The Writer’s Block: Interview with Christina Diaz Gonzalez

Diversity in children’s literature is a hot topic right now. I recently reviewed MOVING TARGET by Christina Diaz Gonzalez. Besides loving the fast-paced action and plot twists, I was also impressed with how Gonzalez included diverse characters, multiple cultures and languages in a way that was organic to the storyline. Gonzalez kindly agreed to be interviewed by Middle Grade Mafia. Middle Grade Mafia: According to your bio on your website (www.christinagonzalez.com),you studied accounting and then [...]

By |2015-10-10T10:22:27-04:00October 14th, 2015|Author Interview|1 Comment
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The Writer’s Block: Interview with Self-Published Success, Whitney Dineen

Since the inception of the Middle Grade Mafia, we have showcased a wide range of authors in our Writer's Block series. We have had debut authors, small press authors, and those who have sold millions of book and have had movies based on their books. The one thing we were missing was the self-published author. When self-published author Whitney Dineen approached us to review her book, we had our reservations with featuring a self-published book. Once [...]

By |2016-02-25T16:19:16-05:00October 9th, 2015|Author Interview, Book Review|1 Comment
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The Writer’s Block: An Interview with Shelley Tougas

Last year, I posted a review of Shelley Tougas’ book, The Graham Cracker Plot. I really loved it and was excited to see how she would follow it up. I am happy to say that I was not disappointed! Finders Keepers is a terrific read – an exciting, imaginative story with lots of heart. Obviously, I’m not the only one who thinks so as its received wonderful reviews including the one below: A charming story of family [...]

By |2015-10-06T13:21:58-04:00October 7th, 2015|Author Interview|1 Comment
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The Writer’s Block: An Interview with Lisa Lewis Tyre

The Middle Grade Mafia was created to share amazing authors and great books with others. Today we have the honor and privilege to recognize one of the "family," Lisa Lewis Tyre. Lisa's debut novel, LAST IN THE LONG LINE OF REBELS (Nancy Paulsen Books), has just launched today and we wanted to find out more about the characters, story and what a Zollicoffer was. Middle Grade Mafia: How did you come up with the idea for [...]

By |2015-09-15T19:15:29-04:00September 28th, 2015|Author Interview, Book Launch|0 Comments
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The Writer’s Block: Special Star Wars Edition

I have to admit, when I heard that there was going to be a new Star Wars movie, my inner geek cheered. When I learned that Disney was also going to release a retelling of the original trilogy using amazing children's book authors, I thought I had died and woke up on Tatooine. Two of the three authors have been interviewed on the blog before, Tom Angleberger and Adam Gidwitz - serendipity! The third is [...]

By |2015-09-15T18:51:09-04:00September 22nd, 2015|Author Interview, Book Launch|0 Comments
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Writing for Middle Grade with K.L. Going

Remember when you were in middle grade? For some writers, it wasn't all that long ago but for many of us it's been decades. K.L. Going is one of those authors who understands the middle grade audience and creates characters with authentic voices. We asked her about her success.   Middle Grade Mafia: Recently, you wrote an article for Writer’s Digest that summarized the physical and emotional traits of the tween. Can you tell us what makes a good MG [...]

By |2015-10-28T06:12:44-04:00August 31st, 2015|Author Interview|2 Comments
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The Writer’s Block: An Interview with Rachele Alpine

When I read the blurb about Rachele Alpine’s new book, OPERATION PUCKER UP, I knew I wanted to know more about the story, and the author who came up with the idea! Rachele was kind enough to answer a few questions for the Mafia. But first, the blurb that was so enchanting – First kisses are always nerve-racking—but especially when they’re onstage! Can Grace find a real-life Prince Charming before she has to lock lips [...]

By |2015-07-21T16:41:02-04:00July 21st, 2015|Author Interview|0 Comments
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The Writer’s Block: Deborah Wiles on Writing MG Historical Fiction

Deborah Wiles is an award winning author of many books for children. Today, we highlight Deborah’s 1960’s trilogy detailing this difficult time in American history. Through these stories, Deborah proves that this decade can be relevant and understood by today’s middle grade readers. She successfully immerses the reader into the time period by mixing historical documents with the wonderfully authentic story of 12-year-old Sunny Fairchild during the 1964 Freedom Summer in Greenwood, Mississippi. Countdown – 1960’s Trilogy book one [...]

By |2015-08-02T21:06:46-04:00July 20th, 2015|Author Interview|0 Comments
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The Writers Block: An Interview with Dan Gemeinhart

I recently reviewed Dan Gemeinhart’s debut MG novel, THE HONEST TRUTH and was blown away by the pure emotion and courage of a boy on a life-or-death adventure. Since this is Dan’s first published novel, I was curious about his inspiration and his path to publication. He took time out from his teaching job and writing his next book to talk to us. Middle Grade Mafia: Your portrayal of a child with cancer seems very [...]

By |2015-06-10T21:15:08-04:00May 29th, 2015|Author Interview|2 Comments
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The Writer’s Block – An Interview with Stuart Gibbs

I was browsing a local bookstore, looking for some fun books for my middle-grader to read over the summer and saw the SPY SCHOOL series by Stuart Gibbs. I read a bit and was hooked. That is when I knew I had to reach out to him. Luck for us all, he said yes. Without further ado, the incredibly talented Stuart Gibbs. Middle Grade Mafia: What was your path to becoming a published author? Stuart Gibbs: [...]

By |2015-05-19T17:35:11-04:00May 22nd, 2015|Author Interview|1 Comment
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