Join the Worlds of Words Teen Reading Ambassadors as we discuss disability experiences in K-12 literature.

Books mentioned:
Red Apple (picturebook), by Tadahiro Ogawa
Flutter Forest (picturebook), concept by Colette Pelt
Black Book of Colors (picturebook), by Menena Cottin and Rosana Faria
You Started It (YA), by Jackie Khalilieh
Where You See Yourself (YA) by Claire Forrest
Disability Visibility (YA), edited by Alice Wong
Darius the Great Is Not Okay (YA), by Adib Khorram
Waking Ben Doldrums (picturebook), by Heather Smith and Byron Eggenschwiler
Breathe and Count Back from Ten (YA), by Natalia Sylvester
Incredible Dogs (picturebook from Chile, not Spain), by Mariajose Creixell Moya and Catalina Fuenzalida

TRAP includes disabled and non-disabled people. Those who identify as disabled are clear that their disability is not their personality. The same is true of the characters we met. We discuss relationships, desire for independence, body image, acceptance and honesty.

We also share accessible characteristics of books that include dyslexic fonts, braille, textured illustrations, formats and bindings, details that enhance side-by-side reading and scented pages, all of which make reading a more immersive experience. We took inspiration from IBBY’s Outstanding Books for Children with Disabilities 2025 list.

If you would like a copy of our ‘zine response to these books, send a 6.5 X 9.5 self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE - flat rate for under 2 oz.) to: Worlds of Words Center - TRAP, U of A College of Education, 1430 E Second St, Rm 453, Tucson, AZ 85721

This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the University of Arizona College of Education.

Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Associate Director
Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, U of A Art Major
Coordinator: Vianey Torres, U of A Nursing Major
Digital Collaborator: Melanie Reyes, U of A First-year Student

Today's music was Claim to Fame - The Gray Room by Clark Sims.

For more information on TRAP, visit wowlit.org.

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We Can Promote Global Literature Together!

The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation.

Thank you for listening and keep reading!

Join the Worlds of Words Center Reading Ambassadors (RAP) as we recap our experience around predicting the 2026 Randolph Caldecott Medal winner for picturebook illustration.

In this episode, we discuss...

• Our understanding of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Caldecott committee's criteria and process for selection.
• How we used those understandings in determining our nomination and final voting.
• Our selection for the winning and honor books.
• How the experience informed our view of picturebooks.

We also would like to make a pitch to the Caldecott committee to include at least one youth member on the selection committee. We do understand it means reading 700 picturebooks.

Book Mentions:
Don’t Trust Fish, illustrated by Dan Santant
The History of We, illustrated by Nikkolas Smith
Every Monday Mabel, illustrated by Jashar Awan
Our Lake, illustrated by Angie Kang
Popo the Xolo, illustrated by Abraham Matias
Broken, illustrated by X. Fang

Special Guest: OIivia, Pine Reads Review Teen Intern

Additional Thanks: We appreciate the educators, artists and others in the community of picturebook lovers who attended the Worlds of Words’ 2026 Mock Caldecott event (all 40+ of you!) and helped us think more deeply about picturebook illustrations.

Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director
Literature Discussant: Kathy Short, Worlds of Words Director and U of A Regents Professor
Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student

For more information on the Worlds of Words Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org.

Today’s podcast music is by Ievgen Poltavskyi.

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We Can Promote Global Literature Together!

The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation.

Thank you for listening and keep reading!

Join the Worlds of Words Center Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP) as we recap our experience around Don’t Cause Trouble by Arree Chung.

In this episode, we talk about...

• Our Star Burger orders.
• Awkward moments in middle school life and being “halfway to somewhere.”
• Our creative processes, both digital and with physical media, in writing and illustration.
• The Cold War and Communism in China.
• We recommend this book for “the whole world."

This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the U of A College of Education.

Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director
Lit Discussant: Narges Zandi, U of A COE Graduate Assistant
Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Art Major
Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Nursing Major
Digital Collaborator: Melanie Reyes, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student

For more information on the Worlds of Words Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org.

Today's podcast episode music is Claim to Fame - The Gray Room by Clark Sims.

###

We Can Promote Global Literature Together!

The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation.

Thank you for listening and keep reading!

Join the Worlds of Words Center Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP) as we discuss the refugee experience in children's literature.

Books mentioned in this episode:
"We Are Displaced" by Malala Yousafzai
"The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees" by Don Brown
"Ink Knows No Borders" edited by Patrice Vecchione and Alissa Raymond
"Internment" by Samir Ahmed
"From the Tops of the Trees" by Kao Kalia Yang and Rachel Wada
"To the Other Side" by Erika Meza
"Dounia and the Magic Seeds" by Marya Zarif
"A Star Shines Through" by Anna Desnitskaya
"We Are Not from Here" by Jenny Torres Sanchez

If you would like a copy of our ‘zine response to these books, please send a 6.5 X 9.5 self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE - flat rate for under 2 oz.) to: Worlds of Words Center - TRAP, U of A College of Education, 1430 E Second St, Rm 453, Tucson, AZ 85721

This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the U of A College of Education.

Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director
Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Art Major
Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Nursing Major
Digital Collaborator: Melanie Reyes, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student

Today's Podcast Music was made by Nathan LaValley (Royalty Free Bossa Music).

For more information on the WOW Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP), visit wowlit.org.

###

We Can Promote Global Literature Together!

The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation.

Thank you for listening and keep reading!

Join the Worlds of Words Center Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP) as we recap our experience around Halfway to Somewhere by Jose Pimienta.

In this episode, we discuss...

• Jo’s creative process.
• The places and spaces we feel halfway between.
• We recommend this book for our parents and teachers (the OG book influencers), our friends and basically everyone!

This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the U of A College of Education.

Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director
Lit Discussant: Narges Zandi, U of A COE Graduate Assistant
Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Art Major
Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student
Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Nursing Major
Digital Collaborator: Melanie Reyes, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student

For more information on the Worlds of Words Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org.

Today's Podcast Music was made by Nathan LaValley (Royalty Free Bossa Music).

###

We Can Promote Global Literature Together!

The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation.

Thank you for listening and keep reading!

Worlds of Words Center Middle School and Teen Reading Ambassadors discuss the past academic year as they read and promoted reading together.

For us, books and bagels are a natural pairing. Bruegger's by the University of Arizona, if you're listening, know that once a month since January of 2018, multiple bagel bundles fuel our reading discussions. This is not a paid announcement, just facts. But... if you have cheddar to share, we'll take your dough.

Meanwhile, each Reading Ambassador studied four novels this year. We met at least eight authors, participated in the Tucson Festival of Books, had our first in-person Read-A-Thon, and recorded 10 episodes of this podcast. We continued to hear about the surprising frequency of book bans and challenges. We shared our best book recommendations, changing perspectives, librarian love, and advice for having a good school experience.

Books and authors mentioned in this episode:
Fiona Frizzle (iykyk)
Donna Barba Higuera -- The Last Cuentista and Alebrijes
Bill Konigsberg -- Destination Unknown
Karen McManus -- The Cousins
Sally Rooney -- Normal People
Nic Stone
Kait Waterhouse -- A Stirring from the Depths

This podcast was recorded in the U of A College of Education media studio with assistance from the U of A COE Tech Team.

Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director
Lit Discussant: Kait Waterhouse, U of A COE Graduate Assistant
Learning & Engagement Intern: Bonnie Rock, U of A W.E. Franke Honors College Student
Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Art Major
Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Student Employee and Nursing Major

For more information on the WOW Reading Ambassadors, visit wowlit.org (under the About tab).

We Can Promote Global Literature Together!

The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation.

Thank you for listening and keep reading!

Join the Worlds of Words Center Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP) as we discuss The Strange Case of Harleen and Harley by Melissa Marr.

In a special combined group of middle and high school readers, the Reading Ambassadors came together where story worlds collide -- in this case, DC Comics, the gothic world of Robert Lewis Stevenson, and author Melissa Marr's imagination. We thoroughly enjoyed Melissa's second visit with us, especially she shares her writing process and thoughts on book challenges. We also give a shout out to illustrator Jenn St-Onge.

Program note: Melissa discussed Dissociative Identity Disorder as distinct from the literary theme of the duality of human nature with us. In this episode Reading Ambassadors using terms such as "alter egos" refer to the literary theme, not the mental health condition.

Authors/books mentioned in this episode:
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Guadalupe García McCall, who joined us in WOW Reads' Season 1.

This podcast was recorded in the U of A College of Education media studio with assistance from the U of A COE Tech Team.

Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director
Lit Discussant: Kait Waterhouse, U of A COE Graduate Assistant
Learning & Engagement Intern: Bonnie Rock, U of A W.E. Franke Honors College Student
Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Art Major
Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Student Employee and Nursing Major

For more information on the WOW Reading Ambassadors, visit wowlit.org.

We Can Promote Global Literature Together!

The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation.

Thank you for listening and keep reading!

Join the Worlds of Words Center Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP) as we discuss Dear Manny by Nic Stone.

Nic Stone is open and warm, just like her favorite color -- orange. We discuss her commentary on lies (fiction is truth through the lens of a lie), her degree in psychology (understanding human experience helps with character development) and the habit of pursing discomfort (helps us grow and staves off boredom).

Authors mentioned in this episode:
Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston, Alice Walker, Jacqueline Woodson and Terry J. Benton-Walker.

Additional authors and the books mentioned in this episode:
Jason Reynolds, Long Way Down
Elle Desamours, Needy Little Things
Louis Sachar, Holes (a book that also came into play with the Middle School Reading Ambassador conversation around Jasmine Warga)
Jeffrey Eugenides, The Virgin Suicides

Thanks to the Tucson Festival of Books for coordinating Nic Stone's visit.

This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the U of A College of Education with assistance from the U of A COE Tech Team.

Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director
Lit Discussant: Kait Waterhouse, U of A COE Graduate Assistant
Learning & Engagement Intern: Bonnie Rock, U of A W.E. Franke Honors College Student
Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student
Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Student Employee and Nursing Major

For more information on the WOW Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP), visit wowlit.org.

###

We Can Promote Global Literature Together!

The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation.

Thank you for listening and keep reading!