Unstoppable Force, Movable Object: Dhonielle Clayton on Levering Children's Books Into the 21st Century

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 ChaptersChapter 1 - Best Alter EgoChapter 2 - The Teen Whisperer AwardChapter 3 - Full Circle Moment Chapter 4 - Best [Not] Meet CuteChapter 5 - Citizen of the World AwardChapter 6 - Odd Couple AwardChapter 7 - The All In AwardChapter 8 - Most Moving Dream Chapter 9 - Best Life Lesson From LiteratureChapter 10 - Owning It Award Chapter 11 - Most Likely to Rewrite the Stars Chapter 12 - Merriam-Webster AwardChapter 13 - Best Dinner Party GameLinksThe Reading CultureThe Reading Culture Newsletter SignupFollow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading cultureJordan Lloyd BookeyHost: Jordan Lloyd BookeyProducer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street MediaScript Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

“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 PinkneyAndrea 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 ChaptersChapter 1 - Mom, Dad, and Civil Rights.Chapter 2 - SanctuariesChapter 3 - White Spaces Chapter 4 - Tar BeachChapter 5 - The IgniterChapter 6 - The Page One PactChapter 7 - Kerlan ExhibitChapter 8 - Rhythm and MuseChapter 9 - Beanstack Featured Librarian LinksThe Reading CultureThe Reading Culture Newsletter SignupAndrea Davis PinkneyAndrea Pinkney (@andreapinkney1) • Instagram photos and videosTar Beach – Faith Ringgold3 King VisionsMary Tyler MooreEssence MagazineFollow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading cultureJordan Lloyd BookeyHost: Jordan Lloyd BookeyProducers: Jackie Lamport, Wanyee Li, and Lower Street MediaScript Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

We revisit our episode with Gregory Maguire.******"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 MaguireGregory 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.ContentsChapter 1 - Travel of the MindChapter 2 - Home, the Orphanage, and back againChapter 3 - The Children of Green KnoweChapter 4 - Harriet the RecorderChapter 5 - Origins of EmpathyChapter 6 - The Absence of a Happily Ever AfterChapter 7 - Arresting StrangenessChapter 8 - Beanstack Featured LibrarianLinksThe Reading CultureThe Reading Culture Newsletter SignupGregory MaguireGregory (@gregorymaguire) • Instagram photos and videosWICKED Official Trailer (2024)by JRR Tolkien - On Fairy-StoriesThe Children of Green Knowe (Green Knowe, #1) by Lucy M. Boston | GoodreadsThe Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading cultureHost: Jordan Lloyd BookeyProducer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street MediaScript Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

“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 BarnettGrowing 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***This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Mari Martinez, an assistant manager and librarian at Broward County Library. She tells us why she sees the library as a secret buffet.***Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. Show ChaptersChapter 1 - The Picture Book ProclamationChapter 2 - A Hall of ClocksChapter 3 - Smaller, Better, Faster, Smarter Chapter 4 - Writing for Five-Year-OldsChapter 5 - The Will to Make Believe (and believe it)Chapter 6 - Mac to Mac Chapter 7 - The Possibilities of Picture BooksChapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian LinksThe Reading CultureThe Reading Culture Newsletter SignupMac BarnettMac Barnett: InstagramThe Picture Book ProclamationMac Barnett: Why a Good Book is a Secret DoorAre Five-Year-Olds Better at Reading than Adults?"Writing for Five-Year-Olds" by Margaret Wise BrownFollow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading cultureJordan Lloyd BookeyHost: Jordan Lloyd BookeyProducers: Jackie Lamport  and Lower Street MediaScript Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

“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 SchreferAt 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.While his coming of age taught Eliot Schrefer to stop living his life exclusively as an observer, as an author, found himself once more removing himself from his work. This time, though, it’s intentional and for vastly different purposes. To Eliot, writing is about asking questions that the author is not supposed to answer. That’s for the reader to do.Eliot is a bestselling author celebrated for his young adult and middle-grade novels, including “Endangered,” and the rest of his Ape Quartet series, “Queer Ducks” (that even landed him on The Daily Show!), as well as “The Darkness Outside Us” and its newly released sequel, “The Brightness Between Us.” Eliot is also a Printz Honoree and a two-time National Book Award finalist. 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 ChaptersChapter 1 - Carl Sagan and M.T. Anderson Walk Into a Bar…Chapter 2 - Science, Fantasy, and the Matrix (Printer) Chapter 3 - What I BelieveChapter 4 - The View From the ClosetChapter 5 - Duck HuntChapter 6 - I Ask the Questions Around HereChapter 7 - Beyond the Human ExperienceChapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian LinksThe Reading CultureThe Reading Culture Newsletter SignupEliot SchreferEliot Schrefer (@schrefer) • Instagram photos and videosPale Blue DotM.T. Anderson on The Reading CultureGregory Maguire on The Reading CultureEM Forster - WHAT I BELIEVEHowards End by E.M. Forster | GoodreadsFollow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading cultureJordan Lloyd BookeyHost: Jordan Lloyd BookeyProducers: Jackie Lamport  and Lower Street MediaScript Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

