Gratz takes the reader right into the duality of Berlin during the 1936 Olympics — a city being purged of any ‘undesirable’ citizens to put on a good show for the world. Gratz does not shy away from the comparison between 1936 Germany and 2025 America. This is a timely book that every middle-grade reader, …
James Crossley (Madison Books) and Miriam Landis (author of the new middle-grade novel Lauren in the Limelight) were colleagues at Island Books, Mercer Island, WA. They reunited for this exclusive interview for nwbooklovers.org. James: We’ve known each other a long time, and while you’ve worn many hats over the years, I know you best from …
Seattle author Mark Holtzen interviewed Kristi Wientge; the two are long-time critique partners and long-distance friends. Best Friends, Bikinis, and Other Summer Catastrophes is available at bookstores around the country as of May 17, 2022. Mark Holtzen (MH): You have a new middle grade children’s book. What first inspired this story idea? What caused …
Xiran Jay Zhao’s Young Adult novel, Iron Widow, won a 2022 PNBA Award. Now their first middle grade novel is on bookshelves, and it’s an action- and history-filled romp! Enjoy this introduction video from the author.
Kevin Emerson’s newest middle grade novel, Drifters, is a mystery/sci-fi about a 13-year-old girl searching for her missing friend on the Washington coast. While a tale with multiple timelines and universes, Drifters is also a simple story about holding onto friendship. It is also a love letter to the PNW coast. RK: What was your …
The Bookshop of Dust and Dreams is at the top of my bucket list of great bookstores. In this magical shop people from different times walk in the door to find the book they need and be nourished by the magic of the shop. Flowers bloom, messages appear on the chalkboard, and everyone feels loved …
A Scottish castle, birdwatching and finding one’s flock are at the center of the charming middle-grade novel Across the Pond by Joy McCullough (Blood Water Paint; A Field Guide to Getting Lost; Champ and Major: First Dogs). When Callie’s parents inherit a Scottish castle, she’s thrilled at the prospect of a fresh start. But Callie’s hopes of …
On the livestreaming event celebrating the 2021 Pacific Northwest Book Award Winners, an audience member asked the authors for book recommendations. Here are some of the books that came up, some literally pulled from stacks near the authors for show and tell: Entangled Life (recommended by Silvia Morena-Garcia) The Gilded Ones (recommended by Kim Johnson. …
This wonderful new middle grade novel is something of a hybrid. It is autobiographical fiction. Or, rather, it is the creative way that the author tells his own story. And Nayeri’s work is compelling and compassionate. Written with great heart and humor— and with a genuine flair for the art of storytelling— Everything Sad Is …
In Black Brother, Black Brother, Rhodes looks at colorism, prejudice in schooling systems against people of color, and whitewashing in history all in a brilliant sports narrative. After being falsely accused of disrupting class at his private school and then arrested for being angry that no one would listen to him, Donte is encouraged to …
