The Reader’s Heart Podcast

The Reader's Heart | Guest: Katherine Marsh

In this conversation, Jennifer LaGarde and Katherine Marsh discuss the power of children's literature and the influence it has on shaping readers' hearts. They explore Katherine's own reader's heart and how it informs her writing. They also delve into the themes and characters of Katherine's book, Medusa, and the importance of representation and empathy in literature. They discuss the challenges of getting kids to read and the need for books that cater to different reading levels and interests. Finally, they touch on Katherine's upcoming projects and the role of books in mother-daughter relationships.
Show notes, including a discount code for purchasing the books mentioned in this episode from Bookelicious, can be found here. 
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background
 
01:12 Katherine's Reader's Heart
 
05:02 The Importance of Middle Grade Literature
 
06:25 Representation and Empathy in Books
 
09:10 Book Talk: Medusa
 
16:10 The Characters of Medusa
 
21:32 Ava's Character Development
 
23:51 Mother-Daughter Relationships in Medusa
 
24:12 Medusa as a Read-Aloud
 
28:26 Writing for Different Reading Levels
 
29:22 Motivating Kids to Read
 
33:01 Upcoming Projects
 
36:06 Conclusion
 

The Reader's Heart | Guest: Elly Swartz

In this conversation, Jennifer chats with Elly Swartz discuss the power of children's literature to shape hearts and minds. They explore the importance of books in helping readers navigate life's emotions and connect with themselves and others. They also discuss the influence of social media on storytelling and the inclusion of themes like forgiveness in Swartz's books. Swartz shares her love for writing middle-grade books and the joy of connecting with young readers. They also touch on Swartz's upcoming book, Same Page, which tackles the themes of book banning, friendship, and finding common ground.
Show notes, including a discount code for purchasing the books mentioned in this episode from Bookelicious, can be found here. 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Shared Love for Children's Literature09:00 The Influence of Social Media on Storytelling13:13 The Power of Forgiveness in Swartz's Books25:00 Exploring Book Banning and Friendship in 'Same Page'

The Reader's Heart | Guest: The Pumphrey Brothers

In this conversation, Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey chat with Jennifer about story as an engine for empathy and ceativity. They discuss their reader's hearts and how childhood reading experiences shaped their love for storytelling. They also talk about their book, The Last Stand, with Antwan Eady and the process of illustrating it. The conversation concludes with a discussion of their upcoming projects and congratulations on their recent accolades.
Show notes, including a discount code for purchasing the books mentioned in this episode from Bookelicious, can be found here. 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Reader's Heart09:07 Childhood Reading Experiences12:08 The Last Stand and Charlotte's Web26:09 Upcoming Projects29:16 Congratulations and Closing

The Reader's Heart | Guest: Ann Braden

In this conversation, Jennifer chats with Ann Braden, an author who writes books that empower kids to find their voice and make a difference in the world. Ann shares her journey as a reader and writer, highlighting the books that had a profound impact on her life. She discusses the importance of recognizing our own voice and the power it holds. Ann also explores the themes in her books, such as facing tough topics and finding hope in difficult times. The conversation emphasizes the need for connection and belief in oneself and others.
For more information about this episode, including detailed show notes and a discount code from Bookelicious, visit: librarygirl.net 
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction 00:54 Anne's Reader's Heart03:07 Discovering a Love for History04:32 Finding the Confidence to Write05:30 Using Voice to Change the World07:19 Writing Books for Kids to Find Their Voice10:26 Facing Bullying and Overcoming Challenges13:06 Book Talk: Opinions and Opossums 14:46 The Impact of Anne's Books on Readers16:47 The Importance of Art in Understanding Our Times19:35 The Need for Connection and Belief25:01 Finding Joy in the Darkness28:28 The Darkness Turned Inside Out29:27 Conclusion and Gratitude

The Reader's Heart | Guest: Erin Bow

Jennifer chats with author Erin Bow who shares a bit about her journey as a reader and writer, from her childhood love of books to her success as an author. She emphasizes the importance of reading widely and falling in love with reading as a child. Erin also shares her passion for trashy page-turning storytelling and the influence it has on her writing. But most of their conversation focuses on the role of children's literature in helping us to understand and navigate trauma. Erin discusses the inspiration behind Simon Sort of Says and why it was important to her that Simon's story be funny. 
Show notes and other information related to this episode (including a discount code from Bookelicious) can be found here.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Reader's Heart
04:21 Childhood Reading and Influences
06:06 Trashy Page-Turning Storytelling
10:05 Expanding Genre and Writing Goals
11:57 Pseudonyms and Success
13:54 The Journey to Success
20:55 The Variety of Erin Bow's Books
26:09 Discussion of Simon Sort of Says
36:00 Upcoming Work and the Importance of Stories

