https://pullerwrites.wordpress.com/

In this episode of The Book Faire Podcast, host Anthony sits down with playwright and author J.S. Puller to discuss her deeply moving middle-grade novel, The Lost Things Club. We dive into the inspiration behind the book, which follows a young girl helping her cousin heal and find his voice after surviving the trauma of a school shooting.

Puller shares her unique background in arts education and explains how she navigates sensitive topics in children’s literature without overwhelming young readers. Teachers, school counselors, and parents will find valuable insights into using storytelling and creative play as social-emotional learning (SEL) tools in the elementary and middle school classroom.

Takeaways

• Handling sensitive topics in children's literature
• The impact of the pandemic on book releases and marketing

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Interview with J.S. Puller
• 07:04 Overview of The Lost Things Club
• 13:36 Impact of Pandemic on Book Releases

In this episode of The Book Faire Podcast, host Anthony breaks down the high-stakes legal battles shaping school libraries across the country. We dive deep into the recent crisis in Tennessee, where Knox County Schools banned Alex Haley’s masterpiece Roots under the state's 2022 Age-Appropriate Materials Act—and how community pushback successfully stopped this attempt to whitewash American history, restoring the book to shelves for now.

We also analyze the ongoing fallout from Utah’s sensitive materials law, as the state officially marks its 35th book banned from all public schools. Finally, we look at new research analyzing book censorship and the evolving, heavily pressured role of school librarians in defending intellectual freedom. Teachers, librarians, and parents will find this episode essential for understanding how state laws are being weaponized to restrict diverse stories and what advocates can do to protect the freedom to read in the elementary and middle school classroom.

New Releases:

• Current Gone! Stars Shine Brighter in a Blackout by Neesa Bally, illus. by Geeta Ladi (Ages 4-8)
• The Cat Prophecies: Claw Quest by Nik Korpon and Jorge Enrique Paz (Ages 8-12)
• Blue Beach by Karyn Parsons (Ages 12+)
• You, Me, and Infinity by Deb Caletti (Ages 14+)

* Debut author

Takeaways

• Book censorship has a detrimental effect on librarians' well-being and job satisfaction.
• Communities' pushback can result in the reversal of book bans.

https://maggiemadethis.com/

In this episode, we connect with bestselling kidlit author-illustrator Maggie Edkins Willis to explore the creative heart behind her beloved Little Ghost children's book series. Maggie shares how she crafts stories that engage young readers, the power of community in the illustration world, and how she navigates important, serious themes in children's literature without losing a sense of wonder. For educators and librarians looking to add meaningful picture books and middle-grade graphic novels to their shelves, Maggie offers a fascinating look at her journey from publishing book designer to creator. Tune in to hear her heartwarming reflection on why she hopes her books serve as true friends to children everywhere.

Takeaways

• Social media as a platform for networking and discovering new opportunities
• Creating relatable characters for young readers

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Little Ghost Series
• 06:14 Developing Little Ghost as a Character
• 13:39 Challenges of Writing Picture Books
• 20:17 Final Words from Maggie Edkins Willis