Join the Worlds of Words Center Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP) as we discuss The Strange Case of Harleen and Harley by Melissa Marr . In a special combined group of middle and high school readers, the Reading Ambassadors came together where story worlds collide -- in this case, DC Comics, the gothic world of Robert Lewis Stevenson, and author Melissa Marr's imagination. We thoroughly enjoyed Melissa's second visit with us, especially she shares her writing process and thoughts on book challenges. We also give a shout out to illustrator Jenn St-Onge . Program note: Melissa discussed Dissociative Identity Disorder as distinct from the literary theme of the duality of human nature with us. In this episode Reading Ambassadors using terms such as "alter egos" refer to the literary theme, not the mental health condition. Authors/books mentioned in this episode: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson Guadalupe García McCall , who joined us in WOW Reads' Season 1 . This podcast was recorded in the U of A College of Education media studio with assistance from the U of A COE Tech Team. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Lit Discussant: Kait Waterhouse, U of A COE Graduate Assistant Learning & Engagement Intern: Bonnie Rock, U of A W.E. Franke Honors College Student Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Art Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Student Employee and Nursing Major For more information on the WOW Reading Ambassadors, visit wowlit.org . We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the Worlds of Words Center Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP) as we discuss Dear Manny by Nic Stone. Nic Stone is open and warm, just like her favorite color -- orange. We discuss her commentary on lies (fiction is truth through the lens of a lie), her degree in psychology (understanding human experience helps with character development) and the habit of pursing discomfort (helps us grow and staves off boredom). Authors mentioned in this episode: Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston, Alice Walker, Jacqueline Woodson and Terry J. Benton-Walker . Additional authors and the books mentioned in this episode: Jason Reynolds , Long Way Down Elle Desamours , Needy Little Things Louis Sachar, Holes (a book that also came into play with the Middle School Reading Ambassador conversation around Jasmine Warga) Jeffrey Eugenides, The Virgin Suicides Thanks to the Tucson Festival of Books for coordinating Nic Stone's visit. This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the U of A College of Education with assistance from the U of A COE Tech Team. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Lit Discussant: Kait Waterhouse, U of A COE Graduate Assistant Learning & Engagement Intern: Bonnie Rock, U of A W.E. Franke Honors College Student Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Student Employee and Nursing Major For more information on the WOW Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP), visit wowlit.org . ### We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the Worlds of Words Center Reading Ambassadors (middle and high school) as we recap our experience around University of Arizona Museum Day . Twelve cultural and science collections on the U of A campus offered free or reduced admission and special programming on Saturday, March 29, 2025. In this bonus episode, we briefly discuss... The UA Museum of Art Center for Creative Photography Greivenkamp Museum of Optics Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research Worlds of Words Center Worlds of Words shared three experiences for U of A Museum day: our original exhibit "Cepeda Stories: Everyone Has a Story to Tell," art from our archives that complement the exhibit, and award-winning global picturebooks with outstanding illustrations. The Reading Ambassadors share how these kinds of campus-wide events impact them personally and how they benefit the community. Special thanks to the U of A Research, Innovation & Impact and the committee who worked to launch this second campus-wide day celebrating art, science and the humanities, including the above listed units as well as Poetry Center , Coit Museum of Pharmacy and Health Sciences , Museum of Democracy , African American Museum of Southern Arizona , Flandrau Science Center , Museum Association of Arizona , and The Archive of Visual Arts. This podcast was recorded in the Worlds of Words Center studio in the U of A College of Education. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Radio, TV, Film Major For more information on the Worlds of Words Reading Ambassadors, visit wowlit.org and look under "About." ### We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the Worlds of Words Center Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP) as we recap our experience around A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall by Jasmine Warga . In this episode, we discuss... How are we seen in real life and in books? How do we see ourselves? In what ways do we help or hinder our relationships with friends and family? The tight nature of writing in the mystery genre. And Emaline takes a clear stance on graphic organizers. Bonus Book Mentions: Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery Thanks to the Tucson Festival of Books for coordinating Jasmine Warga's visit. In our session, we learned Jasmine previously taught 6th grade. We determined she was likely an excellent teacher. She also mentioned Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine and Holes by Louis Sachar (a book that also came into play with the Teen Reading Ambassador conversation around Nic Stone). This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the U of A College of Education with assistance from the U of A COE Tech Team. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Lit Discussant: Kait Waterhouse, U of A COE Graduate Assistant Learning & Engagement Intern: Bonnie Rock, U of A W.E. Franke Honors College Student Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student Audio Engineer Supervisor: Liam Arias, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Radio, TV, Film Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Nursing Major For more information on the Worlds of Words Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org . ### We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the Worlds of Words Center Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP) as we discuss The Glass Girl by Kathleen Glasgow. In this episode the Teen Reading Ambassadors talk about perceptions of love and life as idyllic, though the reality of most people's experiences aren't always so tidy. We also appreciate Kathleen's writing advice, which could also help with college applications, and found Kathleen's experiences traveling for book events in different countries interesting. Books mentioned in this episode: The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson Dear Manny by Nic Stone Guides for Dating Vampires (series) by D.N. Bryn More Happy than Not by Adam Silvera The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt Swordcrossed by Freya Marske Kathleen's special edition books: The Glass Girl Target Exclusive Edition Girl In Pieces Delux Edition Song: "Boys Will Be Bugs" by Cavetown This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the University of Arizona College of Education with assistance from the UA COE Tech Team. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Audio Engineers: Liam Arias, Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major, and Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Student Employee and Nursing Major For more information on the WOW Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP), visit wowlit.org . We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the Worlds of Words Center Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP) as we discuss Destination Unknown by Bill Konigsberg. Wherever our destination is, we will enjoy the music! In this episode the Teen Reading Ambassadors talk about the joys of banter between friends, complicated family interactions, and how music connects us regardless of the decade. We, like Bill, hope everyone finds love in a beautiful way. Band mentions: Bad Sons Fiona Apple Green Day INXS Lil Peep (specifically "Star Shopping") Missing Persons -- Dale Bozzio, do you know about this book? Taylor Swift Will Wood and the Tapeworms (specifically "Ish") This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the UArizona College of Education with assistance from the UA COE Tech Team. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Special Guest: Aika Adamson, Worlds of Words Center Office Specialist Audio Engineers: Liam Arias, Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major, and Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Student Employee and Nursing Major For more information on the WOW Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP), visit wowlit.org . We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the Worlds of Words Center Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP) as we recap our experience around predicting the 2025 Randolph Caldecott Medal winner for picturebook illustration. In this episode, we discuss... Our understanding of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Caldecott committee's criteria and process for selection. How we used those understandings in determining our nomination and final voting. Our selection for the winning and honor books. How the experience informed our view of picturebooks. We also would like to make a pitch to ALSC to include at least one youth member on the selection committee. Maybe someone without so much homework. Book Mentions: Big illustrated by Vashti Harrison Home In a Lunchbox illustrated by Cherry Mo The Last House Before Falling Into the Sea illustrated by Hanna Cha The Last Zoo Keeper illustrated by Aaron Becker My Daddy Is a Cowboy illustrated by C.G. Esperanza Touch the Sky illustrated by Chris Park Two Together illustrated by Brendan Wenzel The Yellow Bus illustrated by Loren Long This podcast was recorded in a private room of the Worlds of Words Center on three phones. We didn't need an "and, uhm!" Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Special Guest: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Radio, TV, Film Major For more information on the Worlds of Words Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org . ### We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the Worlds of Words Center Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP) as we recap our experience around Buffalo Dreamer by Violet Duncan . In this episode, we discuss... Our connections with the main character, Summer, and the fun we have when we reunite with distant family. How Buffalo Dreamer is the first formal introduction for the Reading Ambassadors about Residential/Industrial Schools for Indigenous children in North America, and how we can carry this new information forward. We consider the idea of "moving forwards, backwards" (sourced from University of Arizona faculty member, Sheilah Nicholas ), and how even when history doesn't repeat itself, it can often "rhyme." The empathy and admiration we have for Violet Duncan after her book was announced as a finalist for the 2024 National Book Award for Young People's Literature. It can be hard to be in the spotlight, but this award is well-deserved. Violet embodied grace and generosity on her visit, and we are thankful she took time to share her time with us. Bonus Book Mentions: We Are the Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom and Michaela Goade Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac And maybe someone can help us locate the title of a book about a young girl who is a member of the Yaqui Tribe and successfully petitions to save a tree? This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the U of A College of Education with assistance from the U of A COE Tech Team. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Co-host and Lit Discussant: Kait Waterhouse, U of A COE Graduate Assistant Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Radio, TV, Film Major Audio Engineer In Training: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Nursing Major For more information on the Worlds of Words Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org . ### We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the Worlds of Words Center Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP) as we recap our experience around Miracle by Karen S. Chow . In this episode, we discuss... Everyone needs an editor -- and multiple kinds! SO to the copy editor who led Chow to her eventual decision to have the characters play The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild throughout Miracle . Relationships and mind reading and how we can short ourselves and those around us when we start to guess what other people are thinking. And Rebecca gets corrected by Emaline. Chow says, "Oh, yeah, yes, yes, yes, many, many times," when asked if it made her sad writing a book about her father. You can't get anything past these Middle School Reading Ambassadors! We are grateful to Karen for opening up to us. That was "really cool." Bonus Book Mention: Front Desk by Kelly Yang . This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the U of A College of Education with assistance from the U of A COE Tech Team. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Co-host and Lit Discussant: Kait Waterhouse, U of A COE Graduate Assistant Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Radio, TV, Film Major Audio Engineer In Training: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Nursing Major For more information on the Worlds of Words Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org . ### We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

