fantasy Worlds (ft. Megan Whalen Turner, Roseanne A. Brown, & Garth Nix)

Books help young people wrap their minds around who they are, how they fit into the world and give them the language to demand the world make space for them. Queer Young Adult books can guide young readers through the myriad of experiences of coming out in different contexts and cultures. And, love stories can help young gay kids imagine themselves into meaningful adult lives and into fulfilling relationships that validate, nourish, and sustain them. In this episode, three authors of queer YA books share their personal coming-out experiences, which they later translated into their character’s coming-out journey, and share the impact reading queer YA books can have on generations of gay kids in developing their personal agency. To learn more about Becky Albertalli, Adbi Nazemian, or Jason June’s books, visit harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/becky-albertalli harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/abdi-nazemian harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/jason-june Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. [1:00] In 2015, Becky Albertalli published the award-winning novel about a gay teen, Simon vs. The Homosapien Agenda. [5:02] Author of Like a Love Story, Abdi Nazemian describes how coming out today is different than in decades past. [9:00] Part of Abdi’s personal coming-out story is similar to his character's experience in Like a Love Story. [10:40] In Jay’s Gay Agenda, Jason June wanted to move the main character past his coming-out story. [12:03] Without a thriving gay community, love, romance, and sexual experiences can be out of reach for gay teens as Jason June explores in Jay’s Gay Agenda. [16:18] After Simon vs. The Homosapien Agenda was published, a storm of criticism led Becky to come out publicly in an essay. [21:22] Becky, Abdi, and Jason discuss how being able to relate to queer characters in books matters. [22:28] Authors share their favorite reads in the Queer Young Adult book space. Continue Your Journey: Becky Albertalli Abdi Nazemian Hey Jason June HarperCollins @ReadingPod on Twitter Shareables: “Oftentimes when we’re taught history, we’re taught we learn history, so as not to repeat it. And as I was writing the book, I was like, but what if we flip that? And we teach the reverse of it, which is, let’s study the history that we do want to repeat. Let's study ACT UP. How did they form, how did they actually create such a monumental change in the world? How did the queer community come together when everyone turned their backs on them?” — Abdi Nazemian, Author, Like a Love Story “We need to explore the magic and the complications and all the layers of getting to be queer and what that means.” — Jason June, Author, Jay’s Gay Agenda “When you are trying to write about an experience that looks different for every person it’s hard to definitely say something is right or wrong but I wanted it to feel authentic.” — Becky Albertalli, Author, Simon vs. The Homosapien Agenda

Coming-Out Stories (ft. Becky Albertalli, Abdi Nazemian, & Jason June)

There is a magical age, somewhere between eight and twelve, where young people’s wonder at the natural world can be galvanized into meaningful engagement with the threats and challenges that humans bring to bear on nature. It is within this window that the right book at the right time can help a young person make sense of the big feelings that come with adolescence — and with unforeseen hardships, like global pandemics. In this episode, with the help of Sara Pennypacker, author of Pax and Pax, Journey Home, Colby Sharp, literacy advocate and teacher, and Philippe Cousteau, co-author of The Endangereds series, we discuss the serious, real-life challenges that young readers face and how animal characters in books can help them identify and express their feelings of grief, loss, and trauma. To learn more about Sara Pennypacker’s or Philippe Cousteau’s books, visit harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/sara-pennypacker harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/philippe-cousteau Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. [2:33] The reaction Sara received from a group of fourth-graders after reading a chapter of Pax, led her to make changes to the original text. [4:24] Sara prefers to write about how wounded children attempt to carry on and heal their wounds after trauma. [5:18] A scene in the book, when Peter decides not to return to the therapist, spurs Colby to consider the state of his children post-pandemic. [8:56] Sara describes why Pax is purposefully written to exclude a distinct time or place. [12:07] After interviewing several animals, for Sara, there was no question the character Pax would be a fox. [14:37] Philippe Cousteau describes his book series, The Endangereds and how learning from animals helps children identify with the major environmental crisis we face. [18:17] How writers can introduce young readers to serious, real-world issues. [20:02] Pax’s ending left readers with the opportunity to envision their version of what happens to the characters but as questions emerged Sara decided to write the sequel Pax, Journey Home. [29:09] Colby’s non-fiction, Gamechanger, addresses the need to get books in the hands and minds of children. Continue Your Journey: Sara Pennypacker Mr. Colby Sharp Philippe Cousteau HarperCollins Remember Reading Podcast @ReadingPod on Twitter Shareables: “There's nothing like a read-aloud on this planet, sharing a book with a bunch of kids in the classroom and having those conversations. And, I believe that kids in my class will remember our reading aloud of Pax for the rest of their life.” — Colby Sharp, literacy advocate and author “'I’m not the writer who writes about the damage happening to kids. As a writer, I'm more interested in what they do afterward. So, I want to be really respectful of kids who have been wounded or have had losses in this way.” — Sara Pennypacker, author, Pax “Passion and excitement and adventure need to be part of any good story. Those are kinds of universal rhetorical truths about storytelling that I drew from when working on The Endangereds. How could we tell stories that could make kids excited, but then also try to give them a little bit of agency?” — Philippe Cousteau, co-author of The Endangereds: Melting Point

