Latest Grades 4-8 Podcast Episodes
Episode 35: Middle Grade Horror
Two Lit Mamas - October 27, 2021 03:00 - 51 minutesIn this Halloween episode, the Mamas admit they share a brain (FYI, it’s kept in a jar in a mad scientist’s lab). How do they know they share a brain? Because they each picked a Middle Grade horror book from the same author without realizing it. Fortunately, they were creeped out in the best pos...
Episode 34: Latinx Heritage in Middle Grade Lit
Two Lit Mamas - October 13, 2021 02:00 - 48 minutesIn honor of Latinx Heritage Month, the Mamas were thrilled to chat about two Middle Grade books oozing with Mexican mythology and Día de los Muertos inspired adventures. So, gulp down some Pan de Muerto, grip your calavera, and let the Mamas make you cringe with fright (and hopefully not from th...
Episode 33: Middle Grade Books for Horse Lovers
Two Lit Mamas - September 29, 2021 04:00 - 51 minutesMargie hates it but Heather’s inner horsey girl catches her stride in Episode 33 as the Mamas share their childhood memories of horses and explore Middle Grade books and resources in the horsey genre. The Mamas also get on their high horses and rant about banned books. Saddle up and hold on tigh...
Episode 32: Sporty Stories for Middle Graders
Two Lit Mamas - September 15, 2021 03:00 - 1 hourThe Mamas embrace their inner Sporty Spice (or Benchwarmer Spice) to share reviews of Middle Grade novels (ages 8-12) about gymnastics, football and soccer, as well as, the personal and family trauma that can sometimes be associated with sports. The Mamas also share six sports-themed activities ...
Episode 31: Middle Grade Books in Space!
Two Lit Mamas - August 25, 2021 03:00 - 1 hourIn this episode, the Mamas get extra nerdy exploring the final frontier in the latest Middle Grade science fiction novels and short stories. So grab your communicators and listen in as they cover hermetically sealed post-pandemic apartments, talking heads, shape-shifting aliens, and murder on th...
Episode 30: Book vs. Show: The Mysterious Benedict Society
Two Lit Mamas - August 11, 2021 05:00 - 1 hourThe Mamas don their Siskel & Ebert disguises and debate the pros and cons of the Mysterious Benedict Society’s new Disney+ series vs. the OG book series. Although you can probably guess what the lit-loving Mamas have to say (hint: the book is ALWAYS better), you might enjoy the Middle Grade seri...
Episode 29: New Middle Grade Fantasy Books
Two Lit Mamas - July 27, 2021 16:00 - 50 minutesThe Mamas’ fantasies are flying in Episode 29 with two hot Middle Grade fantasy picks. Following the book chat, the Mamas share six more MG fantasies from their TBR Lists for 2021. So, if animals talk to you, you should listen in because you’re in good company, or at least not alone in your fant...
Episode 28: Kid Entrepreneurs in MG Lit
Two Lit Mamas - July 13, 2021 22:00 - 1 hourTwo of the Mamas’ fave authors (yes, ones from the Franzia List) are back in the book chat with financially-focused Middle Grade characters who discover how to run a business and manage money in the most fantastic settings. Listen as the Mamas WERK IT, doing what they love—chatting about great M...
Episode 27: Books with Middle Grade Cooks
Two Lit Mamas - June 30, 2021 02:00 - 1 hourFind out what’s cooking in Middle Grade lit as the Two Lit Mamas drool–err–chat about the latest novels with kid bakers and chefs. If you aren’t hungry now, you will be by the time the Mamas finish dishing their foody opinions and kid-friendly recipes. Bon Appetit! Book Discussion: Midsumme...
Episode 26: Happy Pride Year!
Two Lit Mamas - June 16, 2021 02:00 - 1 hourIn episode 26, the Mamas join forces with Uncle Johnny to discuss the latest in LGBTQIA+ books for Middle Graders. They look at how far we’ve come and how far we have to go through the lens of two great novels about love, loss and growing up queer in America. Book Discussion: One True Way by ...