"We had ups." - Gabriel Worlds of Words Center Middle School and Teen Reading Ambassadors discuss the past academic year as they read and promoted reading together. As each group read their four novels, we encountered issues around banned books, school libraries, and talking to grownups. We learned about the process of creating and promoting books for young people and are grateful for the diversity brought to us by authors who shared their work with us. Finally, we explore stereotypes of high school and share strategies for time management around reading for fun. Books and authors mentioned in this episode: Hailey Alcaraz -- Up In Flames Donna Barba Higuera -- The Last Cuentista and Alebrijes Matt McMann -- Monsterious (a bonus book we distributed when we read Clarice the Brave by Lisa McMann) Matt Mendez -- The Broke Hearts Zohra Nabi -- The City Beyond the Stars (the sequel to The Kingdom Over the Sea ) Ellen Oh -- The Colliding Worlds of Mina Lee Adam Rex -- A Little Like Waking R.L. Stine, the legend who attended the 2023 Tucson Festival of Books This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the UArizona College of Education with assistance from the UA COE Tech Team. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Student Employee and Nursing Major For more information on the WOW Reading Ambassadors, visit wowlit.org (under the About tab). We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the Worlds of Words Center Middle School and Teen Reading Ambassadors as we discuss A Little Like Waking by Adam Rex. We open the episode by describing our time with Rex as "meeting a legend in person." We chat about dreams and love and the duality of both. We also discuss getting back on the proverbial bike and whether we need a push off a cliff or to jump on our own. We failed to talk about the book illustrations in this podcast, so watch for that in our bonus year-end recap episode. Listeners may also hear the shutter of Bob Bingham Photography. In this episode, we also mention a previous WOW Reads episode with Guadalupe Garcia McCall in which she describes how her characters come to her. This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the UArizona College of Education with assistance from the UA COE Tech Team. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Student Employee and Nursing Major Reading Ambassador Adviser: Katherine Connover, Retired Educator For more information on the WOW Reading Ambassadors, visit wowlit.org (under the About tab). We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the Worlds of Words Center Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP) as we discuss Alebrijes by Donna Barba Higuera . In this episode, we discuss Other books mentioned in this episode: The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera We will post Higuera's graph on our Instagram account at the end of the season. Watch for it there at @WOWTeenAmbassadors. Special shout out to Tucson Festival of Books ! Watch for a bonus episode about our experience with the book festival. We are grateful for their work. This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the UArizona College of Education with assistance from the UA COE Tech Team. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Student Employee and Nursing Major For more information on the Worlds of Words Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org . ### We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the Worlds of Words Center Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP) as we discuss The Colliding Worlds of Mina Lee by Ellen Oh . Meeting Oh sparked our thinking around diversity in books for teens, book bans, ghost stories, and how far we are willing to go with research in service to story telling. There's plenty of Ellen Oh love in this group. In this episode, we also mention: Sunshine: a currently unpublished webcomic by Quin A-Ha's Take On Me video We Need Diverse Books Spirit Hunter by Ellen Oh Special shout out to Tucson Festival of Books ! Watch for a bonus episode about our experience with the book festival. We are grateful for their work. This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the UArizona College of Education with assistance from the UA COE Tech Team. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Student Employee and Nursing Major Reading Ambassador Adviser: Katherine Connover, Retired Educator For more information on the WOW Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP), visit wowlit.org . We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the Worlds of Words Center Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP) as we discuss Up In Flames by Hailey Alcaraz . We talk retellings in general and this one specifically as well as new-to-us information about the auction process in publishing in this episode of WOW Reads. Books and other retellings mentioned in this episode: Anna K by Jenny Lee Because You Love to Hate Me edited by Amerie Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Iliad by Homer Malice by Heather Walter Sherlock (television series), BBC Summer Lovin' from Grease (a queer remix like this one from One Voice Mixed Chorus ) Behind the scenes, we recommend a viewing of Gone with the Wind to groups reading this book and who have good snacks, a knack for finding similarities and 3 hours and 58 minutes to spare. This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the UArizona College of Education with assistance from the UA COE Tech Team. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Student Employee and Nursing Major Reading Ambassador Advisers: Samantha Montes, Graduate Assistant Katherine Connover, Retired Educator For more information on the WOW Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP), visit wowlit.org . We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the Worlds of Words Center Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP) as we discuss our experience participating in a mock Randolph Caldecott Medal award event to determine our winner for the most distinguished artist of an American picturebook. The mock Caldecott event was held in Worlds of Words by Dr. Kathy G. Short and Dr. Desirée Cueto. The American Library Association announced the awards on January 22, 2024, two days after we recorded this episode. Books mentioned in this episode: An American Story by Kwame Alexander and Dare Coulter (illus.) Big by Vashti Harrison The Skull by Jon Klassen Jumper by Jessica Lanan My Powerful Hair by Carole Lindstrom and Steph Littlebird (illus.) For more information about the Randolph Caldecott Medal, including current and past winners, visit the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) website . This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the UArizona College of Education with assistance from the UArizona COE Tech Team. Producer: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Worlds of Words Center Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major For more information on MSRAP, visit wowlit.org . We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the Worlds of Words Center Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP) as we discuss The Kingdom Over the Sea by Zohra Nabi . We tested out some new podcasting equipment, so our sound levels aren't that great. You may want to adjust your volume as you listen. In this episode, we discuss how we came to read both the U.K. and U.S. versions, the differences we noticed, and how the versions might affect the reader's experiences. We share our perspectives on how children (real and fictional) can be impacted by an adult's choice to withhold information that could potentially impact their lives. We consider identity, belonging, and home. Finally, we recall our conversation with Zohra around finding story inspiration and how to write that story. Books mentioned in this episode: The Aru Shah series by Roshani Chokshi The City Beyond the Stars , by Zohra Nabi We invite anyone who is able to attend the Tucson Festival of Books on March 9 & 10, 2024. This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the UArizona College of Education with assistance from the UA COE Tech Team. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Student Employee and Nursing Major Reading Ambassador Adviser: Samantha Montes, Graduate Assistant For more information on the Worlds of Words Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org . We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the Worlds of Words Center Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP) as we discuss Clarice the Brave by Lisa McMann. In this episode, the Reading Ambassadors talk about the theme of separation. We also butcher the word "anthropomorphism" to discuss how human characteristics are attributed to the animals in Clarice the Brave . In our off-air literature discussions, we considered anthropomorphism as a basis for banning/challenging books. This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the UArizona College of Education with assistance from the UA COE Tech Team. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Student Employee and Nursing Major Reading Ambassador Adviser: Samantha Montes, Graduate Assistant For more information on the Worlds of Words Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org . We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the Worlds of Words Center Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP) as we discuss The Broke Hearts by Matt Mendez. This episode gets personal as we elaborate on Matt's suggestion that we never stop becoming something. It was reported in this episode that the book launch had just under 30 attendees, but it was actually over 30 attendees. This matters because the Middle School Reading Ambassadors challenged the teens to see who could get more people to their author event. Did they? Didn't they? That part hasn't been reported. This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the UArizona College of Education with assistance from the UA COE Tech Team. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Student Employee and Nursing Major Reading Ambassador Advisers: Samantha Montes, Graduate Assistant Katherine Connover, Retired Educator For more information on the WOW Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP), visit wowlit.org . For more information about Matt Mendez and his process writing The Broke Hearts , visit wowlit.org . We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the WOW Center Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP) as we recap our year together. The novel in verse that Alessa refers to in this episode is Your Heart, My Sky by Margarita Engle. Other books specifically mentioned include Anger Is a Gift by Mark Oshiro and Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert. The Tucson Festival of Books deserves multiple shout outs! This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the UArizona College of Education with assistance from the UA COE Tech Team. Co-Producer: Rebecca Ballenger, WOW Center Associate Director Co-Producer: Sara Logan, Literature Discussant and COE Graduate Student Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, WOW Student Employee and Nursing Major For more information on the WOW Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP), visit wowlit.org . We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the WOW Center Middle School Reading Ambassadors as we discuss Distress Signal by Mary E. Lambert. This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the UArizona College of Education with assistance from the UA COE Tech Team. Co-Producer: Rebecca Ballenger, WOW Center Associate Director Co-Producer: Sara Logan, WOW MSRAP Literature Discussant and COE Graduate Student Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, WOW Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, WOW Student Employee and Nursing Major For more information on the WOW Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org . We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the WOW Center Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP) as we discuss Echoes of Grace by Guadalupe García McCall. Special shout out to Tucson Festival of Books ! This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the UArizona College of Education with assistance from the UA COE Tech Team. Co-Producer: Rebecca Ballenger, WOW Center Associate Director Co-Producer: Sara Logan, RAP Literature Discussant and COE Graduate Student Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, WOW Student Employee and Nursing Major For more information on the WOW Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP), visit wowlit.org . We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the WOW Center Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP) as we discuss The Many Assassinations of Samir the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri. This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the UArizona College of Education with assistance from the UA COE Tech Team. Co-Producer: Rebecca Ballenger, WOW Center Associate Director Co-Producer: Sara Logan, WOW MSRAP Literature Discussant and COE Graduate Student Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, WOW Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, WOW Student Employee and Nursing Major For more information on the WOW Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org . We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the WOW Center Middle School and Teen Reading Ambassadors as we discuss the 2023 Outstanding International Books from the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) and the International Board on Books for Young People 's (IBBY) 2020 and 2022 Illustration Honor Book. The Reading Ambassadors specifically mention the following books in this podcast: This is Our Place by Vitor Martins (USBBY OIB) Last Week by Bill Richardson and Emilie Leduc (USBBY OIB) The Invisible by Tom Percival (IBBY Honor List - Illustration) This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the UArizona College of Education with assistance from the UA COE Tech Team. Co-Producer: Rebecca Ballenger, WOW Center Associate Director Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, WOW Student Employee and Nursing Major For more information on the WOW Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP), visit wowlit.org . We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the WOW Center Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP) as we discuss Postcolonial Love Poem by Natalie Diaz and We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom and Michaela Goade as part of the National Endowment of the Arts' (NEA) Big Read Tucson . This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the UArizona College of Education with assistance from the UA COE Tech Team. Co-Producer: Rebecca Ballenger, WOW Center Associate Director Co-Producer: Sara Logan, MSRAP Literature Discussant and COE Graduate Student Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, WOW Student Employee and Nursing Major For more information on the WOW Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP), visit wowlit.org . We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the WOW Center Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP) as we discuss A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin. This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the UArizona College of Education with assistance from the UA COE Tech Team. Co-Producer: Rebecca Ballenger, WOW Center Associate Director Co-Producer: Sara Logan, MSRAP Literature Discussant and COE Graduate Student Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, WOW Student Employee and Nursing Major For more information on the WOW Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP), visit wowlit.org . We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

The WOW Center Middle School Reading Ambassadors invite you to join us in meeting Daniel Nayeri, author of The Many Assassinations of Samir the Seller of Dreams , at the 2023 Tucson Festival of Books. Our session takes place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 5 in room 351 of the UArizona College of Education. For more information on the WOW Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org . We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the WOW Center Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP) as we discuss The Hidden Knife by Melissa Marr. This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the UArizona College of Education with assistance from the UA COE Tech Team. Co-Producer: Rebecca Ballenger, WOW Center Associate Director Co-Producer: Sara Logan, Literature Discussant and COE Graduate Student Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, WOW Student Employee and Nursing Major For more information on the WOW Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org . We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the WOW Center Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP) as we discuss The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow & Liz Lawson. This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the UArizona College of Education with assistance from the UA COE Tech Team. Co-Producer: Rebecca Ballenger, WOW Center Associate Director Co-Producer: Sara Logan, MSRAP Literature Discussant and COE Graduate Student Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, WOW Student Employee and Nursing Major For more information on the WOW Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP), visit wowlit.org . We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…

Join the WOW Center Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP) as we discuss Across the Desert by Dusti Bowling. This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the UArizona College of Education with assistance from the UA COE Tech Team. Co-Producer: Rebecca Ballenger, WOW Center Associate Director Co-Producer: Sara Logan, MSRAP Literature Discussant and COE Graduate Student Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Student Employee and Radio, TV, Film Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, WOW Student Employee and Nursing Major For more information on the WOW Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org . We Can Promote Global Literature Together! The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation . Thank you for listening and keep reading!…