Explore every episode of the podcast The Reading Culture
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tender Heart: Kate DiCamillo on Awe and Grief | 15 Oct 2025 | 00:31:20 | |
“This is what awe always does: it’s the zoom out. All of a sudden, you can see how tiny and insignificant you are, and you plug into that bigger thing” - Kate DiCamillo When was the last time you were so captivated by the beauty of the world around you that it stopped you in your tracks? Kate DiCamillo intentionally has those moments daily. In a world that can feel dark and hopeless, she maintains a sense of awe. It’s the force that helps her move through both joy and loss. It’s what allows her to keep noticing the miraculous in the ordinary. One of the most beloved voices in children’s literature, Kate is a two-time Newbery medal winner and author of more than 25 books—from Because of Winn-Dixie to The Tale of Despereaux to The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.
Settle in for an honest, hard, and still uplifting conversation with one of the most cherished voices of a generation. *** https://www.thereadingculturepod.com/kate-dicamillo-second-chapter This week's Beanstack Featured librarian is Chelsea Pisani, a rockstar children's librarian at Maple Valley Branch Library in Akron, Ohio. She returns to share her secret sauce for igniting a love of reading in all kids. Show Chapters Chapter 2: The Hem of the Garment Chapter 3: Charlotte’s Web Chapter 4: Ramona the Great Chapter 5: Then and Now Chapter 6: Beanstack Featured Librarian
Host and Production Credits Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| I Love You, Man: Jason Reynolds on Masculinity | 01 Oct 2025 | 00:38:46 | |
"I don’t want to be whatever version of masculinity y’all keep telling me I have to be. Why are all the benchmarks violent and aggressive? I don’t wanna do it. I’m not interested” — Jason Reynolds
Jason Reynolds is a national treasure. A Newbery Medal winner, a National Book Award finalist, a MacArthur Genius Grant recipient, and a two-time National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, he is the beloved author of “Ghost,” “Long Way Down,” “Look Both Ways,” “Twenty-four Seconds From Now,” and so many more. Jason brings expansiveness to his books, illuminating the gentleness, humor, and vulnerability too often left out of stories of boyhood.
*** For his reading challenge, Challenging Conventions, Jason has curated a collection of books that push back against the narrow definitions of boyhood and girlhood many of us have come to live by. Peruse selected titles and Jason’s full reading challenge for free at thereadingculturepod.com/jason-reynolds. ***
Chapter 1: Aaron Chapter 2: It’s OK to Say I Love You Chapter 3: It’s Complicated Chapter 4: Growing Pains Chapter 5: Girl Chapter 6: Cultivating What Matters Chapter 7: Reading Challenge Chapter 8: Beanstack Featured Librarian
Host and Production Credits Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Under My Thumb: Brian Selznick on Control | 17 Sep 2025 | 00:43:44 | |
“When you're a kid, you have so little control over things. To be the big entity controlling the smaller entity, whether it's dolls or [toy] soldiers or whatever it is, they do what you tell them to do. They become the story you are making.” — Brian Selznick We all want to feel in control, mold our lives and experiences, and shape the world into something we can hold. But control is slippery; one moment, it can steady us, the next, it slips away. Brian Selznick—#1 New York Times bestselling author, illustrator, and Caldecott Medal winner—has spent his career playing with this tension. From "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" to "Wonderstruck" and, most recently, "Run Away With Me," Brian believes that it's his job as the author to control the reader's experience, forcing page turns and placing illustrations in a particular order, all while acknowledging that control is ceded to the reader once a book is in their hands. In this episode, Under My Thumb: Brian Selznick on Control, Brian reflects on his lifelong pull toward control in life and art—what drives it, how it shapes his work, and when the need to let go becomes inevitable. He shares his fascination with all things miniature and opens up with unflinching honesty about his complicated relationship with his father, spanning life and loss. He also reveals a formative influence you might not expect, and a most extraordinary afternoon with Ray Bradbury. Settle in for a fascinating, moving episode with one of the great creators of our time. *** For his reading challenge, Brian has curated two lists: one exploring queerness in literature over time and the other celebrating the power of the page turn. The latter is about his commitment to books, experimenting with form, and the balance of control between writer and reader. Peruse selected titles and Brian's complete reading challenge for free at thereadingculturepod.com/brian-selznick This week's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Chelsea Pisani, a rockstar children's librarian at Maple Valley Branch Library in Akron, Ohio. She shares the story of how one student, also with a keen ability to take control, is spreading his passion for reading among his peers by setting up his own book club. Show Chapters Chapter 2: Size Matters Chapter 3: It's All Under Control Chapter 4: Merwin and Louise Chapter 5: The Martian Chronicles Chapter 6: A Most Extraordinary Afternoon Chapter 7: Reading Challenge Chapter 8: Beanstack Featured Librarian
Host and Production Credits Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| The Unchosen Ones: Victoria Aveyard on Fairness in Fantasy | 03 Sep 2025 | 00:31:10 | |
”Why are some people treated differently? Why are some people chosen ones for no particular reason? And why do some people get to have that extra shine?” — Victoria Aveyard Unfairness is a pervasive theme in a lot of fantasy fiction. With battles between good and evil dominating title after title, these tales appear to have a tight grasp on fairness and justice. But for Victoria Aveyard, the world of fantasy frequently falls short on these promises. Even in some of her favorite works, the light may ultimately overcome the darkness, but not every character is given a fair chance to shine. Victoria Aveyard is the number one New York Times bestselling author of The Red Queen series and the Realm Breaker series. In her work, she creates epic fantasy landscapes where women loom large and conventions around chosen characters are challenged. In this episode, Victoria opens up about why her sense of fairness took shape early, shares which undersized movie character is her icon, and reflects on why there’s no escaping politics in literature. Settle in for a fast-paced episode filled with humor and a variety of Victoria’s hot takes. *** For her reading challenge, Chosen/Unchosen, Victoria encourages readers to question the trope of “the chosen one.” She asks us to challenge why some are handed the quest, the crown, or the magic…and what happens to everyone else. Peruse selected titles and Victoria’s complete reading challenge for free at thereadingculturepod.com/victoria-aveyard *** This week's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Camille Perez, a former media specialist at the elementary and high school levels in Osceola County, Florida, and now a Beanstack team member. Today, Camille shares her hot takes on the modern school library and why shush culture should be a thing of the past.
Chapter 1: Rotten With the Need for Justice Chapter 2: Hell Yeah, There’s My Personality Chapter 3: The Invisible Women Chapter 4: Six of Crows Chapter 5: Everything is Political Chapter 6: Whipped Cream Shire Chapter 7: Reading Challenge Chapter 8: Beanstack Featured Librarian Links
Host and Production Credits Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Unintentional Monsters: Tiffany D. Jackson on Real Horrors and Core Memories | 20 Aug 2025 | 00:34:22 | |
“Whenever I think of people who have gone through something, I'm always like, but they were human before this. Before they were monsters, they were human. Before they were zombies, they were human.” — Tiffany D. Jackson
Tiffany D. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Allegedly, The Weight of Blood, Blood in the Water, and many more. She received of the Margaret E. Edwards Award, honoring her significant and lasting contribution to teen literature. She blends real-world horrors with the sharp tension of a thriller, always keeping our emotions and nerves on edge! In this episode, Tiffany shares how her own encounters with “unintentional monsters” have shaped her writing. She opens up about how growing up between Brooklyn and Westchester sharpened her view of the world and the people in it. Tiffany also talks about finding her voice in film school, why stories like Monday’s Not Coming are drawn from real-life cases, and how fiction is her way of building empathy where the headlines fall short. Buckle up for a gripping episode from Tiffany’s very first anecdote about a childhood horror. *** Tiffany’s reading challenge celebrates African-American horrors and thrillers, genres she’s been questioned for writing. Peruse selected titles and Tiffany’s full reading challenge for free at thereadingculturepod.com/tiffany-d-jackson This week's Beanstack Featured Librarian is once again Kelly Shelton, an elementary librarian for Garland ISD in Garland, Texas. She shares how building a strong reading culture goes beyond the library—into the hallways, the bus line, and even your students' plays! Show Chapters Chapter 1: Unintentional Monsters Chapter 2: Take Me Back to Brooklyn Chapter 3: What Happened to You? Chapter 4: A Safe Harbor Chapter 5: Their Eyes Were Watching God Chapter 6: Core Memories Chapter 7: Reading Challenge Chapter 8: Beanstack Featured Librarian
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Becky, Obviously: Becky Albertalli on Bullies, Bodies and Breaking Through | 06 Aug 2025 | 00:31:52 | |
“There were kind of always like two simultaneous stories happening with my coming out. One was the realization and breaking through some of that denial and repression, seeing kind of what was right there in front of me, and I gave that story to Imogen.” – Becky Albertalli
Becky is the bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Leah on the Offbeat, Imogen, Obviously, and many more. Her books capture the awkward, earnest, messy work of figuring out who you are–and remind us that coming out, growing up, and becoming yourself rarely happen all at once. In this episode, Becky opens up about growing up and fitting (or not fitting) in a conservative suburb, finding refuge in theater, and The Babysitters Club. She also reflects on how writing helped her work through parts of herself she hadn’t yet named, discusses why queer-coming-of-age stories still matter, and reminds us of the power of Rent. *** For her reading challenge, Queer Coming of Age Stories, Becky has curated a list packed with queer stories, identity shifts, big feelings, and characters trying to make sense of themselves, one awkward moment at a time.
This week's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Kelly Shelton, an elementary librarian for Garland ISD in Garland, Texas. She’s been an educator for 26 years, and in the library for nearly a decade. She shares how unlocking a love of reading can start with dinosaurs, Dog Man, or a well-timed Taylor Swift Break.
Chapter 1: Georgia Peach Chapter 2: I Hate School, But I’m Very Good At It Chapter 3: Proud Member of the Babysitter’s Club Chapter 4: The Year of Secret Assignments Chapter 5: Hindsight 20/20 Chapter 6: Best Friends Forever Chapter 7: Reading Challenge Chapter 8: Beanstack Featured Librarian
Host and Production Credits Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| *ICYMI* Cool To Be You: Kwame Alexander On Authenticity | 23 Jul 2025 | 00:37:42 | |
This week, we revisit our episode with Kwame Alexander while we take a quick summer break!
Summer Reading Giveaway To enter, just like and comment on our summer reading giveaway post on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter at the reading culture pod.com/newsletter. Better yet, if you tag a friend, you can win together.
