BookHuddle with Readgab

There were so many wonderful middle grade books released in 2025, and in this episode Melissa Taylor and I discuss just some of the best books of 2025 from our lists. Want to hear more of my favorite books from 2025 then check out this episode next https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/42-the-best-books-of-2025-so-far-shannon-balloon/id1752315662?i=1000715323257

Find children's book author and content creator Melissa Taylor

Meg Medina's newest middle grade book is a beautiful fantasy adventure about the relationship between a sea spirit and a unique living boy with a common goal. They may be from different worlds with completely different views, but this book has a treasure trove of themes, like the importance of community. 

Find Meg Medina
https://megmedina.com/
https://www.facebook.com/meg.medina.10/
https://www.instagram.c...

Have you ever wondered why reindeer pull Santa's sleigh? The picture book Dasher provides a beautiful origin story families and schools will love to add to the seasonal readings. Matt Tavares has added a new Dasher book this year with Dasher and the Polar Bear and it is my favorite one of the series! In this episode we talk about his creation of the story and art as well as beautiful themes within these picture books. 

A captivating ghost story evolves into an intense family drama with strong themes of forgiveness, self-identity, and family. Neshama, this powerful novel in verse, brings all the feels of a middle grade adventure amid beautiful verses of poetry. In this episode Marcella Pixley and I discuss not only the beauty of this novel in verse but also questions of compassion, relationships, religion, and self-growth. 

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Don't take life too seriously, have some fun too! If you could spend all day doing what you loved most, what would it be? Would you write silly stories that get published into graphic novels? Middle grade author Tom Angleberger shares with us about the creation of his graphic novel series, The Two-Headed Chicken, and why graphic novels make such great gifts for kids. 

Find author Tom Angleberger 
https://origamiyo...

Those who have experienced the magic of a read aloud know they are a must in every home and classroom. Reading to children is so important and in this interview Kate shares some of the reasons why we should all find the time to read to children. 

Find Kate DiCamillo
https://www.katedicamillo.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KateDiCamillo
Lost Evangeline by Kate DiCamillo https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Evangeline-Nore...

What happens when a group of extended family members who barely know each other spend a summer together on an island? Old family secrets arise. Is there a way to bridge old hurts and find ways to communicate? Can everyone learn that they are wonderful individuals just the way they are? 

Find middle grade author Erin Soderberg Downing
https://www.erinsoderberg.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ErinDowningBooks/
http...

A beautiful way to teach kids about Veterans Day is to use picture books and Jeff Gottesfeld has written some incredible ones with beautiful illustrations by Matt Tavares. In this interview I discuss with Jeff his inspiration for Honor Flight: Celebrating America's Veterans and Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Honor Flight will become available in March 2026 and you can pre-order now. Twenty-One Step...

Brian Gonsar's recently published graphic novel for middle grade readers is wonderfully spooky without being scary. In our interview we discuss not only the creation of Dracula's Brunch Club, but also benefits of graphic novels and how you could use them in the classroom or at home with your own children.

Find author Brian Gonsar
https://www.bgonsar.com/books
https://www.instagram.com/bgonsar/
Dracula...

Do you have ADHD? Does someone you love have ADHD? Do you know anyone at all who has ADHD (yes, you do!) Then this picture book, All You Can Be With ADHD, is for you. It is a powerful picture book for kids with ADHD, but everyone who reads it will be better for it. Listen in to hear about how Penn and Kim Holderness created this brilliant book and how you could use it in your classroom or family.

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Many reluctant readers are pulled in by an incredible middle grade puzzle book. In this episode Chris Grabenstein and I discuss his newest book, Ms. Pennypickle's Puzzle Quest. Readers who loved the Mr. Lemoncello books are going to want to dive right into this new series. 

Find author Chris Grabenstein
https://chrisgrabenstein.com/
https://www.facebook.com/chris.grabenstein
https://www.instagram.com/Chris...

Memories are an important part of our identities, but what happens when an individual loses some of their foundational memories? Could she get them back with the help of magic? In this episode we explore these and other questions while discussing C.M. Cornwell's debut middle grade book, The Memory Spinner. 

Find middle grade author C. M. Cornwell 
https://www.cmcornwell.com/
https://www.instagram.com/cmcornwel...

Quiet kids are often told to speak up. But Kimberly knows that it is ok to be the quiet kid. In The Secret of Honeycake a story unfolds about a quiet girl who grows in her own ways, learning to speak up and yet remembering to love being quiet at times as well. There is so much to this beautiful story and I hope that you will take the opportunity to read it!

Find author Kimberly Newton Fusco 
https://www.kimberlynewtonf...

The London Blitz was scary enough, but combine it with a shadow monster? Middle grade author Ryan James Black has crafted an incredible spooky/historical fiction book that kids are going to eat up, The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham. We discuss his creation of this fantastic story as well as evoking emotion in writing and the need for connections with other people in our lives.

Find author Ryan James Black
https://rya...

K. Woodman-Maynard and I discuss what it was like for her to adapt the classic middle grade book Tuck Everlasting into a graphic novel. We also explore the Tuck Everlasting themes of grief and death.

Find author, illustrator, graphic novelist, comic coach K. Woodman-Maynard
https://www.woodmanmaynard.com/
https://www.instagram.com/woodmanmaynard/
https://woodmanmaynard.substack.com/
linkedin.com/in/kathari...

Dragon fantasy and dystopian books are right up my alley. So combine the two and BAM! You have an amazing storyline by middle grade author Mari Mancusi. In this interview we discuss not only what inspired writing New Dragon City and Dawn of the Dragons, but also why it is important to 'accept the fact that other people are going to feel different than you and figure out a way to still include them in your life.'

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Raj Sidhu has crafted a brilliant work of fiction about a group of kids that get pulled into their favorite role playing game. If you are looking for a silly laugh out loud adventure then look no further. In addition to talking about the need for these fun books for kids, Raj and I discuss helping kids see their potential and feel unconditional love from those in their lives.

Find middle grade author Raj Sidhu
https://...

Middle Grade Author Meg Eden Kuyatt shares about her newest novel in verse, The Girl In The Walls. Meg is autistic and shares powerful personal reasons for writing neurodiverse characters. This episode will resonate with you if you are neurodiverse or if you have a loved one who is. It can also be a way for you and kids to gain empathy and connect with those who are neurodiverse. 

Find author Meg Eden Kuyatt
https://ww...

Who has not wondered at some point in their lives, where do I belong? In this episode, middle grade author Kaela Rivera and I discuss her fantasy series Cece Rios. We explore how experiencing each other's cultures can foster respect and help us all better understand each other and bring us closer together. In addition to better understanding others, Cece Rios also delves into that age-old question, where do I belong?