Mostly Book Talk
A podcast for teachers, librarians, and parents who are passionate about supporting children's and teenagers' reading for pleasure. We dive into the vibrant world of children’s and YA literature, offering expert book recommendations, engaging author interviews, and practical advice on how to nurture a lifelong love of reading.
Whether you’re looking to expand your classroom or library collection, discover fresh titles for your students or children, or explore proven strategies for creating reading-rich environments, you will find it here. From picture books to young adult novels, we highlight new releases, hidden gems, and must-read favourites that are sure to grow your 'To Be Read' pile.
Tune in for thoughtful conversations and inspiring ideas that make reading irresistible for every young reader.
- Perfect for educators, school librarians, and book-loving families
- New episodes regularly featuring authors, reading experts, and literacy advocates
- Build reading cultures, spark book buzz, and celebrate the joy of stories
Subscribe now and join a community committed to making reading a pleasure.
Mostly Book Talk
Episode 4 - Dungeons and Dragons and Graphic Novels
Mostly Book Talk - Episode 4
We talked to Lucas Maxwell, the librarian at Glenthorne High School about Dungeons and Dragons and how it really draws pupils into the library and also about graphic novels. We then have an interview with Sarwat Chadda about his new middle grade fantasy series, The Spirit Stone Saga.
It's a long one, but these two interviews with Dungeons and Dragons enthusiasts just belong together!
Books mentioned in the interview with Lucas Maxwell
Let's Roll: A Guide to Setting up Tabletop Role-Playing Games in your School or Public Library by Lucas Maxwell (also available here)
Links to Lucas’s social media and articles can be found here
The Girl From The Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag
Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn - graphic novel adapted by Scott Peterson, Meredith Laxton and Russ Badget
When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Williamson and Omar Mohamed
Bunny versus Monkey by Jamie Smart
Unicorn Boy by Dave Roman
Amulet Books by Kazu Kibuishi
New Kid by Jerry Craft
Awkward by Svetlana,Chmakova - doesn’t seem to be in print?
Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte and Ann Xu
Go With The Flow by Karen Schneeman and Lily Williams
Anna West Philly by Ivy N Weir and Myisha Hayne
Places to find out about Graphic Novels
Page 45 - https://www.page45.com/index.html
YALSA US website - https://www.ala.org/yalsa/
Dan Santat - https://www.instagram.com/dsantat/?hl=en
Interview with Sarwat Chadda talking about his new series
The Spirit Stone Saga - Tariq and the Drowning City - Book 1
Books we discussed:
The Angel of Grasmere by Tom Palmer
Friendship Never Ends by Alexandra Sheppard
Alyssa and the Spell Garden by Alexandra Sheppard
Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan
Dark Matter - A Ghost Story by Michelle Paver