The Reading Culture

On Today's Show"I go to the locations in the books when I can, and I go there and I scout them the same way I scouted them when I was shooting documentaries. I'll just kind of walk around the same way I did for years producing television to really figure out the best way to take advantage of a location." - James PontiAs a child, James Ponti was not a reader. Instead, he discovered an interest in storytelling through film. James’ mother’s own love for movies, coupled with her artistic career piqued his curiosity about the life of a creative. Throughout his 25 years of experience in visual media, James continued to master his understanding of storytelling techniques, characters, and worldbuilding. Additionally, location scouting for the screen would go on to inspire some of the backdrops for his most famous works.James’ unique perspective from his start in visual storytelling allowed him to become the immersive, illustrative author that he is today. In this episode, James shares about movies that influenced him, how locations inspire his work, and his transition from movies and television to kidlit. As with all episodes, our author guest creates a unique reading challenge that is available on Beanstack and also at thereadingculturepod.com/james-ponti. Listen to the episode to learn more about James’ challenge, Mystery Author. ContentsChapter 1 - The Great Escape (1:46)Chapter 2 - All The President’s Men (4:43)Chapter 3 - Santa’s Slay ‘79 (6:21)Chapter 4 - On The Hospital Floor (8:38)Chapter 5 - From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (12:25)Chapter 6 - In Good Company (24:37)Chapter 7 - Co-Conspirators (28:04)Chapter 8 - Mystery Author (31:33)Chapter 9 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (33:01)This episode's Beanstack featured librarian is Kathleen Durant, the Librarian at Camden Middle School in Kershaw County, South Carolina. Listen to the end to hear her creative approach to make reading new books a fun experience for kids.Linkshttps://www.jamesponti.com/https://www.beanstack.comhttps://www.thereadingculturepod.com/james_ponti

On Today's ShowThe author of the “Prophecy” trilogy and “Spirit Hunters” series and the founder of We Need Diverse Books, Ellen Oh is equal parts no-nonsense and hilarious truth-teller. "We all know the importance of representation in books and how life-affirming it can be for those who are historically underrepresented. Books are powerful. There's a reason for all this book banning. Books are more important than ever.” - Ellen OhEllen Oh learned early on that she would have to fight against the bullies at her school. Growing up as a Korean-American in New York City, she experienced discrimination often. Public libraries became her safe haven, a place to escape and let her imagination wander. Even as an adult, Ellen finds solace in them and wrote her first novel at the library.  On this episode, Ellen joins us for a live conversation at the 2023 American Libraries Association LibLearnX conference in New Orleans to share more about how racism and social injustice inspired her writing and her activism. In this wide-ranging conversation, Ellen shares very personal stories, her work as founder of We Need Diverse Books, as well as her sentiments on, ‘soft censorship’ and the recent spate of book bans disproportionately impacting the diverse books she has fought so hard to cultivate. Ellen is truly a one-of-a-kind author, mom, and activist. ContentsChapter 1 - The library a.k.a the babysitter (2:52)Chapter 2 - Spreading the horror (4:04)Chapter 3 - Don’t Feed the Tiger (7:11)Chapter 4 - The Joy Luck Club (10:01)Chapter 5 - We Needed “We Need Diverse Books" (14:42)Chapter 6 - Soft censorship (24:36)Chapter 7 - What can you do? (25:55)Chapter 8 - The power of a librarian (28:49)Chapter 9 - You Are Here: Connecting Flights (31:38)Chapter 10 - Books Save Lives (33:26)Chapter 11 - Listener Questions (37:26)Linksbeanstack.comellenoh.comthereadingculturepod.com/ellen_ohdiversebooks.org