"I'm just being real. I'm telling my story. I think Nikki Giovanni calls it dancing naked on the floor. I am unafraid and I'm doing my dance… I don't feel like I can go wrong if I'm just being me.” - Kwame Alexander Exciting reluctant middle school kids about reading (or really, anything) can be a battle. Getting them to think reading is cool is another. Kwame Alexander excels at both. His ability to authentically relate to his readers is a skill around which he has built his career. Kwame is beloved by parents, educators, and students, for his ability to ignite a love of reading (especially middle school boys) through poetry and characters who reflect their real experiences. But his impact extends beyond just an introduction to books; he also opens the door for readers to explore their own emotional depths. As he tells us, “I think part of my job is just to show a different side of masculinity.” Kwame is best known for "The Crossover," "The Undefeated," "The Door of No Return," and numerous other novels and poetry collections. He also recently authored his memoir "Why Fathers Cry at Night." He won the Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Book Award among many other awards, and this year, "The Crossover" was adapted into a Disney+ original TV series. In this episode, he tells us about his own upbringing surrounded by Black storytelling and literature, reveals his secret to making middle-schoolers think he’s “cool”, and shares about a letter he received (which was “not fan mail”) that inspired a surprise visit to an unsuspecting kid. *** Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. *** This episode’s Beanstack Featured Librarian is Kirsten, the programming specialist for the Indianapolis Public Library. She shares some moving stories about a book club she runs for teens at a residential treatment facility.
Chapter 1: Glasses first Chapter 2: Mom’s stories, dad’s garage Chapter 3: Love After Love Chapter 4: The “Reluctant” Readers Chapter 5: Kwame Shows Up Chapter 6: America’s Next Great Authors Chapter 7: Blackout Chapter 8: Beanstack Featured Librarian Chapter 9: Hidden Track
Host and Production Credits Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Our Job is to Live: Jasmine Warga on Belonging and Radical Hope | 09 Jul 2025 | 00:38:32 | |
"We all need to have radical hope. I have my really hopeless days too, but… it’s such a privilege to get to live and to survive. Our job is to live, and I think that’s a really amazing thing.” - Jasmine Warga
Jasmine Warga is a Newbery Honor winner and New York Times bestselling author of Other Words for Home, The Shape of Thunder, A Rover’s Story, and more. Her work explores identity, belonging, and how being different can be what unites us. In this episode, Our Job is to Live: Jasmine Warga on Belonging and Radical Hope, Jasmine shares what it was like growing up as a mixed kid and daughter of an immigrant in Ohio, her lightbulb moment while teaching sixth grade, and how Animorphs, surrealist art and a dash of Virginia Woolf shaped not only her voice as a writer, but also her commitment to living joyfully, and spreading joy to others. ***
Peruse selected titles and Jasmine’s full reading challenge for free at thereadingculturepod.com/jasmine-warga
Show Chapters Chapter 2: The Other Side of Home Chapter 3: So Many Questions Chapter 4: The Hours Chapter 5: I Am The Mars Rover Chapter 6: No One’s Gonna Read This Book Chapter 7: Radical Hope Chapter 8: Reading Challenge Chapter 9: Beanstack Featured Librarian
Host and Production Credits | |||
| Slow Reveal: Gayle Forman on Friends, Flaws, and Finding Immortality | 25 Jun 2025 | 00:36:36 | |
“Those moments of connection when you can have them with people who seem so different from you on the outside, I really do think that it braids a level of connectiveness and empathy, and it is much harder to harden your heart.” — Gayle Forman What does it mean to rise to the occasion, not once, but over and over again? Sometimes it means reckoning with grief. Other times it means stumbling forward, messing up, and trying again. And sometimes it means simply showing up, imperfect, but still trying to be better. Gayle Forman is the bestselling author of If I Stay, Frankie & Bug, Not Nothing, Afterlife and more. Whether it’s Mia in If I Stay, Alex in Not Nothing, or Amber in Afterlife, her characters often walk a jagged path toward healing, falling short, trying again, and inching closer to the people they hope to become. In this episode, Gayle talks about growing up as a self-described “odd duck,” the Ramona books that shaped her childhood and parenting, and the formative years she spent traveling solo. She opens up about why she is so drawn to flawed characters and how fiction became a way to survive grief and stay connected to the people she has lost. *** For her reading challenge, Flawed, Gayle is going to bat for the prickly, messy, not-here-to-be-liked protagonists. She points out that kids are used to reading about heroes, but it can be just as powerful, maybe even more so, to read about characters who fall short and grow anyway. Peruse selected titles and Gayle’s full reading challenge for free at thereadingculturepod.com/gayle-forman. This week’s Beanstack Featured Librarian is Lori Shallio, media specialist at Heritage Intermediate School in Middlebury, Indiana. She shares how a Hot Ones-style challenge involving her principal and spicy nuggets helped students smash their community reading goal. Show Chapters Chapter 1: What We Carry Chapter 2: Odd Ducks Chapter 3: Top School, Bottom Marks Chapter 4: Beezus and Ramona Chapter 5: University of Life Chapter 6: What We Share Chapter 7: Mind the Gap Chapter 8: Embrace It Chapter 9: Rise to the Occasion Chapter 10: Reading Challenge Chapter 11: Beanstack Featured Librarian Links
Host and Production Credits | |||
| Stories Left Untold: Ibi Zoboi on Secrets Lost and Found | 11 Jun 2025 | 00:41:20 | |
“As my own mother is aging, she's telling me … before I take this to my grave, here is something you should know. So the secrets are coming out. And as more and more secrets are revealed, I'm learning more about myself.” - Ibi Zoboi Ibi Zoboi writes to remember—her own story, her family’s legacy, and the long history of migration, myth, and memory that shaped them both. For Ibi, storytelling is a form of resistance and reclamation. It’s how she makes sense of the secrets that shaped her life and gives voice to those left out of the narrative. A National Book Award finalist and the bestselling author of American Street, Pride, Star Child, and (S)Kin, Ibi’s work blurs the line between folklore and futurism. In this episode, Stories Left Untold: Ibi Zoboi on Secrets Lost and Found, she opens up about growing up Haitian in 1980s Brooklyn, discovering a half-sister decades later, and finding her way to writing through soap operas, Stephen King, and the voices of women who came before her. She also shares how a Vodou ceremony in Brooklyn changed her relationship to her culture, why she always sought out elders and activists, and how she’s still learning to push back against the pressure to fit a mold—on the page and off. Ibi’s reading challenge, Haitian Creations, celebrates stories of migration and identity from first-generation and immigrant voices—stories that, like hers, speak to the truths we inherit and the ones we uncover for ourselves. Download Ibi’s reading challenge at thereadingculturepod.com/ibi-zoboi And this week’s Beanstack Featured Librarian is once again William Shaller, the librarian at Hoffman Middle School in Houston, Texas. This time, he shares how a surprise resurgence of Twilight led to an unforgettable moment of joy and connection in his school library.
Chapter 1: Under The Table Chapter 2: Danny Boy Chapter 3: Two Thousand Suns Chapter 4: Brooklyn Vodou Chapter 5: Ghosted Chapter 6: Reading Challenge Chapter 7: Beanstack Featured Librarian
Host and Production Credits Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Touched for the Very First Time: Soman Chainani on Books That Turn Scrollers into Readers | 28 May 2025 | 00:39:21 | |
“I tell kids that books are not there to torment you. The author has to get you in the first ten pages. If they do not, they fail, because a book is like a lawnmower—you pull it, and either it starts or it doesn't start.” –Soman Chainai
Tune in for a fast-paced episode that includes Madonna, hot takes, and tips for breaking (all) the rules.
Soman’s reading challenge, Immersive, is all about getting lost in a story. The books he curated blur the line between fiction and reality, pulling the reader in so completely you forget the world around you. Learn more and download Soman’s recommended reading list at threadingculturepod.com/soman-chainani ***
Chapter 1 - Florida Man Chapter 2 - Well, That Escalated Quickly Chapter 3 - The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapter 4 - The Rules Are Made Up Chapter 5 - Main Character Energy Chapter 6 - Use Your Imagination Chapter 7 - Express Yourself Chapter 8 - Reading Challenge Chapter 9 - Beanstack Featured Librarian Links
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Mixtape: Mychal Threets Lays Out His Life in Books | 13 May 2025 | 00:25:49 | |
"I think all of us had the experience after reading the book of looking in maybe our grandparents' wardrobe, our parents' wardrobe, and like knocking on the back of the wardrobe and being like, maybe this is my time. Maybe they're gonna call me in here." — Mychal Threets For this week’s episode, we are testing out a slightly different format, something we have named a “Mixtape” episode. Rather than making the reading challenge the last bit of an author’s show, we have made the reading challenge the show itself. We could not be more excited to welcome the biggest spot of joy on the web, Mychal Threets, to the podcast. In this episode, we learn about Mychal’s playlist, the books that shaped him, and when he was a young library kid. As someone who grew up in the stacks and eventually made his calling his career, Mychal walks us through the books that sparked what he calls his "book joy." As it happens, Jordan will be doing a full interview with Mychal during a live recording at the upcoming American Association of School Librarians meeting (AASL) in St. Louis this October. But who wants to wait for the joy that Mychal brings? Nobody! Content Note: This episode includes discussion of mental health and suicide, which come up in Mychal’s reading passage. If you’d prefer to skip this portion, it runs from [19:50-23:35].
We have set up Mychal’s mixtape “playlist” as a reading challenge that can be downloaded for free or activated on your Beanstack site. Learn more and download Mychal’s reading challenge at thereadingculturepod.com/mychal-threets Show Chapters Chapter 1 - Holes by Louis Sachar Chapter 2 - Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary Chapter 3 - Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson Chapter 4 - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis Chapter 5 - Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman Chapter 6 - The Giver by Lois Lowry Chapter 7 - Love Among the Walnuts by Jean Ferris Chapter 8 - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Chapter 9 - Letters to You by Jazz Thornton
Host and Production Credits Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Good Luck, They’re Yours: Sharon Draper on Giving Students Room to Read | 30 Apr 2025 | 00:28:48 | |
“And I think that’s what reading is… It’s a personal interpretation of the story, and it may not be the same as somebody else's. That’s the whole idea of a good teacher. There should be different interpretations, and sometimes a student will come up with something that I never thought of.” —Sharon M. Draper
Sharon knows the capacity of a book to transport and transform kids; she was the kid who maxed out her library card every Saturday at the Cleveland Public Library. She then became the teacher who read aloud to even the most skeptical students, and the writer whose bestselling novel "Out of My Mind," which was adapted into a film for Disney+ and remains requisite reading for many middle schoolers year after year. A two-time Coretta Scott King Award winner, Sharon is the author of "Stella by Starlight," "Blended," "Tears of a Tiger," and many, many more.
