middle grade
coast-to-coast
Bringing First Chapter Free-Days to kids across the US
Contact us to learn more!
who we are
We are a group of children’s authors across the country who are excited to connect with classrooms and libraries all over the US so every child has a chance to meet authors and ignite their love of reading.
We are all available for virtual and in-person visits.
Melissa Dassori- New York
Melissa Dassori lives in New York City with her husband and three daughters, with whom she especially likes to enjoy books, travel, time outside and ice cream.
Melissa’s middle grade debut, J.R. SILVER WRITES HER WORLD, was published in 2022 by Christy Ottaviano Books/Little, Brown BYR. An assignment from her own fourth grade teacher inspired the story, although Melissa couldn’t conjure the same magical results that J.R. Silver can.
Her next middle grade novel, GRETA EVER AFTER from the same editor/publisher team will be out in the winter of 2025.
REESE ESCHMANN - ILLINOIS
Reese Eschmann holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois-Chicago and worked in schools for six years.
When she’s not writing or taking naps, Reese enjoys rock climbing, baking, and making movies with her family. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and their hound dog. Reese is the author of Etta Invincible, a middle grade contemporary fantasy novel, and the Home for Meow chapter book series.
SHAWN PETERS - MASSACHUSETTS
Shawn Peters has written about a lot of different stuff in a lot of places, from TV commercials for HBO to fantasy sports advice on ESPN.com to relationship essays for the Boston Globe.
His debut MG adventure, THE UNFORGETTABLE LOGAN FOSTER (Bank Street Best Children Books of 2023) and the sequel, THE UNFORGETTABLE LOGAN FOSTER AND THE SHADOW OF DOUBT (Amazon Teacher’s Pick) were both published by HarperCollins. Shawn makes his home in Massachusetts with his wife, a superhero public school teacher, his two children, his dog, Millie and his cat Nudge.
Nancy Tandon - Connecticut
Nancy Tandon is an author of books for children, including her “twinning” debut middle grade novels, THE WAY I SAY IT (a Junior LIbrary Guild selection published by Charlesbridge) and THE GHOST OF SPRUCE POINT (Aladdin/S&S).
Nancy is a former teacher, speech-language pathologist, and adjunct professor of phonetics and child language development, all of which helped plant seeds for stories about awesome kids doing brave things.
A transplant from the Midwest, Nancy now lives in Connecticut with her family where she snacks on popcorn and supports literacy outreach programs of all kinds.
Jenna Yoon - TEXAS
Jenna Yoon is the author of the thrilling middle grade contemporary fantasy Lia Park series which includes LIA PARK AND THE MISSING JEWEL and LIA PARK AND THE HEAVENLY HEIRLOOMS, published by Aladdin / Simon & Schuster.
She studied Art History at Wellesley College and received her Masters degree in Korean Art History from Ewha Woman’s University. Jenna’s lived about half her life in both Korea and the United States. When she’s not writing, Jenna loves to travel, find yummy eats, play board games and takes skin care very seriously.
Currently, she lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and two kids.
*Fluent in English and Korean. Available for interviews in English and Korean.
SONJA THOMAS - Washington State
Sonja Thomas (she/her) writes stories for readers of all ages. A 2023 Oregon Book Awards and Washington State Book Award finalist, SIR FIG NEWTON AND THE SCIENCE OF PERSISTENCE is “a noteworthy debut” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).
She's a contributing author for GOOD NIGHT STORIES FOR REBEL GIRLS: 100 REAL-LIFE TALES OF BLACK GIRL MAGIC and her next middle grade novel, OLIVE BLACKWOOD TAKES ACTION!, releases May 14, 2024.
Raised in Central Florida and a Washington, DC transplant for eleven years, she’s now “keeping it weird” in the Pacific Northwest.