“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. A debut author, Ari has already gained critical acclaim for her novel, “Saints of the Household,” which earned accolades such as the Walter Award, the Walden Award, and the Pura Belpré Award. She’s also an accomplished poet, using her craft to delve into deep themes of identity, healing, and self-discovery. In this episode, Ari shares how art connects her to her ancestral heritage. She discusses her unheard call for help with poetry, healing at her own pace, spirituality, the poets who shaped her writing, growing up between multiple places and cultures, and much more. *** 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 The Reading Culture The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup Ari Tison - Official Website Saints of the Household on HarperCollins Ari Tison’s Poetry on Split This Rock Ari Tison on LitHub Ari Tison on Twitter Ari Tison on Instagram Because of Winn-Dixie – Kate DiCamillo Calcasieu Parish Public Library Follow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content) Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture Jordan Lloyd Bookey Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producers: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

“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 The older we get, the more we understand that life is impossible to actually understand. Things are not often straightforward, and the more we do discover, the more we realize there is to discover. But when we read, we want to relate, to see the words on a page and have them reflect the world back at us in a way that makes it feel more digestible. A.S. (Amy Sarig) King has found that the only way to really do that is to make the mirror as absurd as the real thing. In today’s American political realm, the word weird is taking on a new layer of meaning. But for Amy, weirdness has always been a lifeline. For her and her characters. 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. A.S. King is a prolific, unique writer best known for "Dig," "Ask the Passengers," "Please Ignore Vera Dietz," and "The Collectors." She has received the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Edgar Award, and the Printz Honor—twice. Her work often combines surrealism with raw emotional depth, offering a fresh perspective on the human experience. In this episode, she critiques pointless teen shaming by adults, discusses why surrealism resonates with young readers, and shares her advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth through Gracie's House, a nonprofit named after her late daughter. She also reveals how her cheese tattoo led to an insight into humaneness. *** 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) Links The Reading Culture The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup A.S. King Gracie’s House Home | Kurt Vonnegut God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. | Goodreads Follow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content) Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture Jordan Lloyd Bookey Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producers: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

“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. However, holding onto hope can be challenging for kids as they face the harsh realities of our world, feeling powerless in the face of injustice, suffering, and even death. Stories play a crucial role in helping our children build resilience to face these hardships. 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 The Reading Culture The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup Katherine Applegate The One and Only Ivan | Official Trailer | Disney+ In Virginia, Censors Attempt to Axe ‘Wishtree’ Letters of E.B. White Follow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content) Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture Jordan Lloyd Bookey Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producers: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

We revisit our episode with Matt de la Peña. **** "Kids are growing up in an interesting time and they're led to believe that if we don't feel happy, we're doing something wrong. I think what I respond to is a deeper truth, which is, happiness is incredible and we should strive for it, but we should also acknowledge that half of our life is challenging or melancholy." - 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. As early as high school, Matt would embrace this side of himself by secretly writing poetry, continuing on this journey to emotional self discovery throughout adulthood. Now, influenced by writers such as Kate DiCamillo and the late Cormac McCarthy, Matt’s books seek out the deeper and sometimes darker parts of life, teaching kids the invaluable skill of acknowledging melancholy and granting them the permission to appreciate their own emotional complexity. In this episode, Matt will share his lifelong journey to accessing his own emotions and how his writing teaches kids to do the same. *** 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 The Reading Culture Matt de la Peña Matt’s Books The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and extra content) Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture Why We Shouldn’t Shield Children From Darkness | Matt's Letter to Kate DiCamillo The Children’s Book Podcast Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

We revisit our episode with Sabaa Tahir. ****** "This is happening in our world and at the very least you can bear witness to it. That's literally the absolute least you can do. - 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. *** Keep up with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. Join Sabaa on social @SabaaTahir *** 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! Contents Chapter 1 - The Middle of Nowhere (for real) 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 Links The Reading Culture Sabaa Tahir Sabaa's Books The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and extra content) Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture Sabaa Tahir on growing up in a motel - Vox ALA Annual Conference The Children’s Book Podcast Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

