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Ann Braden (she/her)

@annbraden.bsky.social

1.7K followers 600 following 310 posts

MG author of THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS, FLIGHT OF THE PUFFIN, OPINIONS & OPOSSUMS.... just released: INTO THE RAPIDS Former middle school teacher. Southern Vermont. Rep'd by Tricia Lawrence https://linktr.ee/annbraden

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Ann Braden (she/her) @annbraden.bsky.social · Nov 12

It's my next book!

It’s about survival
about overcoming isolation
about grief & anxiety and how they make us collapse in on ourselves, but how, with enough support, we can be brave enough to open back up to life and live without regrets.

Gorgeous cover by Oriol Vidal.
youtube.com/shorts/EutDY...

Unboxing Ann's Next Book! (And Cover Reveal!)

YouTube video by Ann Braden

youtube.com

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Reposted by Ann Braden (she/her)

Matthew C Winner @matthewcwinner.bsky.social · Jul 28

Listen Back: Ann Braden shares THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS, a story about the things people tell us about ourselves and others, and how those things can become truths if we believe them, for good or for harm. www.matthewcwinner.com/post/listen-... #kidlit #podcast @annbraden.bsky.social

Listen Back: Ann Braden shares The Benefits of Being an Octopus

Ann Braden shares THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS. This is a story about the strength of a 12-year-old girl named Zoey, even from before the moment when she realized she possessed such strength.

www.matthewcwinner.com

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Reposted by Ann Braden (she/her)

Preeti Chhibber @runwithskizzers.bsky.social · Jun 14

Seen this going around but I’m
Reposting it with the full alt text bc everyone deserves to read this glorious reply from Boy George

A Twitter reply from Boy George to JKR. JKR said something predictably terfy.

Boy George’s reply:

This is your obsession and it's pretty relentless and for no reason. You don't get to decided who or what anyone is except when you write. In the real world people can and always will be what they want to be. You can't stop it but you can continue to make young kids lives more difficult. You are cruel JK, you have started to look cruel in pictures. All this obsession is wearing on your expression. The pictures of you mocking 'trans' people like Winston Churchill after the Supreme Court ruling. Your endless comments about how rich you are. It's depressing and tacky and proves you are desperate to mean something but sadly you are just being mean.
As my hilarious friend David Hoyle always says.
'Ladies & gentlemen and those of you still deciding. There are two type of people, nice people and c***s.
I do not expect any positive response and you will continue to be supported by women who see you as some kind of gender hero. Women are not better than men and men are not better than women. As a man, a biological one, rah, rah, I have no issue with a girl becoming a boy or the other way around. As a gay man who has worn make-up since 14 l had lived my entire life feeling awkward and afraid using male public toilets.
It's not easy being different and you are only making it harder. Why don't you buy a nice Scottish island or a farm and start a JK commune for traumatised Terfs. Or listen to your fellow Scott Sydney Banks and he will hopefully help you understand that this is all in your head.

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Ann Braden (she/her) @annbraden.bsky.social · Jun 11

Thank you! 🙏🏼

Reposted by Ann Braden (she/her)

Penguin School & Library @penguinschoollib.bsky.social · Jun 11

Love this post from @annbraden.bsky.social. #EduSky

"When life shows you how fragile it can be, it shapes you as a person.

This is what I explore in my newest book INTO THE RAPIDS. It’s a survival story, but it’s also about how there’s more to life than just survival."

MOVING BEYOND SURVIVAL MODE by Ann Braden

When I was fifteen-months old, my dad died in a plane crash. I was in the plane crash, too. So was my mom. My mom saved my life. It was winter, after sunset, when we crashed into a heavi…

nerdybookclub.wordpress.com

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Reposted by Ann Braden (she/her)

Manju Beth Howard @manjubeth.bsky.social · Jun 10

"[Kids]need to see themselves as a hero on the page—but they also need to be able to be transported somewhere else. Maybe that’s to somewhere funny or somewhere magical. Maybe it’s to the past or to a dystopian future that makes our current world look like a utopian society." #kidlit

School Library Journal @slj.com · Jun 9

Don’t Judge Young Readers Who Need a Break From Tough Topics | Opinion

Author Ann Braden tackles difficult subject matter in her middle grade books. But she knows the value of an escapist read and wants the children's publishing world to respect and understand the kids w...

www.slj.com

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Ann Braden (she/her) @annbraden.bsky.social · Jun 10

Thank you for sharing, Michelle! I’m so glad it resonated.

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Ann Braden (she/her) @annbraden.bsky.social · Jun 10

I’ve got opinions!

www.slj.com/story/newsfe...