On Today's Show" When I sat down and I decided I wanted to start writing, what I started writing was something that bothered me." - Nic StoneAfter Nic Stone graduated college, she went on a trip to Bethlehem in Israel to connect with the story behind her faith. But instead of a religious experience, she found herself moved by the stories of the people who live in the city in the present day. Stories that she decided also needed telling.In this episode, Nic joins us to share more about how she found her voice and why she tells the stories she does. She'll speak about the importance of connecting with kids to understand their perspective on life, and why, despite being fearful of backlash over the release of her most recent book, she is still optimistic about the future of reading freedom in the classroom. She also shares her unique reading challenge for our listeners!ContentsChapter 1 - Little Nic, the liar (2:18)Chapter 2 - The lead coat (5:40)Chapter 3 - The story we really need (7:55)Chapter 4 - The Picture of Dorian Gray (11:13)Chapter 5 - What kids want (18:16)Chapter 6 - Visiting Jabari (24:05)Chapter 7 - What about breakfast? (27:04)Chapter 8 - How to Be a (Young) Antiracist (28:33)Chapter 9 - Dear whom? (32:10)Chapter 10 - Mirror, Mirror (34:13)Chapter 11- Beanstack Featured Librarian (34:41)This episode's Beanstack featured librarian is Rita Smith, the Children and Teens Librarian at Hershey Public Library in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Stick around until the end to hear the heartwarming story that reminded her of the value libraries play in the community.Linkshttp://www.nicstone.info/https://www.thereadingculturepod.com/nic_stonehttps://www.hersheylibrary.org/https://beanstack.com

On Today's Show" Creating something is not just for people to view, but it's for the creator. It's that idea that when you create, it puts you more in touch with your humanity and that being in touch with your humanity is what you are giving through your artwork. " - Grace LinFor Grace Lin, the value in literature comes from its ability to allow you to understand other humans and get in touch with your own humanity. But this value isn't just from reading. As a writer, she recognizes the change that the artist goes through in the process of creating. In her own experience, the process of writing has allowed her to understand and feel comfortable with her Asian-American identity, which in turn has helped her in making content for other young Asian-Americans who are struggling in the same ways she used to.It's these experiences and understandings that have contributed to her passion for keeping humanity in writing and fighting for that access. That's why she has so eloquently spoken about the importance of reading other perspectives despite potential initial discomfort in her apt metaphor of putting on a new pair of glasses. In this episode, she'll take us through all of that and more.ContentsChapter 1 - ThE LeEtal hOuSe (2:29)Chapter 2 - Bees for Betsy, but not for Grace (3:50)Chapter 3 - For those to come (5:24)Chapter 4 - The Search for Delicious (7:22)Chapter 5 - The thousand-dollar dandelion (11:24)Chapter 6 - New Glasses (16:17)Chapter 7 - The art of effort (22:55)Chapter 8 - Chinese Menu (29:20)Chapter 9 - New Faces, Familiar Places (33:00)Chapter 10 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (34:38)This episode's Beanstack featured librarian is Jenny Lee Ryan, the Program Coordinator for Farmington Public Library in New Mexico. Listen to the end to hear some of her best tips for getting readers engaged in their programming. Linkshttps://gracelin.com/https://thereadingculturepod.com/grace-linhttps://www.fmtn.org/192/Libraryhttps://beanstack.com

On Today's Show"The world is so complex, right? No theory that anyone has can be accurate because the only accurate model of the world is the world. There are too many complexities. ... And so what literature does is it catalogues the unique and particular truths of the world and a really great writer, a Jane Austin, Chekhov, Kate DiCamillo, will take one of those truths and reveal it to you in a narrative way that's just so deeply satisfying." - Adam GidwitzAs a young adult, Adam Gidwitz was on a hunt for the truth. He searched in philosophy and religion, but eventually found literature to be the ultimate source for the small truths this world can provide. Despite being a natural storyteller since childhood, Adam didn't understand view himself as a writer. It wasn’t until he was a teacher and began writing to entertain his students that he saw this potential in himself.After finding success in A Tale Dark and Grimm, The Inquisitor's Tale, and various other stories, Adam is preparing to release a new children's novel that will dive into a monstrous setting to tell a particularly hard truth: bad people are still human, and their motivations are endless. In today's episode, he joins to share more about his approach to telling this story, how he found his unique voice and why he believes fiction is the best vehicle for learning about the world.ContentsChapter 1 -  Writers Don’t Always Write (2:36) Chapter 2 - Adam's House (5:10) Chapter 3 - Slow and Steady (9:36)Chapter 4 - The BFG (12:15)Chapter 5: Not Johnny Tremain (17:10)Chapter 6: Discovering Truths (22:06)Chapter 7: Thinkers, Poets, and Monsters (26:39)Chapter 8: I Wish I Was Cast As… (31:37) Chapter 9: Grimmly Ever After (32:49)Chapter 10: Beanstack Featured Librarian (34:17)This episode's Beanstack featured librarian is Jenny Lee Ryan, the program coordinator for Farmington Public Library in New Mexico, and also a former radio show host. She gave us some of her best tips for getting readers engaged in their programming.Linkshttps://www.adamgidwitz.com/thereadingculturepod.com/adam-gidwitzwww.beanstack.com

