Tag Archives: KidLit podcast

Episode 58: Holiday Gift Guide, Part 2

The Mamas are shopping again, and the books are piling up. This episode, our two favorite surly elves offer up gift buying guides for the Middle Grade (ages 8-12) and Young Adult (ages 13-18) readers in your life. So, eat until your fat pants are tight and then take advantage of Black Friday and Small Biz Saturday deals to snatch up some great books that will leave your big kids asking for more please, Oliver Twist style.

Holiday Gift Guide:

Middle Grade (ages 8-12) books

Quest Kids and The Dragon Pants Gold by Mark Leiknes

The Kwlade series by Emily Chenowith

The Confessions of a Dork Lord series by Mike Johnston

The Switch by Roland Smith

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander

The Secret Letters by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Odder by Katherine Applegate

The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill

Spaceboy by David Walliams

Big Rig by Louise Hawes

Young Adult (ages 13-18) books

Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater

Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy Lin

Once Upon a Broken Heart and The Balland of Never After by Stephanie

Gabe in the After by Shannon Doleski

I Must Betray You – Ruta Sepetys

Before Takeoff by Adi Alsaid

Episode 53: Historical Hayride

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The Mamas are dreaming of hot cider, apple pie and cool nights so join them on an historical hayride as they travel back in time to the not-so distant past (Can the 70s really be considered historical fiction?!?) and fall in love with fantastic, new historical fiction for Middle Graders (ages 8-12).

Book Chat:

Yonder by Ali Standish

Show Me A Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte

Pick 6: More Great Historical Fiction for MG

Daring Darleen: Queen of the Screen by Anne Nesbet

Cookies & Milk by Shawn Amos

Pies from Nowhere by Dee Romito

Marika Marches for Equality by Salima Alikhan and Andrea Rossetto

Escape from East Berlin by Andy Marino

Escape from Chernobyl by Andy Marino

Episode 52: Back to School with Middle Graders

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The summer flew by and sadly it’s time to get back in school mode. The Mamas are here to help with a back to school book chat about The School For Whatnots by Margaret Peterson Haddix (or MPH if you gangsta). Listen to the Mamas fangirl about their author idol and goddess to kid robots everywhere.

Book Chat:
The School For Whatnots by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Pick 6:
The Mamas share their favorite tropes in Middle Grade fiction.

Episode 49: Adventure on the High Seas

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The Mamas dive into the big blue sea with Middle Grade (ages 8-12) seafaring fiction in this episode. Margie chases down her white whale while Heather dives for train treasure. Grab your snorkel and join the fun! We’re in vacay mode on the Two Lit Mamas podcast.

Book Chat:

Arch of Bone by Jane Yollen

Treasure Tracks by S.A. Rodriguez

Pick 6: The Mamas’ Vacay Reads

My Name is Red by Orham Pamuk
A Passion for Killing by Barbara Nadel
Turkish Delight Mystery Series by Mehmet Murat Somer
The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill
Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech
Grown & Flown by Lisa Heffernan and Mary Dell Harrington

Episode 47: Diverse Realistic Fic for Middle Grade

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The Mamas may not sound like themselves in this episode but they’re serving up great diverse reads for 8 to 12 year olds just like normal. Heather even discovers a way to love Realistic Fiction while Margie’s just hoping to survive the Great Pollening. Join the Mamas for a fun chat and be grateful that the only thing contagious through your speakers are the laughs.

Book Chat:

Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Yee

The Night Bus Hero by Onjali Q. Raúf

Pick 6:
The Mamas chat about 6 things they’re looking forward to this summer!

Episode 45: Pack Your Bags, We’re Going to Mars

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On the eve of Mother’s Day, the Mamas are packing their bags for Mars. They’ve got their motion sickness cures and their poopoo sprays tucked into travel bags; and they’re looking forward to a few days of weightlessness in the silence of space. Join the Mama’s space club so you aren’t left angry walking (or floating) alone.

