WOW Reads: Bonus - Our Mock Caldecott 2026 Prediction

WOW Reads: MSRAP Reads Away by Megan Freeman

Join the Worlds of Words Center Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP) as we recap our experience around Alone [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Alone/Megan-E-Freeman/Alone/9781534467576] (and Away) by Megan E. Freeman. In this episode, we talk about...  * The ways we are prepared, or not, for an “imminent threat” event. * Books in verse and how poetry and prose differ. * The importance of “what if” questions and how they can be suppressed. * Megan’s openness, careful acknowledgment of others and her supernatural approach to story inspiration. * Pascal Campion’s [https://www.instagram.com/pascalcampionart/] book cover illustrations and ways to interpret them. Biggest takeaway: Keep Your Phone Charged! Best suggestion: Publisher should name the 3rd companion book, “Afar” (Due: January 2027). Cheyenne came up with this idea on the spot, and we all agree. Best intention: We would definitely read the 3rd companion book and the sequel.  This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) [https://diall.coe.arizona.edu/] in the U of A College of Education. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Literature Discussant: Narges Zandi, U of A COE Graduate Assistant  Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Art Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Nursing Major Digital Collaborator: Melanie Reyes, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student Music is "A Day In The Life" by Grant Green For more information on the Worlds of Words Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org [https://wowlit.org/events-programs/teen-reading-ambassadors]. ### 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 [https://give.uafoundation.org/results?id=4bc2a2a1-29de-4226-955c-81577c0013a1]. Thank you for listening and keep reading!

WOW Reads: TRAP Explores the Tucson Festival of Books

Join the Worlds of Words Teen Reading Ambassadors as we discuss the 2026 Tucson Festival of Books [https://tucsonfestivalofbooks.org/] (TFOB). Books & Authors mentioned: Warriors graphic novels [https://www.harpercollins.com/collections/books-series-warriors-graphic-novel] by Natalie Riess & Sara Goetter (Erin Hunter, not at TFOB) Lynn Painter (Fake Skating [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Fake-Skating/Lynn-Painter/9781665921268]) Emiko Jean (Love Me Tomorrow [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Love-Me-Tomorrow/Emiko-Jean/Love-Me-Tomorrow/9781665974370]) Kat Cho (K Verse [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/726029/once-upon-a-k-prom-by-kat--cho/9781368066983/] books) Heiress of Nowhere [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Heiress-of-Nowhere/Stacey-Lee/9781665978965] by Stacie Lee Scott Campbell (Cabin Head Tree Head [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/741594/cabin-head-and-tree-head-cabin-head-and-tree-head-book-1-by-scott-campbell/]) Julie Kagawa (Storm Dragons [https://books.disney.com/series/storm-dragons/] series) The Color Purple by Alice Walker (Not at TFOB) The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (Not at TFOB) All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson (Not at TFOB) 1619 Project from the New York Times / Nikole Hannah-Jones (Not at TFOB) The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar [https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-golden-boys-guide-to-bipolar-sonora-reyessonido-reyes?variant=45306220412962] by Sonido Reyes One Word, Six Letters [https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250405555/onewordsixletters/] by Adib Khorram Rosa by Any Other Name [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/704337/rosa-by-any-other-name-by-hailey-alcaraz/] by Hailey Alcaraz Sisters In the Wind [https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250328533/sistersinthewind/] by Angeline Boulley Shout out to the following exhibitors: Bookmans Entertainment Exchange [https://bookmans.com/] U of A Campus Store [https://shop.arizona.edu/] U of A College of Education [https://education.arizona.edu/] Science City (All the Exhibitors, but especially the Magic Rock booth.) Ben’s Bells [https://bensbells.org/] Thanks for the SWAG! This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) [https://diall.coe.arizona.edu/] in the University of Arizona College of Education. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Associate Director Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, U of A Art Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, U of A Nursing Major Digital Collaborator: Melanie Reyes, U of A First-year Student Today's music is Music is Drive My Car by Breezy Moment. For more information on TRAP, visit wowlit.org [https://wowlit.org/wow-teen-reading-ambassadors/]. 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 [https://give.uafoundation.org/results?id=4bc2a2a1-29de-4226-955c-81577c0013a1]. Thank you for listening and keep reading!

WOW Reads: MSRAP Reads The Freedom Seeker by Ruchira Gupta

Join the Worlds of Words Center Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP) as we recap our experience around The Freedom Seeker [https://shop.scholastic.com/parent-ecommerce/books/the-freedom-seeker-9781339012421.html] by Ruchira Gupta. In this episode, we talk about...  * Preparing for the Tucson Festival of Books [https://tucsonfestivalofbooks.org/] * Mixed-faith families and polarization * Cultural and political polarization in the general or historical sense * The importance of hope for Ruchira Gupta * Community as a critical tool for advocacy You are invited to share your thoughts with us at https://wowlit.org/go/wrap-blog [https://wowlit.org/go/wrap-blog]. You can find this episode under the post for The Freedom Seeker. This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) [https://diall.coe.arizona.edu/] in the U of A College of Education. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Art Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Nursing Major Digital Collaborator: Melanie Reyes, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student Music is "Easy Romance" by Joe Alfaraby. For more information on the Worlds of Words Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org [https://wowlit.org/events-programs/teen-reading-ambassadors]. ### 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 [https://give.uafoundation.org/results?id=4bc2a2a1-29de-4226-955c-81577c0013a1]. Thank you for listening and keep reading!

