Kate Messner
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katemessner.com
Kate Messner
@katemessner.com
NYT bestselling author of 70+ books for kids. Educator. Speaker. Adirondack 46er. Passionately curious. Latest book: THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES

www.katemessner.com
Over 200 authors will be Zooming into classrooms & libraries for World Read Aloud Day on 2/4!

Teachers/librarians - Want to be first to see the list so you can book a free visit? It'll go out in my email newsletter in early December! Sign up here: katemessner.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
November 25, 2025 at 11:45 AM
*dances wildly around the kitchen*
Congratulations to the authors of the 2026 Notable Children's Verse Novels, just announced at #NCTE25!
November 24, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Note from my editor on the manuscript I'm revising today:

"Just want to confirm - the unicorns skateboard on their hind legs?"

My job is entirely too much fun.
November 24, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Reposted by Kate Messner
@slj.com has released its list of the Best Middle Grade Books of 2025, and TWO titles by authors from The Author Village are included!

Congratulations to all, especially to A WORLD WORTH SAVING by @kylelukoff.bsky.social and THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES by @katemessner.com.

www.slj.com/story/best-m...
November 21, 2025 at 10:56 AM
If you haven't read Renee Watson's ALL THE BLUES IN THE SKY yet, do yourself a favor and pick one up to read & share with kids.

It's beautifully written - and stories about grief are so important at a time when over 10 million children who lost a caregiver in the pandemic are still processing.
November 20, 2025 at 11:52 PM
I was also utterly charmed by BAD BADGER, written by Mary Rose Wood & illustrated by Giulia Ghigini. This quirky chapter book begs to be read aloud. bookshop.org/p/books/bad-...
Bad Badger: A Love Story
A Love Story
bookshop.org
November 19, 2025 at 10:55 PM
I loved THE LEAVING ROOM by Amber McBride - every book of hers that I've read is just gorgeous and ethereal, as if you're reading something written by a very talented ghost. This one's YA & written in verse. bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
The Leaving Room
Check out The Leaving Room - <p><b>**NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST!**<br><br>"Intimate and astonishing."--Jason Reynolds, <i>New York Times </i>Bestselling Author</b><br><b><br>For fans of <i>You've Re...
bookshop.org
November 19, 2025 at 10:52 PM
I also thoroughly enjoyed THE UNDEAD FOX OF DEADWOOD FOREST by Audrey Hartman. A little bit creepy, a little bit cozy, and a lot of truly evocative writing. bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest
Check out The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest - &#9733; "<b>Heartbreaking, marvelously funny, and generously redemptive." &#8213;<i>Kirkus</i>, starred review</b> <p/><b>In one of the best-reviewed book...
bookshop.org
November 19, 2025 at 10:51 PM
I've been catching up on my 2025 reading on recent plane rides & want to share some favorites! First up - THE TEACHER OF NOMAD LAND by Daniel Nayeri. Like WILL'S FACE FOR HOME by Jewell Parker Rhodes, it's is a master class in writing short MG that delivers the goods. bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story
A World War II Story
bookshop.org
November 19, 2025 at 10:49 PM
This might be an author-first for me - TWO books on @slj.com's Best Books of 2025 List!! So grateful to the librarians who selected THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES and HISTORY SMASHERS: ANCIENT EGYPT to be part of this amazing collection! www.schoollibraryjournal.com/page/best-bo...
Best Books 2025
We hope that SLJ’s Best Books of 2025, filled with adventurous and fantastical stories, silly and breathtaking picture books, true-crime mysteries and stirring romances, and universally consumed manga...
www.schoollibraryjournal.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Reposted by Kate Messner
Who's headed to Denver this week for the @ncte.org conference?

Looking forward to spending time with educators, being in conversation with my amazing colleagues, and signing lots of books! Here's where you'll be able to find me...
#NCTE25
November 16, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Kate Messner
Teachers & librarians! Our list of authors volunteers to Zoom into schools for World Read Aloud Day will be ready in early December so you can start planning.

Want the link a day early? Sign up for my email newsletter & you'll get it in your inbox! katemessner.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
November 18, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Reposted by Kate Messner
Thank you, Chicago librarians! I couldn't be more honored to have THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES on your Best of the Best Books list for 2025!

And alongside so many amazing colleagues' books, too.

(My library holds list just got a LOT longer - congrats to all!)

www.chipublib.org/news/cpl-bes...
November 17, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Teachers & librarians! Our list of authors volunteers to Zoom into schools for World Read Aloud Day will be ready in early December so you can start planning.

Want the link a day early? Sign up for my email newsletter & you'll get it in your inbox! katemessner.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
November 18, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Thank you, Chicago librarians! I couldn't be more honored to have THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES on your Best of the Best Books list for 2025!

And alongside so many amazing colleagues' books, too.

(My library holds list just got a LOT longer - congrats to all!)

www.chipublib.org/news/cpl-bes...
November 17, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Who's headed to Denver this week for the @ncte.org conference?

Looking forward to spending time with educators, being in conversation with my amazing colleagues, and signing lots of books! Here's where you'll be able to find me...
#NCTE25
November 16, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Read this gem on the plane to Austin today - so beautiful, atmospheric and great. bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
The Leaving Room
Check out The Leaving Room - <p><b>**NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST!**<br><br>"Intimate and astonishing."--Jason Reynolds, <i>New York Times </i>Bestselling Author</b><br><b><br>For fans of <i>You've Re...
bookshop.org
November 15, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Working on revisions for CAMP UNICORN (sequel to CAMP MONSTER, which comes out in February!) so today, my job involves pondering serious questions about the character motivations for a corgi-corn named Lil Lord Wigglebottom.
November 12, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Reposted by Kate Messner
Authors & illustrators! Want to Zoom into classrooms on 2/4/26 to help celebrate LitWorld's World Read Aloud Day? Here's all the info & a link to sign up! katemessner.com/getting-read...
November 4, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Holy smokes - thank you, Texas librarians!!! I couldn't be more thrilled that THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES has been named to the 2026-2027 Texas Bluebonnet Award List! And in such incredible company, too - congrats to all of the authors & illustrators!

Here's the full list: txla.org/news/2026-20...
November 9, 2025 at 3:45 PM
“I didn’t want to say immediately it was me,” he said. “With this photo there is a mystery, so you have to make it last.” ❤️
November 9, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Loving today's news that the mysterious "fedora man" outside the Louvre heist was actually a 15-year-old museum visitor who dresses like a 1940s French detective all the time, just because. apnews.com/article/louv...
Fedora man unmasked: Meet the teen behind the Louvre mystery photo
Fifteen-year-old Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux has become an internet sensation after an Associated Press photo captured him outside the Louvre on the day of a crown jewels heist.
apnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Reposted by Kate Messner
🗣️Perfect for Fans of :
🤯 Myth-busting history
🏺 Ancient civilizations & archaeology
📘 Graphic nonfiction & visual learning

💥 @randomhousekids.bsky.social @katemessner.com #BlueSky #MGLit #NonFictionNovember
November 8, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Reposted by Kate Messner
Masterpiece. Thank you, @katemessner.com . I hope the pizza blanket in the background does not take away from the sincerity I’m trying to relay. My favorite read of the year by far.
November 7, 2025 at 3:52 AM