Recent Episodes
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Touched for the Very First Time: Soman Chainani on Books That Turn Scrollers into Readers
May 28, 2025 – 39:21 -
Mixtape: Mychal Threets Lays Out His Life in Books
May 13, 2025 – 25:49 -
Good Luck, They’re Yours: Sharon Draper on Giving Students Room to Read
Apr 30, 2025 – 28:48 -
We Contain Multitudes: Debbie Levy on the Dangers of Reductionist Thinking
Mar 19, 2025 – 46:29 -
Art Against the Machine: Aida Salazar on Writing for the Resistance
Mar 5, 2025 – 39:52 -
In the Heights: Jerry Craft Subverts Expectations
Feb 19, 2025 – 38:23 -
Porch Stories: Jewell Parker Rhodes on Ghosts, History, and Staying Open to Love
Feb 5, 2025 – 48:26 -
Scratching the Surface: Vashti Harrison on Going Past Skin Deep
Jan 22, 2025 – 38:50 -
Indomitable: Yamile Saied Méndez on Puberty, Dictatorship, and Brave Women
Jan 8, 2025 – 44:11 -
The Reading Culture: Yearbook 2024
Dec 23, 2024 – 35:26 -
We Are Always Rising: Andrea Davis Pinkney Spreads Stories and Hope
Dec 10, 2024 – 42:22 -
Revisit - Hero of the Anti-Heroes: Gregory Maguire on the Value of Second Chances
Nov 26, 2024 – 44:17 -
Tiny Spaces: Mac Barnett on Why Kids Are Better Than Adults at Reading Picture Books
Nov 12, 2024 – 44:03 -
Keep Me Out of It: Eliot Schrefer on the Costs and Benefits of Self-Erasure
Oct 29, 2024 – 38:00 -
A Quiet House: Katherine Marsh on Why We Need to Turn Down the Noise
Oct 15, 2024 – 42:09 -
Rebel With Claws: Zoraida Córdova on the Pleasures of Nonconformity
Oct 1, 2024 – 39:10 -
Always in the Room: Elizabeth Acevedo on Ancestors, Neighbors, and Secret Mentors
Sep 17, 2024 – 39:50 -
Worthy of Protecting: Ari Tison Faces Down Monsters With Words
Sep 3, 2024 – 42:41 -
Surreal Talk: A.S. King on Validating Teen Trauma
Aug 20, 2024 – 41:40 -
Natural Resources: Katherine Applegate on the Wisdom and Solace of Animals
Aug 6, 2024 – 38:33 -
Revisit - Mixed Feelings: Matt de la Peña on Balancing Being Stoic and Sensitive
Jul 23, 2024 – 40:26 -
Revisit - Ignorance Isn’t Bliss: Sabaa Tahir on the Need to Bear Witness
Jul 9, 2024 – 43:44 -
You Are Flawed, You Are Messy, You Are Loved: Shannon Hale on Hope and Heroines
Jun 25, 2024 – 44:21 -
Unstoppable Force, Movable Object: Dhonielle Clayton on Levering Children's Books Into the 21st Century
Jun 11, 2024 – 38:49 -
Summon the Tiger: Minh Lê Blurs the Boundaries
May 28, 2024 – 42:05 -
Twilight Zone: Julie Murphy on Self-Doubt and Self-Love
May 14, 2024 – 42:26 -
Filling in the Blanks: Cece Bell on the Comedy of the Absurd
Apr 30, 2024 – 43:09 -
Hero of the Anti-Heroes: Gregory Maguire on the Value of Second Chances
Apr 16, 2024 – 42:40 -
Simple Thing, Felt: Nina LaCour on Unwrapping a Moment
Apr 2, 2024 – 37:57 -
The World As It Should Be: LeUyen Pham Illustrates an Ideal
Mar 19, 2024 – 40:53 -
If Your Heart Breaks, It’s Working: Nicola Yoon on Love and Other Risky Behaviors
Mar 5, 2024 – 40:58 -
The Blackest Book Ever: Derrick Barnes on Writing Unapologetically
Feb 20, 2024 – 39:50 -
Rabbit Holes: Brandy Colbert on Deep Research and Deep Characters
Feb 6, 2024 – 39:48 -
The One and Only John: Mr. Schu Turns His Heart Inside Out
Jan 23, 2024 – 38:22 -
A Gut Punch and a Hug: Mark Oshiro on Practicing Vulnerability
Jan 10, 2024 – 41:03 -
The Reading Culture: Yearbook 2023
Dec 26, 2023 – 29:33 -
The Things We Know: Oge Mora on Finding the Magic in the Everyday
Dec 12, 2023 – 36:31 -
Visibility Cloak: Hena Khan on Commonality Over Conformity
Nov 28, 2023 – 40:50 -
A Good Guest: Daniel Nayeri on the Obligations of a Storyteller
Nov 14, 2023 – 37:17 -
Revisit - The Gift of Fear: Lamar Giles on How Horror Helps Kids Cope
Oct 31, 2023 – 29:50 -
Family Ties: Dan Santat on Childhood, Parenthood, and Finding Himself
Oct 17, 2023 – 37:10 -
Inner Section: Kacen Callender on Trauma, Healing, and Magic
Oct 3, 2023 – 37:52 -
Cool To Be You: Kwame Alexander On Authenticity
Sep 19, 2023 – 35:35 -
Here, Extrapolated: Neal Shusterman on The Art of World Building
Sep 5, 2023 – 33:43 -
Negative Space: Jon Klassen on Restraint
Aug 22, 2023 – 39:22 -
Revisit - The Heart of the Story: Karina Yan Glaser Talks Empathy in Writing
Aug 8, 2023 – 35:40 -
Revisit - Voice Through Verse: Renée Watson on Poetry as Empowerment
Jul 25, 2023 – 35:33 -
Big Summer Reading Giveaway!