The Readers Heart | Guest: Jasmine Warga

In this episode, Jasmine Warga chats with Jennifer about the power of read alouds, using stories as conversation starters, and the importance of representation in literature. Jasmine shares her personal journey as a reader and writer, and how books helped her feel less alone. They also talk about Jasmine's latest book, A Rover's Story and her upcoming mystery novel set in an art museum: A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall. The conversation highlights the impact of books on readers' hearts and the need for diverse and engaging stories for middle grade readers.
Show notes and other information related to this episode (including a discount code from Bookelicious) can be found here.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Reader's Heart
03:30 The Power of Read Alouds
06:36 Books as Conversation Starters
08:30 Using Stories to Bridge Chasms
09:23 Writing for Middle Grade Readers
14:34 Book Talk: Rover, A Rover Story
25:34 Writing Mysteries for Middle Grade Readers
29:51 Upcoming Projects
33:08 Conclusion

The Reader's Heart | Guest: Torrey Maldonado

In this episode, Torrey Maldonado chats with Jennifer about children's literature, his work and the magic of teaching middle school! They discuss the power of children's literature and how it can shape readers' hearts and help them navigate the world. Torrey shares his own experience as a reader and how he found storytelling through cinema and comics. He also talks about his teaching background and how he writes books for the students he teaches. Torrey's books are known for being short yet rich and robust, challenging the myth that shorter books lack depth. They discuss the impact of Torrey's books on students and how they inspire and engage reluctant readers. The conversation also touches on the importance of representation in books and the need for young readers to see themselves as both characters and creators in the stories they read. In this conversation, Torrey shares the impact his mother had on his love for reading and writing, and how she continues to inspire him. He reflects on his first reading and the emotional moment when his mother realized he was living her dream. Torrey shares his upcoming projects and the themes of his future books. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the power of empathy and the importance of connecting and understanding one another through literature.
 
Show notes and other information related to this episode (including a discount code from Bookelicious) can be found here.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:01 The Power of Children's Literature
07:31 Middle School Students at a Crossroads
09:51 The Impact of Torrey's Books on Students
13:07 The Attainable Richness of Torrey's Books
16:06 Recognition and Validation
21:42 Representation and Seeing Yourself in Books
22:39 Representation in Books
27:29 Torrey's First Reading
30:17 The Legacy of Torrey's Mother
32:53 What's Next for Torrey Maldonado
34:17 Review of 'Relit'
45:00 The Power of Empathy

The Reader's Heart | Guest: Mike Curato

Mike Curato joins Jennifer to discuss the power of children's literature to shape our hearts and navigate the world with compassion. They explore their own experiences as readers and artists, emphasizing the importance of personal storytelling and self-expression. They also discuss the impact of social media on creativity and self-perception. Mike shares his approach to school visits, focusing on his personal journey and the challenges he faced. Mike discusses his book Flamer'and the importance of creating stories that address issues faced by marginalized communities. He also shares his upcoming projects, including an adult graphic novel and a middle-grade graphic novel.
Show notes and other information related to this episode (including a discount code from Bookelicious) can be found here.
Chapters
00:00 The Power of Children's Literature10:58 The Impact of Social Media36:57 Upcoming Projects

The Reader's Heart | Guest: Ami Polonsky

In this episode, Ami Polonsky joins Jennifer to discuss the power of storytelling and the importance of accessible reading. They explore how being a teacher influences Ami's storytelling and how her books empower young readers to make a difference. They also discuss the relevance of stories like World Made of Glass in today's world and the need for diverse voices in literature. Ami shares her upcoming project, a companion book to World Made of Glass, and reflects on the challenges and importance of writing hopeful stories in difficult times. 
 
Show notes and other information related to this episode (including a discount code from Bookelicious) can be found here.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Reader Identity
03:00 The Importance of Accessible Reading
08:00 The Influence of Teaching on Storytelling
13:00 World Made of Glass and the Power of Stories
19:00 Writing for Change and Empowering Kids
25:00 The Need for Stories in Challenging Times
29:00 Upcoming Projects and the Importance of Hope
35:44 The Journey of Writing a Book
36:14 The Power of Books
36:38 Upcoming Book Release
37:05 Enjoyable Conversation

The Reader's Heart | Guest: Chrystal D Giles

In this episode, Chrystal D Giles joins Jennifer LaGarde to discuss the power of children's literature to shape readers' hearts and provide guidance in navigating the world. Chrystal shares her experiences as a young reader and how she now gravitates towards contemporary realistic fiction that tackles social and cultural topics. They also discuss Chrystal's book, Not An Easy Win, which follows the journey of a 12-year-old boy named Lawrence as he learns to play chess and navigates complex emotions and family dynamics. The conversation highlights the importance of representation and the impact of books in helping children understand and process their own experiences. They also explore the role of technology and the value of finding healthy alternatives, as well as the significance of strong grandparent characters in children's literature. Chrystal shares her upcoming projects and the joy she finds in school visits and connecting with young readers.
Show notes and other information related to this episode (including a discount code from Bookelicious) can be found here.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Reader's Heart
03:02 Not An Easy Win
06:02 Representation and Shame
09:31 Technology and Healthy Alternatives
13:18 Grandma's Role
21:00 Future Projects
25:10 School Visits and Impact
27:31 Conclusion