On Today's Show"I feel like writers, especially who are wordsmiths, who can name things, tricky things in clear ways ... should be where we put our efforts. Really creating an offensive, an offense in this campaign to win the hearts back." - Meg MedinaMeg Medina's passion for telling stories goes back as far as she can remember. Crafting words into lessons and engaging experiences has always been her calling, but it took her a few careers to fully dive in. Now, she's a Newbery Award-winning children's author, best known for her Merci Suárez trilogy. As we take a break to visit family and relax over the holiday season, we bring you back to the our first episode of The Reading Culture, where Meg Medina joined to share her thoughts on the craft of storytelling. Meg talks about the power of storytelling to pass on the knowledge of tradition and to share experiences. She also talks about the increase in book bans and challenges and why she believes leaning into the gift of storytelling will help authors and the industry create the ultimate offense.Meg has also developed a reading challenge called "Girls in Motion," in partnership with Beanstack, for listeners and Beanstack partners. For the challenge, Meg curated a diverse list of stories featuring athletic girls facing various life challenges. You can hear her talk more about it in the episode and see the details and full list of books here. ContentsChapter 1 - Meg's Beginnings as a Writer (2:48)Chapter 2 - Telling Her Own Story (9:23)Chapter 3 - “Letters of E.B White” (12:02)Chapter 4 - Reading to Be Human (17:00)Chapter 5 - On Visiting Schools (21:15)Chapter 6 - Storytelling to Fight Book Bans (23:43)Chapter 7 - Saying Goodbye to Merci Suárez (28:44)Chapter 8 - Girls in Motion (33:36)Chapter 9 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (35:49)This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Jessica Juarez. Jessica is the district librarian in Robstown ISD, housed at the high school. She gives us her 'secret sauce' to keep kids excited about reading. Linkshttp://thereadingculturepod.com/http://www.megmedina.com/https://www.beanstack.com/

On Today's Show"If I've done my job right and put my heart and my fears and my questions on the page, if I've told a story right and well, the reader can be aware of me asking those questions, worrying those worries, putting my heart there, and then it's a place for both of us to be together. And it makes you feel less alone as a kid." - Kate DiCamilloKate DiCamillo's stories take us to the dark parts of the world and back again. And once we get back, we realize that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope. Authentically connecting with children to share that message is at the heart of Kate's work. Her range is extensive, from the hilarious Mercy Watson series to some of her more emotionally charged middle-grade novels. In all of her books, Kate manages to tap into her inner child to reach her audience in an authentic way.Her work is world-renowned, and millions of people have shed sad but hopeful tears while reading her words. In this episode, Kate fills us in on how she so effectively uses darkness to share a message of hope, how she connects with her own child within to write, and why the minds of children still spark inspiration for her stories to this day.ContentsChapter 1 - Down the Rabbit Hole (to Florida) (2:46)Chapter 2 - The Black Turtleneck (7:19)Chapter 3 - Becoming a Children's Writer (11:55)Chapter 4 - Charlotte's Wisdom (13:56)Chapter 5 - Through The Eyes of a Child (17:16)Chapter 6 - A Youthful Memory (22:17)Chapter 7 - A Letter to Matt (24:39)Chapter 8 - Cassius Wonders (31:05)Chapter 9 - Read Brave (38:57)Chapter 10 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (41:06)Today's Beanstack featured librarian is Pat Toney, a Children's Services Librarian at Oakland Public Library in California. On this episode, Pat recommends an influential book for young adults.Linkshttps://www.katedicamillo.com/https://www.beanstack.comhttps://thereadingculturepod.com/kate-dicamillo

