From The Mixed Up Files

  Author Interview – Khushboo Patel I’m so excited to be able to introduce you to author Khushboo Patel today. Khushboo is a debut author of a gorgeous new middle grade novel in verse as well as a couple picture books, and I had the honor of reading (and blurbing) her gorgeous MG book! Her title is called “All That Chandni Knows” which launches from G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers/ Penguin Kids on March 31, 2026. I absolutely loved every bit of this book— the verse, the plot, the character, the voice. I...

In November, as pundits discussed polls and politicians held watch parties, a quiet victory took place. Of course it was quiet — this victory went to the librarians. Publishers Weekly reports that in thousands of school board elections across the country, “voters leaned toward candidates who emphasized equity and consensus-building, and rejected division and censorship.” The trend is undeniable: People want diversity, access, and professional respect returned to public education. In one Kansas county, a parent entered the race because diversity, equity, and inclusion were being erased from the local school system; that parent won. In New Mexico, two candidates...

As a kid, I loved reading historical fiction. In my day, most of these stories centered on Europe and a war. I felt transported to other times and places, and was introduced to characters my age confronting challenges of survival. I enjoyed connecting with kids from the past who, with...

See what kind of spark grows in your students’ minds from these interesting classroom activities about electricity—this month’s theme for STEM Tuesday!   Hidden Systems: Water, Electricity, the Internet, and the Secrets Behind the Systems We Use Every Day by Dan Nott This graphic novel makes incredible use of the...

  Author Interview – Khushboo Patel I’m so excited to be able to introduce you to author Khushboo Patel today. Khushboo is a debut author of a gorgeous new middle grade novel in verse as well as a couple picture books, and I had the honor of reading (and blurbing)...

Middle grade readers often have strong opinions. In earlier From the Classroom articles we shared how to Build Reflective Readers and reasons why we Don’t Pigeon-Hole Middle Grade Readers. This time I’d like to share a sure-fire way to get kids interested in new books: “If you like…” posters and...

December is here. Take a break from the year-end rush and curl up with some fun December New Releases. (They all pair well with some hot cocoa, a couple of cookies, and a cozy blanket).   Asterwood by Jacquelyn Stolos Family secrets, friendship, and magic burst from the seams of...

According to the LKG Agency website, Lauren Galit is “a story cheerleader, a contract negotiator, and a champion of unforgettable kidlit books.” And according to client Clinton Kelly, she’s “a totally chill agent who’s not even a jerk.”   Lauren opened LKG Agency in 2005 and has worked hard to...