"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. As Shannon puts it, “If my gravestone simply said ‘Author of The Princess in Black,’ I would be happy.” Caregivers for young kids likely know Shannon and her husband Dean Hale as the authors of the beloved, bestselling “Princess in Black” series featuring a princess with a secret superhero identity. The books have turned countless kids into avid readers, and Shannon has an endless list of anecdotes to show it. But her career spans far beyond the series. Shannon is an acclaimed author celebrated for her children's and young adult novels, such as the Newbery Honor-winning "Princess Academy" and her memoir graphic novel “Real Friends” series. 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 Links The Reading Culture The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup Shannon Hale Website Follow Shannon on Instagram Anne of Green Gables Follow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content) Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture Jordan Lloyd Bookey Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producers: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

"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. Dhonielle is an acclaimed author known for her works, including "The Belles" series, "The Conjurverse" series, and "Shattered Midnight." She is also the co-author of several novels, such as "Blackout" and "Tiny Pretty Things." Equal parts creative and determined, Dhonielle is the co-founder and incoming CEO of the influential organization We Need Diverse Books. She is a one-woman powerhouse! In this episode, Dhonielle traces the magic in her books back to its roots in African folklore, details the challenge of stepping out from the long shadow of Harry Potter, and outlines her mission to hire her own collective of diverse writers. *** 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 Links The Reading Culture The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup Dhonielle Clayton Website Follow Dhonielle on Instagram The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales by Virginia Hamilton Durham Middle School Follow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content) Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture Jordan Lloyd Bookey Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producers: Jackie Lamport, Sydni Michelle Perry, and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

"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. Minh is a children's book author best known for "Drawn Together," winner of the 2019 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, as well as the Eisner-nominated "Lift" and "The Blur." He also authored the Green Lantern graphic novel series and contributed to numerous short story anthologies. Minh has a full-time day job and is also very active in the kidlit community, especially his work with We Need Diverse Books. He is intentional with his time and dedication and has made a deep impact on children’s literature. In this episode, Minh discusses how he overcame his insecurities to achieve his dream of becoming a picture book author. He also recounts the transformative experience of writing the biography of the beloved Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, and shares an absolutely breathtaking story about their encounter. Minh shares his philosophy on why we should all blur the lines between the real and the imaginary. *** 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) Links The Reading Culture The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup Minh Le Minh Lê (@bottomshelfbks) • Instagram photos and videos Dreamtigers by Jorge Luis Borges | Goodreads Thich Nhat Hanh | Plum Village Durham Middle School The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content) Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture Jordan Lloyd Bookey Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

"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. Navigating the tumult of unstable finances, queerness within Christian religious environments, and body image issues, Julie’s coming-of-age years were full of challenges. Yet, through writing, reading, and self-reflection, she has cultivated a deep love and appreciation for her authentic self and her body. Now, she writes stories that feature characters who undertake similar journeys of self-discovery and who live in and love their bodies. Julie Murphy is beloved by kids and adults alike. Her acclaimed novel "Dumplin'" was adapted into a popular Netflix film. Along with the “Dumplin’” series, Julie has written the middle grade “Camp Sylvania” series, the "Faith Herbert Origin Story" series and was widely celebrated for her 2014 debut novel, "Side Effects May Vary." In all of her stories, Julie features plus-sized characters whose bodies are incidental to the story, but that inclusion is central to Julie’s own story and to the die-hard fans of her books (raises hand!). In this episode, Julie tells us about the double-edged sword of her self-deprecating humor and how she feels about the response she gets not just from her young readers, but especially from their moms. She also discusses the evolution of body politics. She shares the college class that bored her into oblivion, leading her to discover the Twilight series and sparking the chain reaction that landed her in the literary world. *** 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 Links The Reading Culture The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup Julie Murphy (@andimjulie) • Instagram photos and videos Julie Murphy Dumplin' | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix Ask the Passengers by A.S. King | Goodreads The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content) Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture Jordan Lloyd Bookey Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

