Ashley Hards

2 months ago | slj.com | Lisa Bubert |Ashley Hards |Amanda MacGregor

Three middle grade titles explore climate change through a thrilling science fiction lens. These three titles explore climate change through a thrilling science fiction lens. Bearce, Amy. Planet Perfect.160p. (Harbor). Jolly Fish Pr. Jan. 2025. pap. $9.99. ISBN 9781631639012. Gr 4-6–A space adventure geared toward reluctant tween readers. Twenty years ago, aliens landed on Earth and left nothing but a TV channel that broadcasts only reality and game shows.

Jan 9, 2025 | slj.com | Ashley Hards |Amanda MacGregor

A giant puzzle became a community art project at the East Hartford (CT) Public Library. Courtesy of the East Hartford Public Library January is National Puzzle Month, and it’s time to get indoors and celebrate! There are many ways to do so, with community jigsaw puzzles, puzzle swaps, and timed competitions, as well as game clubs, group word games, speed cubes, and break-in bags. Puzzles offer flexible programming that naturally brings folks together.

Nov 20, 2024 | deliciouslysavvy.com | Ashley Hards

Welcome To The ‘Hannah Edwards Secrets of Riverway’ Prize Bundle Giveaway! 2 Winners!This giveaway is part of our SMGN 2024 Holiday Gift Guide – Stop by to see all the giveaways and great products!HOST IS:DELICIOUSLY SAVVYBelow is a list of all the bloggers involved in the gift guide.

Sep 30, 2024 | slj.com | Ashley Hards

Illustration and SLJ October cover below by AurÉlia Fronty There may be no experiences more universal and specific than loss and grief. Loss can, and will, happen over and over. Grief can overcome anyone, at any age, at any time. By age 18, more than eight percent of children will have lost a parent or sibling, according to author and therapist Jess Redman. By 25, that rises to 20 percent, according to the National Alliance for Children’s Grief. Grief is a natural response to death and loss.

Jun 20, 2024 | slj.com | Ashley Hards |Amanda MacGregor

From left: Sally J. Pla, photo by Stephanie Sundell; Cindy Baldwin, photo by Lindsey Allen Photography; Meg Eden Kuyatt, photo by Vincent Kuyatt; John Schu, photo by Saverio Truglia. Novelists are drawn to the verse format for many reasons. A notable one is poetry’s power to portray the emotional and physical realities of disability experiences. Recently, several middle grade authors have taken to verse to explore these stories.