When we asked Sharon to come up with a reading challenge, she was reluctant to give us a list of must-reads. Maybe that’s not surprising, given her past frustrations with inflexible required reading lists. In true teacher fashion, she flipped the assignment and gave us a lesson plan. This week’s Beanstack featured Librarian is William Schaller, the middle school librarian at Hoffman Middle School in Houston, Texas, for the past seven years! William shares his secret sauce for getting kids excited about reading. Show Chapters Chapter 1 - The Reader Kid Chapter 2 - Spike Lemonade and Porch Stories Chapter 3 - Shut Up and Say You Like It Chapter 4 - We Never Say That in the Locker Room Chapter 5 - Student Teachers Chapter 6 - Reading Challenge Chapter 7 - Beanstack Featured Librarian Links
Host and Production Credits Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| We Contain Multitudes: Debbie Levy on the Dangers of Reductionist Thinking | 19 Mar 2025 | 00:46:29 | |
"It's very rare for a person to just be one thing. Most issues, most things that matter, are not so black and white." – Debbie Levy We all want to believe in heroes and villains, right and wrong, and clear-cut answers. But history and life are rarely that simple. Debbie Levy has spent her career exploring the gray areas, challenging readers to see multiple perspectives and embrace complexity. A former lawyer, journalist, and now award-winning children’s author, Debbie has written books like “I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark,” “The Year of Goodbyes,” and “A Dangerous Idea: The Scopes Trial, the Original Fight Over Science in Schools.” Her work invites readers to think critically, recognize misinformation, and understand that even those we disagree with are still human. In this episode, We Contain Multitudes: Debbie Levy on the Dangers of Reductionist Thinking, Debbie reflects on what rabbis and Supreme Court justices have in common, why she’s optimistic about students’ ability to deal with disinformation, and how books can help kids hold space for complexity. Plus, a book so sad it was sold with tissues in it, a surprising childhood obsession with Superman, and why her mom taught her that being too good wasn't always a good thing. We also have a special hidden track at the end of the show. Debbie reflected on our conversation and shared a special story about her dad’s unbelievable but real wartime experience that we saved for the very end. Tune in for an episode that will make you re-think your perspectives and let you settle into some delightful storytime moments! ***
Chapter 1: Marbles on the Sewer Top Chapter 2: Schoolyard Fist Fights Chapter 3: The Funny Guy Chapter 4: Tearjerker of the Month Chapter 5: Dissenting Opinions Welcome Chapter 6: It’s Complicated Chapter 7: The Art of Being Wrong Chapter 8: Reading Challenge Chapter 9: Beanstack Featured Librarian
Host and Production Credits Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Art Against the Machine: Aida Salazar on Writing for the Resistance | 05 Mar 2025 | 00:39:52 | |
“I lean on my community. I lean on the power of the pen. I lean on remembering who my ancestors are and what they endured, the colonization that they survived in the Americas, I think, ‘we've been here before, and the lineage from which I come is one that is powerful and resistant.’ I would be dishonoring that legacy and that lineage if I didn't step up in this moment.” — Aida Salazar Aida Salazar believes deeply in the power of words to change the world. For Aida, writing isn’t just a creative act; it’s a responsibility—an act of honoring her ancestors, healing personal wounds, and empowering her young readers.
Her stories like The Moon Within, Land of the Cranes, Jovita Wore Pants, and Ultraviolet center on identity, social justice, and healing, with a particular focus on the immigrant experience. As a poet, novelist, activist, and mother, Aida discusses how writing helped her process grief, how Latin American literature gave her the permission to dream, how growing up in a mixed-status household shaped her, and how motherhood steered her toward children’s literature.
For her reading challenge, Banned in Middle Grade, Aida curated a list of banned middle-grade books that reflect themes of identity, social justice, and the experiences of young readers navigating complex worlds. Aida is devoted to middle grade literature and wants to amplify the important stories that are so important for those readers. From Melissa by Alex Gino to Ghost Boys by Jewel Parker Rhodes, these titles spark essential conversations. Learn more and download Aida’s reading challenge below. Download Aida’s reading challenge at https://www.thereadingculturepod.com/aida-salazar.
This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Amy McMichael. She is the media specialist at Dutchman Creek Middle School in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and the lead librarian for all secondary schools in her district. She does it all! In this episode, she discusses her strategy for luring reluctant readers with an unconventional library setup. Show Chapters Chapter 1: Fart Poems Chapter 2: A Spark from Clark and a Parker Pen Chapter 3: Writing Through Grief Chapter 4: Beneath the Shadow of the Freeway Chapter 5: Writing Through Grief. Again. Chapter 6: The Three Pillars of Poetry Chapter 7: Reading Challenge Chapter 8: Beanstack Featured Librarian
Host and Production Credits
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| In the Heights: Jerry Craft Subverts Expectations | 19 Feb 2025 | 00:38:23 | |
“Their white classmates can read Harry Potter and relate to going to Hogwarts and flying on brooms. But a Black kid can't aspire to go to Paris, which can actually happen.” – Jerry Craft
Jerry Craft is a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, best known for “New Kid,” the first graphic novel to win the Newbery Medal. “New Kid,” along with the subsequent books in the three-part series—“Class Act” and “School Trip”—were groundbreaking for middle-grade literature, especially the power of graphic novels. While many of us may know and love Jerry’s more recent graphic novels, his road to those books was winding and unexpected. In this episode, Jerry tells us about the one teacher who finally found the secret to inspiring him, explains how being a Black comic strip creator was a lot like the movie Highlander, and ponders whether his dad’s night shifts might be the reason he still works best at 3 AM. Settle in for an episode filled with wry humor and the colorful stories of Jerry Craft’s journey to becoming a beloved author for students and teachers alike! ***
Learn more and download Jerry’s reading challenge at thereadingculturepod.com/jerry-craft *** This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Laurie Schalliol, media specialist at Heritage Intermediate School in Middlebury, Indiana. Laurie dishes about a spicy incentive that pushed her students’ reading to the next level.
Chapter 1 - Oh Snap Chapter 2 - Stay Humble Chapter 3 - Xylem Strips Chapter 4 - To One Person Chapter 5 - The Highlander Chapter 7 - Reading Challenge Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producers: Mel Webb, Jackie Lamport, and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Mel Webb, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Porch Stories: Jewell Parker Rhodes on Ghosts, History, and Staying Open to Love | 05 Feb 2025 | 00:48:26 | |
“For every child that thinks something is wrong with them, my books are saying, ‘be you, even if others can’t see you. The people who don’t see your beauty, see your glory–they have a problem. Something is wrong with their eyes, their soul.’” – Jewell Parker Rhodes Raised mainly by her grandmother on a steady diet of porch stories (and lots of bread), Jewell Parker Rhodes spent decades writing for adults, perfecting her craft in order to “be good enough” to write for kids. For Jewell, that has meant creating books that speak to a range of kids with different experiences and backgrounds (like her grandma used to refer to as a “mixed blood stew”) and to the educators and librarians supporting them. Jewell channels her inner Hamilton, as she notes, always writing like she is running out of time. And since she started writing for kids, she has indeed been prolific. Jewell is an award-winning author whose work spans adult and children's fiction. Her children’s books include her children’s debut, “Ninth Ward,” which won a Coretta Scott King Honor Award, “Bayou Magic,” “Towers Falling,” and “Ghost Boys,” a New York Times bestseller that continues to spark critical conversations about racial justice. And many, many more.
Settle in for an episode you don’t want to miss with the exceptionally colorful stories of Jewell Parker Rhodes! *** Jewell’s reading challenge, Comic Trips, celebrates timeless classics she adored as a child alongside today's graphic novels. It’s an opportunity to explore how the comic art form has grown and to challenge the misconception that graphic novels aren’t “real” books.
*** This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is once again Kat Gatcomb, previously a youth services supervisor at Nashua Public Library in New Hampshire and now in customer success at Beanstack! This week, she shared two key lessons she wished she had known earlier as a librarian.
Chapter 1 - Bread Freak (03:27) Chapter 2 - Spellbound (09:53) Chapter 3 - Prince(ss) Valiant (15:13) Chapter 4 - The People Could Fly (17:50) Chapter 5 - Simply Complex (25:10) Chapter 6 - Schoolbound (32:32) Chapter 7 - You Can’t Pierce My Soul (35:25) Chapter 8 - Gunnin’ for 120 (41:49) Chapter 9 - Comic Trips, Jewell's Reading Challenge (45:10)
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producers: Mel Webb, Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Mel Webb, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Scratching the Surface: Vashti Harrison on Going Past Skin Deep | 22 Jan 2025 | 00:38:50 | |
“Every time I read “Big” at a school, obviously I’m there to speak to kids about the story, and I hope they’re all connecting with it, but at every single reading there is always an adult woman that comes to me and says, this is my story, I needed this when I was young. And I just wish we all knew that we were all going through the same thing.” -Vashti Harrison Vashti Harrison burst onto the children’s book scene with her book, “Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History.” But to hear her tell it, Vashti still cannot believe that her entry point for kidlit was through nonfiction. Perhaps that is why she took such care and tenderness in creating her first fictional picture book, “Big.” In “Big,” we meet a young girl whose journey feels universally relatable, even if her story is uniquely hers. The book earned Vashti many accolades, including the Caldecott Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award. But its profound effect on her personally was also a great gift and illuminating force for Vashti. A New York Times bestselling author, illustrator, and filmmaker, Vashti’s words and artwork explore themes of identity, self-acceptance, and representation. In this episode, “Scratching the Surface: Vashti Harrison on Going Past Skin Deep,” Vashti reflects on how everyday magic and storytelling have shaped her life and work. She reflects on her childhood in "Only Lonely," Virginia, where she immersed herself in books and films and first thought of herself as a drawer. She also considers how she has navigated the complexities of beauty standards and body image over the years and shares the drawing contest she entered on a whim that led to a book deal in 24 hours!
Chapter 1 - Lonely Only Chapter 2 - Big Trouble in Little Vashti Chapter 3 - Picking The Wound Chapter 4 - The Secret Garden Chapter 5 - Missing Winnie Chapter 6 - Can You Be A Drawer? Chapter 7 - Returning Chapter 8 - Drawing In Little Readers Chapter 9 - Vashti’s Caldecott Speech Chapter 10 - Vashti’s BIG Reading Challenge Links
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producers: Mel Webb, Jackie Lamport, and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Mel Webb, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Indomitable: Yamile Saied Méndez on Puberty, Dictatorship, and Brave Women | 08 Jan 2025 | 00:44:11 | |
“Life is a wheel and humanity has been through countless cycles of ups and downs. The things that seem so dire now won't be this dire forever. Eventually, there is an upswing. I always needed that reminder, and it made me think that my young readers need that reminder as well.” - Yamile Saied Mendez With a storytelling style that radiates warmth and resilience, Yamile Saed Méndez’s work reflects the cycles of life’s challenges and triumphs. Born in Rosario, Argentina, in the midst and then long shadow of the Dictatorship years, she learned early on the power of hope and the enduring strength of the human spirit. From mastering a second language to embracing life in a new country, Yamile’s journey is one of transformation and connection to her roots. Yamile is a bestselling author whose work spans children’s, young adult, and adult fiction. Her novel “Furia”–a 2021 Pura Belpré winner and a Reese’s YA Book Club selection–earned her widespread recognition for its powerful storytelling and cultural resonance. Her other books include “Shaking Up the House,” “On These Magic Shores,” “The Beautiful Game,” “Where Are You From?” and “What the Moon Saw.” With accolades such as the Cybils Award and the Américas Award, Yamile has established herself as a beloved voice in contemporary literature. In this episode, Yamile reflects on the pivotal transitions that have shaped her life and work. She reflects on her experience as the eldest sister in a family facing constant scarcity of resources and on how her school life impacted her perspective on a young woman’s potential. Yamile shares how storytelling has grounded her through moments of turbulence and highlights how resilience has inspired the protagonists in her books. *** Yamile’s reading challenge, Indomitable Characters, celebrates protagonists who embody resilience and remind us all of the inevitable upswing in life’s wheel. Learn more and download Yamile’s recommended reading list at thereadingculturepod.com/yamile-saied-mendez *** This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is, once again, Billy Allen, the Branch Manager of Whitney Library in Las Vegas's Clarke County Library District, aka 3KingVisions, on YouTube. And most recently, he is featured on season 9 of Queer Eye. Billy tells us about a unique incentive that motivated the kids at his library to crush their summer reading goals. *** Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter.