"...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 I first came to know Cece Bell through her groundbreaking semi-autobiographical graphic memoir novel, “El Deafo.” It was SO good that I had to read more by her. That's when I found out, through reading aloud with our (then younger) kids, that Cece's work is hilarious. Her zany, expressive storytelling combined with her vibrant illustrations create her unique style which she dubs, “absurdism for children.” During our conversation, Cece explains that it is in fact a style born out of misunderstandings, of her trying to make sense of the world around her while navigating it with deafness. 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. *** Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. *** 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) Links The Reading Culture The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup Cece Bell (@cecebellbooks) • Instagram photos and videos Cece Bell Animal Albums scottmccloud.com - Understanding Comics Little Nemo Comics Cece Bell on El Deafo at the National Book Festival Cece’s Reading Challenge: Sibling Stories The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content) Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture Jordan Lloyd Bookey Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

"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 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. Close to Gregory’s heart is the belief that everyone has a backstory, a context—even our enemies. And no matter how difficult the task may seem, he believes it is our duty to understand that story and find it within ourselves to empathize with them—not to excuse them but to simply see them as humans. 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. In this episode, Gregory shares those early life experiences (which can honestly be described as “Dickensian”) and how his relationships with his father and siblings have impacted his writing and life choices. He tells us about his love of the “arresting strangeness” of literary worlds and how this sensation inspired him to become a writer. He also shares why he believes in the children's stories he writes, not always getting a “happily ever after.” *** 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 Links The Reading Culture The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup Gregory Maguire Gregory (@gregorymaguire) • Instagram photos and videos WICKED Official Trailer (2024) by JRR Tolkien - On Fairy-Stories The Children of Green Knowe (Green Knowe, #1) by Lucy M. Boston | Goodreads The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content) Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

"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 The Reading Culture The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup Nina LaCour Nina LaCour (@nina_lacour) • Instagram photos and videos The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content) Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

"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. Her illustration credits include over 130 books, such as “Bear Came Along,” recognized with a Caldecott Honor, the popular “The Princess in Black” series, “Lunar New Year Love Story,” and my kids’ favorite when they were younger, “Grace for President.” She has also illustrated and written a few of her own, including the award-winning “Outside, Inside” and “Big Sister Little Sister.” In this episode, LeUyen tells us why she prefers to be an “art chameleon” (and how that led to challenges early in her career). She talks about how support from her teachers showed her that a career as an artist was even a possibility and how an accusation of cheating (well, not really) put her on the right path. *** 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) Links The Reading Culture The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup LEUYEN PHAM (@uyenloseordraw) • Instagram photos and videos LeUyen Pham (she/her) - The Author Village The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content) Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

"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. Nicola is a hopeless romantic. The affliction began in childhood after the discovery of her aunt’s harlequin romance collection. From then on, Nicola’s love of love would only grow stronger. But while her passion for romance was a love at first sight, her passion for writing was more of a slow burn. 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 9 - Don’t read this book! (applies to children) (31:21) Chapter 10 - Joy Revolution (33:40) Chapter 11 - Good Grief (36:45) Chapter 12 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (38:22) Links The Reading Culture The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup Nicola Yoon EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING - Official Trailer 2 THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR - Official Trailer Joy Revolution, Imprint Led by Nicola Yoon and David Yoon, to Launch Inaugural List in Spring 2023 | Penguin Random House Joy Revolution Books (@joyrevbooks) • Instagram photos and videos The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content) Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

