Tag Archives: kid lit

The Midwest Book Award for middle grade fiction goes to …

Posted on June 30, 2026 by Julie Stroebel Barichello

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

Posted on June 20, 2026 by Julie Stroebel Barichello

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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6 middle grade books to kick off 2026

Posted on January 3, 2026 by Julie Stroebel Barichello

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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Book Giveaway! Request an ARC of The Mountain of Dempsey Molehill

Posted on July 27, 2025 by Julie Stroebel Barichello

We’re a little over three months away from the release of The Mountain of Dempsey Molehill. That means it’s time to give away advanced reader copies! I’m distributing free digital ARCs (available in epub or PDF) in exchange for honest … Continue reading →

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It’s finally happening! New book coming in November

Posted on July 3, 2025 by Julie Stroebel Barichello

Ten years. That’s how long it’s been since Sarah & Katy and the Book of Blank was published. It was my sophomore children’s book, independently published in November 2015. Riding the high of a recently released novel, I immediately started … Continue reading →

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