The SSR Podcast

SSR is back after Alli's maternity leave! We'll be back to discuss a new literary throwback next week, but we're kicking things off (again!) with a little catch-up session. Chelsey Feder of @chelseyreads and Novel Pairings plays co-host to help bring the SSR community up to speed on what's been happening since you last tuned into the podcast. Alli and Chelsey discuss two major developments in Alli's life, as well as what her reading routine has looked like recently. You'll also hear more about what to expect from this new chapter of SSR.Big thanks to Chelsey for joining as co-host for this special episode… and to all of YOU for your patience and support!

Thanks to all of the listeners who participated in this year's crowd-sourced episode: Abby, Diane, Julia, Holly, Kat, Shira, and Tracey.Tune in to hear them answer questions about their favorite childhood reading, times when they disagreed with the podcast, book recommendations for 2024, and more!

For the final book episode of 2023, Alli and her guest turn their attention to a real classic: Betty Smith's A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. It's the first time reading the 1943 semi-autobiographical novel for both of them… and there's a lot to discuss in this hefty volume! Topics of conversation include imperfect adults, the importance of education, pragmatism vs. idealism, the evolution of our language around mental health, financial insecurity, red flags, anti-Semitism, and how they might have experienced a book like this had they read it as children.TW: addiction, death of a parent, infant lossOre Agbaje-Williams is the author of The Three of Us. Follow her on Instagram (@oreawilliams).

At long last, Alli and her guest turn their attention to a book that's been requested many times by listeners: Margaret Peterson Haddix's Among the Hidden. The first installment in the Shadow Children series, Among the Hidden explores the consequences of a totalitarian government taking extreme measures to combat (alleged) overpopulation. Episode 273 covers everything from reproductive rights and propaganda to the history of dystopian literature and different types of activism.Claire Ahn is the author of I Guess I Live Here Now. Follow her on Instagram (@cuhlaireahn).

With New Reads November 2023 behind us, we're back to throwbacks, starting with Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr. Fox. Alli's guest recently read the 1970 novel with her own children… and she has thoughts. Episode 272 features conversations about gender representation, fatphobia, the power of illustrations, violence, and the glorification of stealing.Bestselling author Jesse Q. Sutanto is known for a number of books, including Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, Dial A for Aunties, and The Obsession. Her latest YA novel is called Didn't See That Coming. Follow her on Instagram (@jesseqsutanto) and Twitter (@thewritinghippo).

It's the grand finale of SSR's New Reads November 2023… and the perfect time to discuss Talia Hibbert's YA debut, Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute. With a trio of fantastic guests, Alli gets into the details of the book's plot and pays special attention to OCD representation, outdoorsy scholarship experiences, romance tropes, and the extent to which there are two sides to every story. Thanks to Brittany (@britsgotbooks), Cait (@whatcaitreads), and Shira (@shira243) for being part of this first-ever Patreon episode of the podcast! Join the Patreon family to get in on the fun HERE.

Week 3 of New Reads November takes a very close, very fun look at Maurene Goo's Throwback. The book inspires conversations about everything from the complicated nature of mother/daughter relationships and empathy between generations to high school homecoming experiences and the tension between conformity and standing out. Alli and her guest also consider who Throwback is meant for and discuss the book's origin story.Becca Freeman is the author of The Christmas Orphans Club and co-host of the Bad on Paper podcast. Follow her on Instagram (@beccamfreeman).

Week 2 of New Reads November 2023 is all about Joelle Wellington's Their Vicious Games. The book feels like a real return to the heyday of YA, with the addition of organic, fresh threads about class, race, and privilege. On Episode 269, Alli and her guest do plenty of fangirling over the book and discuss concepts like performative allyship, white saviorism, satire, and more.Erin La Rosa is the author of For Butter or Worse and Plot Twist. Follow her on Instagram (@erinlarosalit) and Twitter (@erinlarosalit).

