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The Mixed-Up Files

@themixed-upfiles

A group blog of middle-grade authors celebrating books for middle-grade readers. For anyone with a passion for children’s literature. Join us! https://fromthemixedupfiles.com/

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03.10.2024
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Latest posts by The Mixed-Up Files @themixed-upfiles

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www.scbwi.org/events/trick...

Learn how to coax your brain into generating plot ideas organically, using tricks and techniques that tap into how stories are naturally structured, explore key story elements, and discover how asking the right questions can spark the perfect next scene.

01.03.2026 19:24 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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Exciting new books in March!

Read more about each of these on the blog today: fromthemixedupfiles.com/new-releases...

#mgreads #middlegrade #newbooks

02.03.2026 16:45 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
SCBWI post of Lynn Marie first page event.

SCBWI post of Lynn Marie first page event.

Join Lynne Marie, Editor-Picture Books, Seasonal, Special Projects and more at The Little Press Publishing for this presentation.

www.scbwi.org/regions/long...

20.02.2026 16:45 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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Today we're featuring MG books that are great for readers who enjoy magical worlds, mythic figures, and stories rooted in African and African-diasporic folklore.

fromthemixedupfiles.com/middle-grade...

#mgreads #middlegrade #bookrecomendations

20.02.2026 19:57 👍 3 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
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Seven new titles from January and February by diverse authors! Check out the blog today to learn more about each one (and keep an eye out for author interviews coming soon. 👀)

fromthemixedupfiles.com/diversity-in...

#mgreads #weneeddiversebooks

18.02.2026 21:14 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Hey, #teachersky don't miss a chance to enter this phenomenal giveaway of books for your classroom! #AuthorsLoveTeachers

🍎 #iteachEnglish

14.02.2026 13:34 👍 6 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
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📣 Special author interview with MUF member Patricia Bailey!

Check out the blog today to get the inside scoop on one of our long-time contributors, and hear all about the inspiration behind her award-winning MG book.

fromthemixedupfiles.com/mixed-up-mem...

#middlegradeauthors #mgreads #interview

16.02.2026 17:25 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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WNDMG Author Interview: Charlotte Watson Sherman - From The Mixed Up Files Author Charlotte Watson Sherman discusses her middle-grade book, This Opening Sky and shares her writing journey.

📣 Author interview with Charlotte Watson Sherman!

On the blog, hear about her latest works and learn her best librarian recommendations for MG readers to enjoy during Black History Month and beyond. Check it out!

fromthemixedupfiles.com/wndmg-author...

#middlegrade #authorinterview

11.02.2026 23:50 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Check out all these great new books coming this month!

fromthemixedupfiles.com/february-new...

#middlegrade #mgreads #newreleases

04.02.2026 22:59 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Flatlay of the middle grade book, The Aftermyth, with a glowing gold box on the cover. Background is ancient Greek letters and buildings.

Flatlay of the middle grade book, The Aftermyth, with a glowing gold box on the cover. Background is ancient Greek letters and buildings.

Are your middle grade readers looking for the next Percy Jackson? Meet Penelope Weaver! 🍏

Read my interview with author Tracy Wolff over at @mixedupfiles.bsky.social #kidlit 📚👍

fromthemixedupfiles.com/tracy-wolff/

02.02.2026 18:01 👍 14 🔁 3 💬 2 📌 0
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📣 Author interview with Tracy Wolff!

Today on the blog we're chatting with Tracy Wolff about her MG debut, which happens to be her 80th book. Hear all about the mythological and real-inspiration behind this exciting series start!

fromthemixedupfiles.com/tracy-wolff/

#middlegrade #authorinterview

02.02.2026 22:27 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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Students can be so scared of poetry, but they don't have to be. Sometimes its just the blank page that's intimidating. So I've got 30 poetry starters for 5th-8th graders in case that's helpful for your students! www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/30-P...

29.01.2026 16:06 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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The activist titles featured on the blog today are glimmers of light in the darkness, illuminating ways young characters can make a difference in their worlds.

fromthemixedupfiles.com/daring-to-ma...

#mgreads #middlegrade #justice

30.01.2026 17:01 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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The ALA Youth Media Awards Are Here: Meet the Latest Award-Winning Books for Young Readers Here are the 2026 Youth Media Award winners and honorees, highlighting the best of the best in youth literature.

Here are all of this year's Youth Media Award winners and honorees. What a great day to celebrate something, and how nice that it is youth literature.

bookriot.com/2026-youth-m...

26.01.2026 18:32 👍 73 🔁 56 💬 3 📌 8
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Add Green Bean Books in Portland, Oregon, to your bookstore bucket list!

Check out today's blog for
📗 3 things that make this bookstore special
📗 3 things you can do here
📗 3 things bookstore owners want you to know

fromthemixedupfiles.com/add-green-be...

26.01.2026 21:00 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Need something to get cozy with on a cold day? ❄️

Check out even more great middle grade podcasts!

fromthemixedupfiles.com/the-best-mid...

#middlegrade #mgreads #snowday

23.01.2026 16:12 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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📣 Author interview with Leslie Vedder!

Dive into MG fantasy horror with this sequel to The Labyrinth of Souls, learn about the themes behind it, and more on the blog today:

fromthemixedupfiles.com/author-inter...

