112 episodes

The Middle-Grade Mavens are two Australian authors reviewing middle-grade children's books. We also chat with authors and illustrators about their inspiration, processes and experience and sometimes we interview publishers and agents to find out more about the industry. Whether you're a writer, school librarian, teacher, or just a book fan, this is for you. Julie Anne Grasso is the author of the Frankie Dupont Mystery series, cupcake enthusiast and part-time library book wrangler. Pamela Ueckerman is a dance teacher, writer, book reviewer, editor and home educator.
#LoveOzMg

Middle Grade Mavens Julie Grasso+Pamela Ueckerman

    • Arts
    • 5.0 • 2 Ratings

The Middle-Grade Mavens are two Australian authors reviewing middle-grade children's books. We also chat with authors and illustrators about their inspiration, processes and experience and sometimes we interview publishers and agents to find out more about the industry. Whether you're a writer, school librarian, teacher, or just a book fan, this is for you. Julie Anne Grasso is the author of the Frankie Dupont Mystery series, cupcake enthusiast and part-time library book wrangler. Pamela Ueckerman is a dance teacher, writer, book reviewer, editor and home educator.
#LoveOzMg

    Episode 112: Christmas 2022 and our top reads for the year 2022!

    Episode 112: Christmas 2022 and our top reads for the year 2022!

    Today on Middle Grade Mavens, we chat about the year that was and a couple of books we loved...

    Pamela announces her Christmas picture book deal with the National Library of Australia, due for October 2023

    Plus, we are now accepting Picture books to Maven central, for reel and or review, so if you have a book coming out, direct your publicist to our website contact. 

    Happy holidays and see you in 2023!



    To learn more about the Mavens, head on over to https://www.middlegradepodcast.com

    For Julie's author services drop by Author Services – Julie Anne Grasso Books

    And for Pamela online find her at https://www.ueckerman.net

    Find us on Instagram: Podcaster + Librarian + Author + Book & Reels Coach (@juliegrasso_middlegrademavens) • Instagram photos and videos

    Have a question or comment? Email us at mavens@middlegradepodcast.com




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    • 17 min
    Episode 111: Interview with Kate Temple: Author of "The Dangerous Business of being Trilby Moffat."

    Episode 111: Interview with Kate Temple: Author of "The Dangerous Business of being Trilby Moffat."

    Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Julie chats to Kate Temple, author of "The Dangerous Business of being Trilby Moffat."

    To learn more about Kate head to Kate Temple Books - Hachette Australia

    This is NOT just any old book. THIS is a legal document. It contains a truthful record of how Trilby Moffat was accidentally promoted to the most important job that ever existed. The job of Time Keeper.

    A mystery illness is making people bake ancient cakes, speak dead languages and then fall asleep and never wake up. When Trilby Moffat's mother catches this strange sickness, Trilby must find her only other surviving relative, a 300-year-old aunt who lives in a secret antique shop on the edge of time.

    Ahead of Trilby lies an unusual inheritance, an opportunity that will never be repeated and a man in a top hat who will try to kill her . . . more than once.

    This is the story of how one ordinary girl finds herself on a deliciously fast-paced adventure, fleeing to an island where time doesn't exist, cats are particularly rude and cake is always on the menu. Here she will take on the most treacherous job of all time. Well . . . outside of time, to be precise.

    THIS IS THE DANGEROUS BUSINESS OF BEING TRILBY MOFFAT.

    Check out Kate's book here The Dangerous Business of Being Trilby Moffat, Trilby Moffat : Book 1 by Kate Temple | 9780734420909 | Booktopia

    To learn more about the Mavens, head on over to https://www.middlegradepodcast.com

    For Julie's author services drop by Author Services – Julie Anne Grasso Books

    And for Pamela online find her at https://www.ueckerman.net

    Have a question or comment? Email us at mavens@middlegradepodcast.com

    To follow us on Instagram:  Kidlit podcaster + Graphic Novelist + Librarian (@middle_grade_mavens_pitch_reel) • Instagram photos and videos


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    • 19 min
    Episode 110: Mini Revies + Interview with Reece Carter: author of "A girl called Corpse."

    Episode 110: Mini Revies + Interview with Reece Carter: author of "A girl called Corpse."

    Today on Middle Grade Mavens, 
    Pamel and Julie discuss some great middle grade book releases... 
    The Goodbye Year by Emily Gale | 9781922458599 | Booktopia
    The Bookseller's Apprentice by Amelia Mellor | 9781922400871 | Booktopia
    The Dangerous Business of Being Trilby Moffat, Trilby Moffat : Book 1 by Kate Temple | 9780734420909 | Booktopia

    Julie chats to Reece Carter, author of "A girl called Corpse," Illustrated by Simon Howe,  published by Allen and Unwin in October 2022.
    To learn more about Reece, head to : Meet Reece — Reece Carter
    To buy the book, head to: A Girl Called Corpse, An Elston-Fright Tale by Reece Carter | 9781761066788 | Booktopia
    'Find the thing the Witches call a treasure,' says Old Man, 'and you'll get back all those memories you're missing.'

