I remember struggling to read. There were days I felt my friends were passing me by. Words on the page might as well have been shapes pressed against the wrong-sized holes. Then my mom brought home physical books that read the words aloud. That’s when things began to change. Listening while seeing words on the page is how I learned to read.
Next year, you’ll meet Colton, a 12-year-old boy from Raleigh, NC (with ties to Pittsburgh) who has hyperlexia. We often think of hyperlexia as “reading early,” but it can come with challenges: difficulty with comprehension, trouble recalling words, social struggles, language delays, and more.
Colton shares his struggles in his journal and soon discovers he’s not alone. His dad, a well-known former baseball player, carries a literacy secret of his own.
I want you to think about the people around you: your coworker, a neighbor, a family member in your home, or even a stranger walking down the street. Now consider the real possibility that they grapple with functional illiteracy. One in five people do.
Some learning struggles stay hidden, especially when the world favors embarrassment and shame over honesty and help. Other struggles are forced into the open and sometimes the only way forward is to ask questions, seek understanding, and challenge assumptions.
I hope WORDS FAIL opens honest conversations about functional illiteracy and shows children, like the child I dedicated this book to, that they are powerful no matter how they process words.
@galltzacker@agentzacker@penguinrandomhouse@penguinkids@carnegielibrary@carnegiemellon@rifpittsburgh@louisvillefreepubliclibrary@carmichaelsbookstore@carmkidsbooks@kyhumanities
❄️ COVER REVEAL! ❄️ Feast your eyes on the perfectly wintery cover for COME CATCH A DREAM written by @britjanee and illustrated by @isleniamil , a delightful new picture book about chasing your dreams and taking second chances, coming out from @greenwillowbooks on November 11th!
📖 About the Book: 📖
Nothing is impossible—not even being brave enough to ice skate again after a fall! With a poetic text and dazzling illustrations, COME CATCH A DREAM will appeal to every child chasing their dream, and fans of THE SNOWY DAY, JABARI JUMPS, and AFTER THE FALL.
A young Black boy and his mom pass an ice rink every day. Last year, the rink bested him, and he fell down on the ice. But he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about that rink. He’s determined to do what he’s never done before: a spin on the ice. Because, as his Momma tells him, nothing is impossible.
Award-winning author Brittany J. Thurman’s rich use of language and rhythm makes for a text that is perfect for reading aloud, while illustrator Islenia Mil’s vibrant artwork captures the anticipation and excitement of a winter day at the ice rink. For fans of Gaia Cornwall and Dan Santat.
✨ COME CATCH A DREAM is available to pre-order now from your favorite indie or book retailer!
Tags: #CoverReveal #BookCover #BookCoverReveal #PictureBookCover #PictureBooks #KidsBooks #FamilyBooks #StorytimeBooks #BooksForKids #BooksForYoungReaders #2025BookRelease #2025PictureBooks #NovemberBookReleases #ComeCatchADream #BrittanyJThurman #IsleniaMil #Illustration #IllustratedBooks #GreenwillowBooks #HarperCollins #HarperKids #BlackAuthors #BlackStories #WNDB #WeNeedDiverseBooks
Let the case begin!
I am so happy to share that Opal Watson: Private Eye is officially out in the world! Thank you all for the book love!!
It was an honor to adapt Opal from podcast to page. Whether you’ve been a part of my journey from childhood or if you just followed me, I would love for you to join the launch celebration! Here’s how:
🔎Grab your copy! Bonus points for supporting your local independent bookstore! Oh yeah!
🔎Tell a friend: Know a young reader who loves mysteries, sleuthing, and determined protagonists? Share Opal with them! Slay!
🔎Request Opal at your local library! We stan the library.
🔎Snap a pic! When you grab your copy, tag me on Instagram @britjanee . I would love to see where Opal ends up!
@agentzacker@galltzacker@theshelfstuff@pinnaaudio@realmmedia_@harperkids@harpercollins
#OpalWatsonPrivateEye #kidlit #KidLitMystery #Books #childrens #MiddleGrade #spy #detective #harrietthespy #middlegradebooks #BlackGirlDetective #Bookstagram #girldetective #chicago #preorder #PreorderNow
I can't think of a better guest to kick off season two of Why Would You Write That than @britjanee She's written some amazing children's books as well as her middle grade series! I loved our conversation and I encourage all writers to listen (even those who haven't published anything).