#mgreads #middlegradehorror #middlegradeauthor

14.01.2026 23:30 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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📣 New author interview with Stan Yan!

Learn all about this award-winning graphic novel, Stan's inspiration for its emotional heart (and scary elements), and more in today's blog.

fromthemixedupfiles.com/author-spotl...

#middlegrade #spookymg #mgreads

07.01.2026 16:51 👍 2 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
STEM Tuesday- Forests/Temperate Trees - Book List - From The Mixed Up Files Take a walk through a number of different forests across the globe and join scientists and naturalists as they discover many amazing secrets of some remarkable trees. And learn how we can all help pro...

It’s STEM Tuesday and we’re talking trees! Discover different forests, unlock secrets of trees, and learn how to protect these remarkable plants.

#kidlit, #middlegrade, #MGlit, #STEM, #WritingCommunity, #EDUsky

fromthemixedupfiles.com/stem-tuesday...

06.01.2026 15:12 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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New year, new books!

Check out all the exciting new titles ready for reading this month: fromthemixedupfiles.com/new-releases...

#middlegrade #mgreads #newreleases #getcozy

06.01.2026 00:00 👍 5 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
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Join YABC for an #authorchat with Simon Stephenson about #mglit THE SNOWMAN CODE, plus #entertowin a #freecopy in our #giveaway!
yabookscentral.com/author-chat-...
#winter #snowman #friendship #free #freebook

15.12.2025 15:30 👍 4 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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📣 Author interview with Simon Stephenson!

Learn all about this author and screenwriter's first MG book, including its London roots and inspiration—as well as how to properly dress a snowman.

All this and more on the blog today: fromthemixedupfiles.com/interview-wi...

#middlegrade #authorinterview

15.12.2025 16:02 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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📣 New Author Interview with Khushboo Patel!

Check out the blog to learn all about her historical novel in verse set in 1999 India, her writing process, and more!

fromthemixedupfiles.com/wndmg-author...

#mgreads #middlegrade #authorinterview #diversemg

10.12.2025 19:17 👍 4 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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Check out these awesome new books coming out this month!

Read all about them on the blog: fromthemixedupfiles.com/december-new...

#newreleases #mglit #mgreads #middlegrade

01.12.2025 21:56 👍 3 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0
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Books Addressing Poverty, Homelessness and Food Insecurity - From The Mixed Up Files Recent headlines prompted research on books for middle-grade readers addressing poverty, homelessness and food insecurity. Informative and Inspiring!

Today, we've got a list of middle grade books that deal with tough living situations while offering hope to young readers.

Read on to learn more about these fiction and nonfiction titles:

fromthemixedupfiles.com/books-addres...

#mgreads #mglit #foodinsecurity

14.11.2025 21:31 👍 6 🔁 4 💬 0 📌 0
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End of the World Shenanigans and Adventures with Max Brallier - From The Mixed Up Files We interviewed author Max Brallier about the newest book in his wildly popular middle grade series, the Last Kids on Earth, and got insights into the story as well as what's coming next.

Join us as we talk to Max Brallier in today’s author interview.

#kidlit, #middlegrade, #MGlit, #WritingCommunity

fromthemixedupfiles.com/max-brallier...

14.11.2025 02:13 👍 4 🔁 4 💬 0 📌 0
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📣 Author Interviews with Raidah Shah Idil and Yxavel Magna Dino!

Learn all about these new titles, their childhood dreams, publication journeys, and more on the blog today:

fromthemixedupfiles.com/double-dose-...

#middlegradereads #weneeddiversebooks #mglit

12.11.2025 17:28 👍 3 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0
STEM Tuesday- Transportation- In the Classroom - From The Mixed Up Files Books Read From Here to There: Inventions that Changed the Way the World Moves by Vivian Kirkfield and Gilbert Ford This book highlights some of the key inventions that changed how people and things m...

Check out this amazing list of books and activities all about exploring transportation science and engineering in today’s STEM Tuesday article!

#kidlit, #middlegrade, #MGlit, #STEM, #WritingCommunity, #EDUsky

fromthemixedupfiles.com/stem-tuesday...

12.11.2025 02:21 👍 5 🔁 4 💬 0 📌 0
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Interview with Graphic Novelist Liza N. Cooper - From The Mixed Up Files I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Liza Cooper, author of Meems and Feefs, to the blog today! I can’t wait to hear how these adorable characters came to life. As someone who once had a ferret named F...

Go behind the scenes of Meefs and Feefs with graphic novelist Liza N. Cooper in today’s author interview.

#kidlit, #middlegrade, #MGlit, #WritingCommunity

fromthemixedupfiles.com/interview-wi...

06.11.2025 22:38 👍 6 🔁 4 💬 0 📌 0
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Michelle Begley Mentorship Program | Colorado, Wyoming (Rocky Mountain) The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators provides the resources, professional networking, and community-building opportunities that support writers, illustrators, and translators throug...

Want to take your work to the next level? RMC's mentorship program will do that. For authors and illustrators at any stage of their journey, PB to YA, coming in with anything from rough ideas to completed works. Application window closes Monday (11/3). scbwi.org/regions/rmc/RMC-mentorship-program

01.11.2025 13:45 👍 4 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 3