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
www.katemessner.com
I'm reviewing page proofs for HISTORY SMASHERS: THE SPACE RACE today & thought you might like to see this photo of Robert Goddard's first liquid fuel rocket.
On its test flight, it flew about 40 feet and then crashed into his aunt's cabbage patch. #GottaStartSomewhere
On its test flight, it flew about 40 feet and then crashed into his aunt's cabbage patch. #GottaStartSomewhere
January 11, 2026 at 7:55 PM
I'm reviewing page proofs for HISTORY SMASHERS: THE SPACE RACE today & thought you might like to see this photo of Robert Goddard's first liquid fuel rocket.
On its test flight, it flew about 40 feet and then crashed into his aunt's cabbage patch. #GottaStartSomewhere
On its test flight, it flew about 40 feet and then crashed into his aunt's cabbage patch. #GottaStartSomewhere
Thrilled and grateful to learn that OVER AND UNDER THE CORAL REEF is a finalist for @scbwi.bsky.social's Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Nonfiction!
January 11, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Thrilled and grateful to learn that OVER AND UNDER THE CORAL REEF is a finalist for @scbwi.bsky.social's Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Nonfiction!
World Read Aloud Day is coming up in less than a month! Here's a collection of virtual read-alouds to share and a list of author volunteers who will be Zooming into classrooms & libraries that day: katemessner.com/zoom-with-an...
January 8, 2026 at 1:17 AM
World Read Aloud Day is coming up in less than a month! Here's a collection of virtual read-alouds to share and a list of author volunteers who will be Zooming into classrooms & libraries that day: katemessner.com/zoom-with-an...
Teachers, librarians, & homeschoolers! It's time to sign up for my January virtual author visit - this one's all about graphic novels & includes a mini make-your-own-monster writing workshop!
Details & registration link are here:
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Details & registration link are here:
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
January 3, 2026 at 12:01 AM
Teachers, librarians, & homeschoolers! It's time to sign up for my January virtual author visit - this one's all about graphic novels & includes a mini make-your-own-monster writing workshop!
Details & registration link are here:
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Details & registration link are here:
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES is one of NoveList's Best Books of 2025!
Congrats to all the creators on this list. So many great titles here for all ages - my to-read list just keeps getting longer !
about.ebsco.com/blogs/noveli...
Congrats to all the creators on this list. So many great titles here for all ages - my to-read list just keeps getting longer !
about.ebsco.com/blogs/noveli...
December 16, 2025 at 5:04 PM
THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES is one of NoveList's Best Books of 2025!
Congrats to all the creators on this list. So many great titles here for all ages - my to-read list just keeps getting longer !
about.ebsco.com/blogs/noveli...
Congrats to all the creators on this list. So many great titles here for all ages - my to-read list just keeps getting longer !
about.ebsco.com/blogs/noveli...
This week I've been prepping for my workshop at the @scbwi.bsky.social Winter Conference, "Nonfiction Glow Up: Crafting Informational Picture Books that Captivate Today’s Readers (and Editors, too!)" Will I see you in NY next month? #SCBWINY26
December 16, 2025 at 4:03 PM
This week I've been prepping for my workshop at the @scbwi.bsky.social Winter Conference, "Nonfiction Glow Up: Crafting Informational Picture Books that Captivate Today’s Readers (and Editors, too!)" Will I see you in NY next month? #SCBWINY26
Thank you to The Week Jr. for naming THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES as one of the Best Books of the Year! I especially love the "Best Adventure Story" designation - Finn and Seymour would be extra proud of that. ❤️
December 5, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Thank you to The Week Jr. for naming THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES as one of the Best Books of the Year! I especially love the "Best Adventure Story" designation - Finn and Seymour would be extra proud of that. ❤️
And now Kirkus AND Evanston Public Library! I have never had a book appear on so many Best Books of the Year lists, and it's honestly a little overwhelming.
Thank you so much to everyone who has shared THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES this year and continues to put it into the hands of just-right readers. ❤️
Thank you so much to everyone who has shared THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES this year and continues to put it into the hands of just-right readers. ❤️
December 3, 2025 at 12:48 PM
And now Kirkus AND Evanston Public Library! I have never had a book appear on so many Best Books of the Year lists, and it's honestly a little overwhelming.
