Writing for Tweendom: Jamie Sumner on writing difficult topics and the glory of middle grade fiction

<p>Jess here! <a target="_blank" href="https://jamie-sumner.com/">Jamie Sumner</a> and I talked over the summer about her middle grade books, mainly because I’m a fan. She does not shy away from difficult topics - substance use disorder, financial insecurity, physical disability, autism, and anxiety. She’s been on the show before (<a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/how-writing-middle-grade-is-different-and-how-its-not/id1099630313?i=1000564127184">here’s her first interview</a>) but I had to have her on to talk about her new book, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Maid-for-It/Jamie-Sumner/9781665905770">Maid for It</a>, out September 5, 2023.</p><p></p><p>Jamie’s website: <a target="_blank" href="https://jamie-sumner.com/">https://jamie-sumner.com</a></p><p><strong>#AmReading</strong></p><p><strong>Jamie:</strong> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706934/the-bandit-queens-by-parini-shroff/">The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://taylorjenkinsreid.com/books/one-true-loves/">One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid</a></p><p><strong>Jess: </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674045866">The Fires of Vesuvius by Mary Beard</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/76010/pompeii-by-robert-harris/">Pompeii by Robert Harris</a></p><p></p><p><em>If your fall could use a little witchy reading fun, you should hop online or over to your favorite bookstore and order a copy of KJ’s latest, Playing the Witch Card. Think grown-up Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic, with a family deck of troublesome Tarot cards stalking a new generation. You’ve listened to KJ talk about getting the work done—now go check out the result, and pick up a copy for a friend, too. Guaranteed fall vibe, no pumpkin spice necessary.</em></p><p><strong>Bookshop.org</strong><strong> </strong><strong>Amazon</strong><strong> </strong><strong>Barnes&Noble<