During this episode, you'll hear Erin recount a story about meeting one of her heroes. It's not spoiling anything to reveal that she was very nervous in the moments leading up to this encounter. After all, very few things feel quite as bad as watching someone you idolize fall from the pedestal you've placed them on. The potential for that particular type of heartache has made me chicken out, more than once, when given the opportunity to meet one of my own heroes.
Which brings me to the latest episode of The Reader's Heart.
Although I didn't mention it during our conversation, I felt a similar anxiety prior to meeting Erin Entrada Kelly for the first time. Not only is Erin an absolute super star, but her writing constantly inspires me. If I were ever to write a book for young people, Erin's work would serve as my mentor texts. There's a reason why her books are so often covered in stickers, y'all. Erin Entrada Kelly is the gold standard. Luckily for me, it turns out Erin is not only an incredible author and creator, she's also a wonderful human. Her position atop the pedestal I've built for her remains perfectly in tact. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did!
ABOUT THIS WEEK'S GUEST
Erin Entrada Kelly has received numerous awards and recognition for her work, including the 2025 Newbery Medal for The First State of Being, 2018 Newbery Medal for Hello, Universe, a 2021 Newbery Honor for We Dream of Space, the 2023 NAIBA Book of the Year Award for Those Kids From Fawn Creek, and 2017 APALA Award for The Land of Forgotten Girls, among many other honors. She is also a National Book Award Finalist and author/illustrator of Marisol Rainey and Felix Powell, stand-alone stories for younger readers. Her books are New York Times bestsellers.
Before becoming a children's author, Erin worked as a journalist and magazine editor in her home state of Louisiana. She received numerous awards from the Louisiana Press Association and the Associated Press for community service journalism, feature writing, and editing. She has published more than thirty short stories and has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and the Philippines Free Press Award for Short Fiction.
Erin has a bachelor's degree in women's studies and liberal arts from McNeese State University and an MFA in fiction from Rosemont College. She lives in Delaware and teaches in the MFAC program at Hamline University.
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
Note: episode transcripts are generated by AI and are likely imperfect. Still, I hope you find them useful.
RESOURCES & LINKS
Please enjoy a special discount of 20% off the titles mentioned in this episode (or others of your choice) by visiting Bookelicious and using the code JENNIFERLAGARDE. Note: I do not make any money from the sales, but I am delighted that you get to save some!
The Marisol Rainey series by Erin Entrada Kelly
The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly
Felix Powell, Boy Dog by Erin Entrada Kelly
Those Kids From Fawn Creek by Erin Entrada Kelly
We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly
Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada Kelly
You Go First by Erin Entrada Kelly
Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
The Land of Forgotten Girls by Erin Entrada Kelly
Blackbird Fly by Erin Entrada Kelly
Connect with Erin
MORE ABOUT THE READER’S HEART
Rooted in the belief that our world needs the magic of children’s literature now more than ever, the Reader’s Heart podcast captures conversations with authors and illustrators about children's literature as a vehicle for empathy and joy in a dark world. I'm so excited about this project and it's my wish that it brings you as much light and hope as it has brought me.
Special thanks to Corinna Luyken for creating the beautiful illustration that will serve as the show's logo. I've always found Corinna's art so moving and she perfectly captured the spirit of what I am trying to do, which is to put warmth and love into the world during a time when so many are working to limit kids' access to the warmth and love inherent in children's literature. (Also, don't forget, you can use the discount above to buy Corinna's books from Bookelicious, too!)
If all goes to plan, episodes will drop on the 1st and the 15th of the month. Once you've had a chance to listen, I hope you will consider leaving The Reader's Heart a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review! Podcast reviews are one of the best ways to support your favorite shows and help others find these conversations.
WHERE TO LISTEN:
Wherever you listen to podcasts!
