Listen Back: Ann Braden shares The Benefits of Being an Octopus Ann Braden shares THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS. This is a story about the strength of a 12-year-old girl named Zoey, even from before the moment when she realized she possessed such strength.

Listen Back: Ann Braden shares THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS, a story about the things people tell us about ourselves and others, and how those things can become truths if we believe them, for good or for harm. www.matthewcwinner.com/post/listen-... #kidlit #podcast @annbraden.bsky.social

Seen this going around but I’m
Reposting it with the full alt text bc everyone deserves to read this glorious reply from Boy George

Thank you! 🙏🏼

MOVING BEYOND SURVIVAL MODE by Ann Braden When I was fifteen-months old, my dad died in a plane crash. I was in the plane crash, too. So was my mom. My mom saved my life.  It was winter, after sunset, when we crashed into a heavi…

Love this post from @annbraden.bsky.social. #EduSky

"When life shows you how fragile it can be, it shapes you as a person.

This is what I explore in my newest book INTO THE RAPIDS. It’s a survival story, but it’s also about how there’s more to life than just survival."

"[Kids]need to see themselves as a hero on the page—but they also need to be able to be transported somewhere else. Maybe that’s to somewhere funny or somewhere magical. Maybe it’s to the past or to a dystopian future that makes our current world look like a utopian society." #kidlit

Thank you for sharing, Michelle! I’m so glad it resonated.

Don’t Judge Young Readers Who Need a Break From Tough Topics | Opinion Author Ann Braden tackles difficult subject matter in her middle grade books. But she knows the value of an escapist read and wants the children's publishing world to respect and understand the kids w...

I’ve got opinions!

www.slj.com/story/newsfe...

#FreedomToRead

Ooh! So fabulous! Enjoy!!!!!

Thank you for reading it, Stacy!

Yay! Happy reading!

I loved this new one by @annbraden.bsky.social
It’s out in the world now!!Addy & Caleb are headed to our next #bookposse reader @teachlovesbooks.bsky.social @nancyrosep.bsky.social

Thank you so much, Cindy!

THE BURNING SEASON by Caroline Starr Rose book cover and description image

INTO THE RAPIDS by Ann Braden book cover and description image

SO OVER SHARING by Elissa Brent Weissman book cover and description image

THE MIDWATCH INSTITUTE FOR WAYWARD GIRLS by Judith Rossell book cover and description image

We couldn't let May #BookBirthdays end without a moment for all of the amazing middle grade and early readers the month gave us! Click to learn more about these great new books 📕 (2/2)

@annbraden.bsky.social

Cover of INTO THE RAPIDS by Ann Braden. A girl with brown hair in a pony tail and wearing a large yellow backpack stands on a rock in the pouring rain, overlooking rushing water lined with trees in both sides.

In INTO THE RAPIDS by @annbraden.bsky.social, when a severe storm jeopardizes Addy's plan to attend a survival camp, she'll have to decide if she is ready to trust a new friend & her community to chase her goal. Don't miss this fast paced survival story w/adventure & emotion! #mglit 📚👍🏻

Thank you for reading and this review!

I loved his first one. I listened to the audio which he narrated himself and it was like being transported into a different plane of existence.

Excellent one to start with!

🥰🥰🥰

Lynn Plourde's review of Into the Rapids 5/5: From the beginning of INTO THE RAPIDS, I wanted to give Addy a hug. She carried such a heavy load. And I don't mean the weight of her backpack for the survival camp she desperately wanted to get ...

5 out of 5 stars to INTO THE RAPIDS by @annbraden.bsky.social www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
@nancyrosep.bsky.social @penguinschoollib.bsky.social #mg

Oh my goodness, I love this review so much! Huge hugs to you, Lynn, both within the pages and outside of them! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

❤️❤️❤️

MOVING BEYOND SURVIVAL MODE by Ann Braden When I was fifteen-months old, my dad died in a plane crash. I was in the plane crash, too. So was my mom. My mom saved my life.  It was winter, after sunset, when we crashed into a heavi…

“I know many of us feel like we’re in survival mode at the moment. For so many reasons and in so many directions at once.

So, how do we both manage to survive AND make that leap from survival mode to being able to play and relax enough to trust others?”
nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2025/05/20/m...

MOVING BEYOND SURVIVAL MODE by Ann Braden When I was fifteen-months old, my dad died in a plane crash. I was in the plane crash, too. So was my mom. My mom saved my life.  It was winter, after sunset, when we crashed into a heavi…

Wow! Powerful personal connection to @annbraden.bsky.social’s new #mg novel. nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2025/05/20/m... @nancyrosep.bsky.social @penguinschoollib.bsky.social

Thank you so much, Lynn!

Thank so much, Lynn! I hope you enjoy it!

And that’s a bookstore I need to visit sometime!

Thank you so much for sharing this story and helping us all feel a little more human. ❤️

Such a powerful powerful essay! Especially for educators. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

An American Airlines gate agent in Austin recognized that the wallpaper on my phone is from Flora and Ulysses. He said, “I read that book in elementary school.” I was confused at first. We connected over our love of stories. He now owns a signed copy of Louder Than Hunger.

Oh Kari. I’m so so sorry. I’m sending you all so much love. ❤️