Hold on to your hats everyone – I am sharing one of my very favorite middle grade series in this episode. I’m chatting with both my daughter Allison and someone who just might be my favorite living author, Jonathan Rogers.
Jonathan is author of the fantastic Winderking series, which has been described as a cross between Tolkien and Twain.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- whether characters in books should serve as role models… or not
- the way stories inspire us to live a better story ourselves
- how Narnia tells more truth than a non-fiction book
Plus, Allison asks Jonathan about writing his trilogy, and he tells a great story about the origin of some of his characters. You don’t want to miss it!
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More free resources and booklists
Get the best episodes and reources
from the Read-Aloud Revival
Books from this episode:
(All links are Amazon affiliate links.)
100 Cupboards (100 Cupboards, Bk 1)
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
When Henry’s parents are kidnapped, he’s sent to stay with relatives in Kansas. One morning Henry awakes to find his new room full of cupboards -- but not just cupboards -- portals.
More info →The Bark of the Bog Owl (Wilderking Trilogy)
FROM SARAH:
The whole Wilderking Trilogy is one you don't want your kids to miss. Start here, with The Bark of the Bog Owl. Ideal for kids 8-14, though you'll enjoy it every bit as much as your kids will. The less you know before reading it, the better, so try to skip reading reviews ahead of time, if you can!
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
12-year-old Aidan Errolson, comes from a long line of adventurers. His grandparents were among the first settlers of Corenwald's Eastern Frontier. His father had been one of the kingdom's greatest warriors. Aidan, on the other hand, lives the quiet, comfortable life, of a nobleman's son. He never has any real adventures, and that, he believes, is the one great injustice of his otherwise happy life.
More info →The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
FROM THE PUBLISHER
The classic tale by Mark Twain -- Tom is clever and crafty, whether he’s getting pals to complete his punishment, or getting “engaged” to girls. But when he and Huckleberry visit the graveyard one night, they witness a murder.
More info →Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Dover Thrift Editions)
**Description from Amazon: Referring to Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, H. L. Mencken noted that his discovery of this classic American novel was "the most stupendous event of my whole life"; Ernest Hemingway declared that "all modern American literature stems from this one book," while T. S. Eliot called Huck "one of the per...
More info →The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
**Description from Amazon: This twenty-fifth anniversary edition of Stephen Covey’s cherished classic commemorates the timeless wisdom of the 7 Habits.One of the most inspiring and impactful books ever written, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has captivated readers for 25 years. It has transformed the lives of Presi...
More info →The Great Gilly Hopkins
**Description from Amazon: This timeless Newbery Honor Book from bestselling author Katherine Paterson about a wisecracking, ornary, completely unforgettable young heroine. Now a feature film starring Kathy Bates, Glenn Close, and Octavia Spencer! Eleven-year-old Gilly has been stuck in more foster families than she can reme...
More info →The Way of the Wilderking (Wilderking Trilogy)
**Description from Amazon: Aidan Errolson, recently returned home to Corenwald, learns of a new party of Aidanites who believe he is the destined king to overthrow the tyrant King Darrow.
More info →The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (The Herdmans series Book 1)
**Description from Amazon: Laughs abound in this bestselling Christmas classic by Barbara Robinson! The Best Christmas Pageant Ever follows the outrageous shenanigans of the Herdman siblings, or “the worst kids in the history of the world.” The siblings take over the annual Christmas pageant in a hilarious yet heartwarmin...
More info →A Sense of Wonder: On Reading and Writing Books for Children
I know this book is out of print, but if you stumble on *any* essays by Katherine Paterson, I have this advice for you: snatch it up! This is my very favorite collection of thoughts about reading and writing books for kids. You can hear my interview with Katherine Paterson on episode 81 of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast.
More info →The Charlatan’s Boy: A Novel
Welcome to Corenwald, where you'll meet an ugly boy named Grady and the circus huckster Floyd as they tramp through villages tricking folks into falling for their mythical feechie act. When business slows, Floyd drums up a grand scheme that has some surprising results for both the people in Corenwald and for Grady himself.
More info →The Secret of the Swamp King (Wilderking Trilogy)
**Description from Amazon: As book two opens, Aidan is living in the court of King Darrow. He has become best friends with Darrow's son Steren, and he enjoys great favor among the courtiers. But King Darrow's suspicion is growing and his insecurity causes him to hate the young man who saved his kingdom. Concerned about his k...
More info →The Terrible Speed of Mercy: A Spiritual Biography of Flannery O’Connor
**Description from Amazon: “Many of my ardent admirers would be roundly shocked and disturbed if they realized that everything I believe is thoroughly moral, thoroughly Catholic, and that it is these beliefs that give my work its chief characteristics.” —Flannery O’Connor Flannery O’Connor’s work has been describe...
More info →The Bark of the Bog Owl: The Wilderking Trilogy, Book 1
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Twelve-year-old Aidan Errolson comes from a long line of adventurers. His grandparents were among the first settlers of Corenwald’s Eastern Frontier. His father had been one of the kingdom’s greatest warriors. Aidan, on the other hand, lives the quiet, comfortable life of a nobleman’s son. He never has any real adventures, and that, he believes, is the one great injustice of his otherwise happy life.All that will change the day he first hears the bark of the bog owl and meets Dobro Turtlebane. Dobro is one of the feechiefolk—a tribe of half-civilized swamp dwellers who fight too much, laugh too loud, cry too easily, and smell just terrible.But another meeting on that remarkable day may change Aidan’s life even more profoundly...
More info →The Way of the Wilderking: Wilderking Trilogy
When Aidan Errollson returns home to Corenwald after three years in the Feechiefen Swamp, he is shocked to discover a newly formed party known as the Aidanites. They believe the ancient Wilderking Chant makes reference to Aidan, and that he is destined to overthrow the tyrant, King Darrow. Aidan has...
More info →Links from today’s show:
- The audiobook versions of The Bark of the Bog Owl and The Way of the Wilderking are now available!
- RAR #44: Magic and Fear in Children’s Books, N.D. Wilson
- The Jonathan Rogers website
- Writing courses by Jonathan Rogers
- More wonderful resources from The Rabbit Room