#FreedomToRead

Don’t Judge Young Readers Who Need a Break From Tough Topics | Opinion

www.slj.com

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Ann Braden (she/her) @annbraden.bsky.social · Jun 10

Ooh! So fabulous! Enjoy!!!!!

Ann Braden (she/her) @annbraden.bsky.social · Jun 8

Thank you for reading it, Stacy!

Ann Braden (she/her) @annbraden.bsky.social · Jun 7

Yay! Happy reading!

Reposted by Ann Braden (she/her)

Cindy Schwind @cindyschwind1.bsky.social · Jun 4

I loved this new one by @annbraden.bsky.social
It’s out in the world now!!Addy & Caleb are headed to our next #bookposse reader @teachlovesbooks.bsky.social @nancyrosep.bsky.social

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Ann Braden (she/her) @annbraden.bsky.social · Jun 4

Thank you so much, Cindy!

Reposted by Ann Braden (she/her)

Penguin School & Library @penguinschoollib.bsky.social · May 27

We couldn't let May #BookBirthdays end without a moment for all of the amazing middle grade and early readers the month gave us! Click to learn more about these great new books 📕 (2/2)

@annbraden.bsky.social

THE BURNING SEASON by Caroline Starr Rose book cover and description image

INTO THE RAPIDS by Ann Braden book cover and description image

SO OVER SHARING by Elissa Brent Weissman book cover and description image

THE MIDWATCH INSTITUTE FOR WAYWARD GIRLS by Judith Rossell book cover and description image

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Reposted by Ann Braden (she/her)

Lori Tecler @loritecler.bsky.social · May 27

In INTO THE RAPIDS by @annbraden.bsky.social, when a severe storm jeopardizes Addy's plan to attend a survival camp, she'll have to decide if she is ready to trust a new friend & her community to chase her goal. Don't miss this fast paced survival story w/adventure & emotion! #mglit 📚👍🏻

Cover of INTO THE RAPIDS by Ann Braden. A girl with brown hair in a pony tail and wearing a large yellow backpack stands on a rock in the pouring rain, overlooking rushing water lined with trees in both sides.

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Ann Braden (she/her) @annbraden.bsky.social · May 27

Thank you for reading and this review!

Ann Braden (she/her) @annbraden.bsky.social · May 25

I loved his first one. I listened to the audio which he narrated himself and it was like being transported into a different plane of existence.

Ann Braden (she/her) @annbraden.bsky.social · May 25

Excellent one to start with!

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Ann Braden (she/her) @annbraden.bsky.social · May 24

🥰🥰🥰

Reposted by Ann Braden (she/her)

Lynn Plourde @lynnplourde.bsky.social · May 24

5 out of 5 stars to INTO THE RAPIDS by @annbraden.bsky.social www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
@nancyrosep.bsky.social @penguinschoollib.bsky.social #mg

Lynn Plourde's review of Into the Rapids

5/5: From the beginning of INTO THE RAPIDS, I wanted to give Addy a hug. She carried such a heavy load. And I don't mean the weight of her backpack for the survival camp she desperately wanted to get ...

www.goodreads.com

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Ann Braden (she/her) @annbraden.bsky.social · May 24

Oh my goodness, I love this review so much! Huge hugs to you, Lynn, both within the pages and outside of them! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Ann Braden (she/her) @annbraden.bsky.social · May 21

❤️❤️❤️

Ann Braden (she/her) @annbraden.bsky.social · May 21

“I know many of us feel like we’re in survival mode at the moment. For so many reasons and in so many directions at once.

So, how do we both manage to survive AND make that leap from survival mode to being able to play and relax enough to trust others?”
nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2025/05/20/m...

MOVING BEYOND SURVIVAL MODE by Ann Braden

When I was fifteen-months old, my dad died in a plane crash. I was in the plane crash, too. So was my mom. My mom saved my life. It was winter, after sunset, when we crashed into a heavi…

nerdybookclub.wordpress.com

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Reposted by Ann Braden (she/her)

Lynn Plourde @lynnplourde.bsky.social · May 20

Wow! Powerful personal connection to @annbraden.bsky.social’s new #mg novel. nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2025/05/20/m... @nancyrosep.bsky.social @penguinschoollib.bsky.social

MOVING BEYOND SURVIVAL MODE by Ann Braden

When I was fifteen-months old, my dad died in a plane crash. I was in the plane crash, too. So was my mom. My mom saved my life. It was winter, after sunset, when we crashed into a heavi…

nerdybookclub.wordpress.com

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Ann Braden (she/her) @annbraden.bsky.social · May 21

Thank you so much, Lynn!