Inside the Writer’s Head Podcast: Children’s Librarians Kathy Sebastian, Jill Keller, and Clair Schroeder 

Written by Mary Kay Carson, Writer-in-Residence  

CHPL's 2025 Writer-in-Residence is Mary Kay Carson, award-winning author of children’s nonfiction books. Attend her upcoming workshops and writers' office hours. And listen to her as host of CHPL's "Inside the Writer's Head" podcast. 

In this podcast episode, 2025 Writer-in-Residence Mary Kay Carson hosts a roundtable discussion with three children’s librarians about the library’s Summer Reading program.  

 Plus, hear about current popular books and graphic novels for kids and teens who are visiting the library.  

 A sample of titles mentioned during the podcast are included below.

About the Guests 

Kathy Sebastian, children’s librarian at the Miami Township Branch 

Jill Keller, children's librarian at the West End Branch 

Claire Schroeder, branch supervisor - youth services at the Grosbeak Branch 

Books and Graphic Novels Mentioned in the Podcast 

Want to get a head start on books for your summer reading list? Consider the books below, which were mentioned in this podcast episode. And then listen for more suggestions! 

 

Middle Grade/Teen Books and Graphic Novels

 

One Crazy Summer

The Hunger Games (5-book series) 

Scythe (4-book series) 

A Nightmare on Clown Street / R.L. Stine (60-book series) 

The Summer I Turned Pretty (3-book series) 

 

Chapter Books/Graphic Novels

 

Mallory and the Trouble With Twins (100+ books in series) 

Tales From A Not-so-fabulous Life (18-book series) 

Big Nate (8-book series) 

Dog Man (13-book series) 

 

Scholastic Branches Chapter Books 

 

Eva and Baby Mo (21-book series) 

Bo and the Dragon-pup

 

Easy Readers 

 

An Elephant & Piggie Biggie! (25-book series) 

Pete the Cat (16-book series) 

Bluey and Bingo's Book of Scary Things (32-book series) 

Meet Ms. Marvel(10-book series) 

 

Picture Books 

 

The Book That Eats People

Don't Trust Fish

 

Nonfiction Books 

 

Butt or Face? (2-book series) 

National Geographic Kids (hundreds in series) 

Who Would Win? (26-book series) 

Cats  (20-book series)