Hey book lovers! I've got some exciting news for you. I'm giving away a stack of some awesome middle grade books, and you could be one of the lucky winners! It's that time again, friends. Every year I share some of my favorite reads of the previous year. How better to share them than with a giveaway? That's right! One lucky winner will receive a copy of the six paperbacks/hardcovers in the image above and signed copies of my best-sellers. U.S. residents only. Enter below and find the reel or image of this post on my Instagram or Facebook account and follow the instructions for additional entri ..read more

L. B. Anne's Candid Look Back at 2023 and What's Brewing for 2024 Hey there, 2024! Buckle up because we're about to take a stroll down memory lane, through the whirlwind that was 2023. It was a year of firsts, both highs and lows, and I'm itching to share it all. First off, hitting the road and meeting you all in bookstores across the U.S. was a dream. The cutie in the photos patiently waited her turn to have her book signed. I got to meet not just my readers but some of the amazing kids from my summer program. Michigan, you were a warm hug, but New York? Reality check central. This part is ..read more

It's that time again. Every year I share my favorite middle grade reads of the previous year. How better to share than with a giveaway? That's right! One lucky winner will receive a copy of the six paperbacks in the image above and a copy of my best-sellers. U.S. residents only. However, find the reel or image of this post on my Instagram account and follow the instructions for an additional international winner. Check out the books: "Fans of R.J. Palacio’s Wonder will appreciate this feel-good story of friendship and unconventional smarts.” —Kirkus Reviews Ally has been smart enough to fool a ..read more

Winding Down and Gearing Up! We have arrived at the other “New Year” for 2022…that time when summer is coming to a close, and kids and teens everywhere embark on their next journey; a new school year. In many places, like Florida where I live, that transition isn’t signified by a change in temperature. No, here Mother Nature likes to keep her thermostat turned way up for several more months. School busses and school supplies in stores are the signals to us Floridians that summer is ending. Reading some new books is a great way to either hang on tight to the end of a spectacular summer or get y ..read more

Discover the books that ages 10 and up are reading! Hold onto your bookmarks, folks, because I am bursting with excitement to bring you an amazing collection of middle grade and teen book reviews! And guess who the masterminds behind these literary evaluations are? None other than our brilliant summer interns, from my L. B. Anne Author Apprentice Summer Internship program. These budding bookworms range in age from 10 to 17 and have meticulously crafted their thoughts and impressions on a selection of extraordinary books that will leave you in awe. We wholeheartedly urge you to dive into these ..read more

Today we want to celebrate CROWN Day! July 3rd commemorates California’s 2019 passing of the Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, or CROWN Act, which outlawed race-based hair discrimination in employment and education. Since then, 17 states have added this law and there is currently a bill in the Senate to make the CROWN Act federally enforced. You can sign the petition to urge legislators to end hair discrimination and vote yes on the CROWN Act here. And you can elect people who will work to get the CROWN Act passed with your vote in the midterm election on November 8th. Make ..read more

In 1996 April became recognized by the Academy of American Poets as National Poetry Month. During April, readers of all ages take time to celebrate poetry. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world, honoring poetry’s important place in our lives.  Here are some poetry-inspired books for kids to check out this month or add to their reading list for the rest of the year. Miles from Midtown by Lisa Sukenic After moving from her beloved Detroit neighborhood to an unfamiliar suburb on the outskirts of the city, Georgia lies to prevent becoming disqualified f ..read more

March is here and it's all about celebrating the joy of reading and encouraging others to do the same. So, get creative and have fun! Here are some ways you can celebrate National Reading Month with your children: Tip #1 - Let them read a book they've been wanting to read. Dedicate some time every day to reading a book that they've been wanting to read or pick up something new. It doesn't matter what type of book it is as long as it's a book that interests your child. So allow them to choose. Tip #2 - Host a book club. Yes, kids can do this too. Allow them to get together with some friends or ..read more

I write diverse books, and unfortunately, it's something a few people disagree with. It's true. I receive nasty emails and DMs, but what's the point? I'm not going to stop. Why is there still a disagreement concerning diversity in children's literature in this day and age? Books are a mirror of our world, so it's essential that the world is depicted in the stories we read. All children should be given the opportunity to recognize themselves in the books they read. This was virtually unheard of when I was younger, so I'm incredibly pleased with how far we've come. There are many reasons why chi ..read more

The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner, so that means the season of gift-giving is also upon us. Here’s a list that will help you make your own holiday shopping lists a little easier and merrier--books that are ideal for getting middle grade readers into the “holly-jolly” spirit. Merry Reading! The Christmas Genie by Dan Gutman Only hours away from Christmas vacation, what could possibly make more sense than a Christmas Genie named Bob crashing in your fifth grade classroom by way of a meteorite? The story’s narrator, Chase, and his classmates must decide on one wish. As ..read more