Episode 25: Refugee & Immigrant Stories
Two Lit Mamas - June 01, 2021 22:00 - 1 hourOn their one year anniversary, the Mamas share their favorite heartwarming and hard hitting immigrant & refugee novels for Middle Graders. Since Margie's life is one big immigrant story and Heather's small, rural world was widened by international students who came for the holidays, the topic of...
Episode 24: Middle Grade Preppers
Two Lit Mamas - May 19, 2021 04:00 - 1 hourIn Episode 24, the Mamas discuss two middle grade novels that take very different approaches to prepping from a kid’s perspective: one is apocalyptic and the other is fake news, but both are intensely entertaining and involve drinking toilet water. If you can hang with that, then grab your bug-o...
Episode 23: Fat Acceptance in Middle Grade Lit
Two Lit Mamas - May 05, 2021 07:00 - 1 hourAccording to recent reports, the pandemic has stirred up body image concerns in teens, leading to a rise in eating disorders, so for this episode The Mamas turn to Middle Grade fiction to help kids, parents and teachers tackle the topic in a positive way. Catch the wave of change that's coming a...
Episode 22: Happy Earth Day!
Two Lit Mamas - April 21, 2021 04:00 - 1 hourThe mamas have so much to share for Earth month, from middle grade environmental nonfiction and eco-fiction novels, to nature picture books, articles, contests, book festivals, PBS specials, and more. Whew! Now, put on your green jeans and let’s get started! Book Discussion: How to Change Ever...
Episode 21: Water Warriors in Kidlit
Two Lit Mamas - April 07, 2021 00:00 - 53 minutesIn honor of Earth Day, the Mamas do a deep dive (insert eye roll here) into the importance of clean water. Using her love language, Margie breaks down water treatment issues into dorky layman's terms, as the Mamas discuss their first nonfiction and graphic novel middle grade reads. If the mamas ...
Episode 20: Middle Grade Spies
Two Lit Mamas - March 24, 2021 01:00 - 43 minutesFor Episode 20 of Two Lit Mamas Podcast, the Mamas pry-bar themselves into black Spandex to get their spy game on. Yes, that IS your shoe phone ringing. Answer it and join the Mamas on a not-so-secret mission to hack into the latest middle grade books with kid spies. From chubby spy geniuses to ...
Bonus Episode: What is Middle Grade Lit?
Two Lit Mamas - March 17, 2021 03:00 - 46 minutesHappy Middle Grade March! In celebration of this very special month, the mamas threw together a BONUS episode on their fave topic – Middle Grade books. The Mamas break down the category for fellow mamas and papas who need help finding appropriate reading material for their middle schoolers. Re...
Divorce & Blended Families in Middle Grade Lit
Two Lit Mamas - March 10, 2021 04:00 - 54 minutesIn this episode, the Mamas tackle tough topics, including divorce, blended-up families, and sick kiddos with their middle grade, realistic fiction pics. Maybe not the best topics to cover during a pandemic but the mamas grip their calming stones and make it through two important and wonderful re...
American Mythology in Middle Grade Books
Two Lit Mamas - February 24, 2021 05:00 - 1 hourThe snowbound, quarantining mamas are starting to get a little stir crazy, obvi – the cry-laughing was a dead giveaway – but fortunately they found some great middle grade fantasy reads about American myths to distract them. Join the mamas in beating off the winter blues, especially if you’re a ...
World Mythology for Middle Grade
Two Lit Mamas - February 10, 2021 04:00 - 55 minutesAfter grumbling about the weather like two old ladies, the mamas dive into Iberian, Bengali, Egyptian and Greek mythology stories for middle grade readers. The fictional stories aren’t for fainthearted parents since most adults have disappeared at the beginning of the books. Fear not, the kids d...
