Browsing: MG interview

Leila is the author of five novels. Her most recent book, “Once Was a Time,” is her first foray into middle-grade territory.

What makes a Newbery Award finalist and Pulitzer Prize nominee want to write a book together? In the case of Kathi Appelt and Alison McGhee, a poem.

Writing is the way “Hour of the Bees” author Lindsay Eager processes the world. And writing for young people is a privilege and responsibility, she says.

When Stacy McAnulty’s son asked for a “real life” dinosaur for his 5th birthday, his mom got creative and wrote him “Dino Files: A Mysterious Egg.” It’s the first book in a new middle-grade series.

Claudia Mills hopes “The Trouble With Ants” will resonate with young readers — “I hope they get inspired to follow their own passion for whatever odd or unusual subject attracts them.”

J. Scott Savage says “Fires of Invention” from the meeting of two separate ideas — kids building a mechanical dragon and a place where creativity is illegal.

In 1983, Valerie Tripp wrote the first story outlines for what would become the original American Girls — Kirsten, Samantha and Molly. More than 30 years later, she’s introducing her newest character, Maryellen.

As with Sonia Gensler’s other books, Ghostlight focuses on the spirit world. “I like the idea of ghosts as emotional residue,” she says.

As a child, Eve Yohalem loved reading — she’s always been a huge reader and a passionate lover of books.…

K.E. Ormsbee’s all-time favorite book is “Matilda,” by Roald Dahl. Dahl’s dark humor, awful villains and triumphantly intelligent heroine are…