Chapter 1 - Women of Argentina Chapter 2 - Gibberish Chapter 3 - The Angel’s Game Chapter 4 - Full Stops Chapter 5 - Indomitable Characters Chapter 6 - Beanstack Featured Librarian
Producers: Mel Webb Wilkinson, Jackie Lamport, and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Mel Webb Wilkinson, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| The Reading Culture: Yearbook 2024 | 23 Dec 2024 | 00:35:26 | |
It’s official. Two years in a row makes it a tradition. The Reading Culture Yearbook is here. It’s the year-end celebratory episode where we look back and highlight some of our favorite moments in the form of awarding superlatives. Or, as we dubbed them last year and seemingly forgot, “The Readies.” This year’s edition features awards such as “Best [Not] Meet Cute,” the “Owning It Award,” the “Merriam-Webster Award” (alternatively titled “Most Likely to Know More Words than Merriam-Webster”), and “The Teen Whisperer Award." And just like last year, we promise to make you laugh and potentially cry depending on how quickly you reach for the tissues. *** Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. Show Chapters Chapter 1 - Best Alter Ego Chapter 2 - The Teen Whisperer Award Chapter 3 - Full Circle Moment Chapter 4 - Best [Not] Meet Cute Chapter 5 - Citizen of the World Award Chapter 6 - Odd Couple Award Chapter 7 - The All-In Award Chapter 8 - Most Moving Dream Chapter 9 - Best Life Lesson From Literature Chapter 10 - Owning It Award Chapter 11 - Most Likely to Rewrite the Stars Chapter 12 - Merriam-Webster Award Chapter 13 - Best Dinner Party Game
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| We Are Always Rising: Andrea Davis Pinkney Spreads Stories and Hope | 10 Dec 2024 | 00:42:22 | |
“I am saying: reader, we're going on a journey. You are going to come with me and then I'm pulling them gently into the narrative. And then again, if I'm doing my job, I'm holding them like a hug.” - Andrea Davis Pinkney Andrea Davis Pinkney stands tall at just 4’11”, but she is still somehow larger than life. In her writing, she has what she refers to as “the page one pact,” a commitment to getting her readers’ attention right away. As an interviewee, she does the same. Andrea’s passion, commitment to adding to the canon of Black kid lit, and desire to inspire all kids to love reading come through from the moment she begins to talk. Drawing deeply from the writing style she honed during her early years in journalism, Andrea’s goal is to craft meaningful stories for kids—often about real people—while ensuring that reading is never (ever) a chore. Instead, she strives to make it a journey young readers are eager to go on with her. Andrea Davis Pinkney is a New York Times bestselling author known for her books for children and young adults, including “The Red Pencil,” “Because of You, John Lewis,” “Duke Ellington,” “Let It Shine,” and so many more. She is the winner of many awards, including the prestigious Coretta Scott King Book Award, and a four-time NAACP Image Award nominee. She is also a beloved editor (yes, she has a day job!), a librettist, and an industry leader. The only thing she may not overachieve in is, well, sleep! In this episode, Andrea tells the story of her own introduction to the Civil Rights movement through her parents, explains how her writing career began by winning a contest she never even entered, and how changing a burger into a donut became a matter of journalistic integrity in one of her books. She shares about helping to curate an incredible exhibit with the Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota entitled "Journey to Joy." Settle into our own journey to joy in a conversation that goes from John-Boy in the Waltons to the iconic Faith Ringgold with the indefatigable Andrea Davis Pinkney! *** If you’ve read her renowned story “Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down,” you’ve likely noticed her gift for weaving verse-like prose and rhythm into her writing. That style inspired her reading challenge, Rhythm and Muse—a curated collection of stories that celebrate the same lyrical flow and musicality. Learn more and download Andrea’s recommended reading list at thereadingculturepod.com/andrea-davis-pinkney. *** This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is the inspirational Billy Allen, the Branch Manager of Whitney Library in Las Vegas's Clarke County Library District, aka 3KingVisions on YouTube. He tells us about his musical approach to exciting kids about reading. *** Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. Show Chapters Chapter 1 - Mom, Dad, and Civil Rights. Chapter 2 - Sanctuaries Chapter 3 - White Spaces Chapter 4 - Tar Beach Chapter 5 - The Igniter Chapter 6 - The Page One Pact Chapter 7 - Kerlan Exhibit Chapter 8 - Rhythm and Muse Chapter 9 - Beanstack Featured Librarian
Producers: Jackie Lamport, Wanyee Li, and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Revisit - Hero of the Anti-Heroes: Gregory Maguire on the Value of Second Chances | 26 Nov 2024 | 00:44:17 | |
We revisit our episode with Gregory Maguire. Gregory Maguire expresses himself with extreme precision. While many of us may grasp for words to communicate a specific emotion or to describe a series of events, Gregory seemingly has words and turns of phrase on command. What a delight it is to listen to Gregory talk about his journey, his writing, and his thoughts on a wide variety of topics.
Gregory has built his career around telling the stories of antiheroes, most notably through the reimaginings of classic fairytales in novels such as "Wicked," "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister," and "Mirror Mirror." That ability to find empathy and a curiosity to understand even the most seemingly undeserving characters emerges in his other children's and young adult books and is deeply rooted in experiences from Gregory’s early life.
Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. In his reading challenge, Arresting Strangeness (a term coined by J.R.R. Tolkien), Gregory has compiled a list of his favorite books that envelop you completely and force you to look at the world around you anew. You can find his list and all past reading challenges at thereadingculturepod.com/gregory-maguire *** This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Lauren Mobley, a middle school librarian in Atlanta, Georgia. She tells us about a fun reading program she set up in her school inspired by a hit reality TV show. Contents Chapter 1 - Travel of the Mind Chapter 2 - Home, the Orphanage, and back again Chapter 3 - The Children of Green Knowe Chapter 4 - Harriet the Recorder Chapter 5 - Origins of Empathy Chapter 6 - The Absence of a Happily Ever After Chapter 7 - Arresting Strangeness Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Tiny Spaces: Mac Barnett on Why Kids Are Better Than Adults at Reading Picture Books | 12 Nov 2024 | 00:44:03 | |
“I think kids are actually generally a better audience for literary fiction, for art, for ambitious storytelling that asks the reader to do work. And a lot of that is just based on how their brains work and their place in the world.” - Mac Barnett Growing up, Mac Barnett’s mom never took their picture books off their shelves. They remained a part of his reading world, even as he grew up and could read more mature books. Maybe that choice helped Mac’s youthful spirit alight for longer. As he often notes, kids’ minds are portals to the imaginary, to making believe. For them, everything is possible: superheroes, magic, ghosts. Mac believes that open-mindedness is crucial to fully understanding and appreciating fiction, which is why he makes the argument that kids are the best audience for fiction, and in particular, picture books. Mac Barnett is a best-selling, prolific children's author celebrated for his clever, imaginative storytelling and sharp sense of humor. He is known for books like “Extra Yarn,” “Sam and Dave Dig a Hole,” “The Terrible Two,” series and the “Mac B, Kid Spy” series. He has received numerous accolades, including two Caldecott Honors and the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award. In this episode, Mac shares why he believes that most adults struggle to understand what makes a good children’s book. He also unpacks “Frog and Toad” as a work of experimental fiction and reflects on the lessons he's learning from his three-year-old son. Given Mac's passion for picture books, it's fitting that his reading challenge centers around them. For his challenge, “The Possibilities of Picture Books,” he has curated a selection designed to help us see the capaciousness of the picture book format—just as his mother once did for him. Learn more and download Mac’s recommended reading list at thereadingculturepod.com/mac-barnett *** *** Chapter 1 - The Picture Book Proclamation Chapter 2 - A Hall of Clocks Chapter 3 - Smaller, Better, Faster, Smarter Chapter 4 - Writing for Five-Year-Olds Chapter 5 - The Will to Make Believe (and believe it) Chapter 6 - Mac to Mac Chapter 7 - The Possibilities of Picture Books Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian Links
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Keep Me Out of It: Eliot Schrefer on the Costs and Benefits of Self-Erasure | 29 Oct 2024 | 00:38:00 | |
“I think it caused me to get over some of the sort of narcissistic impulses in my writing and not make it about me and impressing, but instead about having the best reading experience I could imagine.” - Eliot Schrefer At a young age, Eliot Schrefer acknowledged that he was hiding himself. Growing up queer when he did meant concealing a key part of his identity for the sake of self-preservation. It was through books that he first learned to accept his queerness. That thread leads to one of his most well-known books, “Queer Ducks (and Other Animals).” We unravel that and so much more about Eliot’s journey in this episode.
In this episode, Eliot shares how he has practiced self-concealment in both his life and stories, and why he believes this has helped him better connect with his teen audience. He also reveals why his current influences include Carl Sagan, Jane Goodall, and Eeyore. For his reading challenge, Beyond the Human Experience, Eliot wants us too to practice seeing the world outside of the human perspective. He says it "reminds us that we're not the only creatures worth caring about." Learn more and download Eliot’s recommended reading list at thereadingculturepod.com/eliot-schrefer
This episode's Featured Librarian is Tammy McIntyre, a library media specialist in Gwinnett County Georgia for many years and now works with us at Beanstack. Today she offers a guiding principle she follows as a librarian and especially as a parent. Show Chapters Chapter 1 - Carl Sagan and M.T. Anderson Walk Into a Bar… Chapter 2 - Science, Fantasy, and the Matrix (Printer) Chapter 3 - What I Believe Chapter 4 - The View From the Closet Chapter 5 - Duck Hunt Chapter 6 - I Ask the Questions Around Here Chapter 7 - Beyond the Human Experience Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian Links
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producers: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media | |||
| A Quiet House: Katherine Marsh on Why We Need to Turn Down the Noise | 15 Oct 2024 | 00:42:09 | |
“The two most important things you can do as a writer are to make people wonder what will happen next and to understand why it matters. - Katherine Marsh
Striking this balance has become her mission: to keep readers on the edge of their seats, while delivering something meaningful. To achieve that, she draws on her journalism background and the early influence of her grandmother’s captivating stories from Ukraine.
