Scholastic Reads

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards: From the classroom to Carnegie Hall

July 21st, 2025  |  34 mins 14 secs

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For over 100 years, teens from throughout the country have participated in a storied American tradition – the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Originally conceived in 1923 as a way to celebrate student artists at a time when most awards focused on athletic achievements, the Awards have gone on to become the nation’s longest-running scholarship and recognition program for creative teens and have served as the launching pad for some of the most well-known and respected artists and writers of the last century, including the likes of Robert Redford, Sylvia Plath, Richard Avedon, Andy Warhol, Joyce Carol Oates, John Updike, Zac Posen and Amanda Gorman.

In today’s episode, host Billy DiMichele is joined by Chris Wisniewski, Executive Director of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, Karlotta Frier and Anyango Mpinga, two professional artists and national jurors for the 2025 Scholastic Awards, and Nia Cao, a teen writer and recipient of the 2025 New York Life Award, a sponsored Scholastic Award that recognizes outstanding works dealing with grief. Each of these interviews will explore a particular component of the Scholastic Art & Writing Award—from a work first being submitted through to a national winner taking a bow on the incomparable stage of Carnegie Hall.

Listen to hear more about what makes a program like the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards so special, so enduring, and so necessary.

Branches and the magic of early chapter books

June 3rd, 2025  |  35 mins 27 secs

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In today’s episode, former elementary school teacher and current Editorial Director of Scholastic’s Acorn early readers and Branches early chapter books lines, Katie Carella, is back in the studio with guest-host Billy DiMichele to talk about this magical moment in a child’s literacy journey. And joining the podcast for the first time is Bernard Mensah, author of beloved Branches series Kwame’s Magic Quest.

Realize the Dream: A Conversation with Martin Luther King III, Arndrea King, and Andrea Davis Pinkney

April 3rd, 2025  |  35 mins 12 secs

andrea davis pinkney, arndrea waters king, coretta scott king, martin luther king iii, martin luther king jr., realize the dream, rtd, scholastic, we dream a world, yolanda renee king

In today’s episode, Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King, and Andrea Davis Pinkney join guest-host Billy DiMichele for a compelling conversation about Realize the Dream!

We Spy, You Spy, I Spy Love: A Conversation with Walter Wick and Dave & Dan Marzollo on the Latest I Spy Installment

March 7th, 2025  |  30 mins 21 secs

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In today's episode, guest host Billy DiMichele is joined by Walter, Dan, and Dave to discuss the newest installment in the I Spy series, I Spy Love.

New Year, New Scares: Goosebumps Kicks Off 2025 with Thrills, Chills and a Vanishing Act

January 16th, 2025  |  26 mins 39 secs

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In today’s episode, guest-host Billy DiMichele is joined by the master of horror himself, R.L. Stine, to talk all things funny and scary, while later in the program, we get to hear from Jayden Bartels, one of the stars of Disney+’s newly released Goosebumps: The Vanishing

EVA-DORABLE: Rebecca Elliott Talks a Decade of the Owl Diaries, Eva the Owlet, and more!

December 20th, 2024  |  26 mins 34 secs

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In today’s episode, author and illustrator, Rebecca Elliott joins guest-host Billy DiMichele to talk about the milestone, the success of her hugely popular books, and the animated Apple TV+ series Eva the Owlet, which recently announced its return for a second season and the release of a very special holiday episode.

When We Flew Away: A Conversation with Alice Hoffman

December 6th, 2024  |  15 mins 20 secs

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In today’s episode, critically acclaimed author, Alice Hoffman, joins host Suzanne McCabe to talk about her newest young adult novel When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary, which reimagines the life of Anne Frank before she wrote her famous diary.

One Last Chance to Live: Celebrating Hispanic/Latiné Heritage Month With Francisco X. Stork

October 11th, 2024  |  18 mins 44 secs

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In honor of Hispanic/Latiné Heritage Month, we’ve invited Francisco X. Stork to talk about his latest young adult novel, One Last Chance to Live.

Cat on the Run: A Conversation With Aaron Blabey

August 15th, 2024  |  15 mins 29 secs

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In this episode, we’re spotlighting bestselling author Aaron Blabey. Aaron visited our New York City headquarters in late 2023 from his home in Australia.

35 for 35: Reach Out and Read Launches a New Book Collection

July 23rd, 2024  |  23 mins 40 secs

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In this episode, we celebrate the 35th anniversary of Reach Out and Read and an uplifting new book collection.

A Darker Mischief: Celebrating Pride Month With Author Derek Milman

June 20th, 2024  |  21 mins 55 secs

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In this episode, we’re celebrating Pride Month with author Derek Milman. Derek talks with host Suzanne McCabe about his latest YA novel, A Darker Mischief.

Helping Children Thrive: A Conversation With Dr. Linda C. Mayes

May 16th, 2024  |  35 mins 37 secs

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In this episode, Dr. Mayes talks with host Suzanne McCabe about the reasons for this disturbing trend and explores how we, as a society, can address the challenges our children are facing.

From Intention to Impact: How to Create More Inclusive Environments

April 3rd, 2024  |  34 mins 44 secs

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We hear a lot about DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) policies these days. But the work is often misunderstood, and even disparaged. In this episode, Lindsey Cotter, Chief Inclusion Officer at Scholastic, and Malia C. Lazu, Founder and CEO of the consulting firm Lazu Group, discuss ways to create more inclusive environments.

We Dream a World: Celebrating Black History Month With Yolanda Renee King

February 7th, 2024  |  18 mins 54 secs

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In honor of Black History Month, Yolanda Renee King talks with host Suzanne McCabe about her new picture book, We Dream A World: Carrying the Light From My Grandparents Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Yolanda is joined in the studio by her editor, Andrea Davis Pinkney, who is vice president and executive editor of Scholastic Trade Publishing.

Authors Neal Shusterman and Sharon Cameron Share Stories of Hope From the Holocaust

January 23rd, 2024  |  34 mins 57 secs

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In honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we spotlight two Scholastic authors who depict everyday acts of heroism in their latest novels about the Holocaust.

Celebrating Hispanic Latine Heritage Month With Dr. Maria Armstrong

October 6th, 2023  |  26 mins 49 secs

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In this episode, we celebrate Hispanic Latine Heritage Month with Dr. Maria Armstrong.