Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

Katryn Bury @katrynwrites.bsky.social · 3d

In good news (which I know I need these days), my book Drew Leclair Gets a Clue (which has been challenged in four states, and had been pulled from shelves in one county in Florida) seems to have been restored to shelves! Not sure if it's been relocated to YA but I'll take the win 🎉

Cover for Drew Leclair Gets a Clue (white girl cartoon style holding a magnifying glass)

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

Karis Rogerson 🏳️‍🌈 @karisselizabeth.bsky.social · 13h

here's a piece on book bans i wrote this summer, feat. reflections and stories from authors @adibkhorram.bsky.social, @kylelukoff.bsky.social, and @katrynwrites.bsky.social as well as my own reflections. ty @electricliterature.com for publishing it!

electricliterature.com/book-bans-co...

Book Bans Continue to Threaten the Wellbeing of Authors - Electric Literature

There are societal, financial, legal, and emotional consequences to book challenges, and writers are facing the brunt of these attacks

electricliterature.com

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

Melissa Dassori @melissadassori.bsky.social · 14h

Great to see GRETA EVER AFTER in this fun roundup.
@unteragency.bsky.social

kidsbookaday.bsky.social @kidsbookaday.bsky.social · 9d

All kinds of interesting takes on fairy tales @johnpicacio.bsky.social @littlebrownyr.bsky.social @melissadassori.bsky.social kidsbookaday.com/2025/10/01/f...

Fairy tales

The Invisible Parade by Leigh Bardugo, illustrated by John Picacio (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 60 pages, grades 3-6). There’s a party planned for the evening, but Cala doesn&#8217…

kidsbookaday.com

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 7d

AABB is proud to join this coalition of groups fighting for the freedom to read. Nothing gives us more hope than the understanding that while the fight may be daunting, we are not in it alone. 1/3

Standing together for the freedom to read.

All students, all people, deserve and require access to information.

Access to books is essential for the free exchange of ideas and for the protection of a healthy democracy.

Books hold a pivotal role in our culture—a role that must be projected.

During Banned Books Week, we recommit ourselves to fighting censorship and authoritarianism all year round.

Today, a well-coordinated network of politically motivated public officials, groups are attacking our fundamental freedoms—including our freedom to read.

Thousands of books that predominantly depict people of color and LBGTQ+ people and that discuss sex, gender, sexuality, race, and racism are banned in public schools and libraries across the country.

These attacks on school districts and public libraries, educators and librarians, authors and illustrators, and the publishers and booksellers that support them are stripping students, families, and all library patrons of their freedom to read and learn.

These efforts upend the lives of students, families, authors, illustrators, educators, and librarians. It leads to erasure from the shelves, harassment from would be censors, denial of access to books, job loss, and financial and emotional distress.

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 9d

🧵 In 2025, book censorship in the United States is rampant and common. Never before in the life of any living American have so many books been systematically removed from school libraries across the country.

Read our new report "The Normalization of Book Banning" at: pen.org/report/the-n...

Graphic for PEN America report titled 'Banned in the USA: The Normalization of Book Bans'. Features a stack of colorful books in front of a blackboard with '22,810 books banned in U.S. public schools, 2021-2025' written in chalk.

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

Gabrielle Plastrik @gplastrik.bsky.social · Sep 7

The Cybils awards are taking a hiatus this year. If you are looking for kidlit, middle grade and YA recs, please check out amazing winners from past years. Every time one of us celebrates a good book on any platform or offline, we are supporting literacy and empathy.

Books help.

Cybils Awards @cybilsawards.bsky.social · Feb 18

And I also love that you might not have ever seen some of these books on other awards lists or book lists, which means that having won the CYBILS award means they might make it into the hands of even more kids! ~ Laura @ Literacious

www.literacious.com/...

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

tiredteachernj.bsky.social @tiredteachernj.bsky.social · Sep 6

Awesome mglit book and my first of the new schoolyear #gretaeverafter @melissadassori.bsky.social @littlebrownyr.bsky.social thank you for sharing with #bookallies

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

Lisa Stringfellow @engagereaders.bsky.social · Sep 3

Thrilled and honored to see KINGDOM OF DUST included on NYPL's Vibrant Voices Titles for Kids list for 2025-2026!

