iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

Break out the s’mores and bug juice! Throwing it back to the 1st season of my Happy Reading podcast when I spotlighted 4 middle grade books about summer camp: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...

podcasts.apple.com

Episode 11 - Camp

Podcast Episode · Happy Reading · 07/31/2017 · 25m

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 25/05/2025

Absolutely loving this middle grade story about a new friendship strained by one mother’s desire to ban books from the school. Interesting, authentic characters, great pacing, and a nuanced look at censorship.

Same Page by Elly Swartz. Two 6th grade girls standing back to back in a school hallway with a small dog between their legs facing the viewer. One girl is holding a large stack of books.

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Excited to host my 2nd educator event at Island Books! Hope to see lots of teachers and librarians on June 1 😊❤️📚

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

If you live in the Seattle area, we’d love to see you at Island Books on April 26 for Indie Bookstore Day!

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

Season 4 of Ted Lasso on the horizon and the discovery of a sequel to The Westing Game? Happy Friday indeed!

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Reposted by Sarah Threlkeld

Kristin Varner @kristinvarner.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Congratulations @mrwolfcomics.bsky.social on Speechless! Fun event yesterday with @wordnerd153.bsky.social at Island Books! #kidlit #graphicnovel

Cover of Speechless, a graphic novel by Aron Nels Steinke

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Curious about what kids are reading these days? This is the stack of books my 3rd grader picked out today at the bookstore 😍 Hooray for graphic novels and illustrated chapter books!

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Blue skies and sunshine in the Seattle area made running errands somewhat enjoyable. Made sure to get gas and groceries before tomorrow’s economic boycott 👍

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Four books releasing Feb. 25 that I’m especially excited about 🤩 Every Monday Mabel is perfect for any kid obsessed with garbage trucks; Little Freddie Two Pants will have everyone giggling; Max in the Land of Lies is brilliant and so important; and Barbara Dee always hits it out of the park.

Cover of Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan. Shows a young girl dragging a chair across the cover in front of a window showing a garbage truck.

Cover of Little Freddie Two Pants by Drew Daywalt and Lucy Ruth Cummins. A black a white dog wears a pair of pants on its front legs and a pair on its back legs.

Max in the Land of Lies by Adam Gidwitz. Cover shows Max, a 12 year old boy with two small creatures on his shoulders and shady characters in the background.

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

Lucky enough to get an ARC of this forthcoming graphic novel. Finished it this AM and absolutely loved it! Great balance of narrative and information that will engage readers and inspire them to create their own comics. Get it Arpril 1 from your favorite indie bookstore or library 👍

Cover of The Cartoonists Club, a middle grade graphic novel by Telgemeier and McCloud. Shows four tweens in different poses holding comics.

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Read this fast-paced and fun middle grade novel in two sittings, only taking a break for lunch 😊❤️📚 Authentic characters who bond over their awkward first days of middle school and survive a bobcat encounter 😏 Great for 4th-6th grade readers who enjoy friendship and school stories.

Cover of Team Awkward book 1. Shows a grid of 4 illustrated 6th grade girls with various embarrassed expressions on their faces.

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Currently reading this new YA rom-com with queer rep and positive fat rep that is set predominantly in a used bookstore. Adorable 🥰 Jefferson is just happy to be snuggling on the couch.

Cover of Recommended Reading by Paul Coccia. Illustration shows two young men standing close to one another in a bookstore with small hearts above their heads.

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

569 kidlit titles release today 🤯Here are just a few of the picture books I’m excited about 🤩 A reminder that indie bookstores and your local library are excellent places to check out new books!

The Hare Who Wouldn’t Share by Steve Small

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Like cats? Maine? Lobster? Ghosts? This forthcoming picture book had me chuckling from start to finish 😆 Fantastic read aloud! Look for it in May.

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

What an utterly delightful picture book! I laughed throughout and learned lots about ants 👍 Great elementary read aloud.

