Young Adult Authors Unplugged From Arroe Collins

The heating index is 117 degrees. The forest has a scent about it. The human on the other hand is ripping down the trees by way of protecting their investments. Trees aren't instantly up and down creations. Many have been here for decades. The center of summer and the drama a forest brings.

THE DEAD OF SUMMER: Ollie Veltman is finally coming home to the quaint island of Anchor’s Mercy after a year away while his mom battled cancer. It should be a celebration—his mom is cancer free, and she’s determined to have the best summer ever—but Ollie’s (now ex) best friends think he abandoned them, and he’s returning with a lot of questions. Because for a place that’s perfect on the surface, a secret rots below the waves. A secret that could explain his mom’s illness, and the illness of so many other locals. Ollie’s desperate s...

Jerry Spinelli’s outstanding 44-year writing career has earned him critical acclaim and icon status, with over 25 published books for children including Maniac Magee, Stargirl, and Wringer. George, aka "Suds," is about to start the fifth grade, where he, his best friend Joey, and the rest of his classmates will be the top dogs of the whole school. They are ready to collect on the respect they now deserve and leave their lasting legacy at Gotwals Elementary . . . but that's easier said than done.Between bullies on the playground and a prankster sister, Suds is being undermined, ignored, and even challenged everyw...

In 2020 and 21 I called the empty homes built in this forest Covid Homes. People left the area to be with family or just get out of the way of science. I'm see a lot of the same thing in 2026. Is it the economy or are people running away from the essence of what makes this tiny forest someplace unbelievably peace filled?

As kids head back to the classroom, families are transitioning from the more relaxed routines of summer to the structure of a new school year. For many households, that also means taking a fresh look at screen time, gaming and other digital habits. The start of the school year offers parents and caregivers an opportunity to reset expectations and establish healthy digital routines that support sleep, homework, learning and downtime. Digital parenting and education experts are available to share practical strategies families can put into place as the school year gets underway, including:Pair parental controls with conversation: Built-in controls, in...

Growing up in Montana, I rarely saw signs that warned of there being a possible step taken toward trespassing. So, to see the words private property in my forest, life suddenly got very real.

Christina Diaz Gonzalez is the multi-award-winning, best-selling author of several novels including The Red Umbrella, Concealed, and the graphic novels Invisible and now Offside. Offside is a middle-grade graphic novel about a middle school soccer team that goes co-ed, exploring friendship, teamwork, and gender equity through the eyes of diverse students, including the team captain who resists the change and a newcomer from Colombia. The book uses a unique format with both English and Spanish text, similar to Invisible, to tell a story about overcoming challenges and finding belonging.

Studying the art around your visions requires decades of patience as well as preservation. And in the end what do we have to hold but an old man's dream of sharing what invited so much peace.

American Sign Language is used by the deaf, hearing-impaired, and those who teach, live, and work with them, which totals up to around two million people in North America. But an award-winning and best-selling children’s book author, Kathleen Marcath, believes many more kids should learn ASL. “It provides many educational and social advantages,” she says.“What truly sets this book apart is its thoughtful inclusion of American Sign Language (ASL),” says the author of My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere with Me, and a companion book, My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere with Me: Coloring and Activity Book. Each page introduces children  new...

The worst drought in 18 years. Documented in vocal print. Especially on the day when the waves of water return to this tiny forest, with its tiny lake, tiny stream and very big big big poetic dream.

The book asks such questions as: What can America’s 75th year in 1851 teach us about its 250th in 2026? Where do the similarities lie, and how does that earlier moment illuminate the present? Epic, richly cinematic, the book is: loosely based on the Starbucks - who were one of the founding families of Nantucket…and inspired by historical events – including the maiden voyage of the famous 1851 Boston-built Flying Cloud ship which sailed from New York to San Francisco in a groundbreaking 89 days and 21 hours. A page-turning adventure following Nantucket 18 year old, Winifred, daughter of renowned merchant captains Nell and Peter Starbuck...

When the beloved family golden retriever becomes human, a girl’s relationships with her family and herself transform in ways she never thought possible in this heartwarming and funny young adult novel.
Science-obsessed, teen-genius Emma Branch is used to being the odd one out—in her family, among her classmates, and in her small town that only ever seems to care about football. She doesn’t mind being all alone; in fact, she prefers it. Besides, who needs friends when she has a best friend already—her golden retriever, Hudson.
But when Hudson gets into an accident, Emma can’t be...

The worst drought in the south since 2008. The land is so hard that it's reminding me of the sandstone of Montana. My worries sit within the soil, what's going on with the roots of all living things? How can we as humans learn from this natural behavior?

In a world of labels being placed on people, one father and one son were determined to break that tag, even if it was one of autism. This is their story. In a world quick to label, judge, and box in people, one father and son stood firm and refused to be defined by an autism diagnosis. If you're channel surfing and happen upon Leland Vittert during his nightly national cable show on NewsNation, he comes off as a poised journalist prying nuggets from guests. If you watched him for years as an anchor at Fox News Channel, you saw...

LION is an emotional, real-life drama that chronicles the remarkable four-year journey of a tiny lion cub named Kio to become a king. Filmed in Kenya's Masai Mara, this is the first natural history production to document a lion's complete journey from vulnerable cub to king. The crew, including local Kenyan filmmakers, logged nearly 1,400 filming days across 52 shoots — the most time ever spent in the field exclusively following a single pride.LION is executive produced by Disney Legend and “The Lion King” live-action director Jon Favreau and BBC Studios Natural History Unit’s Creative director Mike Gunton (“Planet Earth II,” “Dynasties”), with...

Tell and Wren face a wraith—a sorcerer gone rogue—in this third and final book in the Children of the Black Glass middle grade fantasy series. Now a captive in Desert’s house, Wren learns the evil sorcerer has melded herself into a human body to become a wraith. Wielding even more power, more strength, and more magic than ever before, Desert’s still not satisfied…not until she consumes Wren’s too. Tell will stop at nothing to save his sister, and while he lacks magic himself, he discovers one of their friends has mystical powers and is as determined as...

Greeted by two owls. Which always tickles the inside of my child sized heart. I do know of the darker side of these birds of prey but choose instead to see there's always two sides to every coin.

Two teens are sent to Mexico for the summer to unplug in this hilarious and heartwarming dual narrative by award-winning author . Newly graduated 8th graders Celi and Elio don't know each other, but after a catfishing incident in their Oakland, California, community goes viral, both sets of parents discover their recent screen overuse. Independently, they have the “brilliant” idea to ship the kids off to the same rancho in Mexico for two months, thinking it will help them reconnect with themselves.  In the middle of nowhere—without internet, electricity, or even running water—the two meet and bond over their miserable fat...

Those natural things that unravel within the unwritten chapters of a forest locked in on being itself ahead of all other things. 100% completely natural. I being of human shape have fallen witness to it and constantly find myself bending at the knees in hopes of every finding out why the universe wanted us present as humans.

The meadows. Those places near a beautiful collection of trees that would inspire young adults and children to play baseball, soccer ball, football and hide and seek late into the night. The meadows don't seem to be inspiring tomorrow's activators.

Cafe fantasies are all the rage, and you won't want to miss this stunning debut inspired by the author's real family running an actual cafe! Marielle whisks readers into a coffee-scented cafe where one woman finds solace from her possessive husband, only to be embroiled in a centuries-old battle for power in this Celtic myth-inspired fantasy. The Cafe of Infinite Doors (Apr 28, 2026, Union Square/Hachette Books) inspires readers to explore a world parallel to our own in this mythical portal fantasy perfect for fans of Alix E. Harrow and Sarah Beth Durst!

It's never just a tropical storm or hurricane. Life after the rock begins to roll down the mountain. New plants and insects have traveled with the storm. What does that mean to a simple small-time forest?

Being a teen girl can be confusing and frustrating—luckily, Meredith Walker , brings us BE YOURSELF AND OTHER BAD ADVICE. Co-founder of Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, an organization that is dedicated to young people cultivating their authentic selves through online community, Walker has created a funny, interactive self-help book to show young people how to dig deep, find what's important to you, and use that authenticity to make the world a better place. Teen girls learn rules all the time, even if many of them go unsaid. Be yourself! But don’t be weird! Hustle hard—your future depends on it! You’re o...

An old oak stands beside the slow-moving stream for decades only to learn of its fate after a storm drenched day. But it wasn't over. The human wrote the oak off as being finished. A total face plant you're done. A few days later it's a much different story. The 30-foot oak is standing up again! How?

In just one day, Elegy Anh’s old life–her job, her purpose, and her future–is over. A prophecy predicts either she or her enemy, Rava Vidar, will lead their people to victory over the other...but they don't know which. Elegy and Rava are destined to collide, with the fate of their nations hanging in the balance. And when they do, only one will be left standing. Elegy intends to make sure it’s her. #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Divergent series, and master of the dystopian genre, Veronica Roth, is back with an epic new adult dystopian no...

Billy West is one the most accomplished and beloved voice actors alive today. He's brought to life original animated characters like Stimpy from Ren & Stimpy, Doug Funnie, and Philip J. Fry, Dr. Zoidberg, Zapp Brannigan, and Professor Farnsworth (and more) on Futurama. And he's played iconic characters like Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd in Space Jam, Popeye, and Woody Woodpecker.Chances are, he's made you laugh many times. You might even know some of his lines by heart.In Voice-A-Versa, West recounts his remarkable life in show business and the circuitous route that got him there, from a radio-call in cont...

It's one thing to walk through a forest with your dog but what are they smelling that makes the stroll that much more interesting?

"This astounding book is both a finger pointed directly at the rotting heart of colonial greed and a truly heart-pounding mystery." — Andrew Joseph White, New York Times bestselling author of Compound FractureKeala Kendall is available to talk about the book on May 7. Ask her about:Why she chose the typically dark gothic horror genre to tell this story, set in Hawaii, a beautiful and bright paradise.
The novel explores the impact of colonization, inherited trauma and the real human cost behind paradise and luxury in Hawaii. As Hapa Native Hawaiian, what she wants readers to know about the anger, gr...

Isn't there an old saying about nobody truly can hear the effects of a tree when it comes crashing down? Living inside a forest for 34 years, I've heard a lot of trees meeting their new neighbors as they face plant in the forest floor. I never want to enter a day until I've loved as well as recognized the skyscrapers that have spent many many more years on this planet then I the Poet with a pen.

New York Times bestselling author, Brittney Cooper, comes a heartwarming story of love and resilience that explores the powerful force of a mother-daughter bond. MAMA SAYS I’M FINE is a sweet story of family and maternal love, largely based on her own childhood, which showcases her famous feminist sensibility and messages of empowerment for young girls.   BRITTNEY COOPER is the New York Times bestselling author of several books, including her debut picture book Stand Up! 10 Mighty Women Who Made a Change, and the novels Feminist AF: A Guide to Crushing Girlhood and Eloquent Rage: A Black Woman Discovers Her Superpowers. A...

FÚTBOL IS LIFE!/¡FÚTBOL ES VIDA! is an inspirational bilingual picture book from Cristo Fernández, the actor and filmmaker best known for his role as Dani Rojas on the Emmy Award-winning show Ted Lasso. Inspired by Fernández’s own life as a fútbol-soccer player in his hometown of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, this English-Spanish bilingual story explores themes of being open to change and discovering new passions after Cristobalito is sidelined by an injury. This story, like Fernández’s mission in life, aims to bring positivity, joy, and inspiration to readers. The title is taken from Fernández’s Ted...

Does a copperhead snake squiggle its way into what it calls the greatest day ever only to be murdered by an uncaring human?

In Unicorn Blue and the Caradoodle Quest, Former Tech Executive Carrol Titus, delivers a striking, dreamlike, stimulating, children’s narrative. The book and software promote critical thinking - navigating learning pathways, interpreting data along them and applying it. The book helps make her STEM software even more accessible and purposeful, engaging both sides of the brain: reason and emotion, intensifies learning engagement, deepening memory, and quickening recall.
 “Science education is needed to stimulate children’s intellect and imagination and motivate them to consider science to identify opportunities and solve pressing problems.  Our children need scientific literacy to apply critical thinking in the...

A Guide to the Document That Inspired Our Nation “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. . . .” So begins the Declaration of Independence, the fabled 1776 document in which a group of men in a distant colony of the British Empire declared their freedom from that Empire — and thus changed the world. But WERE “all men created equal”? What are “unalienable rights”? And how did these men come to write this document anyway?
History and civi...

When I entered this forest in 1992 my heart wasn't focused on the present. The calling was to put myself in 2040. How often do we put ourselves in a position of exploration and never take the time to see what the invisible visionaries put into play decades before your arrival? Can you spot the fingerprint of one who foresaw longevity?

From multi-talented creator and debut author. SARA AMINI comes her semi-autobiographical graphic middle grade, MIXED FEELINGS. Through a mix of humor and heart, this charming middle grade graphic memoir explores evolving friendships, puberty mishaps, and finding a place to belong. Perfect for fans of Real Friends, The New Girl, and Pizza Face.

From #1 Amazon bestselling author & USA Today bestseller Nikki St. Crowe comes WEST OF WICKED, an unexpected, sexy & dark reimagining of the classic tale, where Dorothy searches for the truth about her origins in the cursed, dark land of Oz. This inventive, fantastical new romance puts a spicy and creative twist on a beloved story, while adding a yellow-brick-road’s worth of tension, banter & murder. Complete with a mysterious & charming scarecrow and an axe throwing ‘shadow daddy’ tinman, WEST OF WICKED is the perfect new read for fans of Apples Dipped in Gold by Scarlett St. Clair and Neon Gods by Katee Robert. About ...

In our last episode we took note of the earth giving up something of human value. How? On this episode we look deeper into the mystery to see how reality plays its own role in our efforts of planting purpose.

After more than 15 years as a Lead and Senior Technical Director of Lighting and Creative Services Marketing at PIXAR Animation Studios, Jesse launched a new venture. His goal: to reimagine the animation studio model by leveraging AI from the ground up, ushering in a new era of cinematic animated entertainment. His latest venture, ILLUMINAI Studios, operates on the ethos that while technology evolves, the "soul" of animation remains uniquely human.Jesse and his team are committed to the ethical sourcing and implementation of AI throughout our development and production pipelines. To ILLUMINAI, AI is a powerful brush, not the artist. T...