New Reads November is BACK for a SIXTH year!This time around, we get things rolling with a conversation about Camryn Garrett's Friday I'm in Love, which was published in January 2023. The book inspires conversations about “coming out narratives,” casual racism, self-aware narrators, the subversion of tropes about sweet sixteens, and the pressures that many teens experience. Alli's guest also takes her behind-the-scenes of how he writes for the YA audience!Eliot Schrefer is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of books for young people, including his latest, Charming Young Man. Follow him on Instagram (@schrefer) and Twitter (@EliotSchrefer).

On this special bonus episode, Alli is joined by Sara Hildreth of Fiction Matters and the Novel Pairings podcast! As she prepares to take a brief podcast maternity leave in early 2024, Alli looks to Sara for advice on how to manage a pause in sharing content with her community. They take you behind-the-scenes of the business of podcasting, Patreon, Substack, and more! Follow Sara on Instagram (@fictionmatters).

Listener favorites Allison and Mary from Dolls of Our Lives are BACK for Episode 267! This time around, they join Alli to discuss Danger at the Zoo: A Kit Mystery, a 2005 installment in the American Girl Mysteries series that was written by Kathleen Ernst. They talk broadly about Kit's storyline and the AG mysteries as an offshoot of the rest of the American Girl series. In the context of Danger at the Zoo, they also chat about kid journalism, the Depression, the history of the word “hobo,” and more.Allison Horrocks and Mary Mahoney are the co-hosts of the Dolls of Our Lives podcast and the authors of Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl. Follow the podcast on Instagram (@dollsofourlivespodcast) and Twitter (@DollsLivesPod).

On this special episode, Alli answers listener questions about…* How she handles tricky situations with podcast guests* Whether she would rather deal with a boring book or a boring guest* The books she's most excited to share with Baby K* The best marriage advice she's ever received* The books that are still on her podcast wish list* Her current thoughts on Bethenny Frankel* How to get started with writing fiction… and so much more!

On Episode 265, Alli and her guest explore a new side of all-time kid lit rock star Beverly Cleary — a more ~mature~ side! This week, the focus is one of Cleary's books for teen readers, Fifteen. The conversation covers everything from awkward first date moments and ‘50s crush etiquette to class undercurrents and the importance of confidence. Alli and her guest also unpack a hard-to-read scene set in a Chinese restaurant.Alison Rose Greenberg is the author of Bad Luck Bridesmaid and Maybe Once, Maybe Twice. Follow her on Instagram (@alison.greenberg) and Twitter (@alisongreenberg).

Let's get back to the Upper East Side, listeners! Episode 264 explores the fourth book in the bestselling Gossip Girl series, Because I'm Worth It. Alli and her guest consider the specific place that Gossip Girl occupies in their shared millennial pop culture history and talk through some especially disturbing parts of the book.Jamie Lilac is the author of Bellegarde. Follow her on Instagram (@jamie_lilac).

On Episode 263, Alli's guest walks her through the first installment of one of her all-time favorite series: Tamora Pierce's Protector of the Small. They discuss the ins and outs of First Test, as well as why the book has meant so much to the guest over the years. They also talk about toxic masculinity, the importance of quiet good deeds, protagonists who can work through their fears, and the significance of the First Test heroine's choice to wear a dress during her knight training.Huda Fahmy's latest graphic novel Huda F Are You? joins Huda F Cares and That Can Be Arranged on shelves. Follow her on Instagram (@yesimhotinthis) and Twitter (@yesimhotinthis).

Five years after our first foray into the world of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, SSR finally returns to the Twilight universe. At long last, Alli and her guest take a look at 2006's New Moon, the book that gave Team Jacob Twihards their moment in the spotlight. Tune in for conversations about mental health, toxic relationships, and more, along with a moment for the Team Edward vs. Team Jacob debate.Emma Noyes is the author of The Sunken City, The Fallen Witch, and the forthcoming Guy's Girl. Follow her on Instagram (@emmanoyesmaybe).

At long last, Episode 261 dives into the oft-requested All-of-a-Kind Family, the 1951 novel by Sydney Taylor that represented an important step for Jewish representation. Conversation topics range from model minorities and fatphobia to Jewish holidays and shocking romantic twists.Taleen Voskuni is the author of Sorry, Bro. Follow her on Instagram (@taleenauthor) and Twitter (@taleenvoskuni).