Tackling Real-life Challenges in Books: Pax (ft. Sara Pennypacker, Colby Sharp, & Philippe Cousteau)

Meg Cabot’s bestselling series, The Princess Diaries spans almost two decades. The main character of the series, Mia, shares her unfiltered, innermost thoughts as private diary entries. Young adult readers of the books are privy to and captivated by Mia’s internal and external landscape as she morphs from an awkward teen and into a royal princess. Author Elise Bryant was one such reader. In her book, Happily Ever Afters, the main character, Tessa, tackles similar teenage issues and emotions to Mia, but as a black girl. In this episode, Meg and Elise share their thoughts about why love stories belong in young adult libraries, why epistolary novels capture a reader's attention, and why a true representation of diversity can enhance the connection kids have with literature. To learn more about Meg Cabot’s or Elise Bryant’s books, visit harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/meg-cabot or harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/elise-bryant Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. [1:34] When switching her then adult novel to a young adult novel, Meg leaned on a friend’s daughter to help her choose a format for the book. [3:07] As luck would have it, Meg had her childhood diaries for inspiration. [5:32] Meg summarizes Mia, the main character of The Princess Diaries. [10:39] Both Elise and Meg describe their discomfort when coming to terms with their love of coming-of-age romance novels. [13:03] The Princess Diaries addresses real issues teenage girls face, such as love and sex. [17:01] True representations of diversity in books offers kids the opportunity to profoundly identify with characters. [21:12] Elise’s forthcoming book, One True Loves is a companion novel to Happily Ever Afters. Continue Your Journey: Meg Cabot Elise Bryant HarperCollins @ReadingPod on Twitter Shareables: “I had notes in my diary from, like, Algebra. This is why I got such bad grades. I wasn't clearly paying attention. So, I thought — oh, I could just transfer this right into the book and it will be really funny. So everything in those books is taken right from my actual notebooks from high school.” — Meg Cabot, Author, The Princess Diaries “I loved rom-coms from a very early age but it was almost impossible at that point in the late ’90s or early 2000s to find those books with girls that looked like me. And so I started, just like Tessa does in Happily Ever Afters, I started writing those stories myself. I would write the kind of voicey, funny, happy, joyful love stories that I love to read but then I would write them with a girl that was black like I am.” — Elise Bryant, Author, Happily Ever Afters “I think it's so important for kids to see themselves in all types of narratives, like being the hero, being the prince or princess, fighting bad guys, fighting monsters, solving mysteries and you know — falling in love. It helps kids to dream even bigger dreams when they see that reflected in stories. ” — Elise Bryant, Author, Happily Ever Afters

Behind the Curtain of The Princess Diaries & Happily Ever Afters (ft. Meg Cabot & Elise Bryant)

The right book at the right time can provide kids with models of self-love that can guide them through growing pains. Today on Remember Reading, host Katie Dutton unpacks a book that does just that for young readers. Join us as we head to West Texas, where we enter a beauty pageant, do some Dolly Parton fan-folking, and talk drag and self-love through the lens of one of our all-time favorite characters, Ms. Willowdean Dixon, the plus-sized heroine of Julie Murphy's 2015 breakout book, Dumplin'. To learn more about the Dumplin’ series, visit harpercollins.com/collections/books-series-dumplin Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. [:47] The idea for Dumplin’ was inspired by a series of photographs but Julie needed time to process her feelings before writing the book. [2:19] Why Angie Manfredi was excited about the publishing announcement of Dumplin’. [5:24] The fat characters who influenced Julie and Angie as children. [7:06] In the book, Dumplin’s love life disrupts common misconceptions about what makes one worthy of love. [11:03] Willowdean’s obsessions with Dolly Parton and drag culture are sourced directly from Julie’s passions. [19:14] The ‘Other’ F Word essay collection was born out of a conversation Angie had with a group of skinny teenagers. [21:18] Julie explains how Dumplin’ gives credence to the understanding that all bodies are worth advocating for. [23:32] Angie recalls an example of how Dumplin’ sparks important conversations with young readers. Continue Your Journey: Julie Murphy - www.imjuliemurphy.com Fat Girl Reading - https://fatgirlreading.com HarperCollins - www.harpercollins.com Remember Reading Podcast - www.harpercollins.com/pages/remember-reading-podcast @ReadingPod on Twitter