WOW Reads: TRAP Considers Disability Experiences in Literature

Join the Worlds of Words Teen Reading Ambassadors as we discuss disability experiences in K-12 literature. Books mentioned: Red Apple [https://www.kinokuniya.co.jp/f/dsg-01-9784751529614] (picturebook), by Tadahiro Ogawa Flutter Forest [https://prentenboekenplus.nl/onze_bibliotheek/dwarrelbos/] (picturebook), concept by Colette Pelt Black Book of Colors [https://wowlit.org/catalog/9780888998736/] (picturebook), by Menena Cottin and Rosana Faria You Started It [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/739503/you-started-it-by-jackie-khalilieh/] (YA), by Jackie Khalilieh Where You See Yourself [https://shop.scholastic.com/parent-ecommerce/books/where-you-see-yourself-9781338813838.html] (YA) by Claire Forrest Disability Visibility [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/672995/disability-visibility-adapted-for-young-adults-by-edited-by-alice-wong/] (YA), edited by Alice Wong Darius the Great Is Not Okay [https://wowlit.org/catalog/9780525552963/] (YA), by Adib Khorram Waking Ben Doldrums [https://www.orcabook.com/Waking-Ben-Doldrums] (picturebook), by Heather Smith and Byron Eggenschwiler Breathe and Count Back from Ten [https://www.harpercollins.com/products/breathe-and-count-back-from-ten-natalia-sylvester] (YA), by Natalia Sylvester Incredible Dogs [https://editorialazafran.cl/producto/libro-perros-increibles/] (picturebook from Chile, not Spain), by Mariajose Creixell Moya and Catalina Fuenzalida TRAP includes disabled and non-disabled people. Those who identify as disabled are clear that their disability is not their personality. The same is true of the characters we met. We discuss relationships, desire for independence, body image, acceptance and honesty. We also share accessible characteristics of books that include dyslexic fonts, braille, textured illustrations, formats and bindings, details that enhance side-by-side reading and scented pages, all of which make reading a more immersive experience. We took inspiration from IBBY’s Outstanding Books for Children with Disabilities 2025 list [https://www.ibby.org/awards-activities/activities/ibby-collection-for-young-people-with-disabilities/2025-ibby-selection-of-outstanding-books-for-young-people-with-disabilities]. If you would like a copy of our ‘zine response to these books, send a 6.5 X 9.5 self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE - flat rate [https://www.usps.com/] for under 2 oz.) to: Worlds of Words Center - TRAP, U of A College of Education, 1430 E Second St, Rm 453, Tucson, AZ 85721 This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) [https://diall.coe.arizona.edu/] in the University of Arizona College of Education. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Associate Director Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, U of A Art Major Coordinator: Vianey Torres, U of A Nursing Major Digital Collaborator: Melanie Reyes, U of A First-year Student Today's music was Claim to Fame - The Gray Room by Clark Sims. For more information on TRAP, visit wowlit.org [https://wowlit.org/wow-teen-reading-ambassadors/]. ### 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 [https://give.uafoundation.org/results?id=4bc2a2a1-29de-4226-955c-81577c0013a1]. Thank you for listening and keep reading!

WOW Reads: Bonus - Our Mock Caldecott 2026 Prediction

Join the Worlds of Words Center Reading Ambassadors (RAP) as we recap our experience around predicting the 2026 Randolph Caldecott Medal [https://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecott] 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 the Caldecott committee to include at least one youth member on the selection committee. We do understand it means reading 700 picturebooks. Book Mentions: Don’t Trust Fish [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/715509/dont-trust-fish-by-neil-sharpson-illustrated-by-dan-santat/], illustrated by Dan Santant The History of We [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/721499/the-history-of-we-by-nikkolas-smith/], illustrated by Nikkolas Smith Every Monday Mabel [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Every-Monday-Mabel/Jashar-Awan/9781665938150], illustrated by Jashar Awan Our Lake [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/737765/our-lake-by-angie-kang/], illustrated by Angie Kang Popo the Xolo [https://www.randomhousebooks.com/books/773655/], illustrated by Abraham Matias Broken [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/714330/broken-by-x-fang/], illustrated by X. Fang Special Guest: OIivia, Pine Reads Review Teen Intern Additional Thanks: We appreciate the educators, artists and others in the community of picturebook lovers who attended the Worlds of Words’ 2026 Mock Caldecott event (all 40+ of you!) and helped us think more deeply about picturebook illustrations. Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director Literature Discussant: Kathy Short, Worlds of Words Director and U of A Regents Professor Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student For more information on the Worlds of Words Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org [https://wowlit.org/wow-teen-reading-ambassadors/middle-school-reading-ambassadors/]. Today’s podcast music is by Ievgen Poltavskyi. ### 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 [https://give.uafoundation.org/results?id=4bc2a2a1-29de-4226-955c-81577c0013a1]. Thank you for listening and keep reading!