Episode 16: Winter Survival Middle Grade Books
Two Lit Mamas - January 27, 2021 04:00 - 57 minutesPut on your parkas and two face masks. You’ll need them for warmth as the mamas chill with a couple of Middle Grade survival adventure books set in the dead of winter. In one book our young hero lives in a frozen fjord just as life is about to go berserk, and in the second book the hero, plucked...
Episode 15: Differently-Abled Middle Grade Books & Homeschool Chat
Two Lit Mamas - January 13, 2021 05:00 - 1 hourThe mamas launched the new year discussing two awesomely-abled middle grade characters – one’s a math savant, one’s autistic, both make exciting leads and reads. Then the mamas switched gears and got real about homeschool life. The mamas urge you to ignore the news for an hour, Irish up your cof...
Differently-Abled Middle Grade Characters
Two Lit Mamas - January 13, 2021 05:00 - 1 hourA KidLit Podcast for Parents, Teachers and Writers created by two mommy blogger friends who discuss upper and lower middle grade books, children's books, chapter books, and picture books, as well as, topics such as parenting, homeschool, writing, teaching, cooking, holidays, and more.
Episode 14: Middle Grade Books to Read at Christmas
Two Lit Mamas - December 16, 2020 03:00 - 54 minutesHappy Holidays from Two Lit Mamas! The holidays may not be the same this year but don’t cancel Christmas like Margie did in 2008! Instead, the mamas encourage you to start a new tradition of sharing and gifting books. Choose from the mama’s Middle Grade recommendations that will make you laugh a...
Episode 13: Holiday Gift Guide Part 2, Middle Grade
Two Lit Mamas - December 02, 2020 04:00 - 52 minutes3-2-1 Shop! In this episode, the mamas share many – let’s face it, probably too many – gift recommendations. Concentrating on upper and lower middle grade books, these crazy, wined-up Santa’s helpers go to town on their faves. From series and standouts to interactive finds, the mamas have got yo...
Episode 13: Holiday Gift Guide Part 2, Middle Grade
Two Lit Mamas - December 02, 2020 04:00 - 52 minutes3-2-1 Shop! In this episode, the mamas share many – let’s face it, probably too many – gift recommendations. Concentrating on upper and lower middle grade books, these crazy, wined-up Santa’s helpers go to town on their faves. From series and standouts to interactive finds, the mamas have got yo...
Episode 12: Gift Guide Part 1, Picture Books & Chapter Books
Two Lit Mamas - November 18, 2020 03:00 - 47 minutesHappy Holidays! The mamas flipped the script this episode to bring you their Pick 6 gift lists at the front of the show. Not surprisingly, the opinionated broads have gobs of recommendations for their favorite picture books and chapter books of 2020 so, get out your quills and parchment paper an...
Episode 11: Dystopian Middle Grade Lit, Killer Plants
Two Lit Mamas - November 03, 2020 22:00 - 41 minutesIf you’re in need of a distraction (and we KNOW you are), join the mamas for some mutating, eco-horror, dystopian fun. In the 11th episode of Two Lit Mamas, killer plants have taken over the world and it’s up to a few smart middle grade heroes to save the day. (If only they could save our countr...
Episode 10: Scary Stories for Middle Graders
Two Lit Mamas - October 21, 2020 01:00 - 46 minutesPut on your pointy, black hats and join the witchy mamas for a bone-chilling discussion about Middle Grade books with ghosts, creepy dolls, and other frights trapped within their pages. Halloween celebrations may not be the same in 2020, but with Two Lit Mamas’ help you can still have a good cac...
Episode 9: Deaf & Hard of Hearing Characters
Two Lit Mamas - October 07, 2020 03:00 - 1 hourIn the longest episode yet, the mamas just can’t stop yakking about the great and not-so-great (Judge Judy’s in da house!) Middle Grade books with deaf and hard of hearing characters. The mamas find authors to stalk and characters to love while advocating for the deaf community. And that’s not a...
Related Grades 4-8 Topics