A Deep Dive into Body Positivity with Dumplin’ (ft. Julie Murphy & Angie Manfredi)

Representation matters, especially in children’s literature and stories that represent Native American people. In this episode, we focus on Heartdrum, an imprint about stories by Native American creators who publish stories with an emphasis on the present and future of Indian Country, and on the strength of young Native American heroes. Author-curator Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee Creek), author and co-founder of We Need Diverse Books, Ellen Oh, and HarperCollins editor Rosemary Brosnan discuss how the Heartdrum project came to fruition and a sample of the beautifully diverse stories now available to young readers. To learn more about Heartdrum, visit Diversebooks.org/programs/heartdrum Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time! [:01] In her book, Jingle Dancer, Cynthia Leitich Smith depicted Native American girls and women, who are underrepresented in children’s literature. [5:01]The books by authors of color that impacted Cynthia and Ellen as children. [7:40] In her series, Indian Shoes, it was important to Cynthia the characters be in contemporary, urban settings. [10:57] When publishers shifted away from multiculturalism and inclusion, Cynthia successfully pivoted and created paranormal stories including the Feral series. [13:23] The progressive ideas that fuel We Need Diverse Books make the organization much more than a hashtag. [15:42] Ellen, Cynthia, and Rosemary Brosnan instigated the creation of Heartdrum, the first native imprint at a major publisher. [21:36] The Sea in Winter by Christine Day is one of the first books published by Heartdrum. [26:14] Current trends in contemporary children’s literature and future opportunities for Heartdrum. [29:44] Ellen describes her motivation for writing her very personal latest book, Finding Junie Kim. [32:02] Ancestor Approved is a collection of stories and poetry that showcases the diversity within Indian Country and pairs new and established authors. Continue Your Journey: Cynthia Leitich Smith Ellen Oh Books We Need Diverse Books HarperCollins Remember Reading Podcast @ReadingPod on Twitter

Representation Matters! (ft. Cynthia Leitich Smith & Ellen Oh)

The treasured I Can Read! collection began with the beloved Little Bear in 1957 and is still going strong today! On the show, we discuss the series’ origins, its stories, and what’s ahead for the books. You’ll hear from Tamar Mays, an editor at HarperCollins, as well as from authors Corey Tabor (Fox the Tiger) and Kelly Starling-Lyons (Ty’s Travels) as they dive into what makes the I Can Read! books so magical for children beginning their journey as readers. To learn more about the I Can Read! series, visit icanread.com Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time!

I Can Read! Books (ft. Corey Tabor & Kelly Starling-Lyons)

After an incredibly difficult year, we reflect on the number of ways classic children's books can help kids and adults get through tough times. Featured in this episode: -The Secret Garden (Katherine Paterson) -One Crazy Summer (Janae Marks, Lisa Moore Romae, Paula Chase) -The One and Only Ivan (Roseanne Parry) Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time!

Recap: Best of 2020!

First published in 1945, "The Carrot Seed" is a beloved story about growing a carrot... but more than that, it’s about how far patience and perseverance can get you. In this episode, we're digging into the timeless classic, written by Ruth Krauss and illustrated by Crockett Johnson, and chatting about the book's simple, direct, yet evocative style that's resonated with readers for over 75 years. We'll also be joined by author and illustrator Tim Miller (Tiny Kitty, Big City) and illustrator Greg Pizzoli (Two Little Trains) for whom the book was a big influence. To learn more about The Carrot Seed, visit: bit.ly/2DMZuDy Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time!

The Carrot Seed (ft. Tim Miller & Greg Pizzoli)

Hailed by the New York Times as "witty and original," One Crazy Summer is a moving & funny story about three sisters looking for their mother in 1960s California. It's also a book that brings up issues that almost mirror current events today, tackling problems kids see around themselves. On this episode, we'll talk to acclaimed author Rita Williams-Garcia about what inspired her to write the Newbery Honor and National Book Award winning story - a contemporary classic that deals with everything from abandonment, to unfair policing, and the Black Panthers - why representation matters, and more. We'll also be joined by authors Janae Marks (From the Desk of Zoe Washington), Paula Chase (Turning Point), and Lisa Moore Ramée (Something to Say), three writers who read One Crazy Summer as adults, and had it stick with them. To learn more about One Crazy Summer, visit: bit.ly/2Yn09T0 Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time!

