Episode #298: Chop Suey: Mahmoud v Taylor, MG to picture books, and group chats!
Grace and Alvina have an odds and ends episode where they talk about several topics. They discuss the recent Supreme Court case Mahmoud v Taylor about religious freedom to opt their children out from certain storytimes. They also talk about three recent picture books adapted from middle grade novels, including THE WILD ROBOT ON THE ISLAND by Peter Brown, and they talk about their relationship to group text chats!
Alison Morris joins to share some book recommendations, and they end with sharing what they're grateful for.
Grace’s NEW BOOK! Info about Grace's new book "The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon": https://linktr.ee/gracelinauthor has a new middle grade novel! THE GATE, THE GIRL AND THE DRAGON comes out in May 2025.
How have you been?
Alvina’s parents came to NYC for a visit and they tried to find the rock in Central Park that they got engaged on! They enjoyed an Easter egg hunt with Stephen’s family. Grace’s daughter Hazel went to Puerto Rico with her Girl Scouts! Check out the “EmbraceRace” website and the “Drawing Differences” activity that Grace participated in. Grace also went to the Eric Carle Museum for the “Open + Shut: Celebrating the Art of Endpapers” exhibit and also went to the Rise Fest where “Bestselling authors and illustrators will join young area artists at this community celebration and showcase dedicated to uplifting the mental health benefits of art in all mediums.”
Mahmoud v Taylor Case
Summary of the case can be found here. Vox.com has an article too. Can parents remove their children from classes and curriculum? Grace went to see the book banning documentary Banned Together at Smith College and she highly recommends it to high school kids. Stephen and Alvina also watched “No Other Land”.
MG Novels to Picture Books
There are three MG novels that became picture books. The Wild Robot on the Island by Peter Brown that comes out in June, Katherine Applegates’s Odder, and Wish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. The book friends discuss the trend.
Group Chats!
Are they better than email? The Book Friends discuss group chats with friends, work, and family.
Alison Morris - Book Recommendations
Alison Morris is recommending With Twice the Love, Dessie Mei by Justina Chen, The Riding Lesson by Jennifer K. Mann, (Alison visited Eagle Harbor Book Co.in Bainbridge, WA), Duel by Jessixa Bagley and Dear Jackie by the same author and illustrated by Aaron Bagley. Also, Cranky, Crabby, Crow (Saves the World) by Corey R. Tabor, Papilio by Andy Cho Musser, Ben Clanton, and Corey R. Tabor, Hello Dog/Hello Human by Sara Levine and Suzanne Kaufmann, If I Could Choose a Best Day by Charles Waters, Irene Latham, and Olivia Sua.
Gratefuls:
Alvina is grateful for technology and updating her computer, phone, and watch. Alison is so grateful for her time in La Push, Washington that was so beautiful and for public lands. Grace is grateful for the second starred review for The Girl, The Gate, and the Dragon! Also for technology that keeps her in touch with her daughter while she’s away on her trip!
THANK YOU!
Thank you to Hachette Audio, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, and Alex at Pacyworks Studio for producing and editing this podcast. Be sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and tell a friend about us. (Use the hashtag #bookfriendsforever.)
You can find Alvina @Planetalvina on Twitter and TikTok and @Alvinaling on Instagram and Threads, @alvinaling on BlueSky
You can find Grace @Pacylin on Instagram and Threads, @authorgracelin on Facebook, @gracelinauthor on Blue Sky.
You can find Alison on instagram @kidlitgirl and on Blue Sky @alisonlmorris
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