The Reader’s Heart Podcast
Episodes
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Kate Messner
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jennifer chats with Kate Messner to discuss her love for middle grade novels, her writing process, and her latest projects. Discover ...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Rex Ogle
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jennifer chats with Rex Ogle to talk about his journey from working behind the scenes in publishing to becoming one of the most belov...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Natalie Lloyd
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jennifer LaGarde and Natalie Lloyd explore their shared love for literature, the impact of childhood reading experiences, the importa...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Erin Entrada Kelly
15 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jennifer chats with two-time Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly. Their conversation delves into themes of anxiety, character develop...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Allie Millington
01 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jennifer chats with Allie Millington about the profound impact of literature, particularly middle grade books, on identity and connec...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Padma Venkatraman
01 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this engaging conversation, Padma Venkatraman chats with Jennifer about her new novel in verse, Safe Harbor, exploring themes of belonging, empower...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Dashka Slater
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Summary: New York Times best selling author, Dashka Slater, joins Jennifer LaGarde to explore the profound impact of literature on young readers, the ...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Federico Erebia
01 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Summary In this episode, Federico Erebia joins Jennifer for an engaging conversation in which they explore the profound impact of literature on person...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Paula Yoo
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Summary In this conversation, Jennifer and chat's with Paula Yoo about her love for writing narrative non-fiction and how her background in journalism...
The Reader's Heart | Jeff Zentner
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Jeff Zentner chats with Jennifer about his reader's heart and his writing process. They discuss the power of literature writte...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Debbi Michiko Florence
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Debbi Michiko Florence chats with Jennifer about her love for children's literature and the power of books to shape our hearts. She sh...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Katherine Marsh
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Jennifer LaGarde and Katherine Marsh discuss the power of children's literature and the influence it has on shaping readers' hea...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Elly Swartz
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Jennifer chats with Elly Swartz discuss the power of children's literature to shape hearts and minds. They explore the importanc...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: The Pumphrey Brothers
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey chat with Jennifer about story as an engine for empathy and ceativity. They discuss their reader's h...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Ann Braden
29 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Jennifer chats with Ann Braden, an author who writes books that empower kids to find their voice and make a difference in the wo...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Erin Bow
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jennifer chats with author Erin Bow who shares a bit about her journey as a reader and writer, from her childhood love of books to her success as an a...
The Readers Heart | Guest: Jasmine Warga
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jasmine Warga chats with Jennifer about the power of read alouds, using stories as conversation starters, and the importance of repre...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Torrey Maldonado
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Torrey Maldonado chats with Jennifer about children's literature, his work and the magic of teaching middle school! They discuss the ...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Mike Curato
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Curato joins Jennifer to discuss the power of children's literature to shape our hearts and navigate the world with compassion. They explore thei...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Ami Polonsky
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ami Polonsky joins Jennifer to discuss the power of storytelling and the importance of accessible reading. They explore how being a t...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Chrystal D Giles
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Chrystal D Giles joins Jennifer LaGarde to discuss the power of children's literature to shape readers' hearts and provide guidance i...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Chris Baron
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Chris Baron chats with Jennifer about the power of children's literature in shaping readers' hearts and helping them naviga...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Chris Barton
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Chris Barton joins Jennifer to chat about his reading habits, research process for nonfiction books, and the importance of balan...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Corinna Luyken
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, author/illustrator Corinna Luyken joins Jennifer to discuss her lifelong love for reading and the influence of her early library expe...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Saadia Faruqi
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Saadia Faruqi joins Jennifer to chat abouther journey as a reader and writer, as well as the importance of representation in chi...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Jasminne Mendez
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Jennifer chats with Pura Belpré honor winning poet Jasminne Mendez, They discuss Jasminne's reader's heart and the power of chi...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Lisa Fipps
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Lisa Fipps joins Jennifer to discuss the power of children's literature and its ability to shape hearts and offer survival tools for reader...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Sarah Everett
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Everett joins Jennifer to discuss her book The Probability of Everything and the power of books to connect readers. She shares her own experienc...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Kyle Lukoff
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Reader's Heart, Jennifer chat's with award winning author Kyle Lukoff. They discuss various topics, including the importance of...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: Traci Sorell
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Traci Sorell joins Jennifer to discuss her passion for storytelling and the importance of representation in literature. She emph...
The Reader's Heart | Guest: John Schu
30 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Jennifer LaGarde and John Schu discuss various topics related to reading, writing, and the power of connection. They explore Joh...