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Excited to host my first author event at Island Books! Four YA authors will talk about their books, their writing journeys, and anything else they fancy, plus there will be cake! Stop by if you live in the Seattle area 😊❤️📚

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Currently reading this adorable lower middle grade novel about a motley crew of characters, including an ivy plant, a spider, and a goldfish. Releases in May 🥰

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

Huzzah! Finally had the time and energy to record a new Happy Reading episode 🤩❤️📚 I summarize each book and then read an excerpt from each. Check it out here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...

Stack of middle grade books featured on the podcast: Ferris by Kate DiCamillo, Unsinkable Cayenne by Jessica Vitalis, Westfallen by Ann & Ben Brashares, Carter Avery’s Tricky 4th Grade Year by Rob Buyea, and The First State of Being by Erin Estrada Kelly

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Other people read multiple books at once, right? 😏❤️📚

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

So many new kidlit books releasing today 🤩

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 05/01/2025

Love this picture book by @kylelukoff.bsky.social 🥰 Beautiful, kid-centric exploration of different ways to support those who are grieving. Similar vibes as The Rabbit Listened, another fave.

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

I’m 12 chapters into this fun middle grade mystery and made the mistake of reading the 1st chp to my 3rd grader. She promptly stole the book and retreated to her room! 😆 Thankful I have an overflowing TBR pile to pick from.

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 29/12/2024

Really enjoying this forthcoming upper middle grade novel by Kyle Lukoff about a trans kid literally fighting for his life when he finds out the leader of an anti-trans group his parents attend is an actual demon. Release February 2025 👍 #kidlit

Cover of A World Worth Saving: teenage boy running toward cover, being pushed by wind

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

12 great middle grade and YA graphic novels published this year, as chosen by the Children’s department at Island Books 🤩❤️📚 #kidlit

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

It was a great year for middle grade books! Here are 12 favorites from the Island Books staff 🤩❤️📚 #kidlit

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

Some favorite early readers and chapter books published this year according to the wonderful staff of the Island Books Children’s department (which includes me) 😊❤️📚 #kidlit

12 book covers for early readers and chapters books, including Everyone Gets a Turn, Little Shrew, Lone Wolf, Orris & Tumble, and Welcome to Scare School

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

Some picture book recommendations from the Children’s department of the indie bookstore where I work 🤩❤️📚 #kidlit

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

Currently reading this fantastic middle grade novel by Margaret Dilloway about an anxious 11-yo coping with her best friend moving across the country, a family who doesn’t quite get her, and the need to go beyond her comfort zone to make new friends. #kidlit

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

Husband and child just left for the weekend, giving me around 30 hours of time to myself. Glorious! Will I do laundry and run some errands? Yes. But I will also read a ton, nap, crochet, take myself out for a meal, and anything else that sounds appealing 🤩👍

media.tenor.com

a person is dancing in a hallway with a red carpet

Alt: a person is running in a hallway with a red carpet (Kevin in Home Alone)

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

Day 12 of 12 Days of Middle Grade recommendations 🤪🥸 Fabulous character-driven stories that will appeal to readers who recognize the absurdity of life. #kidlit

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

Day 11 of 12 Days of Middle Grade recommendations 💪🌎❤️ These stories will empower and inspire readers of all ages 🤩 #kidlit

Five book covers: Code Red, Gracie Under the Waves, Dress Coded, Attack of the Black Rectangles, and Save Our Forest!