    With a body made of wax, seaweed for hair and polished abalone shells for eyes, Corpse is bound to haunt the Witches' sea shack forever. She has no memory of the kid she was before she was snatched and ended up on the rock-that-doesn't-exist. But the delivery of an unexpected message sets Corpse off on a surprising quest, searching for answers to the old and familiar questions that have filled her not-brain since the day she first woke up a ghost. Questions about her name. Questions about her family. With only her eight-legged friend Simon for company, Corpse heads into the unknown. There will be danger - cruel Witches, a silver-eyed sea monster and a cunning Merchant with a hungry grin - but Corpse is not afraid. She'll stop at nothing to uncover the truth about her past. Only some answers, it turns out, are much closer than she thinks.
    To learn more about the Mavens, head on over to https://www.middlegradepodcast.com
    For Julie's author services drop by Author Services – Julie Anne Grasso Books
    And for Pamela online find her at https://www.ueckerman.net
    Have a question or comment? Email us at mavens@middlegradepodcast.com
    To follow us on Instagram:  Kidlit podcaster + Graphic Novelist + Librarian (@middle_grade_mavens_pitch_reel) • Instagram photos and videos


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    • 37 min
    Episode 109: The Sugar Cane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat / The Detectives Guide to New York City / Cross Bones / Interview with Jack Henseleit and Chris Kennett

    Episode 109: The Sugar Cane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat / The Detectives Guide to New York City / Cross Bones / Interview with Jack Henseleit and Chris Kennett

    Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews The Sugar Cane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold, and "The Detectives guide to New York City," by Nicki Greenberg.  Julie reviews Cross Bones, by Jack Henseleit and Chris Kennett.

    The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold | 9781922458520 | Booktopia

    The Detective's Guide to New York City by Nicki Greenberg | 9781922711748 | Booktopia

    Plus, Julie chats to Jack Henseleit and Chris Kennett. 

    Cross Bones: A Dog's Breakfast, Cross Bones by Jack Henseleit | 9781760509255 | Booktopia

    For more information on Jack's books head to...  JACK HENSELEIT – AUTHOR / PIRATE

    For more information on Chris's books go to... Chris Kennett Illustration

     

    To learn more about the Mavens, head on over to https://www.middlegradepodcast.com

    Or to find Julie online drop by https://www.julieannegrassobooks.com

    And for Pamela online find her at https://www.ueckerman.net

    Have a question or comment? Email us at mavens@middlegradepodcast.com

    To follow us on Instagram:  Middle Grade Mavens (@middle_grade_mavens_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos






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    • 56 min
    Episode 108 / When Granny came to stay/ Maku / Brett Perkins, author of The Prison for the Magically Cursed review and interview

    Episode 108 / When Granny came to stay/ Maku / Brett Perkins, author of The Prison for the Magically Cursed review and interview

    Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Pamela reviews, "When Granny Came to Stay," by Alice Pung, illustrated by Sally Soweol Han, as well as Maku by Meyne Wyatt, and Julie reviews, "The Prison for the magically cursed," by Brett Perkins. 



    When Granny Came To Stay by Alice Pung | 9781760984991 | Booktopia

    The Prison for the Magically Cursed eBook : Perkins, Brett: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store

    Maku by Meyne Wyatt | 9781760987756 | Booktopia



    Plus Brett Perkins stops by for an interview!!!!

    To learn more about the Mavens, head on over to https://www.middlegradepodcast.com

    Or to find Julie online drop by https://www.julieannegrassobooks.com

    And for Pamela online find her at https://www.ueckerman.net

    Have a question or comment? Email us at mavens@middlegradepodcast.com

    To follow us on Instagram:  Middle Grade Mavens (@middle_grade_mavens_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos




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    • 44 min
    Episode 107 : Interview with Nat Amoore, author of We Run Tomorrow

    Episode 107 : Interview with Nat Amoore, author of We Run Tomorrow

    Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Julie chats to Nat Amoore, author of We Run Tomorrow, illustrated by Mike Barry

    As a kid, Nat Amoore did it all – run away from home, play epic pranks, plot a future in Hollywood, invent money-making schemes and never listen to a word her parents said. Now as a ‘responsible’ adult...well, nothing has really changed. But at least she uses her creative powers for good! The bestselling author of The Right Way to Rock, The Power of Positive Pranking and Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire teaches students how they can pluck moments from the chaos of childhood and mould them into hilarious tales of adventure and mayhem.

    Book Link: 

    We Run Tomorrow by Nat Amoore | 9781760897697 | Booktopia

    Nat's Website: 

    About - Nat Amoore Children's Author and Podcast Host

    To learn more about the Mavens, head on over to https://www.middlegradepodcast.com

    Or to find Julie online drop by https://www.julieannegrassobooks.com

    And for Pamela online find her at https://www.ueckerman.net

    Have a question or comment? Email us at mavens@middlegradepodcast.com

    To follow us on Instagram:  Middle Grade Mavens (@middle_grade_mavens_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos




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    • 28 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
2 Ratings

2 Ratings

YourEmptyNestCoach ,

Looking for a new book for your middle grade reader? This is your podcast.

Julie and Pamela’s love of middle grade books shines through. The books are reviewed in great detail. Word count, content, appropriate age range and more! Definitely listen!

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