“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 MarshEvery moment of every day, our attention is the subject of a battle. As adults, we struggle to focus on the 'right' things—so how can we expect our kids to? With this in mind, capturing and holding young readers’ attention is a key focus for Katherine Marsh in her books. But she’s determined to do so without sacrificing intellectual depth. 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.Katherine Marsh is an award-winning author best known for her novels “The Night Tourist,” “Nowhere Boy,” and “The Lost Year,” a National Book Award finalist for young people’s literature. Her stories often unfold against the backdrop of the harsh, historical, or present realities, but as she notes, all of her stories are also mysteries. They have always had that hook! Her work has earned her several honors in addition to being a National Book Award finalist, including the Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Mystery, along with being a New York Times notable selection.In this episode, Katherine explores ways to address the setback in children's reading caused by the pandemic and dives into her article on the topic for The Atlantic. Katherine also recounts a jarring story passed down to her and considers the profound role of the story in raising her. She also reflects on how her time as a journalist has impacted how she approaches that craft of storytelling.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 ChaptersChapter 1 - Stories From GrandmaChapter 2 - The Joy of Being BoredChapter 3 - Our Animal Friends at Maple FarmChapter 4 - Cutting Through the NoiseChapter 5 - A Diverse DietChapter 6 - The Kids Are (Sort of) All RightChapter 7 - Boarding School TiesChapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian LinksThe Reading CultureThe Reading Culture Newsletter SignupKatherine MarshWhy Kids Aren’t Falling in Love With Reading - The AtlanticKatherine Marsh - National Book FoundationOur Animal Friends at Maple Hill Farm by Alice Provensen | GoodreadsBroward County LibraryFollow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading cultureJordan Lloyd BookeyHost: Jordan Lloyd BookeyProducers: Jackie Lamport  and Lower Street MediaScript Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

“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 CórdovaZoraida Córdova doesn’t care about what a book should be. When she writes, she’s interested in.. well… what she’s interested in. That means Zoraida doesn't prioritize following rules or meeting pre-set expectations. If she wants to write about sappy zombies, she will. If she wants to create a deep, profound novel, she will. Above all, she values creative freedom.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 ChaptersChapter 1 - Missing MagicChapter 2 - I’m Wiccan Now, Mom.Chapter 3 - In the Forests of the NightChapter 4 - There’s Nothing Wrong with LoveChapter 5 - Step OutsideChapter 6 - Screw the Comfort ZoneChapter 7 - Beanstack Featured Librarian LinksThe Reading CultureThe Reading Culture Newsletter SignupZoraida CórdovaIn the Forests of the Night by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes | GoodreadsNorth Dakota State LibraryFollow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading cultureJordan Lloyd BookeyHost: Jordan Lloyd BookeyProducers: Jackie Lamport  and Lower Street MediaScript Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

“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 AcevedoIn 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. In fact, when I asked Elizabeth about her personal journey, she called on her community and family at every phase—the community that raised her and continues to nurture her. Elizabeth credits everyone, from the neighborhood boys who encouraged her to spit bars at the local corner store to the teacher-mentors, with being essential to her rise as a critically acclaimed author and international slam poet star.Elizabeth Acevedo is a beloved poet and author, celebrated for winning prestigious honors like the National Book Award, the Prinz Medal, and the Pura Belpré Award. She also held the title of Young People's Poet Laureate. And on a personal note, she is one of my all-time favorite authors. Elizabeth is renowned for her young adult novels, including "The Poet X," "Clap When You Land," and "With The Fire on High," along with her recent adult novel, "Family Lore." Her writing vividly explores her Afro-Latina heritage, delving into themes of identity, family, and the relentless pursuit of dreams.In this episode, we discuss Elizabeth's secret mentors (and mentees), and some of the spurns she has encountered within the literary community. She reminisces about Friday nights in her apartment building, reflects on the importance of names, and ruminates about what her future may hold. She even shares her original rap name!***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 ChaptersChapter 1 - Who Is Here Chapter 2 - It Takes a VillageChapter 3 - The House on Mango StreetChapter 4 - Paying it ForwardChapter 5 - Novels Through PoemsChapter 6 - Beanstack Featured Librarian LinksThe Reading CultureThe Reading Culture Newsletter SignupElizabeth Acevedo Elizabeth Acevedo - "Hair"The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros | GoodreadsGwinnett County Public LibraryFollow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)Beanstack resources to build your community's reading cultureJordan Lloyd BookeyHost: Jordan Lloyd BookeyProducers: Jackie Lamport, Elena Guthrie, and Lower Street MediaScript Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

“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 TisonWhen 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.ContentsChapter 1 - Thrown InChapter 2 - Safety in Letters (art)Chapter 3 - Because of Because of Winn-DixieChapter 4 - The Voices That Came BeforeChapter 5 - Justice and HealingChapter 6 - Reading ChallengeChapter 7 - Beanstack Featured Librarian LinksThe Reading CultureThe Reading Culture Newsletter SignupAri Tison - Official WebsiteSaints of the Household on HarperCollinsAri Tison’s Poetry on Split This RockAri Tison on LitHubAri Tison on TwitterAri Tison on InstagramBecause of Winn-Dixie – Kate DiCamilloCalcasieu Parish Public LibraryFollow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading cultureJordan Lloyd BookeyHost: Jordan Lloyd BookeyProducers: Jackie Lamport  and Lower Street MediaScript 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. KingThe 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.ContentsChapter 1 - Sci-Fives and Reading (Pennsylvania)Chapter 2 - Embracing the StrangeChapter 3 - The Job of ValidationChapter 4 - Gracie’s House, Gracie’s HandsChapter 5 - Surrealism, For RealChapter 6 - Pick The LockChapter 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)LinksThe Reading CultureThe Reading Culture Newsletter SignupA.S. KingGracie’s HouseHome | Kurt VonnegutGod Bless You, Mr. Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. | GoodreadsFollow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading cultureJordan Lloyd BookeyHost: Jordan Lloyd BookeyProducers: Jackie Lamport  and Lower Street MediaScript Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey