ABOUT THIS WEEK'S GUESTÂ
There's meme about reading that you may have seen on the internet. The image varies, but the text always reads, "When I see someone reading a book I love, it's like that book is recommending a human to me." In 2022, Lisa Fipp's Starfish recommended a lot of humans to me. Seeing her first book read widely and loved by so many people helped me feel connected to a kind and loving community in the way only story can. It's no surprise that Starfish, won multiple awards, including the 2022 Michael L. Printz Award. Her second novel in verse, And Then, BOOM!, comes out in May 2024. Both Starfish and And Then, BOOM! are books I wish had been around when I was a kid, but Iâm so glad they exist now. I'm excited for you to hear our conversation, which I found to be very moving. Lisa always pours her heart onto the page, and I think you'll hear her heart in this week's episode, too.
EPISODE DETAILS:
EPISODE NUMBER: 006
GUEST: Lisa Fipps
Lisa Fipps is the award-winning author of Starfish, an award-winning former journalist, and an award-winning former library marketing director. With her debut middle-grade novel, Starfish, Lisa Fipps won 13 awards, including the 2022 Michael L. Printz Honor Book Award, and the novel in verse was selected for 45 state award/book lists. Her second novel in verse, And Then, BOOM!, comes out in May 2024.
You can read my review of And Then, BOOM! here.
EPISODE TRANSCRIPTÂ
RESOURCES & LINKSÂ
Please enjoy a special discount of 20% off the titles mentioned in this episode (or others of your choice) by visiting Bookelicious and using the code JENNIFERLAGARDE. Note: I do not make any money from the sales, but I am delighted that you get to save some!
Starfish by Lisa Fipps
PREORDER And Then, Boom! by Lisa Fipps
Connect with Lisa:
MORE ABOUT THE READERâS HEARTÂ
Rooted in the belief that our world needs the magic of childrenâs literature now more than ever, the Readerâs Heart podcast captures conversations with authors and illustrators about children's literature as a vehicle for empathy and joy in a dark world. I'm so excited about this project and it's my wish that it brings you as much light and hope as it has brought me.
Special thanks to Corinna Luyken for creating the beautiful illustration that will serve as the show's logo. I've always found Corinna's art so moving and she perfectly captured the spirit of what I am trying to do, which is to put warmth and love into the world during a time when so many are working to limit kids' access to the warmth and love inherent in children's literature. (Also, don't forget, you can use the discount above to buy Corinna's books from Bookelicious, too!)
Weekly episodes will drop on Tuesdays. Once you've had a chance to listen, I hope you will consider leaving The Reader's Heart a âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸ review! Podcast reviews are one of the best ways to support your favorite shows and help others find these conversations.
WHERE TO LISTEN:
Wherever you listen to podcasts!