Let's have a Judy Blume moment, shall we? Episode 260 takes a close look at the iconic author's 1972 “divorce book,” It's Not the End of the World. Alli and her guest discuss the ways in which our conversations with kids about divorce have changed… but also the ways they've stayed the same! They also talk about the emotional immaturity of the adults in the book, kid psychology, imperfect parents, and the importance of centering children's feelings.TW: markers for domestic abuseLaura Taylor Namey is the New York Times and international bestselling author of Reese's Book Club pick A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, The Library of Lost Things, When We Were Them, and the forthcoming A British Girl's Guide to Hurricanes and Heartbreak. Follow her on Instagram (@laura_namey).

Episode 259 centers around The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett! Originally published in 1911, this is one of the oldest books covered on the podcast yet, making it a unique case for discussion. Alli and her guest talk about the notion of “classics” as a whole, as well as colonialism, disability, manifestation, the supernatural, unlikable kid protagonists, and mind-over-matter approaches to health.Genevieve Wheeler is the author of Adelaide. Follow her on Instagram (@geewheeler).

For the first time in YEARS, SSR once again takes on Gertrude Chandler Warner's beloved Boxcar Children series. Episode 258 is all about the second installment, Surprise Island… and the biggest surprise of all might just be that it's a pretty quiet story! All aboard for the discussion about the general appeal of the Boxcar Children, gender roles, what makes a mystery, domestic fantasy, wish fulfillment, and more.Andrea Bartz is an essayist, journalist, and the New York Times-bestselling author of The Lost Night, The Herd, We Were Never Here, and The Spare Room. Follow her on Instagram (@andibartz) and Twitter (@andibartz).

Tune in for a special announcement in the episode intro!Get ready to investigate, listeners, because we're revisiting the Baby-Sitters Club Mystery spin-off series. Episode 257 is all about Jessi and the Jewel Thieves, in which BSC junior officer Jessi Ramsey takes a trip to the Big Apple, plans to break-up with her long-distance BF, and somehow manages to get involved in what she *thinks* is a brewing plot to steal some high-value gems. Alli and her guest begin with a big-picture conversation about the Baby-Sitters Club and then chat about the particulars of this installment in all its endearing chaos.Danielle Jackson is the author of The Accidental Pinup and Accidentally in Love. Follow her on Twitter (@DJacksonBooks) and Instagram (@djacksonbooks).

On Episode 256, Alli and her guest cover not just one throwback read, but a whole series of them! Adventurers and decisive bookworms, this one's for you, because it's time to take a walk down memory lane to chat about the Choose Your Own Adventure series. This episode offers lots of insight into the history of these books, along with why so many kids love them and what they teach us about making choices.Sara Desai is the author of diverse romantic comedies, including The Singles Table, The Dating Plan, The Marriage Game, and To Have and to Heist. Follow her on Instagram (@saradesaiwrites) and Twitter (@saradesaiwrites).

On Episode 255, Alli and her guest consider Frank B. Gilbreth and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey's Cheaper By the Dozen… and it's absolutely nothing like the romp of a Steve Martin movie you remember from your childhood. Instead, the book that inspired the movie(s) opens up conversations about the problematic nature of efficiency experts, narcissism, the Duggars, corporal punishment, and extremely toxic masculinity. You don't want to miss this thoughtful, thorough discussion!Jake Maia Arlow is the author of Almost Flying, How to Excavate A Heart, and The Year My Life Went Down the Toilet. Follow them on Instagram (@jakewhosasillygoose).

Buckle up for some real darkness this week, listeners, because we're heading back to the world of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events! Episode 254 is all about the fifth installment in the series, The Austere Academy, in which the Baudelaire orphans are dropped off at an absurdly horrendous boarding school. Join Alli and her guest as they unpack the appeal of Snicket's work and chat about what makes this particular book an especially fun read.Noelle Crooks is the author of Under the Influence. Follow her on Instagram (@noellecrooks).

Join us on Episode 253 for a nostalgic journey back to Beverly Cleary's Klickitat Street, more specifically, a discussion about the 1968 classic Ramona the Pest. Alli and her guest discuss their favorite Ramona-isms, fangirl over this self-aware young heroine, and chat about the many things that Cleary gets so incredibly right about childhood.Kara Alloway's debut novel Most Hated is now available! Follow her on Instagram (@karaalloway) and Twitter (@karaalloway).

Grab your favorite pens, markers, and stickers and prepare to jump back into the pages of Amelia's Notebook! Listen to Episode 252 for a cozy, nostalgic visit back to the days of handwritten documentation and old school creativity. It's a super fun ride that features discussions about likability, sass, jelly roll noses, and more.Mikki Hernandez is an actress, voiceover artist, and the author of Cake Mix: Learning to Love All Your Ingredients. Check out her blog MixedKids&Co and follow her on Instagram (@momikki | @mixedkidsco) for more.

SSR is BACK from summer break and jumping right into a conversation about 2009's Beautiful Creatures, a southern gothic novel that explores witchcraft, first love, and teen angst. Tune in to hear Alli and her guest discuss everything from revisionist history and slut shaming to the “not like other girls” trope and iPods. They also discuss one major question: is this book *too* long?Joelle Wellington is the author of Their Vicious Games. Follow her on Instagram (@jowellington) and Twitter (@joelle_welling).

Five years of the podcast and 250 episodes… it's a big week! And what better way to celebrate than by revisiting one of Alli's deep cut childhood favorites, Joan Bauer's Hope Was Here? Join the party as Alli and her guest take a sweet walk down memory lane with the help of this Newbery Honor book, covering topics ranging from Gilmore Girls parallels and the glamorization of working in food service to found family and political organizing.Bridget Morrissey is the author of That Summer Feeling, A Thousand Miles, Love Scenes, When the Light Went Out, and What You Left Me. Follow her on Instagram (@bridgetjmorrissey) and Twitter (@bridgemorrissey).

The subject matter of Episode 249 is HEAVY because it mirrors the equally heavy subject matter of Lurlene McDaniel's long career in YA “sick lit.” More specifically, Alli and her guest chat about Six Months to Live, the 1985 novel that began the Dawn Rochelle series. In it, seventh grader Dawn is diagnosed with cancer and forced to completely reorder her life accordingly. They discuss the draw of books like this for kids, the formula Lurlene McDaniel devised, tropes about grief and dying, evolution in tragic YA, representation, and more.Kelly Loy Gilbert is the author of Conviction, Picture Us in the Light, When We Were Infinite, and Everyone Wants to Know. Follow her on Instagram (@kellyloygilbert) and Twitter (@KellyLoyGilbert).

The SSR Podcast has spent no shortage of time on Ann M. Martin's Baby-Sitters Club and their idyllic life in Stonybrook, Connecticut… but what happens when we take one member of the BSC to the west coast? Well, you get the California Diaries series. On Episode 248, Alli and her guest discuss the first installment of that series, Dawn. Their conversation touches on shifting friendships, maturity gaps, the adult drama they wanted more of, queer coding, hazing, hilarious titles, and what they loved about Dawn's voice on the page.Rachel Koller Croft is a WGA Award-nominated screenwriter and the author of Stone Cold Fox. She lives by the beach with her husband, Charles, and their rescue pitbull, Juniper. Follow her on Instagram (@rachkollercroft).

On Episode 247, Alli finally gets the chance to revisit a book that's been at the top of her personal SSR wish list for years: Bloomability by Sharon Creech. With the help of her guest, Alli follows main character Dinnie on a journey from her nomadic life in the U.S. to a Swiss boarding school, where she makes new friends, is forced to see her family back home in a new way, and learns more about herself. The book opens up conversations about everything from family dysfunction and dream journals to culture shock and belonging.Kaitlyn Hill is the author of Love from Scratch and Not Here to Stay Friends. Follow her on Instagram (@thekaitlynhill) and Twitter (@thekaitlynhill).

Episode 246 takes a sweeping look at the mystery genre and Agatha Christie, paying special attention to a book that has made many a teenager a mystery fan over the last decades: And Then There Were None. Alli and her guests — whose recent work was inspired by Agatha Christie — talk about reading and writing mysteries. They also discuss the racist legacy of And Then There Were None, their favorite characters from the book, the standards its set for mysteries, and why we should give teens more credit.Kathleen Glasgow is the author of Girl in Pieces, How to Make Friends With the Dark, and You'd Be Home Now. She lives and writes in Tucson, Arizona. Follow her on Instagram (@misskathleenglassgow).Liz Lawson is the author of The Lucky Ones and lives with her family and two very bratty cats. Follow her on Instagram (@lzlwsn).Together, Kathleen and Liz are the authors of The Agathas and The Night in Question.

Let's talk about the eerie world of Ally Condie's Matched! In it, main character Cassia Reyes anticipates her Match Banquet, during which Officials from the Society in which she lives will dictate her future husband. The Officials are responsible for just about everything in Cassia and her community's lives… but the events of the Match Banquet kick off a series of events that leave her wondering if they really have her best interests at heart and if she has more choices than she realizes. On Episode 245, Alli and her guest unpack the world of Matched. They also talk about love triangles, the technology of dystopia, the way we treat older folks in our community, and so much more.Lauren Kung Jessen is the author of Lunar Love. Follow her on Instagram (@laurenkjessen) and Twitter (@LaurenKJessen) and subscribe to her Substack!

At long last, the podcast turns its attention back to Mia Thermopolis with a conversation about the second book in Meg Cabot's beloved Princess Diaries series, Princess in the Spotlight. Alli and her guest cover core reading memories, toxic best friends, secret admirers, the world of AIM, sick days, sex talks, public platforms, and fancy weddings.India Hill Brown is the author of The Forgotten Girl, The Girl in the Lake, and the soon-to-be-published Rhythm & Muse. Follow her on Instagram (@booksandbighair) and Twitter (@booksandbighair).

Prepare to swoon, listeners, because Episode 243 is all about sweet summer romance! Alli and her guest gush about Jenny Han's The Summer I Turned Pretty, which they both read for the first time for the show. They reflect about the significance of summers in their own lives and cover everything from the male gaze and tankinis to love interests and fraught mother/daughter relationships. Grace Chlosta is the bookstagrammer behind @gracesreadingnook and the host of the One Woman Book Club podcast.

Episode 242 is all about L.M. Montgomery's Emily of New Moon. With the help of her guests, Alli digs into orphan tropes, universalism, atheism, cats as reading buddies, grief, and more. She also auditions to be their friend!Sadie Carpenter and Gavri'el HaCohen are the hosts of the Leaving Eden Podcast. Follow the show on Instagram (@leavingedenpodcast) and Twitter (@LeavingEdenPod).

Is your child talking back? Refusing to bathe? Staying up past their bedtime? Call Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, the star of Betty MacDonald's 1947 novel Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and a series of other books that followed. Alli's guest on Episode 241 was a major fan of these books when they were growing up, and they're here to jump into MacDonald's wacky world all over again. Tune in for discussions about conformity, radishes, fatphobia, negligent dads, childless millennials, and so much more.Meryl Wilsner is the author of Something to Talk About, Mistakes Were Made, and the forthcoming Cleat Cute. Follow them on Instagram (@merylwilsner) and Twitter (@merylwilsner).

Whether you're looking for lessons in beating your competition in business, being an advocate for your own health, designing a Kid Kit, or simply being the best babysitter (AKA person) in the game, you can find your answers in The Truth About Stacy. The book covers Stacy McGill's journey to find her voice as her parents seek more support for her diabetes and the BSC's war against the competing Baby-Sitters Agency (how DARE they?). Alli and her guest share all of their thoughts and feelings! Rochelle Bilow is a romance and food writer. A graduate of the French Culinary Institute, she's worked as a baker, a line cook, and the social media manager for Bon Appetit and Cooking Light magazines. Her articles about home cooking, restaurants, food news and trends, spirits, groceries, and products have appeared in a variety of national publications. Rochelle's memoir — The Call of the Farm — was published in 2014, and her fiction debut Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year hit shelves earlier this year. Follow her on Instagram (@rochellebilow).

Episode 239 takes a close look at the polarizing 1979 novel by V.C. Andrews, Flowers in the Attic. Alli and her guest work through the complicated nature of the discourse around the book and talk about its triggering content, as well as the author's quirky behavior and incredible talent.TW: attempted murder, child abuse, child death, incest, poisoning, rape, religion, starvationCarley Fortune is the New York Times-bestselling author of Every Summer After and the forthcoming Meet Me at the Lake. Follow her on Instagram (@carleyfortune) and Twitter (@CarleyFortune).

There's never a dull moment in Sweet Valley, California… and there's never a dull moment on SSR when Alli and her guests dive into the Sweet Valley High series! On Episode 238, book podcasts collide as hosts of Double Love Anna and Karyn join the pod to discuss Dear Sister, the seventh book in Francine Pascal's series. Tune in to hear conversations about self-awareness (or lack thereof), weird relationships between teens and adults, motorbike accidents, bad parenting, and lots of unhinged behavior from the Wakefields and their pals.TW: sexual assault, fatphobia, eating disordersOn the Double Love podcast, hosts Anna and Karyn explore the strange and terrifying world of Sweet Valley High, book by book. Find it wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! Follow Double Love on Instagram (@svhpodcast) and Twitter (@svhpodcast).

Baby-Sitters Club Super Specials take the standard BSC format and make them even more, well, super… by alternating POVs so readers get takes from all of the club members and taking the gals on bigger and better adventures so they have great stories to tell. Baby-Sitters On Board! was the first installment in this series extension — and it does not disappoint! In it, the Club sets sail on a cruise and then ventures to Disney World, basically living the dream of every kid ever. There are crushes, new friends, treasure maps, and, of course, baby-sitting. On Episode 137, Alli and her guest discuss the book as a whole. Guest Sara Shepard also reflects on the ways in which it may have inspired her own writing career!Sara Shepard is the author of bestselling, iconic series for teens, including Pretty Little Liars, The Lying Game, and The Perfectionists. Her new book — Wait for Me — is now available. Follow her on Instagram (@saracshepard) and Twitter (@sarabooks).

Published in 2013, Catching Fire was the follow-up to Suzanne Collins's wildly popular The Hunger Games… and on Episode 236, we're back in the proverbial arena to discuss it! Tune in to hear conversations about love triangles, celebrity culture, trauma bonding, PTSD, movement-building, and more. Alli's guest is an expert in public policy and economic disparity with a unique take on the world and culture of Panem.Heather McGhee designs and promotes solutions to inequality in America. Her award-winning, New York Times-bestselling book The Sum of Us was adapted for young readers in February of 2023. It was also adapted into a podcast by Higher Ground, Barack and Michelle Obama's production company. Follow her on Instagram (@heathermcghee) and Twitter (@hmcghee).

Ann M. Martin has written more than just the 100+ titles in the beloved Baby-Sitters Club series. She's also authored a range of other books, including 1987's Just a Summer Romance, a book that inspires lots of juicy conversation on Episode 235 . On this episode, Alli and her guest cover all kinds of ground, including the maturity of teen characters, meet cutes, dating red flags, celebrity love stories, diet culture, and pre-social media nostalgia.Falon Ballard is the author of Lease on Love and Just My Type. Follow her on Instagram (@falonballard) and Twitter (@FalonBallard).

In one word, Episode 234 is ICONIC. It brings together YA superstar Meg Cabot with a book written by our queen Judy Blume, Blubber. Meg shares her love for and personal connection with this complicated book, which offers a unique, real take on bullying. She and Alli talk about queen bees, banned books, fatphobia, diet culture, and more.TW: fatphobia, racism, bullying, abuseMeg Cabot is the author of beloved, award-winning books, including the Princess Diaries series, the Mediator series, the Heather Wells Mystery series, and Avalon High. The Quarantine Princess Diaries hits shelves in March 2023. Follow Meg on Instagram (@officialmegcabot) and Twitter (@megcabot).

On this episode, author Carlyn Greenwald joins Alli to discuss one of the weirdest books they've ever read: Libba Bray's Going Bovine. They talk about the novel as a 2009 time capsule and consider why bizarre stories like this one are so captivating for readers. Other discussion topics include road trip narratives, existentialism, OCD representation, unlikable characters, drug use, and toxic positivity. Carlyn Greenwald is the author of two forthcoming novels: Sizzle Reel and Time Out, which she co-authored with Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner. Follow her on Instagram (@carlyn_gee) and Twitter (@CarlynGreenwald).

On Episode 232, Alli and her guest attempt to analyze her bizarrely vivid memory of Jan Slepian's The Broccoli Tapes. They discuss loneliness, death, different kinds of grief, the main character's sexual awakening, and the book's bizarre racial undertones. They compare and contrast the multiple covers of The Broccoli Tapes and consider the deeper questions Slepian explores about love and loss.TW: death, abuseNikki Payne is the author of Jane Austen remixes, including Pride and Protest. Follow her on Instagram (@nikkipaynebooks) and Twitter (@NikkiPayneBooks).

If you thought we'd made it through all of Judy Blume's iconic kid lit, you thought wrong! As you'll discover in Episode 231, Alli and her guests still have plenty of gems to enjoy, including Here's to You, Rachel Robinson, the 1993 follow-up to Just As Long As We're Together. Like all of Judy's work for tweens, the novel takes seriously the seemingly silly concerns of tweens and teens: acne, frustration with siblings, being called “too sensitive,” and the pressures of perfectionism. Listen to learn more! TW: suicideKwana Jackson is a USA Today bestselling author, who also writes as K.M. Jackson. Her latest novel is Knot Again and is the second installment in her Real Men Knit series. Follow her on Instagram (@kwanawrites) and Twitter (@KwanaWrites).

Join Alli and her guest Jo Piazza for a journey back to the Little House in the Big Woods and for a conversation about all things Laura Ingalls! Their discussion centers around the first book in Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved series, in which very little happens… but that might just be the point. They consider that possibility, along with the depiction of parenting, corporal punishment, prayer, and special occasions in the book. There's also a conversation about the larger significance of the Little House series and what we can do with its complicated legacy. Jo Piazza is the bestselling author of many books, including We Are Not Like Them, Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win, How to Be Married, The Knockoff, and the forthcoming You Were Always Mine. You might also recognize her from the podcast space from shows like Under the Influence and Committed. Follow Jo on Instagram (@jopiazzaauthor) and Twitter (@jopiazza).

It's been nearly four years since our episode about The Face on the Milk Carton… but we're finally ready to jump into the next chapter of Janie Johnson's story! Episode 229 focuses on the second book in Caroline B. Cooney's beloved series, Whatever Happened to Janie? Conversation topics range from sibling rivalry and victim blaming to the evolution of our collective language around trauma and depictions of sex work.Caitlin Barasch is the author of A Novel Obsession. Follow her on Instagram (@soembarasched) and Twitter (@CaitlinBarasch).

On Episode 228, join us for another journey to the Land of Oz! This time, our focus is on the seventh book in L. Frank Baum's series, The Emerald City of Oz. Alli's guest is a self-professed Oz superfan, so they discuss her special connection to this fictional universe, as well as the unique publishing history associated with this particular book. They swap notes on their favorite scenes, talk about the challenges of reading material meant for kids as an adult, and consider the ways in which Oz collides with the real world.This week's guest is Jen DeLuca! The latest installment in her Renaissance Faire romance series — Well Traveled — is now available wherever books are sold. Follow her on Instagram (@jendelucawrites) and Twitter (@jaydee_ell).

On Episode 227, guest Iman Hariri-Kia makes a strong case for Lisi Harrison's Clique series as social commentary and tween empowerment narrative. She and Alli focus on Book #3 — Revenge of the Wannabes — but also talk about the world of Massie Block and Octavia Country Day more broadly, touching on matters of insecurity, tenderness, and empathy. They also have frank conversations about portrayals of sexualization, objectification, and disordered eating in the book. Iman Hariri-Kia is an award-winning journalist and the author of A Hundred Other Girls. Follow her on Instagram (@imanharirikia).TW: disordered eating, body insecurity