Author Archives: Julie Stroebel Barichello

What to do when kids say ‘I don’t like to read’

When I was in elementary school, my bedroom window faced the front of our garage. At night, the exterior garage light lit the front yard, and its glow shone between the gap in my curtains. That strip of light was … Continue reading

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The Midwest Book Award for middle grade fiction goes to …

The Mountain of Dempsey Molehill received the gold medallion in the 2026 Midwest Book Awards for middle grade fiction. I may have stated that very formally and plainly above, but inside my reaction is: Each year, the Midwest Independent Publishers … Continue reading

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Writers, be your book’s biggest fan

I didn’t win the 2026 Newbery Medal. That isn’t a shock — it was, in fact, 99.99% expected, with a 0.01% margin left over for hope. What might be a shock is that I submitted The Mountain of Dempsey Molehill … Continue reading

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8 memorable cats in children’s literature

Cats make great book characters. They have a reputation for being mysterious, aloof, cunning, mischievous, and occasionally irritating. All of those traits lend themselves to compelling, memorable personalities. Here are eight cats from children’s literature that stand out in my … Continue reading

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6 middle grade books to kick off 2026

Happy 2026! With the start of a new year, people turn their focus to resolutions, self-improvement, and positive change in the world around them. Those concepts aren’t exclusive to adults, and they also aren’t exclusive to January. Here are six … Continue reading

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