"I'm putting every single ounce of who I am into every single book that I write, so y'all know to expect the blackest books you have ever read from yours truly.” - Derrick Barnes 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. In his work as an author, Derrick embodies the authenticity of his idols, being uncompromising in his goal to tell an array of black stories, for black kids. Although already an established writer, Derrick’s breakthrough picture book, "Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut" brought him national attention and accolades such as the Ezra Jack Keats Book Award, a Newbery Honor, and the Coretta Scott King Award. More recently he earned a National Book Award honor for the graphic novel “Victory Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice.” In this episode, Derrick tells the story of how music inspired him to write, how his idols taught him to never compromise his voice as a black man, and why he considers himself a freedom fighter. *** 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) Links The Reading Culture The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup Derrick Barnes Caleb McLaughlin Reads "Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut" | Bookmarks | Netflix Jr Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist For Justice - National Book Foundation The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content) Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

"I'm a bad liar. So I'm just like, I'm really good at telling the truth.” - Brandy Colbert Going down internet rabbit holes and discovering everything there is to know about random subjects is a relaxing way to spend an evening, according to Brandy Colbert. This passion for research is part of the secret sauce that helps her build such deep and believable characters in her fiction work. In her nonfiction writing, Brandy’s ability to bring humanity to the real “characters” in the story is what brings history to life. Brandy is a true acolyte of the writing craft. She spent her youth creating stories of her own and occasionally borrowing and reinterpreting tales from TV. After studying journalism in college she spent the early stages of her career contributing to niche magazines, where she honed her research prowess. Today, Brandy brings all those skills together to write gripping, detail-oriented, character-driven fiction and nonfiction stories. 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. In this episode, she tells us where she developed and honed her research skills, how she brings characters to life, and why a character by any other name is just…. not the same character. *** 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 The Reading Culture The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup Brandy Colbert Brandy Colbert (@brandycolbert) • Instagram photos and videos TRANSCRIBED as PUBLIC SERVICE Toni Morrison at Portland State, May 30, 1975 Transcribed by Keisha E. McKenzie The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content) Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

"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. In this episode, Mr. Schu, as in Mr.SchuReads, tells us about the transformative reads that shaped his life and explains how some of those stories helped him and some actually harmed him. We’ll hear how he became an author, and about the emotional toll it took to write “Louder Than Hunger.” *** 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 The Reading Culture The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup John Schu Mr. Schu Reads Louder Than Hunger by John Schu | Goodreads The One and Only Ivan The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content) Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

On Today's Show "It's practice. Vulnerability is practice. It is learning that you can do things and say things that seem scary, but ultimately know that you're safe.” - Mark Oshiro 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. Mark spent over a decade blogging about the stories they consumed, empathizing with characters, criticizing choices, and embracing every person's journey. But then they realized it was their turn to share, and in that sharing, they learned the transformative power of storytelling from the other side of the pages. They knew the healing power of vulnerability. Mark debuted on the YA scene with their 2018 novel “Anger is a Gift” and has since written titles such as “Each of Us a Desert" and the latest installment in the Percy Jackson universe, “The Sun and the Star.” But their recent semi-autobiographical novel, 'Into The Light,' represents their most ultimate and vulnerable storytelling to date. In this episode, Mark shares their life story and reflects on the refuge that books and libraries offered them as a youth from an abusive household. They also discuss how lowering their emotional defenses led them to discover the healing power of vulnerability. *** 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 The Reading Culture The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup Mark Oshiro Mark Does Stuff Anger Is a Gift by Mark Oshiro | Goodreads We Are Okay by Nina LaCour Cindy Phillbeck's Library (this week’s featured librarian) The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content) Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

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. Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

"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. In her work as a collage artist, she takes bits and pieces of scrap material and shows us their beauty when all put together. Much like her stories, we are shown that small things are what make the big things, like a Saturday spent with a loved one, or the enticing aroma of an old family recipe. 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. *** Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. *** 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) Links The Reading Culture The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup Oge Mora Forbes 30 Under 30 - Oge Mora Oge Mora (@oge_mora) • Instagram photos and videos Columbus Public Library King Arts Complex “A Street Called Home” Mural – 2005 – Kristine Schramer Aminah Robinson Romare Bearden Alli Buffington's Library (this week’s featured librarian) The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content) Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey