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Author Guest Post: “How Fiction Provides a Safe Place for Young Readers to Explore Celebrity, Fame and Fandom” by Mima Tipper, Author of Channeling Marilyn

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“How Fiction Provides a Safe Place for Young Readers to Explore Celebrity, Fame and Fandom”

When I began writing my YA paranormal fantasy novel Channeling Marilyn, I wasn’t thinking of celebrity or how young people relate to fame and fandom. Through drafting a book that included Marilyn Monroe’s spirit as a main character, however, I grew more and more convinced that fiction could provide a safe place for young readers to explore these concepts. With fiction, young people are able to experience the lives of characters from their safe reader position. And how great for those readers to have the possibility of exploring fame and fandom from the shoes of a fictional or fictionalized celebrity in a completely made-up story? The magic of fiction, too, is that it allows those readers draw their own conclusions about whether the experience felt positive or negative.

In Channeling Marilyn, part of the inspiration behind the book was me acknowledging the fact that even though Hollywood superstar Marilyn Monroe has been dead for over 70 years, a huge number of fans are still obsessed with her and her films. That fandom spoke to me. I wanted to look more deeply at it—at the why of it. Because these Marilyn fans are not necessarily young people, I became even more interested in the possibility that focusing on a celebrity like Marilyn Monroe could be an inspired bet for a YA audience: to take a celebrity from long ago, and imagine how her persona and her fame could affect a young person, and tell that story.

My main character, seventeen-year-old Lexa, is one of those non-obsessed with Marilyn Monroe people, yet via the story—no spoilers—she becomes aware of Marilyn, and then encounters Marilyn’s well-known allure. Ultimately, Lexa is not immune to the power of Marilyn (after all, her influence on pop culture is everywhere), and that’s where Marilyn’s fame comes into play in the story. That is also the place where Lexa’s teen sensibilities reflect what I’ve come to learn are documented observations about how young people relate to the concepts of fame, celebrity and fandom.

Between social media and reality tv, everyone is obsessed with celebrity these days—their own and that of others. For most people, the fascination is merely a diversion, but let’s look more closely at some reasons young people fixate on celebrities. Common Sense Media points out, “Celebrity obsessions are a natural part of growing up. As kids enter adolescence and begin forming their identities, they begin to seek out media figures for cues on how to look and act… Tweens in today’s media environment can feast on an endless supply of information.”

This observation didn’t surprise me, or that celebrity crushes for young people are deemed by some authorities to be a natural and even potentially positive aspect of growing up. Dr. Alan Ravitz of New York’s Child Mind Institute states: “As kids individualize themselves from their parents, which is a natural part of development and growing up, they try to establish psychological and emotional independence … No matter the culture, they need somebody to look to, aside from their parents, for guidance and a model for becoming an adult. In our culture, this is often a sports figure, an actor, or a pop star.” In recent articles in both Psychology Today and at www.modernrecoveryservices.com, writers agree with Dr. Ravitz’s statement, going a step further to suggest that in our modern world, fandoms often provide a positive and inclusive community for teens.

These observations suggest a teen’s fascination with a celebrity is most likely harmless: Harmless until people—young or older—take their fandom too seriously. In a recent article in The Teen Mag on how fans feel about their celebrity crushes, journalist Arrohi Shah says, “When a celebrity looks like us, loves like us, or struggles like us, it validates our own experiences. It’s not just about them– it’s about what they represent to us. But we often forget that what we see is carefully constructed: behind every photo is lighting, editing, media training, or even cosmetic enhancement. If even they need help to appear that way, why do we hold ourselves to those impossible standards?” Even more harmful, the Common Sense Media article goes on to point out that a young person’s fixation on a celebrity can, “… go to extremes that have a negative impact. They may spend all their money to try to look like their favorite stars. They may engage in risky body alterations to imitate them. Or they may actually inflict physical harm on themselves … to demonstrate the depth of their feeling.” In the Modern Recovery Services article, it’s noted that, “For teens already struggling with heavy psychological burdens, being a member of a toxic fandom can intensify their trials. It can be particularly tough for fan girls, who often face more scrutiny and pressure than boys because toxic fandom communities tend to be sexist.” And, “The development of parasocial relationships—one-sided relationships in which fans feel deeply connected to a celebrity based on illusions of intimacy—is another way fandom can become unhealthy. Teens might start to believe they have a special connection with a pop-culture icon, which can lead to unrealistic expectations and crushing heartbreak when their fantasies inevitably don’t come true.”

Fandoms have always existed, but it’s perhaps due to the wealth of information now available on social media that heightens and intensifies the celebrity adoration teens experience today.

The darker sides of teens’ relationship to celebrity, fame and fandom reveal where fiction could come in, providing that safe space for young people to explore these concepts outside of social media, without the baggage of an actual celebrity crush or of belonging to a fandom community.

In Channeling Marilyn, Lexa has the opportunity to see Marilyn Monroe as a real person, not as a celebrity. To see her as a human being who makes mistakes, who has needs, who wants friendship and love. Through the fictional lens of Marilyn’s spirit coming back as a kind of fairy godmother to Lexa, the book avoids the cliché of more common storylines like: Marilyn’s rugged early years, her abuse by handlers, her physical and mental health, her lack of privacy, her dealing with fans, etc. Instead, this story is about Lexa bonding with Marilyn as a spirit, and Marilyn guiding her through a tough time. And, wonder of wonders, through the power of fiction, Lexa is able to help Marilyn’s spirit move forward on her journey, too.

Bibliography

Leno, Michele, PhD, “The Healing Power of Pop Culture Communities” www.psychologytoday.com July 17, 2024, The Healing Power of Pop Culture Communities | Psychology Today

Shah, Aarohi, “Why are we so obsessed with Celebrity Drama? The Psychology Behind our Obsession” https://www.theteenmagazine.com  May 8, 2025. Why Are We so Obsessed with Celebrity Drama? the Psychology Behind Our

“Should I be Concerned about My Kid’s Celebrity Obsession?” www.commonsensemedia.org June 4, 2020 Should I be concerned about my kid’s celebrity obsession? | Common Sense Media

“The Psychology of Fandom—Pop Culture’s Influence on Teens” www.modernrecoveryservices.com The Psychology of Fandom – Pop Culture’s Influence on Teens

“Why Teenagers Obsess Over Pop Stars?” www.childmind.org May 5, 2011, Why Teenagers Obsess Over Pop Stars – Child Mind Institute

Publishes June 1st, 2026 by She Writes Press

About the Book: Seventeen-year-old Lexa Donovan’s timid, plus-size life goes sideways when the spirit of Marilyn Monroe takes up residence in her body.

High school senior Lexa Donovan longs to be more than a bit player in her own drab life—and when she’s chosen to be part of her school’s spring production of Bus Stop, she thinks her wish has come true. But her thrill turns to panic when she’s tapped to play the leading role, sexy showgirl Cherie. One thing tall, plus-size Lexa knows for sure is that she is the exact opposite of the most famous Cherie ever: sex-goddess Marilyn Monroe.

Lexa wants out before she makes a fool of herself in front of everyone. But then something entirely unexpected happens: the spirit of Marilyn Monroe appears, ready and willing to be Lexa’s personal acting coach. Before the curtain rises on opening night, Lexa and Marilyn learn to trust their own hearts and act on what each truly needs to move forward—in life and in death.

About the Author: Half Greek, half American, Mima Tipper and her writing reflect her heritage—a little bit old-country, a little bit rock and roll: one foot wandering through the dreamy realms of myths and faerie tales, the other running on the solid ground of fast-paced, contemporary story. She earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and is the award-winning author of the YA novel Kat’s Greek Summer (SparkPress, ISBN-9781684633067). Mima has also published YA fiction in Hunger Mountain and Sucker Literary Magazine. Her novel Kat’s Greek Summer was the 2025 silver medalist for YA fiction in the 2025 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, her YA short story “A Cut-out Face” received an honorable mention from Hunger Mountain’s Katherine Paterson Prize, and her work-in-progress version of Channeling Marilyn came in second place for Paranormal Romance in the Chesapeake Romance Writer’s annual Rudy contest. Beyond devoting most of her time to writing, Mima helps at Inklings Children’s Books in Waitsfield, Vermont, volunteers at her local library, and is committed to promoting literacy and supporting the writing community. Currently, Mima lives in Vermont with her family; find her at www.mimatipper.com.

Follow Mima Tipper on social media:
Facebook: @mimatipper | X/Twitter: @meemtip
Instagram: @mimatip  | Substack: @mimatipper

Thank you, Mima, for this thought-provoking look at a topic that affects many teens!

Author Guest Post: “Illness is a Part of Life. A Good Book Can Help Kids Cope.” by Priya Swaminathan, Author of Deepa M.D.

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“Illness is a Part of Life. A Good Book Can Help Kids Cope.”

“Everyone who is born holds dual citizenship in the kingdom of the well and in the kingdom of the sick,” Susan Sontag writes in her seminal 1978 essay Illness as a Metaphor. “Although we all prefer to use only the good passport, sooner or later each of us is obliged, at least for a spell, to identify ourselves as citizens of that other place.”

Disease is something every child will encounter, as Sontag eloquently points out. Yet it is often shrouded in taboo. An illness in the family might be kept a secret or buried under mysterious language. Our bodies can become scary, dangerous – even shameful – when we don’t understand how they work in sickness and in health. Avoiding the subject leaves kids ill equip to talk about discomfort, pain, and the swirl of emotions that come with it.

As a child, my family talked a lot about disease. My father, a surgeon, discussed tough cases and triumphant ones at the dinner table. I remember paging through his medical textbooks and marveling at anatomical drawings of my insides. But novels like Little Women and The Secret Garden gave me a deeper understanding of the experience of illness.

While the classics have much to offer, a handful of middle-grad novels have broadened my understanding of “the kingdom of the sick,” as Sontag calls it. Reading them with my 11-year-old daughter has given us a shared language to talk about illness as a part of life.

Wink by Rob Harrell

Harrell’s semi-autobiographical novel about a 7th grader diagnosed with a rare eye cancer is hilarious, heartbreaking, and life-affirming. In other words, it’s brilliant. Harrell’s deft sense of humor invites you to examine the stigma that surrounds illness and the liberating power of art and human connection.

Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina

Merci is a heroine for the ages. A 6th grader navigating private school as a scholarship student, her family is her rock, especially Lolo, her wise and warm grandfather.

Only Lolo’s been acting differently. An angry outburst, forgetting things, tumbling off his bike –  Merci can see Lolo changing, but no one in her family will tell her what’s going on.

Ultimately, Merci learns that her grandfather has Alzheimer’s Disease. Meg Medina offers a delicate portrait of how cognitive disorders unfold and effect families. Ultimately, Merci’s understanding of her grandfather’s condition allows her to step up and take on more responsibility. This empowering story offers a blueprint for how families can face illness together.

Dust by Dusti Bowling

In Dust, Avalyn moves to Arizona with her family in search of a climate that would prevent another asthma attack like that one that almost killed her ten years ago. Her world is thrown into chaos when dust storms kick up, coinciding with the arrival of a new student at school. Breath and the experience of having a chronic respiratory illness are at the center of this novel (at least until the source of those dust storms is revealed…no spoilers!). Bowling uses magical realism to take you inside the experience of illness in a way that will change your understanding of health.

Published May 19th, 2026 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

About the Book: A precocious seventh grader whose cancer has recently gone into remission assists her “medical detective” uncle while readjusting to life in middle school in this heartwarming and funny middle grade debut novel that’s Front Desk meets Roll with It.

Twelve-year-old Deepa is ready to un-pause her life. After spending a year in the hospital, she’s itching for things to go back to the way they were before she got sick.

Only everything’s changed. Her parents treat her like she’s made of glass, there’s a mean girl out to get her, and her best friend Renée forgot to mention she has a whole new life now.

But when her Uncle Jai, a genius doctor that patients love to hate and the “Sherlock Holmes” of medical mysteries, needs her help with a tricky case involving a teenage patient, Deepa steps up to the plate—because she knows better than anyone what it’s like to be sick.

But why, oh why, did her first patient have to be her bully’s older brother?

As the case spirals and her illness flares up, Deepa quickly learns that if she wants to save her patient, she’ll have to diagnose what’s going on inside herself first.

About the Author: Priya Swaminathan lived the dream of making movies and TV shows for 19 years. She helped launch Higher Ground productions, Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company, where she produced award-winning documentaries, films, and kids shows like Waffles + Mochi, Emmy-award winner Ada Twist, Scientist, and the NAACP award-winner We The People. Previously, she developed narrative films for Spike Jonze, Johnny Knoxville, George Clooney, and Bennett Miller and was the head of development at Annapurna Pictures. A few years ago, Priya decided to shake things up. She quit her job to write and go back to school. She graduates from UCLA School of Nursing in June and plans to work with oncology patients. She lives in Los Angeles with her family and hopes that someday she’ll convince her husband to get a big, fluffy dog. Deepa, M.D. is her debut middle-grade novel.

Thank you, Priya, for sharing this wonderful list and showing how books can help with tough times in kids’ lives!

Author Guest Post: “Why Middle Grade Readers Need Gothic Stories” by Melanie Dale, Author of Girl of Lore

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“Why Middle Grade Readers Need Gothic Stories”

In second grade I discovered a new book in my school’s library, In a Dark, Dark Room. Inside this little book was a story of Jenny, who always wore a green ribbon around her neck, and spoiler alert, it ended with her taking off the ribbon. I felt a delicious shiver down my spine at the last line: “and Jenny’s head fell off.”

WHAT!

In a world of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Carolyn Keene, and The Babysitter’s Club, this was new for me, and I knew I needed more. I immediately retold the story to my friends, one of whom was named Jenny and didn’t appreciate the nightmares. I couldn’t get enough.

Through stories with ghosts and candlesticks and billowy nightgowns and grand staircases and cobwebs dangling from chandeliers I discovered the power of gothic tales to delight and terrify. While the monsters are fun and fantastical, the themes are deadly serious.

The first time I read Bram Stoker’s Dracula I remember setting down the book and wondering how his original audience, who knew nothing of vampires, would have reacted. The story had a seemingly innocent core wrapped in gore: nineteenth-century propriety blushing at the intimacy of a bedside vigil. I was mesmerized by the gruesome terror juxtaposed with the purity of good versus evil. I rooted for the heroes to work together to defeat the demon.

When my son was in middle school I gave him a copy and he gamely tried to plow through but petered off when Jonathan Harker was still trapped in the castle in Transylvania. I thought, “What if I could make this story more accessible for him? What if these characters were teens living in Georgia?” So I did. Girl of Lore introduces my favorite gothic characters to the group of readers who maybe need them most of all.

Middle grade readers need gothic stories. Perhaps no other type of story resonates more with the unease and turbulence of burgeoning adolescence, a time when the world feels strange, we question our sanity, and we struggle with the creeping suspicion that something is wrong with us. Characters in gothic literature deal with outside forces like ghosts and the undead while battling inside struggles like “what if I’m crazy” and “what if things aren’t okay.” Through the pages of gothic books, readers can process death, mortality, and the darker side of human nature in a safe, healthy way.

Gothic literature creates an atmosphere of mystery and suspense, a threatening feeling, and fear of the unknown. You know, kind of like navigating friend group drama, changing schools, test anxiety, and unrest at home. Often there’s a feeling of isolation, maybe physical isolation or internal isolation. In Girl of Lore, my main character, Mina, struggles with maintaining friendships, feeling different, and the longing to connect with family. She processes all of this in the mysterious, spooky, gothic setting of her hometown.

I had a blast creating Mina’s town of London, Georgia, and now it’s your turn!

Gothic writing exercise: turn your hometown into a gothic setting

Step one: Pick a building or area of your town and describe it like a gothic novel would.

Often you’ll hear that in gothic literature, the setting is a character in the story. The places the characters live and work can feel alive and menacing. They often are filled with decay, overgrown cemeteries, crumbling castles or estates. Architecture details are important, with gables, eaves, maybe even a turret or gargoyle. Secret passageways abound.

When I created my fictional town of London, Georgia, I spent time in the communities around where I lived, exploring cemeteries, walking around lakes and town squares, and touring Victorian houses with sprawling porches, gingerbread trim, and dormer windows. As I began to describe the setting for Girl of Lore, I pulled in shadows, draped cobwebs, and enhanced the spooky details to give London a Southern gothic feel.

“They stared at [SPOILER ALERT] from a safe distance, noticing its peeling paint and steep roof plunging down. The rickety porch looked rotted through, with weeds growing up between the spaces of the boards. The house was dark, but Mina thought she saw a curtain flutter.”

Step two: Picture the flora and fauna in your town.

Describe how the animals creep or slither, how the plants and trees decay. In what ways are they sinister or threatening?

My London for Girl of Lore is set in Georgia where I live, so I thought about how my own backyard spills into a marsh filled with wildlife like snakes and armadillos. I noticed the way vines entangle the trees, choking them. Where I live is lovely, but when I saw it through a gothic lens, it became the perfect setting for a ghoulish tale, with skittering, creeping animals and arachnids.

“Arthur let out a whimper when he nearly walked into the three-dimensional web of a massive Joro spider, her delicate legs perched in the middle of her creation, waiting for dinner.”

Step three: Add a supernatural or psychological element.

Is there a ghost lurking somewhere? A town legend? A tragic element? Is someone wailing?

Supernatural elements like ghosts, family curses, and shadowy monsters often show up in gothic stories. Sometimes the power of nature itself threatens danger. The monsters aren’t always vampires or creatures of the night. They can also come in the form of psychological trauma like mental illness, obsession, and manipulation.

“As she hurried home past the church, past the cemetery, she heard a growl in the bushes along the sidewalk. Mina turned on her phone flashlight and shined it toward the growl. Three shadows loomed in the cemetery, watching her. The hair on the back of Mina’s neck stood up.”

The concept for Girl of Lore began when I wondered what it would be like if characters from Bram Stoker’s Dracula went to high school in small town Georgia. Make your own gothic story. Turn your town into a gothic setting, add the monsters of your choice…and see what happens!

Publishing April 21st, 2026 by Aladdin

About the Book: A girl who’s used to battling the monster of her own mind discovers there’s a sinister evil lurking in her small town in this atmospheric paranormal novel that’s perfect for fans of Tracy Wolff and Maggie Stiefvater.

Stories of dark magic and even darker creatures have always swirled about Mina Murray’s town of London, Georgia. Mina knows they aren’t true—and are likely perpetuated only to drive the quirky tourist-trap ghost tours of downtown—but that doesn’t stop her from collecting the stories and drawing them in her sketchbook. Something about the possibility of real monsters helps her deal with the monster in her own head: her OCD, which convinces her danger lurks everywhere.

But when a body is found drained of blood and a classmate goes missing, Mina is thrust into a tangled web of London secrets…that she seems to be at the center of.

About the Author: Before embracing her love of monsters and sneaking into Mina’s fictional world, Melanie Dale published a bunch of nonfiction books, shambled around as a zombie on TV, and survived cancer. She’s written episodes for the anthology horror television series Creepshow and over a decade of essays for Coffee + Crumbs. While she has won no awards for literature, she won a Halloween costume contest one time and still feels pretty stoked about it. When she’s not writing, she’s teaching yoga or battling her own brain. She lives in the Atlanta area.

Thank you, Melanie, for this wonderful writing activity as well as the plea for middle school dark(er) books–I know many of my middle schoolers would agree with you!

Author Guest Post: “Planting the Seed: Why Sharing Stories with Diverse Representation in Medicine and STEM Matters for Children” by Dr. Candicee Childs, Author of Cece’s Sour and Sweet Journey to Medical School

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“Planting the Seed: Why Sharing Stories with Diverse Representation in Medicine and STEM Matters for Children”

I remember that day as if it were yesterday—the day I found out becoming a doctor was possible and, quite frankly, a real option. Oddly enough, it was when I was a college student. I asked a career counselor, based on my interests and grades, how I could find my purpose in life (not just a job). I explored what service I hoped to give to the community and what I hoped to gain, which, again, was a sense of purpose. When he shared his first instinctive suggestion of a career in medicine, it shocked me.

I later realized I was incredibly stunned not because of the type of job he recommended, but because the reason I had never thought of it myself came from never seeing anyone who looked like me in it. It was not because of the responsibility or the difficulty of the path to medicine, but because the idea literally had not occurred to me. Growing up, I did not see any physicians of color in my community, nor did I have any family members who pursued this career. I did not read about it in books. It was rarely portrayed in the media. Without realizing it, I had internalized the idea that this was not a space meant for someone like me. It was a hidden barrier I did not realize was there.

That was the day I secretly vowed to myself that if I ever made it, I would do what I could to advocate for this—to show that, yes, diverse representation in medicine and STEM matters.

Today is a different time. The landscape is slowly changing, with shows such as Doc McStuffins, a young Black girl who imagines herself as a doctor caring for her stuffed animals. Children can also see characters like Shuri in Marvel’s Black Panther, a brilliant young woman scientist and engineer whose inventions power the fictional nation of Wakanda. Whether we realize it or not, these characters model to children of color and diverse backgrounds that, yes, this is possible. These characters may seem small in the grand scheme of things, but they carry enormous power in the media. They introduce children to possibilities they may not otherwise imagine. Yes, you can do this, and the world can be your oyster. Yes, you could be an athlete or a singer, but you could also be an engineer or even a doctor. Representation does something subtle but profound: it expands the imagination.

When children see someone who looks like them in a role in science, leadership, or healing, the question shifts from “Can someone like me do this?” to “How do I get there one day?”

This matters in medicine and STEM fields, where diversity remains limited in many spaces. As a tall woman of color, I was often expected to be a basketball player, but that was not my passion. I loved science and later grew to love the idea of becoming a doctor. Now that I am in the medical field, the research still shocks me with how low diversity remains. A 2023 article by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) reported that 5.7% of the U.S. physician workforce is Black/African American, and Hispanic physicians comprise approximately 6.9%, despite these groups representing 13.6% and 19.1% of the U.S. population, respectively.

There are many articles that explain why diversity in medicine matters, noting that it directly improves patient outcomes, reduces health disparities, and expands access to care for underserved populations. Beyond the statistics, representation matters because it shapes identity. When children are asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” many learn about these careers through what they see and what they can imagine. Whether they realize it or not, their identity is already forming, and it begins when a child first imagines who they might become.

For some children, that vision comes easily because the path is visible everywhere—in their neighborhoods, classrooms, families, television shows, and books. For others, that path seems hidden until someone shines a light on it. That is why stories are so important. Stories can be that light.

When we write books, create media through television and movies, provide mentorship, or simply share our journeys through reflection, we are doing more than telling personal stories. We are planting seeds—seeds that may grow years later into a future scientist, engineer, researcher, or physician who once needed someone to show them that the door was open. For me, that door opened with a single conversation.

Now, through storytelling and representation, I hope to help open it for someone else—maybe a young boy or girl who simply wants to pursue something different from what they feel the world is offering them based on how they look.

References:

  1. Boyle, P., By, Boyle, P., Writer, S. S., & 12, Jan. (2023, January 12). What’s your specialty? new data show the choices of America’s doctors by gender, race, and age. AAMC. https://www.aamc.org/news/what-s-your-specialty-new-data-show-choices-america-s-doctors-gender-race-and-age
  2. Heath, V., & Price, C. L. (2025). Addressing health disparities: How having a more diverse biomedical workforce can contribute to addressing health disparities in communities that are often underrepresented in the healthcare system. British Journal of Biomedical Science, 82. https://doi.org/10.3389/bjbs.2025.14973
  3. Rosenkranz, K. M., Arora, T. K., Termuhlen, P. M., Stain, S. C., Misra, S., Dent, D., & Nfonsam, V. (2021). Diversity, equity and inclusion in medicine: Why it matters and how do we achieve it? Journal of Surgical Education, 78(4), 1058–1065. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsurg.2020.11.013

Publishing May 7th, 2026 by Book Baby

About the Book: From a young age, Cece had her heart set on learning new things, and discovering how she could make a positive impact on the world. As she grows up, her passion for helping others intensifies and she sets her sights on a big dream – attending medical school to become a doctor. But Cece‘s path to her goal is filled with both sweet victories and sour setbacks. As the saying goes, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” 

Through the highs and lows of her journey, Cece learns that failure is not the end, but a vital part of the process. In this heartwarming story, children will be inspired to embrace life’s sour moments, and find the sweetness that comes from never giving up and staying true to their dreams. Join Cece as she teaches young readers valuable lessons about overcoming obstacles and staying hopeful, no matter how tough the journey gets.

About the Author: Dr. Childs is passionate about sharing her story and, more importantly, wants to encourage any and everyone to find their passion and pursue their dreams – no matter how big or small. She has hope to encourage, empower and uplift any person who wants to truly work in their purpose. As a passionate author, she understands the importance of uplifting others through her words, actions, and creative works. In the future, she hopes to inspire and educate others by writing several books and becoming a podcaster. As a Christian, she also explores many ideas that embrace the role that spirituality plays in a person’s life.

Her hometown is the beautiful city of Savannah, GA. She has three degrees: a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry with a minor in Spanish from Valdosta State University, a Master of Healthcare Administration degree from Georgia Southern University, and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Augusta University – Medical College of Georgia. She has two certifications in nutrition and personal training from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

Learn more about Candicee Childs here.

Follow Candicee Childs on social media:
Twitter/X: @candicee_childs_md | Instagram: @candicee_childs_md

Thank you, Dr. Childs, for this post!!

Author Guest Post: “Five Lesser Known Figures from Greek Mythology” by Shana Targosz, Author of Relic of Thieves

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“Five Lesser-known Figures from Greek Mythology”

When we think of Greek mythology, the gods and goddesses that most likely come to mind are the famous twelve Olympians who rule from Mount Olympus: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Athena, Ares, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Hephestus, Demeter, Hermes, Artemis, and Apollo. But there are hundreds of other gods and immortals who are given small parts to play in the more celebrated myths and epic tales. Many of these figures from myth are no less important and have unique divine powers of their own—and some are even more powerful than the Olympians. These lesser-known figures from mythology can be sources of inspiration to craft deeper, richer stories for mythology-loving readers.

Here are some lesser-known gods and immortals with fascinating stories of their own:

Thanatos – the god of death
You may have heard of Hades, the god of the Underworld, but have you heard of the actual god of death, Thanatos? Thanatos is mentioned occasionally in myths and is seen briefly in The Iliad. Thanatos is the child of Nyx and twin to Hypnos, the god of sleep. In fact, Thanatos’s power was to bring a gentle death to mortals, much like the deep sleep Hypnos’s touch would bring. Perhaps the most intriguing myth Thanatos appears in is not about the origins of the god of death, but of the Corinthian king, Sisyphus. Sisyphus was a mortal man who escaped death not once, but twice. The first was when Sisyphus locked the god of death up in chains so Thanatos could not send Sisyphus to the Underworld. Thanatos remained imprisoned by Sisyphus for several days. Eventually, the other gods took notice that mortals were not completing their life cycle as expected. It was Ares, the god of war, who figured out the reason and set Thanatos free. The second time Sisyphus escaped death, he convinced Persephone that he was taken by mistake and the queen of the Underworld released him. Hades was not pleased. To punish Sisyphus, Hades sent him to Tartarus, where he was condemned to roll a boulder up a hill every day only for it to roll down to the bottom each time. As for Thanatos, the god of death learned to not trust mortals, and was never bound again.

Thanatos’s role in the Greek pantheon is to represent the gentle end of a life cycle, rather than a distraught one. Perhaps this is why Thanatos was not given a larger role in the epics and features mainly in Orphic hymns and even in Aesop’s fables. A god who respects the precious cycle of life is an interesting character to explore.

Nyx – goddess of the night

Nyx is one of the primordial gods who came to be during the dawn of creation. Nyx was a goddess even before the Titans and the Olympians appeared. Nyx symbolized the night, specifically the substance that obscured the light and brought forth the darkness. It was believed that her chariot crossed the sky at dusk, and Nyx pulled the veil across the world that would turn day into night, the stars following in her wake. Even Zeus was in awe of Nyx and went to lengths to appease her. In classic texts, Nyx is mentioned as the parent to many other immortals, such as the Erinyes (the Furies), the Morai (the Fates), and the Oneiroi (gods of dreams). She is also the mother of twins Hypnos (the god of sleep) and Thanatos (the god of death). In the Iliad, Nyxis is mentioned by her son, Hypnos, when he recounts the time that Zeus was furious with him. The only reason Hypnos escaped was because he ran to Nyx for protection. Zeus did not want to anger the goddess, and so left Hypnos unharmed. I am in awe of Nyx, myself! This primordial goddess has ties to some of the most intriguing figures from mythology and seems to hold an awe-striking power over the Olympians. They are right to revere her!

Hecate – goddess of crossroads, magic, ghosts, and the moon

Hecate is the goddess of many things, often appearing as a triple-bodied or three-headed deity who carries a torch. As the goddess of crossroads and magic, Hecate is the holder of keys that can unlock the gates between realms—even the realm of the dead. In the famous myth of Hades and Persephone, Hecate was called by Demeter to aid in the search for her abducted daughter. At first, Hecate could not find Persephone, even with her divine torch and her magical keys. When Persephone was finally found, it was too late—she had become bound to the Underworld and had to remain there for six months out of the year. Later, after Persephone was crowned the queen of the Underworld alongside Hades, Hecate became the one who guided Persephone from the realm of the dead back to the above realms, when it was time for her to return to her mother’s side at Mount Olympus. Persephone’s journey from the Underworld to Mount Olympus coincides with the spring and her return signifies the time when flowers, trees, and crops begin to bloom once more. And in the myths, Hecate is always there to make that journey alongside her. With her influence over crossroads, magic, ghosts, and the moon, there is so much to love about Hecate!

The Erinyes

The Erinyes were three fearsome goddesses of vengeance and retribution who punished mortals for crimes they committed. You may be more familiar with their Roman counterparts, the Furies. In early myths, the Erinyes were originally the personification of curses called down upon those guilty of crimes. It wasn’t until later that the Erinyes were given physical forms. Their names are Tisiphone, Alecto, and Megaera; women with wings who carry poisonous serpents wound around their wrists and woven through their hair. They were known to hunt criminals and bring them to justice. Even invoking their names was believed to lay a curse upon the wicked. The Erinyes brought misery and misfortune to those found guilty of crimes, anything from disobeying parents to the more serious crimes of harming others. They appear in many Greek and Roman classic texts and were both revered and feared by all.

The Erinyes were fascinating goddesses whose task it was to punish first and ask questions later. Because of this, the Erinyes were ideal figures from mythology to include in Relic of Thieves—their singular focus to hunt down law-breakers made them the perfect antagonists for the story.

Charon – the Ferryman of the Underworld

Unlike the others on this list, Charon is not a god at all. Rather, he is an immortal daimon, or spirit of the Underworld in service to Hades. Charon’s only task is to ferry the dead across the river and into Hades’ domain. Charon is featured in some myths, such as the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, often appearing as an old man who will not take a passenger unless they can pay for the crossing. If the person arrives without payment, they are forced to wander the shore for a hundred years without rest, doomed to haunt the world as a ghost. Charon’s role in mythology is to be a psychopomp, a spirit who guides the dead, forever bound to the river that divides the realm of the living from the Underworld. Charon has always been a source of intrigue and inspiration for me. I would often wonder about this immortal of the Underworld. Did he ever have time off from his duties? What did he do with all of the payments he received from the dead? Mostly, though, I wondered if he ever got lonely.

All of the gods and immortals I’ve mentioned make appearances in The Underwild series and have pivotal roles in the story. Charon is the guardian of Senka, the main character of River of Spirits, and Senka is undergoing training as the young apprentice ferryer of the Underworld. Hecate visits the Underworld often and becomes a key figure in both of the Underwild books. In Relic of Thieves, Hecate’s magical keys are the relics Anya, the main character, “borrows” to reunite with her best friend who moved away. And the Erinyes (named the Furies in my book) do indeed hunt Anya down for breaking a pivotal law of the gods. These fascinating figures from mythology all have unique abilities, and they either help or hinder Senka and Anya on their journeys through the realms of myth. Now that you know a little more about these lesser-known gods and immortals and the powers they wield, what new stories would you create with them?

Publishing March 24th, 2026 by Aladdin

About the Book: An ordinary girl’s longing to return to the way things were sets off a chain of events that lands her and her best friend in the Underwild in this second book in the New York Times bestselling middle grade fantasy series The Underwild—perfect for fans of Greenwild and Rick Riordan.

The best ways Anya knows how to cope with the struggles life throws her way is to keep her head down, stay invisible, and stick close to her best friend, Lizzie. Lizzie has been Anya’s rock since second grade. Together, they pretend the world away. But when Lizzie moves out of state, Anya is left adrift and desperately lonely.

One day, Anya follows a strange girl home from school and is shocked to see her go into the home of the woman who everyone in town swears is a witch. As Anya spies on the pair, she realizes the woman really does have magic—including a set of magical keys that can deliver you anywhere you want to go…keys that could reunite Anya with Lizzie. Anya has seen all she needs to; as soon as she has the chance, she steals the keys.

But magic always has a price. The keys do bring Anya to Lizzie, but then the girls are transported to the dark and chaotic world of the Underwild. Before long, Lizzie is snatched away by a terrible creature! Now wracked with guilt and paralyzed by fear, Anya has no choice but to trust the girl from school, Senka, when she unexpectedly shows up and offers to help. But can Anya find the bravery locked away deep inside herself in time to rescue her friend?

About the Author: Shana Targosz writes about magical girls, budding friendships, ghosts who may or may not be friendly, and fiercely held hope. She is an Oregon Literary Fellow and the 2021 recipient of the Edna L. Holmes Fellowship in Young Readers Literature. Shana is the author of The Underwild series, the first book of which was an instant New York Times bestseller. When not writing or reading through a stack of books, she spends her time playing Zelda with her son, designing solo journaling games, walking her domesticated monster disguised as a Labradoodle, and dreaming up different worlds.

Thank you, Shana, for writing this interesting article about one of my (and students’) favorite subjects!

Author Guest Post: “What Post-Apocalyptic Fiction Can Teach Us about Humanity, Resilience, and Critical Thinking” by Magda Mizzi, Author of Tyranny of Tomorrow and Dawn in Ruins

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“What Post-Apocalyptic Fiction Can Teach Us About Humanity, Resilience, and Critical Thinking”

Post-apocalyptic fiction often gets dismissed as “just survival stories,” but in fact, stories like The Tyranny
of Tomorrow and Dawn in Ruins offer rich opportunities for deep classroom discussion and learning.
Whether students are in middle school, high school, or a reading group, these narratives invite readers
to explore crucial skills: ethical thinking, empathy, resilience, and critical analysis.

1. Exploring What It Means to Be Human

At the heart of these novels is the question: What does it mean to be human when the structures of
society fall apart? In the ruins of Sydney, young protagonists must make choices that test their values
and force them to consider the humanity in themselves and others — even when “others” are different or
damaged.

In the classroom, teachers can use post-apocalyptic scenes as prompts for discussions or essays on
compassion, judgment, and identity:
● When is survival instinct, and when is it moral compromise?
● How do characters define who is worthy of help?

These questions help students connect literature to empathy and ethical reasoning.

2. Resilience as a Skill, Not Just a Theme

Resilience isn’t something characters just “have.” It’s something they develop particularly through loss,
failure, connection, and re-engagement with their world. Students read about how Madeline in The
Tyranny of Tomorrow pushes through grief and fear to protect those she loves — and they see resilience
modeled in action.

Classroom activity idea: Resilience Journals

After reading a chapter, students write about a time they faced difficulty and identify the traits that helped
them persevere. This connects the text to students’ own lives, encouraging self-reflection and growth.

3. Critical Thinking Through World-Building Analysis

Post-apocalyptic worlds require readers to question “Why this world?” and “What caused this collapse?”
In Dawn in Ruins, the mystery of the virus and its effects on characters like Jude pushes readers to think
beyond plot into cause/effect, systems, and unintended consequences.

Teachers can ask:
● How does the author build tension through setting?
● What real-world issues echo in the fictional collapse?

This develops analytical skills crucial for literature and other subjects like science or social studies.

4. Empathy Through Others’ Perspectives

Stories about survival inevitably involve diverse types of people reacting in different ways. Through
character comparisons and point-of-view exercises students can deepen their empathy and
understanding of motivation.

Classroom discussion prompt:
How might you respond differently than Annie, Jude, or Michael in a crisis? What does your answer reveal about your values?

Post-apocalyptic fiction isn’t just about the end of the world; it’s about the survival of ideas, hope, and
connection. When teachers bring texts like The Tyranny of Tomorrow and Dawn in Ruins into their
curriculum, they give students a space to consider ethics, resilience, and critical thinking in a way that is
both imaginative and deeply relevant to real life.

About the Book: In the heart of Sydney’s Western Suburbs, a devastating virus has unleashed a wave of unprecedented violence, leaving the town in chaos.

As the government struggles to regain control, the contagion spreads with alarming speed, triggering a global crisis. Amid the turmoil, Madeline, a quiet teenage girl, and Michael, the boy who captures her heart, are unexpectedly thrust together.

Now they must navigate the treacherous landscape, racing against time to secure a safe haven for their families and friends. Faced with the relentless onslaught of the virus, they’ll have to rely on their wits, courage, and the unbreakable bonds they forge in this high-stakes race for survival. `

The Tyranny of Tomorrow’ is a fast-paced and thrilling first instalment in a gripping series that explores the resilience of youth, the imposition of responsibility and the meaning of humanity in the face of an unravelling world.

About the Book: The world ended in silence. The fight for what’s left will not.

Ten months after the collapse, teenager Annie’s world has shattered, and with it, everything she once believed about monsters. They don’t always lurk in shadows. Sometimes they wear uniforms. Sometimes they wear the faces of those you love.

In the ruins of Sydney, Annie finds an unlikely ally in Jude—a half-infected boy marked by virus and twisted science. His strange, dangerous abilities make him both a threat and their best hope. But the line between abomination and saviour is thinner than either imagined.

Haunted by what was done to him, Jude carries scars deeper than flesh. Meanwhile, Annie’s younger brother, Lucas, remains a prisoner, infected and altered. If she doesn’t reach him soon, Lucas will face the same fate that nearly destroyed Jude—experiments that don’t just scar flesh but twist what it means to be human.

As secrets unravel and the origin of the virus comes to light, Jude learns a devastating truth: his connection to the outbreak is deeper, darker, and far more personal than he ever imagined.

Together, Annie and Jude race through a city where every shadow hides a threat. When they are torn apart, survival becomes more than a mission—it becomes a promise: to endure, to protect, and to bring each other back from whatever hell awaits.

From the shattered edges of the Fractured Reality universe comes a story of desperate hope and fierce loyalty—because in a world this ruined, some things are lost forever. But some are worth risking everything to save.

About the Author: .Magda Mizzi spins tales of shattered worlds and fierce survivors. A lifelong fan of post-apocalyptic fiction, she sets her stories in the haunting beauty of Western Sydney’s riverbanks and the rugged Blue Mountains—landscapes she grew up exploring.

When she’s not teaching English or encouraging young writers, she’s crafting her next dystopian twist.

Thank you, Magda, for this insight into how post-apocalyptic stories can help lead our students to critical thinking!

Author Guest Post: “Teaching Activities Related to James Baldwin’s Extraordinary Life” by Michelle Meadows, Author of Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues

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“Teaching Activities Related to James Baldwin’s Extraordinary Life”

James Baldwin wrote more than 20 works of fiction and nonfiction, including essays, plays, short stories, poems, and novels. Before he became a legendary writer and civil rights activist, he was a young boy from Harlem who loved books and the library. His friends and family called him Jimmy.

Here are five ways to inspire students to learn from James Baldwin’s phenomenal life and boost their self-awareness at the same time. These activities can be used as discussion points or writing exercises.

Set Goals

From a young age, Jimmy knew he wanted to be a writer. He devoured books, loved the rhythm of words, and felt that writing soothed him. One day, he shared his deepest dream with his mother: “I’m going to be a great writer when I grow up.”

Activity # 1: After reading the book JIMMY’S RHYTHM & BLUES: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin, students will enjoy picking out various moments that show Baldwin’s interest in writing. Explain to kids that they don’t have to know all their goals now, but that it’s wonderful to set goals related to activities you enjoy. Invite students to address: What are your goals right now? What are you doing to achieve them?

Celebrate Supporters

Jimmy’s teachers noticed he had a gift for weaving words together like musical notes of a song. This book highlights his most significant supporters, including a theater teacher named Orilla Winfield. Her nickname was Bill. Bill encouraged Jimmy’s interest in the arts by taking him to museums, movies, and plays outside of school.

Activity #2: Ask students to identify Jimmy’s main supporters and the nature of their support. Then ask them: Who are the supporters in your life? How do they show you support? How do you thank them for supporting you?

Face Challenges

While Jimmy found joy in the rhythm of music, family, and books, he also found the blues, as a Black man dealing with discrimination and oppression in America. After he moved to Europe and no matter where he lived, he always cared deeply about the struggles of Black people back home. He took action by taking a tour of the Southern states in the U.S. He marched, protested, and wrote and spoke eloquently about the fight for freedom.  Jimmy energized people of all ages and races to open their minds to new ways of thinking.

Activity #3: After inviting students to identify Jimmy’s challenges, ask students: What challenges have you experienced in your life? What actions did you or will you take to face those challenges?

Express Yourself

When Jimmy discovered the written word, he discovered true power. Writing gave him a voice and a channel to express himself. Jimmy also appreciated many types of artistic expression. He loved to sing and dance; music was an important part of his life. He was also interested in the colors of clothing, nature, and paintings. Hence the choice to tell his life story through the lens of a variety of colors. For example, one excerpt:

Writing is electric blue,
bright, brilliant swirls
of letters and words
flying, flipping,
flowing to the beat.

Activity #4: Explain to students that there are so many ways they can express themselves. Invite them to brainstorm: What are your favorite ways to express yourself? What colors do you connect with your different feelings and moods?

Writing Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin was one of the most exciting projects of my life. From the publication of his groundbreaking collection of essays The Fire Next Time to his passionate demonstrations during the civil rights movement, Jimmy used his voice fearlessly. My hope: One day every student will know the name James Baldwin – one of America’s greatest writers and intellectuals.

Published January 30th, 2024 by HarperCollins

About the Book: Celebrate James Baldwin’s one-hundredth birthday anniversary with the first-ever illustrated biography of this legendary writer, orator, activist, and intellectual.

Before he became a writer, James “Jimmy” Baldwin was a young boy from Harlem, New York, who loved stories. He found joy in the rhythm of music, family, and books.

But Jimmy also found the blues, as a Black man living in America.

When he discovered the written word, he discovered true power. Writing gave him a voice. And that voice opened the world to Jimmy. From the publication of the groundbreaking collection of essays The Fire Next Time to his passionate demonstrations during the civil rights movement, Jimmy used his voice fearlessly.

Michelle Meadows, author of Brave Ballerina and Flying High, introduces young readers to the great American novelist, essayist, poet, playwright, orator, and artist James Baldwin, who, with the fire of his pen, dared a nation to dream of a more equitable world filled with love. Brought to life with warm illustrations by Jamiel Law, Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues chronicles the life of an incredible visionary who left an indelible mark on American literature and history.

About the Author: Michelle Meadows is the author of many acclaimed books for children. She loves dreaming up new projects and telling stories with heart. Some of her books include Flying High: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles and Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins. Michelle also contributed to Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy by Misty Copeland. With a passion for storytelling, Michelle graduated from Syracuse University with a dual degree in journalism and literature. Michelle grew up in Washington, DC, and now lives near the beach in Delaware with her husband. Visit Michelle at michellemeadows.com.

Thank you, Michelle, for this deep dive into Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues and James Baldwin’s life!