Author Interview + Giveaway: THE VERDIGRIS PAWN by Alysa Wishingrad

Over at From The Mixed-Up Files Of Middle-Grade Authors, I got to interview #kidlit author Alysa Wishingrad about her new middle-grade novel, THE VERDIGRIS PAWN. Read the full interview, and

The 15 Best Backpacks for Back-to-School

Holy schmoley, kids in plenty of parts of the U.S. are heading back to school in just a few weeks. Oof! I feel like we are barely done with 20-21,

Red, White & Royal Blue

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston was a fun and sweetly moving read, and if you haven’t read it, it’s perfect to pick up for the July 4

26 Father’s Day Gifts Under $50

Need ideas? Here you go!

Meet the Founders of 3 Awesome Black-Owned Beauty Brands

I cover products often but rarely get the chance to speak with the people behind the brands — so I was very excited to interview the founders of Frederick Benjamin,

What to Expect at Amusement Parks in 2021, According to a Theme Park Pro

Thanks to Robert Niles, editor of ThemeParkInsider.com, for sharing his thoughts on what’s ahead for theme parks this summer and fall. Read the full story at RetailMeNot.

Squishmallows 101: Everything You Need to Know About the Toy Sensation

Either you know and are obsessed already, or you’re totally clueless about Squishmallows. These collectible plush toys have captured hearts over the past year. For the uninitiated, RetailMeNot spoke with

How to Plan a Successful RV Trip, According to an Expert

If you’ve never RV-d across the country or even used one parked to camp, I chatted with an expert from Outdoorsy, the business that matches owners with renters (so, think

Summer Travel Trends, According to an Industry Expert

I spoke with Erika Richter, Senior Director of Communications for the world’s largest association of travel professionals, American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), about how to think about travel in

Items to Buy Now Before They Sell Out

I interviewed Sara Skirboll, RetailMeNot’s Shopping & Trends Expert, to see if we’ll have shortages on certain items the way we did last year, and what she predicts will sell