Thank you to the librarians and staff of the library for sharing my book with your patrons!
www.nypl.org/books-more/r... @harperkids.bsky.social

New York Public Library Vibrant Voices New Books from Authors of Color. Kingdom of Dust by Lisa Stringfellow
In this West African-inspired fantasy, a ruthless king conquesrs the kingdom of kun, turning the once-opulent city into ruins. When Amara learns of her destiny, she goes off to restore magic and justice--before Kun is lost forever.

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

Lisa Stringfellow @engagereaders.bsky.social · Sep 3

KINGDOM OF DUST is a Massachusetts Book Award Honor Book! 🎉

Thank you so much to the Mass Center for the Book for this amazing honor!

Congratulations also to Robin Wasley and Desmond Hall for their awards. I'm thrilled to be in their company.

Massachusetts Book Award Middle Grade Honor Title
Kingdom of Dust by Lisa Stringfellow

Massachusetts Book Awards
Award to Dead Things are Closer Than They Appear by Robin Wasley
Honors to Better Must Come by Desmond Hall and Kingdom of Dust by Lisa Stringfellow

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

Lisa Stringfellow @engagereaders.bsky.social · Aug 20

It’s KINGDOM OF DUST’s first birthday! I’m proud of this little book and glad readers are still finding it. @harperkids.bsky.social #middlegrade

www.lisastringfellow.com/kingdom-of-d...

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Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast @mgcoast2coast.bsky.social · Aug 19

Happy Book Birthday to MG Coast-to-Coast author @melissadassori.bsky.social! Her second book, GRETA EVER AFTER, is out today!! #kidlit #mglit

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

Melissa Roske @melissaroske.bsky.social · Aug 18

Don't miss my interview with MG author @melissadassori.bsky.social on today's @themixed-upfiles.bsky.social blog! Melissa's latest #middlegrade novel, GRETA EVER AFTER releases tomorrow, August 19, from @littlebrownyr.bsky.social. #kidlit fromthemixedupfiles.com/interview-wi...

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

LBYR School & Library @lbschool.bsky.social · Aug 18

We're so excited for @melissadassori.bsky.social's GRETA EVER AFTER to be out in the world tomorrow! This one's for the aspiring young journalists who wish their lives were a little more magic, or anyone who loves a "relatable coming-of-age story interwoven with dark fairy-tale elements" (Kirkus).

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

LBYR School & Library @lbschool.bsky.social · Jul 29

@melissadassori.bsky.social's GRETA EVER AFTER comes out in just a few weeks! Get to know this delightful, magical middle grade in @teachingbooks.bsky.social's Meet-the-Author recording: school.teachingbooks.net/book_reading...

TeachingBooks Book Reading | Greta Ever After

school.teachingbooks.net

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

Melissa Dassori @melissadassori.bsky.social · Jul 28

Entertained myself in the car today listening to this good discussion of the gap in books for 12-15 year olds. #youngteenlit

It's Time for Young Teen Lit @youngteenlit.bsky.social · Jul 25

Learn how we started and where we're going with #youngteenlit on our podcast episode with @slupodcast.bsky.social! Librarians who work with ages 12-15 need to tune in for ideas on how to find and advocate for more Young Teen Lit.
#tlsky #edusky #skybrarian #skybrarians #mglit #yalit

Amy Hermon @slupodcast.bsky.social · Jul 25

Excited to share @youngteenlit.bsky.social and this important conversation on filling a gap in our #library collections! apple.co/3IKyupe #youngteenlit #kidlit #yalit #skybrarians
@penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social @americanbookseller.bsky.social

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

Melissa Dassori @melissadassori.bsky.social · Jul 26

Before my new book is out next month, check out my first, JR Silver Writes Her World. Buy a copy, tell me via my website where you got it and what address to use (US only, while supplies last), and I’ll send a bookmark and bookplate. #teachers, happy to send multiples to a school. #giveaway #mglit

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

Malinda Lo @malindalo.bsky.social · Jul 22

It’s a gorgeous day in Boston to support the freedom to read! #MassFreedomToRead @massaabb.bsky.social @authorsabb.bsky.social

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

Melissa Dassori @melissadassori.bsky.social · Jul 11

If this angle catches your kids’ eye, check out my next #middlegrade book, GRETA EVER AFTER, which has its own storyline of journalistic misdeeds! #teachers Superman’s Other Secret Weakness? Journalism Ethics. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/a... @lbschool.bsky.social @unteragency.bsky.social

Superman’s Other Secret Weakness? Journalism Ethics.