Jul 24, 2023 – 01:26 -
The Fire Inside: Jacqueline Woodson Carries the Torch
Jul 11, 2023 – 42:13 -
Mixed Feelings: Matt de la Peña on Balancing Being Stoic and Sensitive
Jun 27, 2023 – 39:30
Recent Reviews
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coco BuddhaGreat convosI really love this podcast. I discovered it recently and have started from the begging. As a creative I love hearing the process and recs of other creatives. Jordan has thoughtful questions and really listens to her guests, which creates such rich conversations. I recommend this to my fellow creative all the time.
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Gema CasillasGrateful listenerI have really enjoyed the conversations and the stories behind these authors. I cannot get enough, and I am super grateful for their inspiration!
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Losing SteadilyGreat PodcastEvery episode just gets better and better—such insightful interviews with some of the most important authors and illustrators of children’s literature today. Thank you!
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Ms. Maddie S.A MUST LISTEN!I just learned about this podcast from a post on John Schu’s IG. Such a wonderful and heartfelt episode. I also listened to Erin Entrada Kelly’s episode. I always love and appreciate her insight and wisdom! I always take away so much from these 2 authors. I can’t wait to listen to more episodes. Next up, Varian Johnson!
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MusicCityEngineerGreat interviewI just listened to the interview with Matt de la Peña. It was remarkably thoughtful and interesting and made me want to listen to other episodes on this podcast.
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Cyance76Love the stories on this podcast!!Count me in as a frequent listener. Great stories on every episode!!
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BH from DCThank you!A true celebration of authors, librarians, and the books they love. My son loved hearing directly from the authors that wrote his favorite stories
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Maryland EducatorExcellent and Informative!I found the information I learned from the podcast extremely helpful in my profession as an elementary school teacher. We are constantly looking at the process of reading education in terms of ways of improving outcomes to decrease learning gaps and increase proficiency for all!
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Lacy the GInspiring us all to be inspired by readingSometimes we all need to be reminded to make time to learn, be entertained, and be inspired by reading words written by humans. Thank you for this, Jordan!
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mom2ray5Just in timeI was reading All My Rage when the podcast with Sabaa was released. There is something magical about hearing the author speak about her book as you’re reading it. This podcast provides timely and insightful conversations at just the right time. Thank you, Jordan!
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InAHollowTreeLove this podcastAs a teacher, reader, and children's book author, I am so happy to have found this podcast. The interviews are thoughtful, the guests are open and insightful, and the reading challenges are a great way to find new-to-me books.
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Ishmael LowryMakes me excited to read!I. LOVE. THIS. SHOW. I’d been in a huge reading rut when I ran into The Reading Culture, and hearing Jordan and these authors get so excited about stories and how they can affect our lives has given me a ton of reading energy. It’s helped me carve out time to sit down and tackle the pile of books that was taking over my nightstand. I especially love the diverse voices that I get to hear each episode. This has turned into a must-listen and I’m always pumped to see it pop into my feed.
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philby4Best out there!The Reading Culture is my favorite of all the author interview podcasts I have listened to! Jordan lets the authors talk (yay!) and has a way of getting them to open up so you identify with them. I love the diversity of authors and that these are authors kids love. Fantastic podcast!
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BAMS LibraryWell Made and Worth SharingThis is a fantastic podcast, highlighting popular, children and teen authors. Episodes highlight the authors experiences and writing process. This is a great podcast to share with students who are studying the authors highlighted. It’s also a great way for students and teachers to interact with Beanstack. Highly recommended.
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MrsASchWorth your timeThis podcast is worth every minute. As a parent and an ELA special needs teacher, I am learning more here than in some of my professional development courses!
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jenndolatLove ListeningWhat a great opportunity to hear what authors have to say about writing. As an elementary school teacher, I’m always looking for ways to help my students connect with books and authors. This has been great.
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RJLeamonFascinating for any reader, teacher, human!I started listening to the reading culture about three months ago, and I love it! The authors are not only excellent writers, but they share their insights on life, growing up, reading, compassion, bravery – – and of course the importance of libraries and books! My “to be read“ pile just keeps growing!
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fdxc124.LikeI like this pod
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Cpisani29Such a great addition to my library!I was so happy when I discovered this podcast! I first found out about it in October with Lamar Giles’ episode and the elementary-middle grade students at my library were looking for scary books in time for Halloween. Now I’m book club, the kids are always looking forward to the new reading challenges each author does… and the prizes I bring for completing the challenge!
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EBH522Great info in an entertaining fashionI heard so many nuggets to apply to my parenting of 3 kids with different interest and abilities with very creative and different points of views. Looking forward to future episodes.
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Blong2345Write On!I thoroughly enjoyed this first episode, especially in the second half! Meg Medina, in answering Jordan Booker’s questions, gave me new confidence to keep fighting the good fight in today’s cultural climate. ❤️
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akreader49InspiringA great listen for readers, writers, and literature lovers
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SweetPBBNever Too OLDOf course everyone wants ideas to help excite their children to read. And this offers them but If every guest is this interesting there is much to be learned even by “older” readers! Can’t wait for the next episode…
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BlaineBookeyListen now!This podcast is fabulous - entertaining, intelligent, relevant - it’s got it all. Must listen for parents, educators, all concerned citizens. Thank you for this breath of fresh air!
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4heroldsCan’t wait!Can’t wait for this podcast. Just rolled Beanstack out to my students this week and they are obsessed in so many good ways!
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r2chillInspirationAlways looking for ways to hook kids on reading. Hearing from favorite authors might perk some interest. Looking forward to the first author visit!
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