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

Day 10 of 12 Days of Middle Grade recommendations 😊❤️📚 The publishing industry is clearly fan of books set in WWII 😏 Any recently published historical fiction recs for books set in other time periods? #kidlit

Five book covers: Max in the House of Spies, The Partition Project, Pearl, The Night War, and The Bletchley Riddle

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Day 9 of 12 Days of Middle Grade recommendations 🥰 #kidlit

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Day 8 of 12 Days of Middle Grade recommendations 🧪🔬🧫 Never thought I was a sci-fan until I read York and When You Reach Me. Turns out I just like well-written, entertaining stories, no matter the genre 😁 #kidlit

Book covers of five middle grade sci-fi stories: The First State of Being, Westfallen, The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza, The Color of Sound, and Boy 2.0

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Day 7 of 12 Days of Middle Grade recommendations 🏕️🪓 #kidlit

Five middle grade book covers: Just Keep Walking, 15 Secrets to Survival, Lifeboat 5, Alone, and Island book 1.

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Day 6 of 12 Days of Middle Grade recommendations 😊❤️📚 I love a good novel in verse and these five hit it out of the park! #kidlit

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Day 5 of 12 Days of Middle Grade Book recommendations 🔍🕵🏻‍♀️🤷‍♀️ It’s no mystery that these five books will have readers searching for clues and racing to the end to find out how all the pieces fit together. #kidlit

Five mystery middle grade book covers: Mystery of the Locked Rooms, The Sherlock Society, International House of Dereliction, The Misfits, and A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall.

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Day 4 of 12 Days of Middle Grade recommendations. These books will take you on an emotional roller coaster, so buckle up! #kidlit

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Day 3 of 12 Days of Middle Grade recommendations 🤩🎤🌟 Five books about kids who dream of entertaining others, whether it be via podcast, on a school stage, or on Broadway. #kidlit

Five book covers: Stand Up!, Click, Nikhil Out Loud, Take It From the Top, and Hummingbird.

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

Day 2 of 12 Days of Middle Grade recommendations 🤩🧙🦄🐲 #kidlit

Five middle grade fantasy book covers: Medusa, Amari and the Night Brothers, The House with the Dragon in It, Jupiter Nettles, and Bog Myrtle.

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Day 1 of 12 days of middle grade recommendations 🤩❤️📚

Five book covers for middle grade books about competition: May the Best Player Win, Duel, Keeping Pace, Team Park, and Freestyle.

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Thank you @jessicavitalis.bsky.social for sharing Cayenne’s story with the world! Absolutely beautiful novel in verse that deftly tackles many of life’s challenges w/o ever feeling heavy-handed. 5 🌟s! 🤩❤️📚

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

What I bought myself today as a kidlit specialist at an indie bookstore 🥰 No idea when I’ll get around to reading them, but seeing them on my shelf brings me joy 😁❤️📚

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

What a delightful picture book! Love the exuberance of the rhyming text, the inviting illustrations, and the variety of winter activities and celebrations that are included. Great read aloud for early elementary 👍❤️📚

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Enjoying lunch by myself at a favorite restaurant while reading The New Girl, a middle grade graphic novel by Cassandra Carlin. Zero complaints 🥰

Book cover. Illustration of a tween girl holding two books and looking surprised.

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Oh, Kate DiCamillo, you are such a gift to this world 🥰 Started reading this to my 8-year old and she was hooked after one chapter. By chapter 6 she was on the floor, laughing hysterically. #kidlit

Cover of Flora & Ulysses featuring a girl in glasses looking up at a flying squirrel

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

As an introvert, I adored this illustrated chapter book about a cranky wolf who wants to be left alone. Same, Wolf. Same 😏

Dog next to cover of Lone Wolf Goes to School

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

So glad I got a chance to read this at work this afternoon! What a funny, charming and delightful graphic novel/picture book hybrid 🤩

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

Really enjoying Carter Avery’s Tricky Fourth-Grade Year by Rob Buyea! Not surprised since I adore the Mr. Terupt books. Highly recommend for fans of funny & sweet middle grade realistic fiction 👍

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Sarah Threlkeld @wordnerd153.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Hello #kidlitchat 👋 I’m currently a kidlit specialist at an indie bookstore near Seattle. Was a K-5 librarian for 7 years and a 6th grade reading teacher for 9. Middle grade is my jam 😁

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