WRITERS' RUMPUS

QUILT OF STARS: Out-of-this-World Book Talk and Giveaway with Co-Authors Astronaut Dr. Karen Nyberg and Ann McCallum Staats

September 29, 2026 Laura Fineberg Cooper

Happy Book Birthday to QUILT OF STARS: Astronaut Karen Nyberg Stitches a Dream! This inspiring and beautiful written picture book, published by Familius, is co-authored by the impressibly accomplished and talented duo of Dr. Karen Nyberg and Ann McCallum Staats and gorgeously illustrated by Alida Massari.

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INTERVIEW WITH #JEWISH #KIDLIT #MIDDLEGRADE AUTHOR MIRIAM CHERNICK

September 22, 2026 DrZatHome

I dove into Miriam Chernick’s The Zuzu Secret with great excitement and anticipation–and was not disappointed. As a molecular biologist and geneticist who has taught

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MG Book Review: GRACIELA IN THE ABYSS by Meg Medina

September 15, 2026 Jennifer Finkle

Meg Medina’s GRACIELA IN THE ABYSS (Candlewick Press, 2025) is an absolutely delightful dual POV story that alternates between the perspectives of a spirit girl named Graciela and a young mortal boy named Jorge.

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Interview with debut picture book author Laura De La Cruz … and a giveaway of LOWRIDER FOR SALE!

September 8, 2026 Laura Fineberg Cooper

Happy Book Birthday to LOWRIDER FOR SALE, the heartwarming picture book debut by talented and gracious author Laura De La Cruz. Laura has impressed me with her positive and supportive comments on our blog, so when she inquired about an interview, it was my honor and pleasure to enthusiastically say yes!

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Cool off on Winter Solstice Hill with Cathy Stefanec Ogren!

September 4, 2026 Marcia Strykowski

I’m excited to have talented author Cathy Stefanec Ogren here on the blog today! Her latest picture book releases on October 20, 2026, and I

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Cats, Chess, and Finding Your People: An Interview with CAT TAKES QUEEN Author Ilona Bray (and a Giveway!!)

September 1, 2026 Hilary Elizabeth Margitich

I first connected with Ilona Bray through social media and its vibrant online kidlit community. Right away, I was drawn to her warmth, thoughfulness, and

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Book Reviews: Papa, Daddy, & Riley and Who’s Your Real Mom?

January 15, 2021 Alison Potoma

The Diverse BookFinder is a collection of children’s picture books featuring diverse story lines and characters. It is a comprehensive list, not necessarily a “must

NORTHBOUND: A Train Ride Out of Segregation

January 12, 2021 Laura Fineberg Cooper

NORTHBOUND: A Train Ride Out of Segregation, written by Michael S. Bandy and Eric Stein and illustrated by Coretta Scott King Award Winner James E.

Interview with Cathy Carr, Debut MG Author of 365 Days to Alaska

January 8, 2021 Kim Chaffee

Interview with Cathy Carr, Debut MG Author of 365 Days to Alaska, PLUS a Giveaway!

On Car Repair and Rewrites

January 5, 2021 Alumni & Guests

Guest Post by Almitra Clay Especially for all you NaNoWri-mers with fresh drafts, here’s a reprise of a popular post. As I have rewritten the

2020 Codas: Gifts and a Review

January 1, 2021 Joyce Audy Zarins

As 2020 ended, three picture books were given to me and I also read Gary Paulsen’s unusual memoir of his early years, written for 8

LET THE 2020 WRITERS’ RUMPUS REVIEW BEGIN

December 24, 2020 Laura Fineberg Cooper

Happy Holidays to one and all in what has been the most tumultuous year many of us have ever experienced. As 2020 draws to a close (phew!), at least one thing remains unchanged: it’s time once again for the annual Writers’ Rumpus Review!