Fun fact about Katherine: we attended the same high school! In fact, so did my script editor, Josia. It was a boarding school where we all did not know one another but shared the experience of being atypical students. Because of that coincidence and the fact that, as Katherine says, “kids love boarding school stories,” she curated her reading challenge, "Boarding School Ties,” which includes books that all take place in or are about boarding schools. Learn more and download Katherine’s recommended reading list at thereadingculturepod.com/katherine-marsh.
This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Ms. Mari Martinez, an assistant manager and librarian at Broward County Library. She tells us that sometimes the best strategy for the library... is to get out of the library! Show Chapters Chapter 1 - Stories From Grandma Chapter 2 - The Joy of Being Bored Chapter 3 - Our Animal Friends at Maple Farm Chapter 4 - Cutting Through the Noise Chapter 5 - A Diverse Diet Chapter 6 - The Kids Are (Sort of) All Right Chapter 7 - Boarding School Ties Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian Links
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producers: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Rebel With Claws: Zoraida Córdova on the Pleasures of Nonconformity | 01 Oct 2024 | 00:39:10 | |
“Why am I fighting this? Like, why am I fighting the thing that I want to write? For who? For like a teacher that I haven't seen in five years or ten years? For a critic who I don't know?” - Zoraida Córdova
She has always made a way for herself and her spirit to shine through her work. Whether it’s writing for Star Wars or Disney’s Meant to Be collection, short stories for one of her anthologies about creatures like vampires, mermaids and faeries, or her epic novel “The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina," Zoraida keeps it fresh and original. And her readers love it! By following her own passions instead of trying to satisfy what she “should do,” Zoraida delivers something readers crave—authenticity. Zoraida Córdova is an award-winning author celebrated for her genre-blending, magical tales like “Labyrinth Lost,” the first book in her Brooklyn Brujas series, which earned her an International Latino Book Award. Her versatility spans adult literary fiction, romance, young adult fiction, editing anthologies, and even adding a touch of romance to the Star Wars universe. In this episode, Zoraida reflects on the importance of writing for yourself, shares the “about the author” blurb that changed her life, and details her tween years as a green-haired Wiccan screamo-punk (you can’t make this stuff up). Let’s just say that Zoraida’s commitment to rejecting the expectations placed on her began at an early age. (And she has the journals to prove it!)
For her reading challenge, Screw the Comfort Zone, Zoraida leans into her love of breaking the rules. To break free from her comfort zone. For her reading challenge, she selected a list of books she has read over the past few years that she adored but seemed "hard to pitch" to publishers because of how they defy convention. Difficult to pitch but still infinitely loveable. 🤩Learn more and download Zoraida’s recommended reading list at thereadingculturepod.com/zoraida-córdova.
Once again, this episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Lexi Whitehorn, literacy specialist for the North Dakota State Library. This time, she tells us about some of the fun ways she piqued kids’ interest in new books when she served as a school librarian. Show Chapters Chapter 1 - Missing Magic Chapter 2 - I’m Wiccan Now, Mom. Chapter 3 - In the Forests of the Night Chapter 4 - There’s Nothing Wrong with Love Chapter 5 - Step Outside Chapter 6 - Screw the Comfort Zone Chapter 7 - Beanstack Featured Librarian
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producers: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Always in the Room: Elizabeth Acevedo on Ancestors, Neighbors, and Secret Mentors | 17 Sep 2024 | 00:39:50 | |
“I cannot do an interview without talking about who I come from as it pertains to the writers who have influenced my work because their fingerprints are all over [it].” - Elizabeth Acevedo In an interview, we may hear Elizabeth Acevedo's singular voice, but she assures us she is not alone. Elizabeth reminds us that she is part of a lineage and an amalgamation of many voices. She, like all of us, represents those who came before her, those whose books she devours, those who have shaped her life, and those who inspire her. A Greek chorus, if you will.
True to her poetry roots, in her reading challenge, "Novels Through Poems" Elizabeth has compiled a list of books that are just that tell stories through poetry. Learn more and download Elizabeth's recommended reading list at thereadingculturepod.com/elizabeth-acevedo. *** This episode's Featured Librarian is Tammy McIntyre. Tammy served as a library media specialist in Gwinnett County Georgia for many years and now works with us at Beanstack! She shares a memorable interaction with a student that continues to resonate with her, highlighting the vital role the library plays as a community space. Show Chapters Chapter 1 - Who Is Here Chapter 2 - It Takes a Village Chapter 3 - The House on Mango Street Chapter 4 - Paying it Forward Chapter 5 - Novels Through Poems Chapter 6 - Beanstack Featured Librarian Links
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producers: Jackie Lamport, Elena Guthrie, and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Worthy of Protecting: Ari Tison Faces Down Monsters With Words | 03 Sep 2024 | 00:42:41 | |
“I talked about how I didn't process things in my journals. Well, in poetry, I did. All of a sudden, it was cracking that door open.” - Ari Tison When we’re kids, the world still feels so big. Everything is a discovery, from why flowers bloom to why we go to school and what it feels like to make friends… everything is new. But for some kids, life can hit faster than they’re ready to process. The logical side, the “why,” isn’t as important as the safe space to feel the emotions. In Ari’s native Bribri culture, monsters play an important role in stories, but for Ari the monsters were also present in her real life. She was young and unable to understand or logically process her trauma when she experienced it, but through reading and writing poetry, Ari found an emotional outlet.
Ari’s reading challenge, YA With Creative Structures, is inspired by her forthcoming novel, “Together We See.” She has curated a list of books that take unconventional approaches to structure, from the use of time to the inclusion of unexpected narrators. Learn more and download Ari’s recommended reading list at thereadingculturepod.com/ari-tison.
This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Jared Lessard, Branch Manager for the Calcasieu Parish Public Library System in Southwest Louisiana. He told us about an experience that constantly reminds him about the power of libraries in rural communities. Contents Chapter 1 - Thrown In Chapter 2 - Safety in Letters (art) Chapter 3 - Because of Because of Winn-Dixie Chapter 4 - The Voices That Came Before Chapter 5 - Justice and Healing Chapter 6 - Reading Challenge Chapter 7 - Beanstack Featured Librarian Links
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producers: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Surreal Talk: A.S. King on Validating Teen Trauma | 20 Aug 2024 | 00:41:40 | |
“I see my job as trying to soothe the trauma that teenagers don't know they have yet because everybody's so busy telling them that they don't.” - A.S. King
She draws on weirdness and absurdity to tap deeper into the trauma her characters face. From anger to misplaced guilt, sadness to grief, and a general sense of overwhelming anxiety, teens have so much to process. And nothing peeves Amy like adults’ dismissal of these experiences, of this trauma, for teens. She is passionate about challenging that norm, validating teens, and offering a surreal mirror to help them understand the world as it truly is: weird.
Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter.
Keeping it on brand and consistent, Amy offers us a truly unique reading challenge with a bizarrely loveable title. Weird stuff that's totally readable, may be old, but it's really good. Hear me out. That’s Amy’s pitch and title for her reading challenge. It’s a good one! Find out more for yourself at thereadingculturepod.com/as-king.
This episode’s Beanstack Featured Librarian is Alana Graves, a Librarian and Summer Experience Coordinator at Austin Public Library. She recounts an adorable mermaid story from one of her summer programs. Contents Chapter 1 - Sci-Fives and Reading (Pennsylvania) Chapter 2 - Embracing the Strange Chapter 3 - The Job of Validation Chapter 4 - Gracie’s House, Gracie’s Hands Chapter 5 - Surrealism, For Real Chapter 6 - Pick The Lock Chapter 7 - Weird stuff that's totally readable, may be old, but it's really good. Hear me out. Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian - Alana Graves (Austin Public Library)
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producers: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Natural Resources: Katherine Applegate on the Wisdom and Solace of Animals | 06 Aug 2024 | 00:38:33 | |
“I think it has to do with powerlessness, and with the kind of hierarchy that kids endure every day, where these grown ups are not making sense, and the world doesn't make sense, and animals are basically suffering the same fate.” - Katherine Applegate Why do kids see themselves in animals? Children’s media is full of stories from and about the perspective of animals. But why? Katherine Applegate has been exploring this question since she was a child, fascinated by the inner worlds of the animals around her. The answer she’s come to is hope. Like animals, kids exist in a state of a lack of control over their own lives, which the adults around them essentially dictate. And the greatest antidote to that sense of powerlessness is hope. Teaching that is what she believes to be the true purpose of a children’s author.
Katherine Applegate is a prolific and celebrated author best known for the beloved “Animorphs” series, “Wishtree,” “Odder,” and, of course, her Newbery Medal-winning “The One and Only Ivan.” In this episode, she discusses the unique bond between kids and animals, including her early stint as a gerbil peddler! 😱 Katherine shares about how a community rallied to fight the censorship of her book “Wishtree,” her part in that fight, and why she always chooses comedy over tragedy, even when the world seems bleak. Plus, Katherine reveals the real reason she’s not roughing it out in the wild with Jane Goodall and the gorillas. *** Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter.
Inspired by the positivity of the season, Katherine’s reading challenge is designed to make you smile. In “Exploring the Animal Human Bond”, she’s curated a list of books perfect for the dog days of summer, all featuring animals. Download the list at thereadingculturepod.com/katherine-applegate
This episode’s Beanstack Featured Librarian is Lexi Whitehorn, Literacy Specialist at the North Dakota State Library. Lexi tells us about a heartwarming relationship she built with a struggling student through recommending books.
Contents Chapter 1 - Gerbil Peddler (2:09) Chapter 2 - Really Bad Waitress (8:32) Chapter 3 - Powerlessness (and otter facts) (10:33) Chapter 4 - E.B. White - Letters (deja-vu?) (16:14) Chapter 5 - The Attempted Felling of Wishtree (23:09) Chapter 6 - Ivan Settles Down (30:14) Chapter 7 - Exploring the Animal-Human Bond (33:37) Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (35:35) Links
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producers: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Revisit - Mixed Feelings: Matt de la Peña on Balancing Being Stoic and Sensitive | 23 Jul 2024 | 00:40:26 | |
We revisit our episode with Matt de la Peña. Hailing from a working class border town in Southern California, Matt de la Peña (Last Stop on Market Street, Mexican WhiteBoy, Milo Imagines the World) grew up in an environment that deeply valued strength and stoicism and oftentimes discouraged big displays of emotion from men. Instilled with a strong work ethic and the pursuit of opportunities, he followed in the footsteps of the men in his family and community. But still, there was a deeper truth to life within a buried emotional side that he felt compelled to explore.
Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. Join Matt on social @Mattdelapena. *** For his reading challenge, Conversation Starters, Matt invites us to ponder alongside our youngest readers with his curated selection of picture books. You can find his list and all past reading challenges at thereadingculture.com/matt-de-la-pena. This episode’s Beanstack featured librarian is Cicely Lewis, School Library Journal’s 2020 school librarian of the year, from Gwinnett County Public Schools. Cicely, aka the Read Woke librarian, shares about an awesome way to keep high schoolers excited about reading for pleasure and also a very fun birthday tradition at her school. Contents Chapter 1 - One Side of the Border (2:24) Chapter 2 - The Good, Bad, and Masculine (7:20) Chapter 3 - The Closet Poet (11:14) Chapter 4 - Sutree (14:38) Chapter 5 - The Future of Latinx Voices (24:38) Chapter 6 - Leaning Forward (27:58) Chapter 7 - Writing Up (31:58) Chapter 8 - Conversation Starters (33:59) Chapter 9 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (34:55) Links
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Revisit - Ignorance Isn’t Bliss: Sabaa Tahir on the Need to Bear Witness | 09 Jul 2024 | 00:43:44 | |
We revisit our episode with Sabaa Tahir. Sabaa Tahir’s (“All My Rage,” “An Ember in the Ashes” quartet) upbringing in the Mojave desert, isolated nearly 100 miles from the nearest city, exposed her to an unforgiving landscape and also many unforgiving truths of humanity. Within this backdrop, one place held significant importance in shaping her worldview: The Motel, a small business operated by her immigrant parents. As she notes, “The good is what helps you survive, but the bad is what makes you wary and careful and makes you lonely at times.” Sabaa ventured into the realm of academia and later pursued a career in journalism, where her understanding of the world's imperfections deepened. The essence of Sabaa’s stories lies in the raw exploration of sorrow and frustration…and taking action. In this episode, Sabaa delves into the experiences of her childhood that left an indelible mark on her perspective of the world. From the motel her parents ran, to sonic booms, to wearing (dreaded) dresses on Mondays, Sabaa’s youth sounds eerily like a superhero origin story. She also opened up about the “outsized impact” of her time copy editing at The Washington Post and its influence on her writing. Sabaa reveals how she channels her outrage to resonate with her coming-of-age readers, validating their shared frustrations and coming to terms with her own. ***
*** For her reading challenge, Authors of the Muslim Diaspora, Sabaa wants readers to open up to other perspectives from Muslim diaspora authors, including their cultures, traditions, mythologies, and humor. She curated a fabulous reading list, and I invite you to check it out. Reading challenges are always available at thereadingculturepod.com. In this episode, we’re once again changing things up for our Beanstack featured librarian. Today we give the mic one more time to Lessa Kananiʻopua Pelayo-Lozada, the current American Library Association president, to share more about the upcoming ALA conference and exhibition. Beanstack has proudly participated in ALA exhibitions for the last eight years!
Chapter 2 - The Motel Chapter 3 - One Art Chapter 4 - The Eyes of an Editor Chapter 5 - Books Like Sad Songs Chapter 6 - Back to Fantasy Land Chapter 7 - Lego Proof Socks Chapter 8 - Muslim Diaspora Chapter 9 - Beanstack Featured Librarian
Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| You Are Flawed, You Are Messy, You Are Loved: Shannon Hale on Hope and Heroines | 25 Jun 2024 | 00:44:21 | |
"I feel like it was this little miracle that in some areas of my life, I'm shutting myself up and shutting myself down. But with my writing, I was always really connecting with that inner voice.” - Shannon Hale Flaws. We do everything to hide them away and pretend they don’t exist. But what if these flaws that we try so desperately to mask are exactly what we need to access our power, our story? How does one tap into it? How does one express the very things they have tried so hard to hide? For Shannon Hale, it was writing. By picking up the pen, she found her voice, purpose, and true, messy, loveable self.
In this episode, Shannon will tell us about growing up in a deeply conservative culture, and how writing unearthed her true voice from where it had been simmering beneath the surface. We discuss everything from anxiety to the family cat to boys’ relationship with the color pink. Oh, and we have a special visitor, Shannon’s husband and co-creator, Dean Hale, to discuss their combined writing journeys! *** Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. *** Taking inspiration from her beloved series “The Princess in Black,” Shannon's reading challenge is Favorite Early Chapter Books. For this, she has created a list of thoughtful and engaging early chapter books for new and emerging readers. Download the list at thereadingculturepod.com/shannon-hale
This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Ady Huerta, the Program Manager of Youth, Family, & Equity Services at San Diego Public Library who serves on the presidential advisory committee for incoming president Cindy Holt. She tells us what to expect for the upcoming ALA Conference. Contents Chapter 1 - ‘Squeetus’ the Highly Sensitive Chapter 2 - A Loophole to the Inner Voice Chapter 3 - Anne of Green Gables Chapter 4 - The Family in Black Chapter 5 - Boys Like Pink Too Chapter 6 - The Key to Friendship Chapter 7 - Reading Challenge Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producers: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Unstoppable Force, Movable Object: Dhonielle Clayton on Levering Children's Books Into the 21st Century | 11 Jun 2024 | 00:38:49 | |
"I'm not a person that's like, let's throw out the classics. It's, let's move forward. Let's disrupt the canon. Some of these universal themes, some of these ingredients that we love, how do I remix them into a new stew?” - Dhonielle Clayton What is life without a little magic? Fantasy gives us the space to break free from the confines that reality often brings and the freedom to dream the typically unimaginable. But with all its magic and wonder, the fantasy genre doesn’t always reflect the diversity of its real-life readers' stories. Dhonielle Clayton, a literary mover and shaker, is dedicated to changing that narrative, filling in the gaps to ensure that all kids see a reflection of themselves in these wondrous worlds.
*** Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. *** Dhonielle expands on her stories about magic and fantasy on the podcast with her reading challenge, Retelling Heroes and Magic. Dhonielle takes inspiration from her goal to disrupt the world of fantasy storytelling with a wonderful suggested reading list. Download the list at thereadingculturepod.com/dhonielle-clayton
This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Erin Baker, media specialist at Durham Middle School in Georgia. She tells us her secret sauce for getting the whole school on board with reading initiatives and why it involves some unlikely allies. Contents Chapter 1 - Hot Summers in the Deep South Chapter 2 - The People Could Fly Chapter 3 - Let’s Talk About Harry Potter Chapter 4 - Reality in Fantasy Chapter 5 - Let Them Eat Cake! (Creative) Chapter 6 - Purpose Chapter 7 - Reading Challenge Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producers: Jackie Lamport, Sydni Michelle Perry, and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Summon the Tiger: Minh Lê Blurs the Boundaries | 28 May 2024 | 00:42:05 | |
"That barrier between what is “real” and what is not, when that's more fluid, I think it's that's where the fun of fiction comes in. Especially when you're writing for kids.” - Minh Lê Life is full of barriers. Barriers between reality and the imagination, the spiritual and physical world, and perhaps most crucially, the ones we create for ourselves. When a barrier is a boundary, it can be a good thing. But in many cases, the barriers we create are holding us back. Minh Lê’s life was defined by many of these self-imposed barriers until well into his adult life. But slowly, through nudges from friends and family and a lot of self-reflection, Minh began to learn that the only thing in between him and his dream of being a picture book author, was himself.
Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter.
Minh expands on his stories about meditation on the podcast with his reading challenge, "Meditative Picture Books." With this curated list, Minh invites young readers and their grown-ups to embrace the present moment fully. Download the list at thereadingculturepod.com/minh-le
This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Erin Baker, media specialist at Durham Middle School in Georgia. She tells us her secret sauce for getting the whole school on board with reading initiatives and why it involves some unlikely allies. Contents Chapter 1 - The Vietnamese Mini Van (2:17) Chapter 2 - As Few Words as Possible (6:38) Chapter 3 - You Haven’t Even Tried (10:44) Chapter 4 - Dreamtigers (12:19) Chapter 5 - Lucid Dreaming (19:34) Chapter 6 - Even Fewer Words (a silent retreat) (22:28) Chapter 7 - Meditative Picture Books (35:19) Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (37:15) Chapter 9 (Bonus) - Baby Minh and Baby Dan (39:17)
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Twilight Zone: Julie Murphy on Self-Doubt and Self-Love | 14 May 2024 | 00:42:26 | |
"I've found that the books that have resonated with me the most are books where your body is incidental, but it's still something that you can never leave behind.” - Julie Murphy Julie Murphy has an unexpected story, one that involves a winding road to her writing career. With equal parts quick wit and matter-of-factness, Julie shares that part of her confidence that she could dare to be a writer came after falling deep into the Twilight series. If Stephanie Meyer, an untrained author, could write an international bestseller about shiny vampires, why couldn’t she write a bestseller too? Okay, possibly not that easy, and of course Julie’s journey to self-assurance and self-love, both for her writing and herself, has been far from just getting caught up in Team Edward vs Team Jacob.
Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter.
While Julie’s own love story is rom-com worthy (she’ll share in the episode!), for her reading challenge, “Love Hurts”, she wants us to read love stories that also… well…. hurt.
This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Lauren Mobley, a middle school librarian in Atlanta, Georgia. She tells us a funny, heartwarming story about her attempt to curate a special book selection for some new students. Contents Chapter 1 - Texas Needs Churches Too Chapter 2 - Dieting with Mom Chapter 3 - Twilight: A Masterpiece Chapter 4 - Ask The Passengers Chapter 5 - Finding Confidence… and Rejection Chapter 6 - One Step Back, Two Steps Forward Chapter 7 - Julie Murphy Fan Club Chapter 8 - From Cradle to Grave Chapter 9 - Love Hurts Chapter 10 - Beanstack Featured Librarian
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Filling in the Blanks: Cece Bell on the Comedy of the Absurd | 30 Apr 2024 | 00:43:09 | |
"...the reader's mind is filling in the blanks in between those panels and as a lip reader, that's what I do. I fill in the blanks. I'm trying to piece together what that person says. So, comics really make sense to me.” - Cece Bell
While Cece is best known for "El Deafo," which received a Newbery honor, most of her books are for a slightly younger set. These include her laugh-out-loud funny "Chick and Brain" series, and her earlier Sock Monkey trilogy. Cece’s journey to pursuing a career as an artist was first dependent on her discovering confidence in her abilities, and also in her disability. Something that she didn’t fully realize until she wrote “El Deafo.” In this episode, Cece shares insights into her creative process, revealing how her experiences navigating the world with deafness have shaped her storytelling and sense of humor (and draws the connection between her deafness and her love for puns). She also tells us about the gory job that convinced her to pursue a career as an artist. For any budding comic creators, she also reveals the only book you need to read before your write your first graphic novel. ***
*** For her reading challenge, Sibling Stories, Cece has curated a list of books that highlight the special relationships between siblings, something that has always fascinated her. In case you wondered, Cece has two older siblings. You can find his list and all past reading challenges at thereadingculturepod.com/cece-bell This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Amanda Maslonka, a 26-year veteran in education, and an elementary school librarian at Pasadena ISD in Texas. She tells us a funny and heartwarming story from her days working with first graders. Contents Chapter 1 - Funny Family (2:02) Chapter 2 - No One Makes Fun of the Funny Kid (6:23) Chapter 3 - At The Dentist (13:54) Chapter 4 - Understanding Comics (18:08) Chapter 5 - El Deafo (24:21) Chapter 6 - High Tech Hearing (26:46) Chapter 7 - Absurdism for Children (31:05) Chapter 8 - Animal Albums (37:08) Chapter 9 - Sibling Stories (39:24) Chapter 10 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (41:04)
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Hero of the Anti-Heroes: Gregory Maguire on the Value of Second Chances | 16 Apr 2024 | 00:42:40 | |
"That's really all we are obliged to do for those we call our enemies. We are obliged to see them as humans, and then we behave the way we will. We are obliged not to consider them as less than human because that way, all hell breaks loose. - Gregory Maguire
Gregory has built his career around telling the stories of antiheroes, most notably through the reimaginings of classic fairytales in novels such as "Wicked," "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister," and "Mirror Mirror." That ability to find empathy and a curiosity to understand even the most seemingly undeserving characters emerges in his other children's and young adult books and is deeply rooted in experiences from Gregory’s early life.
Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. In his reading challenge, Arresting Strangeness (a term coined by J.R.R. Tolkien), Gregory has compiled a list of his favorite books that envelop you completely and force you to look at the world around you anew. You can find his list and all past reading challenges at thereadingculturepod.com/gregory-maguire *** This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Lauren Mobley, a middle school librarian in Atlanta, Georgia. She tells us about a fun reading program she set up in her school inspired by a hit reality TV show. Contents Chapter 1 - Travel of the Mind Chapter 2 - Home, the Orphanage, and back again Chapter 3 - The Children of Green Knowe Chapter 4 - Harriet the Recorder Chapter 5 - Origins of Empathy Chapter 6 - The Absence of a Happily Ever After Chapter 7 - Arresting Strangeness Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian
Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Simple Thing, Felt: Nina LaCour on Unwrapping a Moment | 02 Apr 2024 | 00:37:57 | |
"I spend a lot of time trying to hope that I'll remember little things and how a certain simple thing felt. … Writing is one way of trying to capture that feeling, even if I'm fictionalizing it still.” - Nina LaCour If Nina LaCour were a drink, she would be a cozy cup of tea. You’re not rushing to finish a conversation with Nina. Rather, you are spending time exploring the details. And that is exactly what we did in this episode. The world moves fast. Usually faster than we’d like it to. But writing can gift us the ability to slow a moment down, to digest and analyze at a more intentional pace. For Nina LaCour, writing starts with observing the world around you, getting ready to break it down into words and unravel the meaning on a page. As a new writer, Nina found it best to share those observations through young adult literature after falling in love with it in college. She has since written a picture book, “Mama, Mommy and Me in the Middle,” and returned to an adult novel she shelved early in her career (“Yerba Buena”). More recently, she released "The Apartment House on Poppy Hill," the sweetest chapter book. Nina’s work is notably thoughtful and gentle. Her complex topics have resonated deeply with young readers and adults alike (including our own recent guest, Mark Oshiro). She’s best known for her novels such as “Hold Still,” "Everything Leads to You," and "We Are Okay," which received the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature. In this episode, she shares her journey to falling in love with young adult literature and how Virginia Woolf helped her find the love of her life. She also explores writing's capacity to uncover the depth within every moment and discusses the importance of queer family representation in literature.
Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. *** In her reading challenge, At the Intersection, Nina has curated a list of books at the intersection of queerness and family. You can find her list and all past reading challenges at thereadingculturepod.com/nina-lacour This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Faith Rice Mills, librarian at Nelda Sullivan Middle School in Pasadena, Texas. She tells us a heartwarming story to remind librarians of the importance of their work, even when that impact isn't obvious. Contents Chapter 1 - The Outsider… Chapter 2 - …Becomes the Observer Chapter 3 - Mrs. Dalloway Chapter 4 - On Being Gentle Chapter 5 - Bang Bang Chapter 6 - At the Intersection Chapter 7 - Beanstack Featured Librarian Links
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| The World As It Should Be: LeUyen Pham Illustrates an Ideal | 19 Mar 2024 | 00:40:53 | |
"There's something very lovely about feeling like, well, it's not my name, and it's not me, it's just the books.” - LeUyen Pham To listen to LeUyen Pham is to feel inspired. She is full of hope and ideas and sees potential everywhere and in everyone. In LeUyen’s ideal world, diverse representation is a natural outgrowth of art that truly reflects our world. Her career as an artist and writer has been her contribution to making that a reality. Her career as an artist and writer has been her contribution to making that a reality. If you have ever read a book that LeUyen illustrated, you already know this to be true. The diversity we see in LeUyen’s pages is at once realistic and aspirational.
Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter.
In her reading challenge, Chasing Home, LeUyen gets personal and invites us to explore the concept of what home means, especially from her perspective as a refugee. You can find her list and all past reading challenges at thereadingculturepod.com/leuyen-pham This episode’s Beanstack Featured Librarian is Marva Coney, a librarian at Jackson Intermediate in the Pasadena Independent School District. She shares a story about just how important books can be as kids start to grow and experience newer and harder parts of life for the first time. Contents Chapter 1 - Temple City and Bill Peet (2:06) Chapter 2 - From Wynne to LeUyen (8:16) Chapter 3 - The Witch of Blackbird Pond (10:01) Chapter 4 - Art Chameleon (18:51) Chapter 5 - Incidental Diversity (24:55) Chapter 6 - The Artist Shows Herself (31:05) Chapter 7 - Chasing Home (36:52) Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (38:18)
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| If Your Heart Breaks, It’s Working: Nicola Yoon on Love and Other Risky Behaviors | 05 Mar 2024 | 00:40:58 | |
"Love is risky. Love always ends. Should you do it anyway?” - Nicola Yoon Love is a feeling that never exists solely on its own, and those likely companions to love (anxiety, grief) often bring questions such as, is this worth it? It’s this question and others like it that Nicola Yoon explores in each of her novels.
Today, Nicola Yoon boasts an impressive resume as a two-time New York Times bestselling author, a finalist for the National Book Award, a recipient of the Michael L. Printz Honor Book, and a winner of the Coretta Scott King New Talent Award. Notably, her first two novels have been successfully adapted for the big screen. In this episode, she’ll tell us why she fell in love with the romance genre, and how she found her way to writing as a career after 15 years in finance. She also shares her own ridiculously cute, out-of-a-movie love story about how she ended up with her husband and fellow writer, David Yoon. *** Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter.
Inspired by her own novel, "Instructions for Dancing,” in her reading challenge, Good Grief, Nicola invites us to explore the intersection of love and grief with a list of some of her favorite books. You can find her list and all past reading challenges at thereadingculturepod.com. Today's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Nikki Hayter, a library manager with the Des Moines Public Library system. As summer inches closer, she tells us about a unique program her library started a couple of years ago with graphic novels. Contents Chapter 1 - Harlequin Romance (1:37) Chapter 2 - An Unrequited Love (6:36) Chapter 3 - The Great Gatsby (11:24) Chapter 4 - A Requited Love (16:26) Chapter 5 - The Airport Scene (19:02) Chapter 6 - Questions About Love (22:53) Chapter 7 - Not a Case of Love at First Sight (25:43) Chapter 8 - Expectations of Love (27:34) Chapter 10 - Joy Revolution (33:40) Chapter 11 - Good Grief (36:45) Chapter 12 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (38:22) Links
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| The Blackest Book Ever: Derrick Barnes on Writing Unapologetically | 20 Feb 2024 | 00:39:50 | |
Derrick Barnes’ introduction to vulnerable storytelling was through the jazz and R&B records he found in his family’s collection. For young Derrick, reading the liner notes in albums was just as important as any other kind of reading. Eventually, artists like Prince, Rakim, and John Coltrane taught him about the power in simply and truly being yourself. Inspired, young Derrick began writing his own poetry and short stories, which served as the beginning of a long and fruitful writing career. A career that includes being the first black creative copywriter for Hallmark cards.
*** Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter.
In Derrick’s reading challenge, "Resistance and Resilience" he invited us to read powerful stories of resilience from America’s black history. You can find her list and all past reading challenges at thereadingculturepod.com. Today's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Connie Sharp, a Librarian Training and Development Specialist at Metro Nashville Public Schools. She told us about how her district utilizes Beanstack with community partnerships to encourage students to read. Contents Chapter 1 - Jazz, Hip Hop, R&B (1:59) Chapter 2 - Literacy and Lyrics (6:31) Chapter 3 - A Hallmark Story (9:11) Chapter 4 - The Fresh Cut (12:52) Chapter 5 - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (19:22) Chapter 6 - Freedom Fighter (25:00) Chapter 7 - The Blackest Books (28:56) Chapter 8 - The Legacy of Derrick Barnes (31:29) Chapter 9 - Resistance and Resilience (35:31) Chapter 10 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (37:29)
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Rabbit Holes: Brandy Colbert on Deep Research and Deep Characters | 06 Feb 2024 | 00:39:48 | |
"I'm a bad liar. So I'm just like, I'm really good at telling the truth.” - Brandy Colbert
Brandy Colbert is known for works such as "Little & Lion," which won the Stonewall Book Award, "The Only Black Girls in Town," and "Pointe". Meanwhile, her nonfiction book about the Tulsa Race Massacre, "Black Birds in the Sky" won the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award.
*** Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. *** In Brandy’s reading challenge, "Powerful Nonfiction" she challenges us to read a list of nonfiction books that she says will, “open minds, challenge assumptions, and highlight the power of historical truth.” You can find her list and all past reading challenges at thereadingculturepod.com. Today’s Beanstack Featured Librarian is Cindy Philbeck, Teacher-Librarian at Wando High School in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. She told us a heartwarming story about a student's discovery of Sabaa Tahir's All My Rage. Contents Chapter 1 - Reading in the Ozarks (1:47) Chapter 2 - Early heartbreaks (5:54) Chapter 3 - A Midwestern college experience (11:57) Chapter 4 - A Humanist View (14:00) Chapter 5 - Women’s muscles (17:43) Chapter 6 - Rejections (19:58) Chapter 7 - Write what you know research (23:55) Chapter 8 - A bad liar (27:37) Chapter 9 - Black Jewish Lesbians (exist) (30:19) Chapter 10 - Powerful Nonfiction (36:55) Chapter 11 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (37:44) Links
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| The One and Only John: Mr. Schu Turns His Heart Inside Out | 23 Jan 2024 | 00:38:22 | |
"Books can be the perfect prescriptions to let us know that we're going to be okay.” - John Schu John Schu’s entire life has been shaped by books. As a kid, he fell in love with Shel Silverstein; Emily Dickinson comforted him as he was battling an eating disorder, and “The One and Only Ivan,” well, that book changed his life. In fact, it nearly put him into debt (he tells that story in the episode!) The powerful impact books have had on his life inspired him to dedicate his life to sharing this power with everyone he can. His career as an educator led him to the library, the library led him across America, and now he has started a new career as a writer of stories himself. John made his debut with "This is a School," followed by "This is a Story" and "The Gift of Story." However, in his latest work, "Louder Than Hunger," he bravely delves into a new realm of vulnerability. This semi-autobiographical tale draws from the most challenging period in his life, navigating the depths of his battle with anorexia.
*** Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. *** In John’s reading challenge, Story Within a Story, he wants us to read the actual books found in the pages of his book, “This is a Story.” You can find his list and all past reading challenges at thereadingculturepod.com. Today's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Amanda Maslanka, a 26-year veteran in education and an elementary school librarian in South Houston. She offered valuable advice for parents and caregivers to get kids excited about reading. Contents Chapter 1 - Mr.SchuReads’ Grandma (2:13) Chapter 2 - An Internal Struggle (5:37) Chapter 3 - Recovery and Emily Dickinson (9:29) Chapter 4 - Best Teacher Ever (11:00) Chapter 5 - Becoming a Writer (15:24) Chapter 6 - The One and Only Ivan (16:04) Chapter 7 - Power to Heal, Power to Harm (23:30) Chapter 8 - Ready to Share (28:27) Chapter 9 - Story Within a Story (34:17) Chapter 10 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (35:57) Links
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| A Gut Punch and a Hug: Mark Oshiro on Practicing Vulnerability | 10 Jan 2024 | 00:41:03 | |
On Today's Show
Mark Oshiro was taught to fear the world. To be someone they were not and to repress someone they were. But books were an escape. Books taught them that freedom was possible.
*** Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter.
In Mark’s reading challenge, "Stories of Vulnerability," they want us to explore other stories with the same rawness they bring to their work. You can find their list and all past reading challenges at thereadingculturepod.com. Today’s Beanstack Featured Librarian is Cindy Philbeck, a teacher librarian at Wando High School in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. She told us about her library's lunchtime strategy that encourages students to visit and see the space as a refuge. Contents Chapter 1 - A Controlled Environment (2:34) Chapter 2 - Safety in Books (7:14) Chapter 3 - Losing Grip (11:13) Chapter 4 - We Are Okay (20:41) Chapter 5 - Mark Does Stuff (lots of stuff) (22:53) Chapter 6 - The Practice of Vulnerability (28:32) Chapter 7 - Closure? (33:40) Chapter 8 - Stories of Vulnerability (37:45) Chapter 9 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (38:58) Links
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| The Reading Culture: Yearbook 2023 | 26 Dec 2023 | 00:29:33 | |
With the 2023 year coming to a close (our first full year in production!), we wanted to celebrate. And what better way to do that than high school yearbook superlative style? Welcome to a special edition of The Reading Culture podcast – "The Reading Culture: Yearbook." In this episode, we're rolling out the red carpet to unveil "The Readies," an award show of sorts, to remember the standout moments and stories from the show this year. Yes, it's a clip show. We'll relive the "Most Hilarious Admission," "Most Moving Parenting Story," and "Most Emo Moment," and we'll hand out the "I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying" and name the author "Most Likely to Build a Functional Spaceship." Think you know who gets that one? And there's even more than those! Join us as we reflect back on some of the best moments of The Reading Culture.
Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| The Things We Know: Oge Mora on Finding the Magic in the Everyday | 12 Dec 2023 | 00:36:31 | |
"It's not like I haven't experienced pain or tragedy or grief in my life, and it's not like I want to deny that. I don't think that that's the entirety of my song. When I want to look back on my life, I want to look at all the amazing things and experiences I had because that's what makes the time we have in this world so incredibly special, is that we have these connections, we have these experiences with people.” - Oge Mora Life is full of small pleasures, bits of magic in ordinary moments that so often go underappreciated. Oge Mora wants to draw attention to those small things and show us the true depth and meaning those moments have in our lives.
Oge Mora burst onto the kid lit scene with her picture book “Thank You, Omu!”, a book that earned her a Caldecott Honor, a Coretta Scott King John Steptoe New Talent Award, and a host of other accolades. She was also a 2021 Forbes 303 Under 30 lister. In this episode, Oge tells us about the community support that built the foundation for her career, the art school epiphany that shifted her perspective from shame to pride, and why she wants her books to feel like a cup of hot cocoa. If you're looking for a moment of joy, you have found it here. ***
*** In Oge’s reading challenge, "Story Collage" she shares some of her favorite picture books with collage illustrations. You can find her list and all past reading challenges at thereadingculturepod.com. Today’s Beanstack Featured Librarian is Alli Buffington, Library Media Specialist at Holley Navarre Intermediate School in Santa Rosa County, Florida. She’ll tell us about the most successful reading challenge she’s run at her school. Contents Chapter 1 - Repeat Renewals (2:31) Chapter 2 - Sister Catherine and The Doodler (7:13) Chapter 3 - A Street Called Home (14:27) Chapter 4 - That Little Bit of Shift (18:40) Chapter 5 - An Homage to Connection With Others (25:28) Chapter 6 - More of Less, and More (32:12) Chapter 7 - Collage of Stories (32:57) Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (34:15)
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Visibility Cloak: Hena Khan on Commonality Over Conformity | 28 Nov 2023 | 00:40:50 | |
"There's these universal truths [...] specific details, but universal feelings and universal experiences that people hopefully can relate to. And that's what I go for in all of my books. Common humanity.” - Hena Khan Hena Khan didn’t believe her perspective mattered. As a Pakistani-American Muslim, she grew up not seeing her or her family reflected in the media she was consuming. As any kid might do, she concluded that it was simply because her experience was not important, a realization that became clearer in hindsight. Recalling her childhood writing, she discovered she had unintentionally white-washed her own homemade family newspaper. Building confidence in her perspective was a gradual process, extending into adulthood. Initially lacking self-assurance, she began writing while toning down her cultural identity to conform to perceived publisher expectations. Over time, her confidence grew, and today, she is recognized for authentically portraying stories rooted in her culture and religion. Reflecting on her own reading experiences, Hena values shared human experiences that transcend cultural backgrounds. She aims to demonstrate that these relatable moments exist in stories featuring non-white characters and diverse cultures.
Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter.
In Hena’s reading challenge, "Read Desi" she encourages us to celebrate South Asian American writers. You can find her list and all past reading challenges at thereadingculturepod.com. Today’s Beanstack Featured Librarian is Allie Buffington, Library Media Specialist at Holley Navarre Intermediate School in Santa Rosa County, Florida. She tells us about the importance of making the library a space that kids want to come back to. Contents Chapter 1 - “Religious Holiday” (2:38) Chapter 2 - Gogol Search (6:16) Chapter 3 - Little Women (and the Khanicles) (9:43) Chapter 4 - Three Cheers From Andrea (18:17) Chapter 5 - Just Living (22:18) Chapter 6 - Common Humanity (30:20) Chapter 7 - Curious About Curious George (33:50) Chapter 8 - The Door is Open (35:31) Chapter 9 - Read Desi (37:28) Chapter 10 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (38:54)
Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| A Good Guest: Daniel Nayeri on the Obligations of a Storyteller | 14 Nov 2023 | 00:37:17 | |
"Don't follow your dreams if that's the only thing you're doing. Ask yourself, what will make you most useful? What will make you most, in terms of a purpose, help you do meaningful work?” - Daniel Nayeri You want Daniel Nayeri at your dinner party. Always with a story or an insightful question, it turns out he is also the person you want on your podcast! The Iranian-American author of the Printz Award-winning “Everything Sad is Untrue,” and the more recent “The Many Assassinations of Samir, Seller of Dreams,” offered up fresh conversation and a good deal of humor. As a writer, Daniel Nayeri is deeply aware of the impact his writing has on readers. As he noted in our conversation, there is perhaps no more intimate power than becoming the dialogue in one’s head. And Daniel feels strongly about using that power to have a positive impact on those who read his words. Part of his purpose, or obligation, he believes, is to “remystify the world.” Just wait until we talk about why cherries grow in pairs!
Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. *** In Daniel’s reading challenge, "Wise Shorts" he keeps our work and life load in mind offering a curated selection of short stories, reminding us that even the smallest things can have a major impact. You can find his list and all past reading challenges at thereadingculturepod.com. Today’s Beanstack Featured Librarian is Nikki Hayter, Library Manager at Franklin Avenue Library in Des Moines, Iowa. Nikki tells us about a program that highlights the deep impact libraries have on communities. Contents Chapter 1 - The Ferris Wheel and The Storyteller (2:15) Chapter 2 - A Retired Conan the Barbarian (6:43) Chapter 3 - Alberic The Wise (11:30) Chapter 4 - Remystifying the world (7:18) Chapter 5 - You get a memoir! And you get a memoir! And… (25:25) Chapter 6 - How to be interesting (28:20) Chapter 7 - Wise Shorts (33:31) Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (34:32)
Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||
| Revisit - The Gift of Fear: Lamar Giles on How Horror Helps Kids Cope | 31 Oct 2023 | 00:29:50 | |
We revisit our Halloween special episode with Lamar Giles. ******
Lamar Giles says horror is a pressure valve. It has the ability to release pent-up anxiety and fear in a controlled, safe, and fun environment. That's why he'll watch Hellraiser at 4 a.m. to comfort himself when he can't sleep. While the genre isn't for everyone, he knows there are other young readers that will resonate with it the same way he did when he first read Stephen King at 11 years old. Giles' career has been full of mystery and thriller stories, but with the 2022 release of The Getaway, he has finally fulfilled his lifelong dream of writing a true horror novel. He tells us more about how the genre has helped him in his life and why he thinks kids resonate with his writing.
Chapter 1 - Growing Up as Lamar Giles (3:16) Chapter 2 - The Dinosaur in the Cereal Box (5:48) Chapter 3 - The Draw to Horror (8:26) Chapter 4 - It (9:30) Chapter 5 - The Pressure Valve (13:54) Chapter 6 - Connecting with Young Readers (17:23) Chapter 7 - Writing Black Characters (16:19) Chapter 8 - Publishing Horror (20:19) Chapter 9 - The Getaway (22:07) Chapter 10 - A Vehicle for Social Commentary (23:59) Chapter 11 - Fear On Screen (25:10) Chapter 12 - Scary Good Stories (27:18) Chapter 13 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (27:53)
Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey | |||