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To watch this episode, please visit Rachel’s YouTube channel. Listeners can find Caroline Ofensteing at her website https://tailoredcoachingmethod.com, and on Instagram @carolineofenstein_tcm Caroline is a lifelong athlete and as of 2020, officially an IFBB Bikini Pro. She has been a nutrition and fitness coach since 2016 and currently works as an online coach for athletes and lifestyle clients with the Tailored Coaching Method.  In this episode, we talk about how to start your bodybuilding journey from scratch, mental accountability gains from hiring a coach, balancing cardio based training and resistance training, importance of investing in mindset practices to achieve optimal health and much more! "The more extreme your goal is, the more extreme your sacrifices are going to be, and the more extreme changes you're going to have to make." Caroline Ofenstein Top Takeaways: How to incorporate a primer phase when starting a diet  Caroline’s tips on how to have your next diet be your last diet Strategies on pivoting from cardio based training to resistance training as a beginner Top workouts to focus on if you’re short on time Reasons optimal health requires healthy mental and physical habits Today’s Questions: What are your thoughts on women embracing a building phase and why might it be necessary to be able to create their ‘best physique’? Where can I start if I'm interested in bodybuilding? What is one takeaway from your first bodybuilding show compared to your most recent one? What are the best ways to build and or maintain muscle over 50 years old for a female in menopause? I'm low on time, what are some of the top exercises females should do every day? Do supplements help, especially if you have low androgens? After having a baby, what are the most effective exercises to help rebuild your core? Show Notes: [0:00] Welcome back to MetFlex and Chill! Rachel introduces Caroline Ofenstein @carolineofenstein_tcm to the listeners [1:00] If you’re interested in getting questions answered by one of MetFlex and Chill guests please follow Rachel on instagram @rachelgregory.cns where she posts a question box every week in her story!  You can also email your questions to Rachel@metflexlife.com  [2:30] Rachel introduces Caroline Ofenstein @carolineofenstein_tcm to the listeners [3:00] Caroline dives into her history of how she got into nutrition, experimented with Paleo and Crossfit and overall how she got to where she currently is today with the @tailoredcoachingmethod [10:30] Transition from crossfit to bodybuilding and bikini competition  [12:00] Question: What are your thoughts on women embracing a building phase and why might it be necessary to be able to create their ‘best physique’? [20:30] Importance of periodization nutrition and training and what that looks for gen pop clients [28:00] Question: Where can I start if I'm interested in bodybuilding? [28:30] Bikini Competition Crash Course Blog and Muscle Growth For The Female Lifter Blog  [30:30] Question: What is one takeaway from your first bodybuilding show compared to your most recent one? [33:00] Question: Do you have any type of routine that you follow, you know, on a daily basis to get you into the right mindset? Mindset Timer [36:00] Question: What are the best ways to build and or maintain muscle over 50 years old for a female in menopause? [39:30] Question: I'm low on time, what are some of the top exercises females should do every day? [42:00] Question: Do supplements help, especially if you have low androgens? [45:30] Caroline’s tips on creatine and why it might be advantageous, especially for women who are looking to build muscle [46:00] Muscle Growth For The Female Lifter [48:00] Question: After having a baby, what are the most effective exercises to help rebuild your core? [48:30] Pelvic Floor Health [49:30] Episode 32: Building An Anti-Fragile Core: The Secret To Sexy AND Functional Abs [51:00] Question: What’s something you have changed your mind about in the past year or so and why? [53:00] Question: Is there anything that you've been maybe implementing, like in your own routine lately? Whether it's nutrition, fitness mindset, anything like that, that you've noticed benefits from like within the last few months, few weeks? [56:00] Stephanie Buttermore on youtube Concept of body checking [57:00] You can find Caroline on instagram @carolineofenstein_tcm and her website  https://tailoredcoachingmethod.com [58:00] Thanks for listening to another episode! The best way to spread the word about the material the podcast puts out is to share with your friends or anyone you think will enjoy! Take a screenshot of the episode and tag Rachel  @Rachelgregory.cns in your stories. Visit Metflexlife.com for any programs, blogs or other podcasts etc.   [58:30] If you would like to leave a review on itunes that would be great and will also help grow the show. Thank you, and see you next time! --- Join the FREE MetFLex Life Course: www.metflexandchill.com Rachel Gregory (@rachelgregory.cns) is a Board-Certified Nutrition Specialist, Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and Author of the best-selling book, 21-Day Ketogenic Diet Weight Loss Challenge. She received her Master’s Degree in Nutrition & Exercise Physiology from James Madison University and Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Medicine from the University of Miami. Rachel helps her clients transform their lives by starting with the physical (body), realizing the power of the mental (mindset), and ultimately gaining massive confidence that bleeds into every aspect of their lives (family, relationships, work, etc.).

Jeffrey is wearing the Shock Collar this morning! Today's Question: After the bombings of Pearl Harbor in 1941, a major publication company decided that people needed a distraction and a way to occupy themselves from the bad news…. So they created and distributed something that millions of people still enjoy to this day. What is it?

On this week's Tipping Point New Mexico discussion Paul and Wally discuss the fact that over the weekend Paul got tested for COVID 19. He was not feeling well late last week and went ahead and got the test. It was negative, thank goodness. Paul explains the process and what happened. There's a serious discussion going on in Minneapolis and other cities about abolishing the Police. Others are discussing reforming the police. What can actually be done? Parallels between police unions and teachers’ unions.   In the biggest New Mexico-specific news of the last week, the recent primary election means some big changes are ahead in New Mexico's Legislature. Paul and Wally discuss the results and likely political and policy outcomes for New Mexico.  Adding on to that discussion of the Legislature, Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino’s writes in the Albuquerque Journal with an absurd “plan” to eliminate oil & gas in NM. Wally and Paul discuss the rise of Ortiz y Pino from "Comrade Jerry" to being the de-facto "leader" of the NM Senate's "progressives" and why you can't dismiss his insanity out of hand.  Good news? A national poll from Wallethub shows that Americans overwhelmingly oppose tax hikes. Question: After the economy recovers, should tax rates go up to cover the cost of coronavirus pandemic? No –  72% Yes – 28% Finally, Paul and Wally have a brief conversation about the special session and what, if anything will happen. 

Flute 360 | Episode 115: “Military Flutists with Staff Sergeant Brittany Primavera” (47:33) In today’s episode, Heidi talks with Brittany Primavera about her time being a Military Flutist in the U.S. Army Band. She goes into detail about the audition process, her experience with basic training, and advises those who are considering this career path. This series runs through the entire month of May 2020 and we hope that it is beneficial for you and, or your students! Episode 115 – Main Points: 0:37 – Contact: J&K Productions & Flute 360 for consultation work! 2:03 – Welcome & Introduction! 3:28 – Heidi: Please share with the listeners who you are and your musical background! 3:35 – Brittany’s Answer 3:42 – The University of North Texas with Dr. Mary Karen Clardy 6:40 – Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 7:18 – Sneak Peek into Episode 117 with Claire Workinger! 8:01 – Wayland Baptist University 8:09 – Lubbock Christian University 8:18 – Tumbleweeds! 8:40 – Fife and Drum Corps 9:23 – The U.S. Army’s Pershing’s Own Band 9:33 – Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra 9:45 – Capital Wind Symphony 10:07 – Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention 10:19 – Rachel Minto, flutist 11:33 – Texas Flute Society 12:04 – Question: What inspired you to take the audition? 12:18 – Brittany’s Answer 12:32 – The HellCats, West Point Band 13:47 – Fife and Drum Corps 14:20 – Sneak Peek into Episode 116 with Sonia Dell’Omo! 16:04 – “It’s fun learning a new skill!” – Brittany 18:22 – Question: What lessons did you learn in the military that have strengthened your musical skills, if any? 19:20 – Brittany’s Answer 20:36 – Question: Can you please share with us what your basic training experience was like? 20:42 – Brittany’s Answer 20:51 – Fort Leonard, Missouri: Fort Lost in the Woods 22:18 – “Hunt the good stuff!” – U.S.A. Army 23:58 – Reference to Episode 113 with Allion Wollam 24:36 – Netflix: The Unbreakable with Kimmy Schmidt 26:19 – Question: After basic training, most musicians attend a 10-week course through the Army School of Music for Advanced Individual Training (or AIT). Were you required to enroll in this course? 27:08 – Brittany’s Answer 28:05 – Allison Wollam, flutist (E113) 31:21 – Carol Wincenc, flutist (E009) 35:58 – Question: For a musician who is considering this career path, what advice do you have for him or her? 36:15 – Brittany’s Answer 39:17 – Sharon Sparrow’s Book: “Six Weeks to Finals...” 40:00 – Rhythmic Integrity 40:28 – Question: Any last sentiments that you’d like to share with the listeners? 40:38 – Brittany’s Answer 42:55 – PICKS! 45:46 – Conclusion 46:19 – Bronze Sponsor: J&K Productions PICKS! Brittany: Baking Sourdough Harry Potter Series Heidi: Hermione Granger Episode 115 – Resources Mentioned: Dr. Heidi Kay Begay’s Website "Battle Cry of Freedom" Album Performed by Brittany Primavera & Mark Beecher Episode 113 with Allison Wollam! Episode 114 with Angela McCuiston! Episode 115 – Sponsors: Gold Level: J&K Productions Bronze Level: J&K Productions

Flute 360 | Episode 113: “Military Flutists with Specialist Allison Wollam” (51:07) In today’s episode, Heidi talks with SPC Allison Wollam about her career as an Active Military Flutist in the U.S. Army Band. She goes into detail about the audition process, her experience with boot camp, and advises those who are considering this career path. This series runs through the entire month of May 2020 and we hope that it is beneficial for you and, or your students. Episode 113 – Main Points: 0:45 – Contact: J&K Productions & Flute 360 for consultation work! 1:45 – Welcome & Introduction! 2:43 – Texas Flute Society 3:02 – The University of North Texas 3:46 – LavAzza Espresso 3:58 – Heidi: Please share with the listeners who you are and your musical background! 4:02 – Allison’s Answer 4:12 – Trudy Kane, flutist 4:15 – Dr. Mary Karen Clardy, flutist 5:08 – Question: What inspired you to enroll as a flutist in the U.S. Army Band? 5:15 – Allison’s Answer 7:29 – Question: What was the audition process like? 7:33 – Allison’s Answer 8:06 – Repertoire: Chaminade’s Concertino for Flute & Piano, Op. 107 9:51 – SFC Daniel McBride 10:19 – Brittany Primavera, flutist 15:09 – Question: Anything else about the audition process that you’d like to mention? 15:13 – Allison’s Answer 16:56 – Question: Did you have a sight-reading portion at your live audition? 17:16 – Allison’s Answer 19:07 – Question: Can you please share with us your boot camp experience? 19:15 – Alison’s Answer 20:33 – Length of boot camp is usually no more than 10-weeks and is found in three stages: Red, White & Blue! 27:22 – Question: After boot camp, all musicians attend a 10-week course through the Army School of Music for Advanced Individual Training (or AIT). What does this course entail? 27:28 – Allison’s Answer 34:04 – Body Mapping with Dr. Lea Pearson 34:28 – Question: Putting aside the current quarantine, what does your schedule typically look like as an Army flutist? 34:35 – Allison’s Answer 37:54 – Question: For a musician who is considering this career path, what advice do you have for him or her? 38:08 – Allison’s Answer 40:00 – Question: What resources would you recommend to prepare someone mentally for this career? 40:24 – Allison’s Answer 41:22 – Comments from SFC Daniel Alexander McBride 42:00 – Website: US Army Bands 42:07 – Army Band Incentives 46:04 – Question: Any last sentiments that you’d like to share with the listeners? 46:16 – Allison’s Answer 48:28 – PICKS! 50:40 – Conclusion! 52:26 – Bronze Sponsor: J&K Productions PICKS! Allison: “Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind And Defy The Odds” by David Goggins 77th Army Band Heidi: Etsy Episode 113 – Resources Mentioned: Dr. Heidi Kay Begay’s Website See Show Note Links Above Episode 113 – Sponsors: Gold Level: J&K Productions Bronze Level: J&K Productions

In today's episode Jenny talks about an Advanced Relationship Concept called projection. She discusses how we not only project "negative" thoughts, feelings and traits onto others, but also "positive" ones as well. Listen in to see how this can actually keep you from the connection you want. And listen in as Bryce and Jenny discuss a listener's question. QUESTION: "After going through a divorce & being single for going on two years now. I am thinking of dating again (and after going through 3 years of counseling. Was going before, during and after the divorce). I have a friend that I adore and would like to date but I don't know how to approach him. He is also divorced and doesn't have a girlfriend. Do I drop a hint? He isn't into games or drama - same as me Do I tell him I'm interested in dating or more than just friendship? I'm not sure how to get out of the friend zone. Also, I live in Florida and he lives in Texas." Interested in learning more? CLICK HERE To get instant access to our free webinars and to learn more about getting Relationship Coaching

Episode 70: Question: After warming up and we're beginning to work, I have a really hard time keeping his gait consistent, usually start out slow and easy. But as we continue on, he has a tendency to increase his speed and will tense up and occasionally throw his head. Whenever I ask for a change of gait, especially downward transitions in, it most often happens during the lope. It also happens when I'm lunging him prior to riding, and I would like to know your opinion on how my contributing to his craziness and inconsistent gait and how can I do better at helping him relax and slow down? A: Stacy explains that there are many things to consider including: lack of balance between riders hands and legs, riders 'correction' causing more problems, riders concept of how 'light' a horse 'should' be, rider not planning ahead, horse 'trying too hard'.

Ep. 294: Live Show: Ask Us Anything! In this episode, Stacy and Sarah were hanging out together and decided to answer your questions on this show! Click here to listen in iTunes If you enjoy the show, please review it in iTunes! The Paleo View (TPV), Episode 294: Live Show: Ask Us Anything! Intro (0:00) News and Views (0:40) Welcome- Sarah and Stacy recorded this podcast live, and together at Sarah's house! Stacy and Sarah will be answering questions from Sarah's Facebook and Stacy's Instagram. Stacy just returned from a cruise. She plans to do a blog post about eating gluten-free on a cruise. On an excursion in Jamaica she re-injured her back. She's still functioning, thanks for those of you who have asked. Question: Can you really wash vitamin D off after being in the sun. Vitamin D is made in your skin from cholesterol, triggered by UVB radiation from the sun. There's a myth that if you shower right after, you can wash it off. Sarah doesn't actually know the answer to this one. Question: How wold you handle your professor promoting weight watchers and low fat diet in a nutritional program? Sarah recommends biting your tongue, it's not a battle worth fighting. She has heard this from friends who have gone though RD and other similar programs. You need to pass the tests, and being argumentative isn't helpful. You can learn the more up to date information and be able to help people after you pass. Question: Easy lunches to pack for school? Sarah's kids like the same thing every day. Organic grass-fed hotdogs, that both girls eat cold. Carrots, celery, cucumber, and fruit- usually grapes or apples. Her youngest loves canned fish, but started getting teased for it being so smelly. Stacy's boys love taking leftovers for lunches. They always make huge batches of meat for dinner so they have leftovers for lunches. They like individual packs of olives and baby carrots, fruit, plantain chips, sweet potato chips. Stacy's boys all are responsible for packing their own lunches. They also take a "snack," usually Chomps or Roam Sticks. Sarah's girls also love the Epic Snack Strips and the new Epic Baked Pork Rinds. Stacy and the boys all love the Epic Maple Bacon Cracklings. Questions: How to Navigate Foods on a Cruise? Stacy will make a more in-depth dedicated post and resource for this on the blog soon. When you sign up you have the option to tell them if you have a food intolerance. She established the whole family as gluten-sensitive. She added a note about nightshades and corn for herself. Cruise dining has 3 main options: 1. Buffet: don't go here- you will have a very hard time finding anyone who can tell you what is in the food, and it isn't worth it. 2. Sit Down Dining: "Free Dining:" you sit down and give them your room number, which brings up your special dietary instructions. This was great, the food was good quality, and they took very good care of special dietary needs. 3. Sit Down Dining: "Upgraded:" not worth it in Stacy's opinion, as the "free dining" food was very good and there was no need to pay for upgraded food here. Stacy is of the opinion that doing AIP on a cruise would be do-able. Question: Top 2 things you've each implemented in dealing with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis? Gluten-free diet goes without saying, and isn't included in the two things here. Managing stress has been huge for Stacy, which has taken her a long time to figure out and implement. For Stacy, what she has put in her diet is just as important as what she has taken out. Nutrient-dense foods like collagen, broth, seafood, organ meats, and lots of veggies. She takes liver pills every day because she doesn't always eat organ meats. Besides the AIP protocol and all the things that encompasses, taking thyroid replacement hormone (prescription) has been really great for Sarah. It isn't a failure, and it isn't a substitute for AIP. Working with a functional medicine practitioner and managing stress has also been helpful for Sarah. Question: What are your tips for someone starting diet and lifestyle changes? Stacy recommends their book, Real Life Paleo, which teaches baby steps and prioritizing. This is often more sustainable than jumping in with both feet all at once. Stacy says to approach it in a positive light, as a thing you are doing to help become better, not something negative that you have to do- mindset can make all the difference. Sarah recommends transitioning in whatever way you've been successful in making changes in the past. Educate yourself on the why behind you are doing something, so you have a better understanding. Focus on what you do get to eat, rather than what you miss. Focus on sleep- which helps regulate hunger, cravings, and stress, which makes it easier. Prepare the house- don't have things around that will temp you. Question: Would taking thyroid replacement at night to mimic the circadian rhythm be helpful? It better mimics circadian rhythm to take thyroid medication in the morning This is usually what is recommended. It is usually recommended to take thyroid replacement meds with some water, but not too much, and to wait an hour after before having anything, even black coffee, which can affect absorption. Most people don't have an empty enough stomach at night to be able to absorb thyroid hormone. Question: Your view on zero carb, meat only diets? You need vegetables. We have a whole podcast on why vegetables are important, especially if you eat a lot of meat. They are critical for health- they contain vital nutrients, phytochemicals, and fiber. Question: Thoughts on fasting? Stacy did intermittent fasting for a while. She learned that without a gallbladder it had detrimental affects on her health. The rationale is that is stimulates a clean-up in your cells, called autophagy. There are other things that stimulate this too, like sleep and exercise. If your stress axis isn't working correctly, intermittent fasting can backfire on you. Males respond better to fasting than females. Not eating 4-5 hours before bed and getting enough sleep gives you a large window in which you've already fasted and have some autophagy activity. This is a gentle way to do fast that won't stimulate a stress response. Question: Please explain the benefits of finding out if you have MTHFR if you have Grave's Disease. It is beneficial to find out if you have MTHFR if you have any autoimmune disease. It impacts a lot of different systems in your body. There are supplements you can take to help support these systems if you have this mutation. If you aren't methylating properly it impacts how you respond to diet and lifestyle changes. Question: What do you think about a ketogenic diet? It is hard to do if you do very high fat diet if you do not have a gallbladder. Sarah thinks it is an inherently nutritionally deficient approach and the science does not support its efficacy or its safety. She only advocates it for people with neurodegenerative disease who have tried other things first. Question: How to have a healthy pregnancy when you have Hashimoto's? Make sure your thyroid hormone is dialed in and closely monitored. Work with an OBGYM who is willing to do a lot of testing. Rest, relax, focus on nutrient-density. Consider the recommended supplements and what you are getting in your diet. Paleo Principles has a whole chapter on pregnancy and lactation. Question: How do you absorb fats after getting your gallbladder out? Taking bile salts and other supportive supplements can help. Learning how and when to eat was more helpful for Stacy. Question: What do you think of extremely high doses of probiotics for people with intestinal disorders? A normal, healthy gut has a lot of different species of microorganisms in it. When you take a probiotic supplement it usually has 8-9 species. When you have something that wipes out your good bacteria, high dose probiotics can be helpful. You still need to eat fermented foods and lots of vegetables to have a healthy gut. Question: After reintroducing I've become severely allergic to oranges, any idea why this would show up? Elimination and challenge diets are so effective because they exaggerate reactions. This is partly what makes them so helpful. The body has protective mechanisms that go away when you've eliminated a food. It didn't make the allergy, but unmasked a reaction that was there the whole time. Question: Do all women have rising TSH levels with pregnancy or just those with hypothyroidism? All women do, its just that in a normal system there is feedback that controls it. In autoimmune thyroid conditions, this cycle and feedback is often broken. Selenium, zinc, iron, and iodine are all very important for this to function. Questions: I've been AIP for 10 months and lost weight initially but am not anymore. I am about 20 pounds overweight, and do not eat a lot of AIP treats. Sarah asks, "are you sure?" Sarah has a post about healthy weight loss and body composition on her blog with more info. Looking at body composition rather than absolute weight or BMI is more informative. The literature supports that having a little extra stored body fat is protective. Sleep, stress, hypothyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, over-eating, sex hormone imbalances can all impede weight loss. AIP is not a weight-loss diet, it is an anti-inflammatory approach to healing. Question: Disadvantages of cheating when eating Paleo or AIP? Stacy doesn't like the word cheating, you are making a choice for a reason. It depends- on what food it is that is off-plan, how much, how often, your stress level, the overall nutrient-density of your diet, your health conditions, your genetics. It can range from something life threatening or that destroys the lining of your gut, to something that isn't a big deal, and everything in-between. Methodical food reintroduction is a great thing for someone with chronic health conditions. Ask yourself why you are eating that thing and what your goals are. Don't let making a sub-optimal choice turn into a snowball of all the bad choices. Question: Taking thyroid hormone once in the morning and once in the middle of the day? Some functional medicine practitioners recommend this. For some people who burn through it really fast, it can help even out energy levels. You will have to work with your doctor on this. Question: How do x-rays impact autoimmune disease? The thyroid and ovaries are particularly sensitive to x-rays. They cover them with a guard to protect them during the procedure. We only see this as a problem in people who have occupational exposure to x-rays. Airport security uses non-ionizing radiation, which isn't worrisome. If you've enjoyed the show, please recommend it to someone who might enjoy it. We love when you share and when you leave reviews for us! Thanks for listening! Real Everything The Paleo Mom Support us by shopping through links on our sidebars- thanks!

Hey guys, it's been a rough week. So instead of filling this intro with some sort of witty small talk, we're just going to ask that you head over to iTunes and review/rate the show if you like what you hear. We love you. NEWS HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK: "The Walking Dead's" Season 8 finale and Season 4 premiere of "Fear the Walking Dead" — aka the series' first-ever crossover episode — will hit 750 theaters nationwide on April 15 in what Fathom Events is calling "Survival Sunday" Thanks to the success of "The White Queen" and "The White Princess," Starz has put the third installment into production. Based on Philippa Gregory's series of books, the newest series is "The Spanish Princess" which "returns viewers to the world of royal court intrigue as seen uniquely through the perspective of the women, but also sheds light on a previously untold corner of history — the lives of people of color, living and working in 16th century London." Hulu is developing a series about the "Satanic Panic" of the late '80s and early '90s. The series is called "Demons," and according to THR, the drama will "revolve around Marilyn Jones, the seductive "patient zero" in the frenzy surrounding satanic ritual abuse, and her husband, Bennett Lewis, a brilliant but manipulative psychiatrist. In success, each season of Demons would explore a twisted crime affected by the couple's dark exploration into the fragile nature of memory and guilt." MTV is expanding its "TRL" franchise to add late night and morning editions of the program. Nerdist reported on a rumor that FOX may be interested in rebooting "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Of course, it's just a rumor but would this even be a good idea? QUESTION: After watching "Jessica Jones" and "Daredevil's" sophomore seasons, I have to wonder, Is there a Season 2 curse for Netflix's Marvel shows? AARON'S LOSERS: "The Pizza Show," "Deception," "American Idol" and "Rise"JACK'S LOSERS: "Nailed It," "The Simpsons" and "American Idol" AARON'S FENCERS: "Nailed It," "For the People" and "The Walking Dead" JACK'S FENCERS: "Deception," "Hate Thy Neighbor" and "Rise" AARON'S WINNERS: "Gotham," "The X-Files" and "Collateral"JACK'S WINNERS: "The Zoo," "For The People" and "Flint Town" Be sure to subscribe on iTunes and comment! Find us on Twitter: @PunchDrunk_TV, @flatlinejack and @aaronflux  Join the conversation on Facebook. Welcome to Episode 90. As always, #ClinktheDrink. 

Intro   Hi and welcome to Books Between - a podcast for teachers, parents, librarians, and anyone who wants to connect middle grade readers between 8-12 to books they’ll love.  I’m your host, Corrina Allen - a 5th grade teacher, a mom of two girls, and enjoying a gloriously (and weirdly) warm Winter Break. It hit 70 degrees today. In Syracuse. In February. Hey - I’ll take it! This is Episode #18 and today we have a interview with genre fiction book critic Paul Goat Allen, I’ll discuss three novels featuring spunky female leads, and then I’ll answer a question about the books featured on our last episode on March Book Madness. Main Topic - Interview with Paul Goat Allen Today on the show I am welcoming book critic extraordinaire, genre fiction writing professor, writer, and my husband - Paul Goat Allen!   Here are some of the books we talking about in the interview segment of today’s episode: Fenway & Hattie by Victoria Coe Wings of Fire Series by Tui Sutherland Harry Potter Series by JK Rowlings Midnight Without a Moon by Linda Williams Jackson Ghost by Jason Reynolds Percy Jackson Series  by Laurel Snyder Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder Scar Island by Dan Gemeinhart Lord of the Flies by William Golding A Canticle for Leibowtiz by Walter M. Miller, Jr. The Inquisitor’s Tale by Adam Gidwitz The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkein The Elric Saga by Michael Moorcock The Earthsea Trilogy  by Ursula K. Le Guin The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkein The elements on the  “The Genre Fiction Book Reviewer’s Hierarchy of Needs” Readability (narrative clarity, fluidity,a coherent storyline, brisk pacing)   Immersion (focus on world building, overall description) Characters Depth ( three dimensional , interesting, and emotionally connective characters) Plot Intricacy (Impressively constructed storyline replete with plot twists) Originality & Innovation (innovative narrative element - unconventional protagonist, new twist on an old mythos, etc.)   The Message (profound, spiritual, existential enlightenment) Book Talk - Three Novels Featuring Spunky Girls In this part of the show, I share with you three books centered around a theme and discuss three things to love about each book. This week I’ll be talking about three fantastic contemporary debut middle grade novels featuring female protagonists who are full of spirit and determination. Even if, for a couple of them, it takes some time to embrace and harness that inner courage. The books this week are Gertie’s Leap to Greatness by Kate Beasley, Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom by Booki Vivat, and A Rambler Steals Home by Carter Higgins. Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom This week, I’ll be going in order of release date so I’ll start with the September 2016 debut Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom by Booki Vivat. Doesn’t that subtitle perfectly capture that middle school feeling where everything seems awful but the adults in your life just blow it off as no big deal?  That is precisely the problem the main character, Abbie Wu, faces as she grapples with starting middle school. To Abbie, middle school is just another awful “middle” thing - like the middle seat in the car, the Middle Ages, and… being the middle child. She is stuck between her soccer star perfect older brother and her cute can’t do anything wrong younger sister. I knew this book was a winner when my daughter started reading it over my shoulder. Here are three things to love about Frazzled:   How perfectly this book captures the frustrations of that first middle school year. Like the awful lunches, that awkward feeling of not knowing the kids in your class, and not knowing which electives to pick. Abbie’s two best friends are Logan, genius gamer kid who joins the Coding Club. And Maxine, confident Teen Vogue reader who, of course, chooses drama as her elective. But Abbie doesn’t have a clear “thing” that’s she good at like her friends and so she gets stuck in the doldrums of Study Hall where eventually she becomes the center of a Lunch Revolution.    Frazzled is fun to read! Now, I love a heavy, deep books, but with the world as complicated as it is right now, it is a joy to jump into such a book that makes me laugh out loud. There are playful and clever illustrations on every page, and I love Booki Vivat’s hand lettered style to the drawings with different textures and patterns to the words. And the self-deprecating honesty of Abbie’s character and how she describes the personalities of her family and teachers is just perfect. This is the type of humor that adults and teachers will like, too. Well - at least I did, anyway! I guess I can’t speak for anyone else! For example, here’s Abbie describing her new Vice-Principal:  “A woman in a frumpy suit walked up to the podium and introduced herself. Mrs. Kline looked nice, but she also looked really tired, kind of like the “before” version of ladies on those makeover shows or like one those grown-ups who always complains about needing coffee.”    How Frazzled handles anxiety with a light touch. I read a statistic recently that anxiety is the number one mental health issue facing kids today. From what I observe in my own classroom - it is A BIG problem. And I appreciate that a kids’ book tackles it from a place of humor. For example, the giant “Welcome Packet” that arrives from Poindexter Middle School that has Abbie’s mom excited about school shopping has Abbie in near panic mode from information overload. Abbie has nightmares before school starts and attempts to stay home from school. Her Aunt tries to get her to meditate.  At one point, Abbie says, “Like whenever we talk about school, Mom always tells me the same things over and over again - “It’ll be great!”, “Nothing to worry about!”, “Just be yourself!” - as if saying it will somehow make it more true.”   For a worrier like Abbie, when you are surrounded by ever cheerful people telling you that “Everything will work out for the best!” it can feel like you are not even being heard.   Frazzled is a fantastic book for kids dealing with everyday middle school frustrations and anxieties. AND - I hear there is a second book coming out September 26th, 2017 so keep that on your radar!   Gertie’s Leap to Greatness Our next debut middle grade book featuring a determined female protagonist was released in October of 2016 - Gertie’s Leap to Greatness by Kate Beasley. This book, and this girl, just worked their way into my heart last fall.  Gertie is one of those kids that you just want to yank from the pages and take home with you. She lives in an Alabama town with her father and her Great Aunt Rae. Her mother, basically abandoned her when she was a baby, but she still lives in the same town. However, Gertie is rocked to find out that her mother is getting married and moving away. So - she has this mission to become the greatest 5th grader ever. To show up at her mother’s door and just say, “Ha! I don’t need you anyway!” Well, obviously, things don’t go as planned. Especially when an overachieving new girl shows up - literally in Gertie’s seat - to thwart her plans. Here are three reasons why I adored Gertie’s Leap to Greatness:   Her Great Aunt Rae. This lady is gold. She is Gertie’s main caretaker since her dad is on an oil rig for weeks at a time. She lets her have Twinkies for breakfast and every day as Gertie leaves for school, she calls out “Give ‘em hell, baby!” And there’s a moment toward the end when she has Gertie’s back in such a fierce way. Every kid should have Aunt Rae! How well this book understands how kids can turn on each other - or as Gertie says, they’re “fickle”! I teach 5th grade and can attest - those social dynamics can be complicated. One day things are good and then the social landscape shifts and you are on the outs with your former friends. Even Gertie has this moment when she says an unforgivably awful thing to Audrey - the 5 year old her Aunt Rae baby-sits. And she has to come to terms with that. The Swiss Chocolate Meltdown. Oh. My. God!!  I know it was wrong, but I just wanted to cheer! I don’t want to say too much but it reminded me of the chocolate cake scene in Matilda. Oh, it’s good! Read the book just for that scene!   Kate Beasley’s Gertie’s Leap to Greatness is a fun and touching story that’s like a beautiful blend of Ramona and Raymie Nightingale.  These three girls would absolutely be friends - or drive each other crazy. Either way, there would be an adventure. I don’t think this one is scheduled to have a sequel, but I for one would love to jump back into Gertie’s world again.   A Rambler Steals Home The final book this week is A Rambler Steals Home - Carter Higgins’ middle grade debut. Even though I read it during one of the worst snowstorms we’ve had up here in New York, it immediately swept me away to hot Virginia summers filled with baseball and frog-catching.  The story centers around the traveling Clark family - the dad, Garland, the young brother named Triple, and our main character - 11 year old Derby. Their family drives around in a Rambler car, selling Christmas trees in the winter and selling hot chocolate and gingersnaps and apple cider and cinnamon sugar donuts out of an old concession stand trailer. But - in the summers, they make their home in Ridge Creek, Virginia where they set up a concession stand in the parking lot of a minor league baseball team. But this summer, Derby is confronted with some difficult changes and some secrets to uncover. Here are three things to love about A Rambler Steals Home: The sweet, homey pace of the story. Now - don’t get me wrong - I do not mean that the storytelling is slow but rather we savor the details of eating an oatmeal cookie on a front porch. We linger over sweet potato fries and a swipe of Christmas Nutmeg lipstick. This is the perfect book to read stretched out in a backyard hammock. The names are awesome! Carter Higgins has that same magical knack for naming characters as Kate DiCamillo. So, I already mentioned Garland, Triple, and Derby. Derby’s middle name, by the way, is Christmas. But we also have Goose and Scooter and Ferdie and the Skipper and Betsy and Lollie. And of course, a banjo named Twang. How perfect is that?  And not only do these characters have fabulous names, but you enjoy spending time with them. They are the kind of people you just want to surround yourself with in your own life. The gorgeous, poetic, twangy flavor of the language. Like this line describing the baseball team: “The Rockskippers scattered the field in their blue-and-whites while they stretched and spat and scratched.” This book is heart-warming and charming and one you and your kids won’t want to miss. It is due to be released Tuesday, February 28th - the day after this episode is out so tomorrow - head over to your favorite bookstore and grab yourself a copy. So if your middle grade girls - and guys! - are looking for a novel with a spunky female lead, they will really like Gertie’s Leap to Greatness , Frazzled, and A Rambler Steals Home. Q & A Our last segment of the show is Question & Answer time.   Question: After our last episode about March Book Madness was released, I posted a picture on Twitter featuring last year’s tournament bracket from my class to give an example of what a starting bracket could look like. And one of our followers, Eric Carpenter, replied “hope you talk about why only one of these 16 books in this bracket is by a POC. #OwnVoices “   Answer: So - absolutely.  And just so you all can picture what Eric was referring to, I’ll add a photo of that bracket to the shownotes and the website, but here are the list of the 16 books included on that bracket: The One and Only Ivan, The Honest Truth, I Funny, Big Nate, Hatchet, Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood, Home of the Brave, Auggie & Me, The Crossover, The Hunger Games, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Smile, Flying Solo, El Deafo, Wonder, and Sunny Side Up. So - he’s right. The Crossover is the only book on that list from a person of color. So - why is that? I’ll start by describing how those books were chosen and then analyzing why there might be a lack of diversity, and then discuss some ways to change that.     First - how were the 16 books selected? Those 16 titles were nominated and voted on entirely by my students last year. I give them total control over that process, simply asking them to nominate books they’ve read and liked. Their favorites. I think kids having ownership of that is important. If I picked the books, I don’t think they’d be as excited about participating. However, I think there is a way to honor students’ choices while still including a more diverse range of authors and characters that not only reflects the community but our society. More on that a little bit.   Second - why was there a lack of diversity in those choices? Well, I have a few thoughts on that. One might be that the books my students included may reflect the general lack of diversity among the most “popular” middle grade titles. A second thought is that some of the books, like Hatchet and Wonder and Flying Solo and Home of the Brave may have been nominated because my students read them in class as part of the curriculum and book list that my school follows. And only one of them features a non-white main character (Home of the Brave) but that book, while excellent, is still not written by a person of color. Essentially, those books are not featuring enough diversity and not enough stories told by diverse authors. Another piece to that, and probably the largest one - my students are simply not surrounded with enough diverse books written by Native Americans, written by black authors, written by men and women from ethnic, cultural, and religious minority groups. Among many, many other diverse groups. And within my classroom, that is entirely on me. But taking that responsibility means that I have the power to change it.   Alright - if our students and kids aren’t listing diverse books as their favorites, how can that be changed? A couple very quick ideas knowing that this is just the beginning of a much longer conversation: As you stock your classroom library, as you make purchases for the kids in your life, pick more diverse books written by authors writing from their own experience. Over the last few years, as I have committed to having a vibrant classroom library, my focus needs to shift from just getting any books to being more aware of who is represented in that library. And making better choices. One good place to start is weneeddiversebooks.org and by following the Twitter hashtag #OwnVoices  Scholastic also has a We Need Diverse Books catalog that’s a good resource, too. Don’t just stick those books in your library - read them aloud, book talk them, and build that excitement. If you are excited about a book, the kids will often latch onto it, too. Reexamine those books that are in your curriculum. Like a lot of other districts, my school is thankfully moving away from the one-book-fits-all approach which leaves more space for student choice and for teachers to select more diverse books. Be an advocate for that in your schools. And parents - please speak up, too! Finally - bring this conversation to your students and your children. I plan on sharing Eric’s tweet with my class and asking them to think about it. And in considering March Book Madness, perhaps instead of simply asking students to nominate favorite books, I could have framed the tournament a little differently and asked them to nominate favorite books that represent the diversity of our community and society. So you are still having the books be their choice, but guiding them to be more aware. Also, I read this fabulous blog post last year on Lee & Low Books where a teacher had her students pull every book from her classroom library off the shelves and work in groups to analyze the diversity in the books they had available. It was a powerful exercise - both for that teacher and her students. So I’ll link to that in the show notes so you can check it out yourself.   Now, I acknowledge that we are really just scratching the surface of this topic and we will be chatting a lot more about it on future episodes. And I’d like to get your input and ideas about that. What do you see as the challenges to getting your students to read more diversely? And what concrete things can we do as teachers and librarians and parents to help kids develop deeper connections to more diverse books?   Closing   Okay - that wraps our show this week. If you have a question about how to connect middle grade readers to books they’ll love or an idea about a topic we need to cover, I want to hear from you. Please email me at booksbetween@gmail.com or message me on Twitter/Instagram at the handle @Books_Between.   Thank you so much for joining me this week. You can get find a transcript of this show and all of our previous episodes at AlltheWonders.com. And, if you are liking the show, if you are finding some value in them, I’d love it if you left a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks again and see you in two weeks!  Bye! Links: http://weneeddiversebooks.org   http://blog.leeandlow.com/2016/07/07/part-1-having-students-analyze-our-classroom-library-to-see-how-diverse-it-is/   http://www.scholastic.com/parents/blogs/scholastic-parents-raise-reader/special-edition-weneeddiversebooks-scholastic-reading-club  

Intro   Hi and welcome to Books Between - a podcast for teachers, parents, librarians, and anyone who wants to connect middle grade kids to books they’ll love.  I’m your host, Corrina Allen - a 5th grade teacher, a mom of two daughters, and happy to be DONE with 2016 and onward to 2017! Typically we have a New Year’s Eve party at our house - last year was a disco theme - but this time my kids were not feeling so great and instead we had a quiet night. I set up my new bullet journal with my reading goals, played canasta with my kids, crocheted, and just cuddling on the couch under the heating blanket. I know - NOT a very cool New Year’s Eve celebration. But - it was wonderful and I hope yours was as well. So - hello to 2017!   This is Episode #14 and today we are discussing some fun reading challenge ideas to kick off your new year, the most anticipated middle grade books coming out in 2017, and I’ll answer a question about what books to recommend for a 5th grader who has a high school reading level.   Main Topic - Reading Challenges for the New Year   One of the best things about the New Year is the reset that happens when December flips over into January and you have a full twelve months laid out in front of you with all the possibilities in the world! You’re past the indulgences of the holidays and ready to refocus, make some resolutions, build better habits, and set some goals.  So today I’m going to talk about a few fun ideas for reading challenges this year that can help you connect with your community, keep you motivated, and maybe spur you to stretch yourself as a reader in 2017.   Now our conversation today is geared toward personal reading goals for you, but these same ideas can be shared with the students and the children in your life. And as the lead reader in your library or classroom or home, sharing your own reading goals shows that you take your reading life seriously and that we’re all in this reading community together. I know that my first day back with my class, I’ll be sharing my Reading Challenge list with my students and helping them set up their own. So - if you are thinking about doing a reading challenge this year, here are a few ideas for you:   Challenge Idea #1 - Set a number goal.  Maybe that’s forty books or sixty books or a hundred books! Something that’s a bit of a stretch but still doable for you.  Last year, I participated in the #SixtyBooks Challenge  - I happened to see the hashtag last January and I thought, “I can do that!” And it’s been fantastic. One thing that kept me motivated was connecting to others doing the same challenge on Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads. So - if you decide to do any kind of challenge, connecting with other readers through social media helps keep you stay excited about it through the year. And if you want to join me this year, just check out #SixtyBooks and we can support each other!   Challenge Idea #2 - Set a goal based on type of book.  These can be found all over the internet this time of year. They are usually focused on adult books but you can easily read middle grade books within those categories and maybe make just a couple adjustments.  A really great one is Book Riot’s yearly Read Harder Challenge which this year features tasks like read a debut novel, read a travel memoir, read a superhero comic with a female lead, or  read a book by an immigrant or with a central immigration narrative.  Those last two are definitely going on my list.  I’ll leave a link to that in the show notes and what’s nice about the Book Riot challenge is that they have suggestions for each category, a Goodreads group, and in-person meetups throughout the year.     Another Reading Challenge that my friend Emily told me about is the one from PopSugar. They feature 40 book categories with this year’s theme of diversifying and expanding your reading - love it! Some of their reading prompts are a book involving a mythical creature, a book recommended by a librarian (I love that one), a book by or about a person who has a disability, a book with a main character who is a different ethnicity than you, and some fun ones like a book with a red spine or a book set in a hotel. PopSugar also has an extra twenty prompts for those hardcore readers who finish early. They also have a Goodreads group and printable lists, and I’ll link to their site too so you can check that out.   Another 2017 Reading Challenge that I discovered last week is one hosted by a site called Modern Mrs. Darcy. (Now - already with that name - I’m in!) What I really like about this challenge is that there are two paths you can follow: Reading for Fun or Reading for Growth.  Each have just 12 tasks so they are doable and you might even have time to do both! On the Reading for Fun list are topics like a juicy memoir, a book you chose for the cover, and a book by a new favorite author. Those all sound comfy and great. On the other hand, if you want to stretch yourself and go for the Reading for Growth path there are options like a book that addresses current events, a book by an #ownvoices or #diversebooks author, or a Newbery Award winner or Honor book.  That all sounds exactly what I need this year.   Challenge Idea #3 - Create a Reading Time Capsule for the year.  I wish I could remember where I saw this so I could give them proper credit, but this idea is similar to the practice of families jotting down happy memories throughout the year and tucking them into a jar to read on New Year’s Eve. This idea is to jot down favorite quotes and inspiring ideas from the books you’ve read throughout the year. I’m thinking that a nice adaptation would be instead of putting it in a jar, write it down in a journal or if you want to go more 21st century - challenge yourself to post on social media one inspiring quote or idea about every book you’ve read this year.  And that could also make a very cool classroom project.   Challenge Idea #4 - Do a Library Crawl!  Unlike a pub crawl, which is typically done in one night and you can’t bring your kids. Or well, you really shouldn’t bring your kids. A Library Crawl can span the whole year, the summer, or maybe just Spring Break. And it’s way better when you bring your kids!  Basically you challenge yourself to visit a set number of libraries in a set amount of time. Last summer, I was looking for some inexpensive things to do with my girls that would be fun, educational, and get us all out of the house and away from the electronics. So we challenged ourselves to visit 16 libraries during the summer of 2016. And we almost made it! I have a lot more to share with you about Library Crawls, how to do them, some fun ideas, and the unexpected benefits that I think I need to do a whole episode on it.     Challenge Idea #5 - Little Free Library Challenge.  Oh how I love Little Free Libraries!  They are popping up all over my community, my friends are all getting them, my school is putting one up this spring, and that is our family summer project. There are a couple ways you could go about doing a Little Free Library Challenge. One idea is to simply visit as many as you can this year and maybe document your travels on social media. If you go to the Little Free Library website, you can find listings of all your local registered libraries shown right on a map.  If you wanted to extend that into a Pay it Forward challenge, you could donate one book to each Little Free Library you visit.   Challenge Idea #6 - Design Your Own Reading Challenge!  Think of it as a 2017 Choose-Your-Own-Reading-Adventure.  Take the best ideas of the options out there and create something for yourself. And these ideas are easy to layer.  So you can set a number goal, participate in say, the Book Riot challenge or pick your own categories to read from the options you like, and maybe pick up those books while you do your library crawl.     Whatever you decide, get your kids and students involved, too and I’d love to see what you’ve got planned for the year!  You can send me an email at booksbetween@gmail.com or connect on Twitter or Instagram with the handle @Books_Between.   Book Talk - Most Anticipated Middle Grade Books of 2017   In this segment, I share with you a few books centered around a theme. This week I’m highlighting some of the most anticipated books of the upcoming year.  Some are new books in favorites series. Some are by favorite authors. Some are by debut authors. And some just sound fantastic! So, get ready to add to your wish list. And just a reminder - that you can find every book mentioned here AND a picture of the covers AND a link to pre-order them right through the Books Between Podcast link at AlltheWonders.com.  So, no need to scurry and write things down. I’ve got your back, I know you’re busy, so it’s all right there for you.   One quick note before I start - publication dates do change, so while I’ve mentioned the month each book is expected to release - things sometimes change.   All right - let’s get to it!   http://www.readbrightly.com/middle-grade-books-2017/ https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/74235.Middle_Grade_Novels_of_2017   Coming in January…   Scar Island - a new action adventure by Dan Gemeinhart. So if you liked his other novels The Honest Truth or Some Kind of Courage (which I know you did!) , definitely get this one. A new Jerry Spinelli novel - The Warden’s Daughter. It’s set in 1959 Pennsylvania and oh it looks fantastic! Also in January, we’ll get the third Terrible Twos book - The Terrible Two Go Wild by Mac Barnett & Jory John. And the second Audacity Jones Book - Audacity Jones Steals the Show.  AND another Victoria Coe Fenway & Hattie book - the Evil Bunny Gang! If you were a fan of Counting by 7s, like I am - then look for Holly Sloan’s new novel called Short - it’s about a small-for-her-age girl who gets cast as a Munchkin in a production of The Wizard of Oz. So fans of Oz will have something to love in this book, too! One book I’ve been really looking forward to this year is the short story collection put together in partnership with We Need Diverse Books. It’s called Flying Lessons & Other Stories and features authors like Grace Lin, Matt de la Pena, Jacqueline Woodson and so many others. If you’re like me, and part of your Reading Challenge this year is to read more nonfiction and to read more diversely, then there’s two books to look for this January Pathfinders: The Journeys of 16 Extraordinary Black Souls by Tonya Bolden Loving vs. Virginia by Patricia Powell.  It’s the story of the civil rights case set up as a novel in verse. That should be amazing. Coming in February …   This time I’ll start with nonfiction: We have Bats: Learning to Fly - the newest volume in the nonfiction graphic novel series called Science Comics. Then we have Kwame Alexander’s latest called The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life. A great nonfiction pairing for fans of Booked and The Crossover. Also in February, the highly anticipated Judd Winnick graphic novel Hilo 3 - huzzah!   And the debut middle grade novel by picture book author and All the Wonders friend Carter Higgins. It’s called A Rambler Steals Home and it’s about baseball, and family, and friendship, and sweet potato fries - it’s incredible - you absolutely need to get this one!  In fact, if you preorder A Rambler Steals Home from the Once Upon a Time Bookstore, Carter has offered to sign it for you before they ship it out to you. It’s a win-win-win! You get a signed copy of an awesome book, you support an independent bookstore, and you support an author you know and love. So, I’ll include that link in the show notes for you. In March, there are four books I am really looking forward to: Gone Camping: A Novel in Verse by Tamera Wissinger, which is the companion book to the 2015 book Gone Fishing. Forget Me Not by debut middle grade author  Ellie Terry featuring a science-loving main character, Calliope, who has Tourette syndrome. A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold This one is about a kid who ends up caring for a baby skunk and tried to convince his mom to let him keep it.  What could go wrong? And - we get a new Nathan Hale book this year!  It’s not a Hazardous Tale’s book. In fact, it’s almost the opposite of that. It’s set in the future and Earth is being attacked by aliens who suck up the energy from electrical devices leaving our civilization under threat. And there’s a robot pony. It’s so different from Hale’s work that I’m familiar with, but it looks original and fresh and amazing and I can’t wait to read it.   In April we have: The first book in a new mystery series by Adrienne Kress called The Explorers: The Door in the Alley. My students are really loving mysteries this year so this will make a great addition to my classroom library. Tito the Bonecrusher by Melissa Thomson. This is the story of a boy who seeks out the help of his favorite lucha-libre wrestler / action star to save his father from being deported to Mexico. That sounds fantastic and funny and... timely!   May is going to be a stellar month for reading: Georgia Rules by Swing Sideways author Nanci Steveson And a new Lisa Graff novel called The Great Treehouse War.  So if you liked Absolutely Almost or Lost in the Sun, look for this one this spring. A new Gordon Korman stand-alone novel called Restart about boy who was a bully who loses his memory and gets a fresh start. What an interesting premise! Another May release that I am so so excited about is Posted by Ms. Bixby’s Last Day author, John David Anderson. I loved Ms. Bixby so much - I can’t wait to see what Anderson has in store for us next! Then there’s a nonfiction book about Hamilton! It’s called Alexander Hamilton: How the Vision of One Man Shaped Modern America by Teri Kanefield And finally - mark your calendars and pre-order Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder because this book has been getting all the buzz. This novel keeps popping up everywhere I look!   In June we have: A 6th Ranger in Time book called Escape from the Great Earthquake   The third book in Phil Bildner’s Rip & Red series!  This one is called Tournament of Champions. My students are going to psyched about this one!   And a second book from A Distance to Home author Jenn Bishop called 14 Hollow Road. It’s about a 6th grade girl whose town is torn apart by a tornado and her family ends up living with the family of her crush, Avery, after both their houses are destroyed.   A fun book in a new non-fiction series called Two Truths and a Lie: It's Alive! So, basically the reader is presented with three stories about the natural world and you have to guess which one is the lie. Sounds fun - and good practice for life.     It’s a good thing I have July off from school, because there are some seriously awesome books being released that month: Including a new Comics Squad!  Comics Squad #3: Detention I love these! They’re fun, they’re quick, and they introduce kids to new writers. Another book to look forward to in July is Our Story Begins : Children’s Authors and Illustrators Share Fun, Inspiring, and Occasionally Ridiculous Things They Wrote and Drew as Kids Oh - now that should be good! And also in July, we’ll get Spirit Hunters - the first middle grade novel by Ellen Oh - this one is the first of a new ghost story series. Can’t wait for that! And - I am also excited for July because that’s when Abby Cooper’s second novel, Bubbles, comes out!   In this one, the main character can see other people’s thoughts. Oh god - can you imagine?   August August is going to be fabulous because we get a new Cassie Beasley book. If you liked Circus Mirandus, her new novel is called Tumble & Blue and it’s about a curse, a swamp, and a golden alligator.   So after August, publication dates get a little hazy. BUT - I hear there’s a new Katherine Applegate book coming called Wishtree.  Also - there’s a fourth Al Capone at Alcatraz book coming out in the fall called Al Capone Does My Dishes.   And the Rick Riordon’s third Magnus Chase book: The Ship of the Dead . And the third Mr. Lemoncello's Library - the Great Library Race   And of course - I’ll keep you posted about all the amazing books headed our way so we can stay up to date. Those were some upcoming titles to look forward to in 2017. But. If I had to guess - the one book that you fall in love with this year, that one new book that your kids can’t put down. Is one that isn’t on this list and isn’t even on your radar right now. Most of my favorites of last year, I wasn’t even aware of them this early. And that’s exciting! There is so much to look forward to!   Q & A Our final segment this week is Question & Answer time.   Question: After sharing our Top 20 Middle Grade Books of 2016 list last week, I got this question from Jane: “Do you have an idea what book to get a 10-yr-old boy who reads on a 12th grade level?” And she added, “He is currently into the Warriors series.”   Answer: That can be a tough situation. He CAN read Young Adult or Adult books, but you’ve got to be careful of the content, which might not be okay for a 5th grader.     A quick example / horror story about that: when I used to teach 6th grade in a middle school, one of the reading assessments we gave was a computer program that would determine a reading level and would then print out a recommended list of titles for each kid. Sounds great, right? Well. I noticed that the kids who scored the highest were being recommended A CLOCKWORK ORANGE! I never ripped a piece of paper out of kid’s hand so fast! (Can you imagine if that went home?)   So - anyway - just because the reading level is a good match, does not mean the book is a good fit.   But - there are lots of middle grade books that have a higher reading level. And if he likes Fantasy, then there are some great books that I think he’ll like.  I might try the Wings of Fire series. It has some similarities to Warriors - there are clans and battles and shifting alliances - but it’s dragons instead of cats.  He might really like The Inquisitor’s Tale by Adam Gidwitz or maybe The Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin or even The Lord of The Rings which is more “high” fantasy.  Another option that a friend recommended is The Riverman Trilogy by Aaron Starmer.   So, Jane - let us know how things go and if you’ve found something that hits the mark.   Closing   Alright, that’s it for the Q&A section this week. If you have a question about how to connect kids between 8-12 to books they’ll love or an idea about a topic we should cover, I really would love to hear from you. You can email me at booksbetween@gmail.com or message me on Twitter/Instagram at the handle @Books_Between. Thank you so much for joining me this week. You can get a full transcript of this show and all of our previous episodes at AlltheWonders.com. And when you are there, check out Matthew’s interview with Cozy Classics creators Jack and Holman Wang. I cannot stop reading and rereading these adorable little board books. And, if you are liking our show, I’d love it if you took a second to leave a rating or review on iTunes or Stitcher.   Thanks, Happy New Year, and see you in two weeks!  Bye!

Seventeen episodes in and For All Intents and Purposes continues to hone its stride with discussion about very recent news as well as larger topics of concern within the realm of nerds and geeks. Before we get started, we must mention here that, as of this episode, For All Intents and Purposes will be releasing on Fridays rather than Thursdays; adjust your schedule accordingly. The Week in Geek: Dan reads a book about (and kind of by) Japanese animation guru, Hayao Miyazaki, titled Starting Point: 1979-1996. Andrew participates in Fantasy Flight's Star Wars: The Role-Playing Game event, "Rebellion Day." He also got back into playing Star Trek Online. Breaking News: With the announcement that Microsoft purchased Minecraft studio, Mojang, for a lean $2.5 billion, Andrew and Dan examine what that means for Minecraft, what that means for Microsoft, and what that means for gaming in general. Discussion: Despite continuously asking for comments, Dan and Andrew pick apart the phenomenon of internet commenting––specifically how it's often done under an assumed name, hinting at anonymity. But is it actually just a magnifying glass to a person's true nature? Is it a vestige of once-idealistic egalitarian goals? What does this have to do with Harry Potter? Star Trek: In this new segment, Andrew assigned Dan to watch the Original Series episode, "The City on the Edge of Forever"––a veritable classic written by Harlan Ellison. Question: After reviewing the previous week's listener answers, Dan and Andrew change gears completely to ask: With the upcoming Netflix shows, the movies, and Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. about to start its second season, which Marvel property would you like to see added to the fold? Comment on the page for this episode, which can be found at forall.libsyn.com. If you like the show but wish you could get more content per week, go ahead and "like" our official Facebook page and/or join our Google+ page where you'll be kept up to date with every episode as well as be fed interesting and/or relevant links, images, and discussions. You may e-mail any comments or questions to forallpod@gmail.com. For all intents and purposes, that was an episode recap. Music: -"Stayin' In Black" by Wax Audio -"Money for Nothing" by Dire Straights -"Star Trek (Original Series Main Title)" by Alexander Courage -"Highly Illogical" by Leonard Nimoy

It's time for PAX coverage with Dan and Andrew (mostly Andrew)! But before we get to PAX goodness, we must first get down to business. Week in Geek: For All Intents and Purposes now has an official Facebook page and an official Google+ page! Join them for regular updates, links, and interesting discussion. Meanwhile, Dan watches a documentary about a movie that was never made––Jodorowsky's Dune––and, guess what, Andrew goes to PAX Prime. Andrew Interviews: Andrew interviews Luke and Nicole from both Across The Board Games.net and Nerdy Seattle.com to talk about PAX! An intriguing interview spread across two parts that has them discuss everything from video games, to tabletop games, to diversity in gaming! The interview is broken up with: Discussion: Andrew and Dan discuss a recent study that shows that 92% of PC games purchased this year were digital. They discuss this physical-media-less trend and what it means and its benefits and deficits. Question: After discussing what they found most intriguing about this year's PAX Prime, they prance into a more light-hearted affair to ask: What is a cartoon/animated show you feel deserves a second look? Leave your responses and/or comments at this episode's post at forall.libsyn.com, or feel free to send your responses, comments, or inquiries to forallpod@gmail.com. Also, be sure to join our official Facebook and Google+ pages to stay up to date with updates, links to interesting articles and websites, and join in on the episode's discussion. For all intents and purposes, that was an episode recap. Music from this Episode: -"Stayin' in Black" by Wax Audio -"Space Cruise (Title)" by Ben Prunty (from FTL: Faster Than Light (Official Soundtrack)) -"Into the Wilderness" by Michiko Naruke (from Wild Arms) -"I Giorni Dell'ira (Days of Anger)" by Riz Ortolani (from Django Unchained) -"You're the Best" by Joe Esposito (from The Karate Kid)