
Teen Librarian Toolbox
June 21, 2022 by Amanda MacGregor
Growing up with undiagnosed and untreated anxiety—let’s call it what it is, mental illness—was what led me to write the main character in my debut middle grade horror, The Clackity, as a young girl with anxiety
December 2, 2021 by Amanda MacGregor
When the pocket world Kiki has created in her sketchbooks turns out to be real, and Kiki is now in it, her anxiety has to morph from "oh no, if I left the door unlocked a goose may eat my mom!" to "can I get out of my own way far enough to save everyone in this world?!"
November 29, 2021 by Amanda MacGregor
I am so glad that not only are we seeing so many more middle grade stories that address mental health concerns, but that we're seeing these stories presented in a variety of ways. The graphic novel format is well-suited for this story as readers will see the impact of what it's like to have a mental illness tagging along beside your every move.
August 23, 2021 by Amanda MacGregor
"As a writer, pulling from personal experiences can be so vulnerable but it’s what creates characters that people connect with, which is the whole goal."
June 9, 2021 by Amanda MacGregor
Music in books can be healing. Music can soothe the soul. Music, in fact, can be a form of salvation.
June 7, 2021 by Amanda MacGregor
Full of humor and heart and, yes, love, this is a fantastic story about being brave, being imperfect, learning, trying, changing, growing, and taking chances.
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May 26, 2021 by Amanda MacGregor
This is a lovely, compassionate, and gentle story that's full of love, support, hope, and honesty.
August 10, 2020 by Karen Jensen, MLS
Teen contributor Riley Jensen discusses what it's like to be a teenager thinking about returning to school in a pandemic.
August 1, 2019 by Amanda MacGregor
16-year-old Ellis's biggest worry is the end of the world. When her new friend Hannah appears to be a doomsday prophet, Ellis finally starts to take real action. But will anyone believe her? And is Hannah telling Ellis the whole story?
August 2, 2018 by Amanda MacGregor
Publisher’s description Barney and his best friend Norma are just trying to get by and keep their jobs, but working at the Dead End theme park also means battling demonic forces, time traveling wizards, and scariest of all–their love lives! Follow the lives of this diverse group of employees of a haunted house, which may […]
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Teen Librarian Toolbox
by Karen Jensen, MLS
The Classroom Bookshelf
by Denise Davila
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