The Weekly 411 (8/22/25)
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| © Sue Macartney |
Aug. 22, 2025 vol.34
The Weekly 411 gathers all the links added to Kidlit411 each week. To receive this post by email, sign up for our email updates. Are you on Facebook? Join our Kidlit411 group for conversations and camaraderie. We can also be found on Bluesky. This week's illustration is by Sue Macartney.
A 15-book Middle Grade Book Giveaway
Middle Grade Authorcade is giving away 15 middle grade books to celebrate going back to school. Teacher and librarians, you can win 15 books for your library. Enter at this Rafflecopter link (extra entries for subscribing to their newsletter). Giveaway ends on August 24. US addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveawayMiddle Grade Giveaway
We are pleased to host a giveaway of the middle grade novel, Lost on Doll Island, by Cassandra Ramos-Gomez (S&S Books for Young Readers) out on Aug. 26. Enter to win a copy via the Rafflecopter below.
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| cover art © Oriol Vidal; design by Tom Daly |
About the Book: Rick Riordan meets R. L. Stine in this fast-paced debut middle grade horror packed with adventure about a Mexican American boy who starts hearing the voice of a haunted doll while visiting family in Mexico City. Diego feels trapped. He’s confined in an arm cast, stuck with his tía and tío for a week in Mexico City, and smothered with the sickening fear that he’s the one who really caused his parents’ divorce. But most of all, he’s trapped in his own secret. Because ever since he got to Mexico City, he’s started having strange dreams of a doll calling his name. Then Diego learns of La Isla de Muñecas, an island full of legendary magic that can make children’s wishes come true. If Diego can harness the power there, maybe he could fix everything that has gone wrong in his life. Maybe he doesn’t have to move to Mexico City, his parents don’t have to separate, and he could even reunite with one of his oldest friends who’s still visiting him in his dreams… So, with the help of two new friends, Diego takes a boat to the legendary island. From the moment the kids step ashore, nothing is as it seems—with dolls disappearing and reappearing in the blink of an eye. Suddenly, Diego is more trapped than ever before, and as the night goes on, he’s not sure he can escape.
About the Author: Cassandra Ramos-Gomez is a Mexican American writer focused on creating middle grade and young adult fiction that centers Latinx experiences. She has a master’s degree in education and an undergraduate degree in art history and has taught middle school language arts and social studies. She currently lives in Texas with her husband and two kids. Her hobbies include painting, collecting animal bones, and playing Minecraft with her kids. Lost on Doll Island is her middle grade debut.
Middle Grade Giveaway
We are pleased to host a giveaway of the middle grade novel, Are You Nobody Too? by Tina Cane (Make Me a World/ RHCB) out now. Enter to win a copy via the Rafflecopter below.
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| cover art by Hannah Li/ designer Carol Ly |
About the Book: After years as the only Chinese student at her private middle school, Emily transfers to Chinatown's I.S. 23 for 8th Grade and ends up feeling more disconnected than ever. In this coming-of-age novel-in-verse, now in paperback, will Emily be able to find her way or will she lose herself completely?
After a year of distance-learning, Emily Sofer finds her world turned upside down: she has to leave the only school she's ever known to attend a public school in Chinatown. For the first time, Emily isn't the only Chinese student around...but looking like everyone else doesn't mean that understanding them will be easy--especially with an intimidating group of cool girls Emily calls The Five.
When Emily discovers that her adoptive parents have been keeping a secret, she feels even more uncertain about who she is. A chance discovery of Emily Dickinson's poetry helps her finally feel seen. . . but can the words of a writer from 200 years ago help her open up again, and find common ground with the Five?
About the Author:
Tina Cane grew up in downtown New York City, and she draws much of her creative inspiration from her experiences as a city kid. The founder-director of Writers-in-the-Schools, RI, Tina was also the poet laureate of Rhode Island, where she lives with her family, who are a major source of inspiration.
Kidlit411 Banner Design Contest (due date Oct. 15)
How Do I Show, Don't Tell Emotions?
Sept. 14-16 Kidlit Chuckle Challenge
- What: Submit a funny story under 200 words using the prompts provided
- Who: anyone over 18 years old
- Prizes: courses, query critiques, signed books more
Conferences, Workshops & Retreats
Oct. 15-19 Applications for 2025 - Better Books Workshop are open now! Our workshop (limited to fewer than 26 seasoned writers) is designed to provide deep immersion in craft. The schedule includes faculty master class sessions, group discussions, and for each participant a 30-40 minute faculty-led critique of a work in progress. This year we are offering two options for faculty/group critique. Workshop participants will submit either 25 pages of a work in progress OR a detailed outline and main character studies for a new project. We will meet October 15 - 19 outside of Sacramento. Visit our faculty webpage at to see details of faculty (three agents and one editor this year!) schedule, and fill out an application. Two scholarships for underheard voices. Join us! (Sacramento, CA)
The Complete Guide to Query Letters
Comp Titles: What Are They, Why Do We Use Them, and How to Find Yours
Three Publishing Lessons I Wish I'd Learned Sooner
Excellent article on time and priorities!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited for both of these books. I already have them on my Goodreads.
ReplyDelete