Thank you so much to everyone who has shared THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES this year and continues to put it into the hands of just-right readers. ❤️
Thank you so much to everyone who has shared THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES this year and continues to put it into the hands of just-right readers. ❤️
Shoutout to the bloggers & Lit-fluencers like Afoma at Reading Middle Grade who make their own Best Books lists and take the care and time to email authors to let them know. Every single time I get an email like this, it absolutely makes my day. ❤️
December 2, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Shoutout to the bloggers & Lit-fluencers like Afoma at Reading Middle Grade who make their own Best Books lists and take the care and time to email authors to let them know. Every single time I get an email like this, it absolutely makes my day. ❤️
And now Kirkus... I have never had a book appear on so many Best Books of the Year lists, and it's honestly a little overwhelming.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has shared THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES this year and continues to put it into the hands of just-right readers. ❤️
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has shared THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES this year and continues to put it into the hands of just-right readers. ❤️
December 2, 2025 at 9:30 PM
And now Kirkus... I have never had a book appear on so many Best Books of the Year lists, and it's honestly a little overwhelming.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has shared THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES this year and continues to put it into the hands of just-right readers. ❤️
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has shared THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES this year and continues to put it into the hands of just-right readers. ❤️
As if seeing so many amazing educators and colleagues at #NCTE25 wasn't enough, on Saturday, THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES was named a Charlotte Huck Honor Book for 2026! I'm absolutely thrilled and so, so grateful to the awards committee for recognizing Finn's story. ❤️
November 25, 2025 at 6:34 PM
As if seeing so many amazing educators and colleagues at #NCTE25 wasn't enough, on Saturday, THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES was named a Charlotte Huck Honor Book for 2026! I'm absolutely thrilled and so, so grateful to the awards committee for recognizing Finn's story. ❤️
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=...
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
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=...
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=...
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.
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
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.
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.
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=...
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
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=...
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=...
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...
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
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...
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...
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
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.
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...
Here's the full list: txla.org/news/2026-20...
November 9, 2025 at 3:45 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...
Here's the full list: txla.org/news/2026-20...
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
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...
This makes TEN books for THE KIDS IN MRS. Z'S CLASS - with two more on the way in March! How many have you read so far?
November 4, 2025 at 11:45 AM
This makes TEN books for THE KIDS IN MRS. Z'S CLASS - with two more on the way in March! How many have you read so far?
MRS. Z'S CLASS is growing!!
Happy book birthday to @mikejungwroteabook.bsky.social & @marthabee.bsky.social whose new books THEO CHANG IS NOT A CAT and THUNDER NELSON DOES THE IMPOSSUMBLE are out today from @littlebrownyr.bsky.social, both illustrated by the inimitable @katfcomix.bsky.social!
Happy book birthday to @mikejungwroteabook.bsky.social & @marthabee.bsky.social whose new books THEO CHANG IS NOT A CAT and THUNDER NELSON DOES THE IMPOSSUMBLE are out today from @littlebrownyr.bsky.social, both illustrated by the inimitable @katfcomix.bsky.social!
November 4, 2025 at 11:38 AM
MRS. Z'S CLASS is growing!!
Happy book birthday to @mikejungwroteabook.bsky.social & @marthabee.bsky.social whose new books THEO CHANG IS NOT A CAT and THUNDER NELSON DOES THE IMPOSSUMBLE are out today from @littlebrownyr.bsky.social, both illustrated by the inimitable @katfcomix.bsky.social!
Happy book birthday to @mikejungwroteabook.bsky.social & @marthabee.bsky.social whose new books THEO CHANG IS NOT A CAT and THUNDER NELSON DOES THE IMPOSSUMBLE are out today from @littlebrownyr.bsky.social, both illustrated by the inimitable @katfcomix.bsky.social!
My mom call this her "October tree" but I think it's doing a really nice job with November so far, too.
November 3, 2025 at 10:47 AM
My mom call this her "October tree" but I think it's doing a really nice job with November so far, too.
When your agent's dog Poppy dresses in the spirit of your new HISTORY SMASHERS book... (Thanks for the "Sphinxapoo" photo, @literaticat.bsky.social!)
November 1, 2025 at 1:19 AM
When your agent's dog Poppy dresses in the spirit of your new HISTORY SMASHERS book... (Thanks for the "Sphinxapoo" photo, @literaticat.bsky.social!)
A terrific @mainepublic.org piece to pair with THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES. There are a lot of Finns out there...and we could all use a good trail nanny. ❤️ www.mainepublic.org/education-ne...
October 29, 2025 at 12:27 PM
A terrific @mainepublic.org piece to pair with THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES. There are a lot of Finns out there...and we could all use a good trail nanny. ❤️ www.mainepublic.org/education-ne...
Just landed after this week's school visits & turned on my phone to learn that THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES has been named one of @publisherswkly.bsky.social's Best Books of 2025! I'm absolutely thrilled and honored to be in such great company - congrats to all of the creators on this year's list!
October 24, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Just landed after this week's school visits & turned on my phone to learn that THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES has been named one of @publisherswkly.bsky.social's Best Books of 2025! I'm absolutely thrilled and honored to be in such great company - congrats to all of the creators on this year's list!