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

Melissa Dassori @melissadassori.bsky.social · Jul 10

A lovely blurb from the wonderful Kate Albus for GRETA EVER AFTER, coming 8.19. This is a great week to support your favorite bookstore and preorder a copy. #teachers and #librarians, reach out for visits next year.
@lbschool.bsky.social

“Fairy tale magic is expertly sprinkled over the real-world magic (and mayhem) of middle school.” Blurb from Kate Albus, author of A Place to Hang the Mood and Nothing Else But Miracles.

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

Melissa Dassori @melissadassori.bsky.social · Jul 2

Have a movie fan looking for a book? Check out GRETA EVER AFTER (8.19.25). Preorders are so helpful to authors! Links in my bio if you are inclined to add to your collection, or ask your library to order a copy. #middlegrade #mglit #booksky

Movie posters from Harriet the Spy, Into the Woods and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret—if your reader likes those, check out my next novel, Greta Ever After (cover shows girl sitting on base of cuckoo clock).

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

skellyton bones jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · Jul 1

Grab your FREE COPY of this toolkit to help guide the next generation of teen advocates, intellectual freedom champions, and library supporters.

Inspired by the guide? Don't forget to apply for funding to run your own teen advocacy program!

bookriot.com/books-unbann...

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

Melissa Dassori @melissadassori.bsky.social · Jun 30

Thrilled to receive a wonderful review from @ala-booklist.bsky.social for GRETA EVER AFTER! #teachers and #librarians, hope you will check it out for your middle grade readers.
#middlegrade #mglit

Image of girl sitting on cuckoo clock from cover of Greta Ever After with quote from Booklist review that reads “Perfect for readers curious about the tribulations of middle school but who appreciate a dash of magic.”

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

The Mixed-Up Files @themixed-upfiles.bsky.social · Jun 26

Getting published is a dream for many. Here’s an insightful look at lessons learned by debut author Patchree Jones.

#kidlit, #middlegrade, #MGlit, #WritingCommunity

fromthemixedupfiles.com/a-year-in-re...

A Year in Rewind: Lessons I Learned as a Debut Author - From The Mixed Up Files

SummaryA look back as my first year as a debut author. Unlike any other job out there, writers and authors don’t have a clear rulebook or career guide to follow. Everyone’s journey is unique and while...

fromthemixedupfiles.com

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

Melissa Dassori @melissadassori.bsky.social · Jun 20

So great to see GRETA EVER AFTER among all these great books.

Jen @popgoesthereader.bsky.social · Jun 20

🌟 Pop! Goes The Reader's 42 Most-Anticipated Middle Grade Books: July-September 2025 🌟
popgoesthereader.com/42-most-anti... #BookSky #MGLit #KidLit

Book covers of ten middle grade books being published from July to September 2025. Books featured include Defanged, Ride or Die, Grin, Aarzu All Around, Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave, Bubblegum Shoes: The Case of the Contraband Closet, The Haunting of Bellington Cottage, Zed Moonstein Makes A Friend, This Way To Happy and Millie of the Manor

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Reposted by Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast

Lisa Stringfellow @engagereaders.bsky.social · Jun 17

I’ve often shared that THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA are among my favorite books, so am thrilled to share that KINGDOM OF DUST has been named a finalist for the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children’s Literature!

So honored to be recognized along with others I admire ☺️

www.mythsoc.org/news/news-20...

Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children

Frances Hardinge and Emily Gravett, Island of Whispers (Harry N. Abrams)
Rajani LaRocca, Sona and the Golden Beasts (Quill Tree Books)
Kaela Rivera, The Cece Rios trilogy (HarperCollins)
David A. Robertson, The Misewa Saga (Tundra Books)
Lisa Stringfellow, Kingdom of Dust (Quill Tree Books)

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