On Today's Show"There's just something about literally raising your voice and letting these words come out of you. That's powerful." - Renée WatsonMaya Angelou was mute for six years. After a traumatizing childhood experience, the famous poet and activist retreated inward and lost her voice. In Renée Watson's kid-friendly but unflinching retelling of her story in "Maya's Song", Watson shows how poetry was the means to Maya finding her voice and going on to use it in unforgettable ways. That's the power of poetry. And that power is something that Renée is passionate about giving to kids.From incorporating poetic elements in her stories to writing entire stories in verse, Renée utilizes poetry in her writing frequently. In this episode, she joins us to tell us more about how she came to believe in the power of poetry, how she makes it accessible to children, why she thinks it's so important for youth, and more.ContentsChapter 1 - Intro to Renée (1:39)Chapter 2 - 1619 project (4:21)Chapter 3 - Knoxville, Tennessee (9:33)Chapter 4 - Telling Maya's Story (13:08)Chapter 5 - Teaching Youth Poetry (18:34)Chapter 6 - Music as a Gateway to Poetry (21:39)Chapter 7 - Writing About Portland (26:23)Chapter 8 - Sharing Joy With Ryan Hart (28:36)Chapter 9 - Library visits (30:58)Chapter 10 - Voice Through Voice (31:59)Chapter 11 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (32:51)This episode's Beanstack featured librarian is Pat Toney, a Children's Services Librarian at Oakland Public Library in California. Pat provides us with a coming-of-age book recommendation for teens. Linkshttps://www.reneewatson.net/https://www.beanstack.comhttps://thereadingculturepod.com/renee-watson

On Today's Show"When you're a kid, and if you love to read, you love stories, you aren't always aware of the fact that you're being erased from those stories, or you don't yet have the expectation that you should be in those books." - Zetta ElliottScholar and author Zetta Elliott knows the long-term damage of not having representative, relatable stories to read while growing up. Growing up Black in suburban Canada in the ’80s meant rarely seeing herself in the books she read. It wasn't until she was a young adult that she realized that erasure's impact on her own voice as a writer.While she is best known for her Dragons in a Bag series, Zetta has had a prolific writing career and spent a great deal of time advocating for fairness and representation in children's literature. She tells us about how she found and reclaimed her voice and her struggles with publishing as a Black author.ContentsChapter 1 - Getting to Know Zetta Elliott (2:02)Chapter 2 - Being Left Out of Literature (5:50)Chapter 3 - Zetta Finds Her Voice (10:46)Chapter 4 - Won't You Celebrate With Me? (14:49)Chapter 5 - Self-Publishing (18:03)Chapter 6 - The Future Depends on Now (23:15)Chapter 7 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (27:10)Today, Beanstack's featured librarian is Kelly McDaniel, assistant director for the Piedmont Regional Library System in northeast Georgia. We had her spill her secrets on how she gets kids excited about reading.Linkshttp://thereadingculturepod.com/https://www.zettaelliott.com/https://www.beanstack.com/https://thereadingculturepod.com/zetta-elliott 

On Today's Show"The fear is like the ramp on the roller coaster. It's that build-up of adrenaline intention that you're having in that moment when that roller coaster is cranking. It's not the same fear of you walking through a dark alley at night and you sense someone's behind you in real life. That's a different type of fear that I don't know that anybody really wants. This is controlled fear. This is me going into it saying, Okay, I know this part's gonna be scary, but this part's gonna be fun and I want all of it." - Lamar GilesLamar Giles says horror is a pressure valve. It has the ability to release pent-up anxiety and fear in a controlled, safe, and fun environment. That's why he'll watch Hellraiser at 4 a.m. to comfort himself when he can't sleep. While the genre isn't for everyone, he knows there are other young readers that will resonate with it the same way he did when he first read Stephen King at 11 years old.Giles' career has been full of mystery and thriller stories, but with the 2022 release of The Getaway, he has finally fulfilled his lifelong dream of writing a true horror novel. He tells us more about how the genre has helped him in his life and why he thinks kids resonate with his writing.ContentsChapter 1 - Growing Up as Lamar Giles (2:18)Chapter 2 - The Dinosaur in the Cereal Box (6:50)Chapter 3 - The Draw to Horror (7:26)Chapter 4 - It (8:32)Chapter 5 - The Pressure Valve (12:56)Chapter 6 - Connecting with Young Readers (16:25)Chapter 7 - Writing Black Characters (17:21)Chapter 8 - Publishing Horror (19:21)Chapter 9 - The Getaway (21:09)Chapter 10 - A Vehicle for Social Commentary (23:01)Chapter 11 - Fear On Screen (24:12)Chapter 12 - Scary Good Stories (26:20)Chapter 13 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (26:55)This episode's Beanstack featured librarian is Christopher Parker, a media specialist at Blue Ridge Elementary in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Today he shares with us more about his most successful library program, 'Book Buddies'. Linkshttps://www.lamargiles.com/https://www.thereadingculturepod.com/https://www.beanstack.com/