Book Chat:
Packing for Mars for Kids by Mary Roach

Pick 6:
Books for a Quiet (and less disappointing) Mother’s Day

Jane Austen’s Table: Recipes Inspired by the Works of Jane Austen: PIcnics, Feasts and Afternoon Teas By Robert Tuesley Anderson
Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children by Angela J. Hanscom
Craft in the Real World: Rethinking Fiction Writing and Workshopping by Matthew Salesses
Into the Wild by Jon Krakhauer
Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
Educated by Tara Westover & Educating by LaRee Westover

Episode 44: Spins-Off for Adults & Kids

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After a break, the Mamas are back with a fun way to boost your summer reading: pairing a gown-up book series with a Middle Grade book series that share the same world and characters in the spirit of Spin-Offs that only kids of the 80’s and 90’s could love! Inspired by their cold beach walks, the Mamas jumped on an ocean-themed book series for Middle Graders that ties into a series of grown-up books with the same characters and overall themes. Parent/child book club, anyone?

Book Chat:

Grown-Up Book: Mangrove Lightning by Randy Wayne White
Middle Grade Book: Fins by Randy Wayne White
randywaynewhite.com

Pick 6: More Book Spins-Offs We Love!

1. Alexander McCall-Smith’s chapter book The Great Cake Mystery has the same MC as his adult series the #1 Ladies Detective Agency

2. Carl Hiaasan’s Chomp, Hoot, Scat, Flush, Skink and Squirm are MG books that are styled like his adult books

3. Famous adult author Terry Pratchett’s MG book, Only you Can Save Mankind

4. Finishing School Series is a steampunk MG series by Gail Carriger who also has adult steampunk books

5. Death Comes to Pemberley is a book and movie based on the Pride and Prejudice characters by Jane Austen written by famous mystery author P.D. James

6. The whole family can join the fun with Little House on the PrairiePicture Books that match up to themes and scenes in the Middle Grade series by Laura Ingalls Wilders

Episode 40: Time Traveling Middle Graders

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In todays book chat, the SciFi loving Mamas are giddy about two new time travel Middle Grade books (for 8-12 year olds) that take them back 5 years and 500 years. But, before they get started the Mamas share their fantasy time travel vacays, including sipping tea with Abigail Adams and throwing down with the magnificent Ottomans. Don’t worry! The Mamas won’t let you get stuck in the past (especially the ’80s) so jump aboard the time machine and laugh along with Two Lit Mamas.

Book Chat:

DaVinci’s Cat by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Operation Do-Over by Gordon Korman

Episode 39: Pirates in Middle Grade Books

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Arrrrr, the Mamas uncover buried treasure with three pirate-themed books for Middle Graders readers (aged 8-13) in the 39th episode of Two Lit Mamas Podcast. Their high seas discussions quickly freeze over with six tips for beating the winter blahs that don’t include walking the plank. Join them if you dare!

Book Chat:

Pick 6: How the Mamas beat the winter blahs

Lots of carbs, including homemade bread, French pastries, and pretzels. Yes, please!
Get cozy with Danish Hygge and throw another log on the fire.
Game the system with games.
Embrace the Swedish mantra “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”
Murder in books, movies, TV shows and podcasts
Make your family mission statement “Always Be Learning.”

Episode 38: Twisted Fairy Tales for Modern Middle Graders

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For the first episode of the new year, the Mamas are kicking it at the back of the class, reading twisted fairy tales, passing notes about their latest obsessions (we’re looking at you Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum); while keeping their heads down and hoping to stay under the radar of Mrs. 2022’s evil glare. Come join the rebels in the back – this is your two-minute warning!

Book Chat:

Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales by Soman Chainani

Pick 6: Our 2022 Obsessions

Trashy Reality TV
Bigelow Green Tea with Elderberry
Maker Spaces & Loose Parts Play
Welcome to Earth with Will Smith on Disney+
The World According to Jeff Goldblum on Disney+
Prepping for High School graduation