One Crazy Summer (ft. Rita Williams-Garcia, Janae Marks, Paula Chase & Lisa Moore Ramée)

Did you know The One and Only Ivan was based on a real-life gorilla? Ivan lived in a mall in Tacoma, Washington for many years before being transferred to Zoo Atlanta. On this episode, we'll talk to author, Katherine Applegate, on why the circumstances inspired her to write the Newberry Medal winning book that's a soon to be major motion picture. The first time John Schumacher, or Mr. Schu, read this book, it changed his life. Listen to his story and how he, as Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic, incorporates it into his classroom visits. We'll also talk with Rosanne Parry, the author of A Wolf Called Wander, about getting into the mindset of an animal—in her case, a wolf—and the special bond we have with nature. To learn more about The One and Only Ivan, visit: https://bit.ly/3cKC0KI Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time!

The One and Only Ivan (ft. Katherine Applegate, Mr. Schu, & Rosanne Parry)

There's no place like home in this cozy, quirky children's book series about a frog, a toad, and their special friendship, written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel. On the show, we catch up with Adrianne Lobel, Arnold's daughter, to learn more about her father and the inspiration behind this classic story. We'll also talk to his longtime editor, Susan Hirschman, as well as some famous illustrators who were inspired by Arnold's work. Pete Oswald, illustrator of The Angry Birds movie and The Food Group series, has fond memories of the books growing up, and now his children are loving Frog & Toad. Illustrator Sergio Ruzzier, illustrator of Roar Like a Dandelion, loves Arnold Lobel's work so much, he has an original drawing from the late author. To learn more about Frog and Toad, visit bit.ly/2WuOUr6 Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time!

Frog and Toad (ft. Adrianne Lobel, Susan Hirschman, Pete Oswald, & Sergio Ruzzier)

We may be former kids, but sometimes, it takes a little imagination to remind us what it was like to be a child. Find yourself a secret place as we discuss the unique power of imagination and The Secret Garden. On the show, we'll talk to Katherine Paterson about how The Secret Garden actually inspired her to write Bridge to Terabithia. We'll also talk to Sara Pennypacker, author of Pax and Here in the Real World, about her own secret places as a child. To learn more about The Secret Garden, visit https://bit.ly/3eGBuiZ Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time!

The Secret Garden (ft. Katherine Paterson & Sara Pennypacker)

Whether she's actually "drawing" curtains with marker or literally "dressing" a chicken in clothes, Amelia Bedelia is silly and yet... so very practical. She's a maid who's not so great at, well, being a maid, and we love her for it. On this episode, we talk to Meg Cabot, author of The Princess Diaries, who says the humor in Amelia Bedelia is special and something we need more of in our children's books today. We'll also speak with Herman Parish, Peggy Parish's nephew, who took over writing the Amelia Bedelia series when Peggy died. He tells us about the real "Amelia Bedelia" and his experience with the iconic children's book character. To learn more about Amelia Bedelia, visit http://bit.ly/33xW7Zt Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time!

Amelia Bedelia (ft. Meg Cabot & Herman Parish)

We’re sitting in on the trial of Steve Harmon, the protagonist of Walter Dean Myers’ groundbreaking novel Monster. Though first published in 1999, Monster remains as topical and unsettling now as ever before. Join us as we talk with two people whose lives were changed by Myers’ work—his long-time editor, Phoebe Yeh, and bestselling YA author Tiffany D. Jackson—and work through the questions that made Monster shine. What makes a monster? Who decides? And what happens to kids trapped in a system that labels them as irredeemable? We also talk about Myers' influence on the We Need Diverse Books movement in the children's literature. **DISCLAIMER: This episode explores tough topics relating to the juvenile justice system experience that parents and teachers may want to review before sharing with children.** To learn more about Monster, visit http://bit.ly/2UHy7Ro The Monster audiobook featured on this episode is brought to you by Listening Library, an imprint of Penguin Random House: http://bit.ly/2uuwoEp Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time!

Monster (ft. Tiffany Jackson & Phoebe Yeh)

A family podcast about classic children’s books a…

hubhopper

Remember Reading Podcast

hubhopper