Julie Stroebel Barichello

Magazine editor and designer. Kid lit author. Loves cats, hiking, and cooking. Amateur gardener trying to overcome a history of horrid plant negligence.

[Julie Stroebel Barichello @JSBarichello]

This is another solid assessment of the debate over Mac Barnett's quote and takes a look at the broader context of his message. Read Afoma Umesi's stance on the kid lit industry and Barnett's book.

https://t.co/ifKknwxdMf

[Publishers Weekly @PublishersWkly]

Children’s authors and educators are up in arms after words by National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Mac Barnett, from his new essay collection for adults, ‘Make Believe,’ cast aspersions on the vast majority of work published for young readers. https://t.co/aeBdQNJqJe

[Julie Stroebel Barichello @JSBarichello]

I was torn about Mac Barnett's controversial comment about kid lit and "crud" books. Was it hyperbole or harm, or a mix of both?

Tonight I read these thoughts by author and educator Susan Koehler. Her examination of the issue is a worthwhile read.

https://t.co/GADwcK6I0X

[Sarah Ashwood @1sarahashwood]

A retelling that flips popular fairytale tropes
-The prince is cursed
-Her kiss seals the curse
-She goes on a quest
-She saves him
Retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon. Perfect low-spice alternative to popular dragon romantasies.

#indiepit #F #RF #YA #NA

[Julie Stroebel Barichello @JSBarichello]

@LexiHeathermoor Thank you!

[Julie Stroebel Barichello @JSBarichello]

A small-town feud. A bullying mayor. And a big, chaotic family that stands up for their beliefs.
12yo Dempsey Molehill and his siblings want to support their dad in his bid to run against the mayor. In the process, they unleash months of mischief.
#IndiePit #AN #MG #C #CO

[Stephanie Lupo Henson 📕 @stepha_henson]

Beached is Upper MG Novel in Verse:

Middle School Drama
Young Teen Lit
First Love ❤️
8th Grade, 14 y/o MC
Love Triangle 🔺
Best friend betrayal 💔
Struggling Softball star 🥎
Mental health rep
Save the Turtles 🐢
New crush
Finding oneself at the beach 🏖️

#Indiepit #SSP #MG

[Patchree Jones is drafting . . . @PointsTangent]

Castle in the Sky X Thai Folklore

12 yo Sofia wakes up in a sky kingdom where everyone knows her name, some want to protect her & others want to kill her. She's just trying to find a way back home! What's a girl to do?!

#IndiePit #AN #MG #F

[Julie Stroebel Barichello @JSBarichello]

Where the Molehill siblings go, chaos isn't far behind, such as:
• Combusting meatloaf
• Halloween "curse potion"
• Backyard elephant traps (that catch bullies instead)

THE VANDERBEEKERS x BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER x A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO

#indiepit #AN #MG #C #CO

[IndiePit @Indie_Pit]

IT. IS. TIME!!!!!!!

I'm excited to announce the next IndiePit will be held May 4, 2026. 🥳 May the fourth be with all the indie authors seeking readers, small press opportunities, and beta feedback.

[Julie Stroebel Barichello @JSBarichello]

The husband and I are catching up on this week's Jeopardy episodes. He always answers more clues than me, but tonight I had a clean sweep in the Young Adult Fiction category, so I'm feeling victorious.

[detonate @detonate_fps]

I love seeing great ingenuity on survivor, even if it's simple high school physics and chemistry. Christian is the GOAT. #Survivor2026 #survivor50

[Julie Stroebel Barichello @JSBarichello]

I adore Christian. What a problem-solver! He's in my final three picks. #Survivor50

[Julie Stroebel Barichello @JSBarichello]

Currently reading STARFISH by Lisa Fipps after it was recommended to me. This is the second novel in verse I've read in a row. I love how much more prevalent verse has become for young readers. When I read OUT OF THE DUST as a kid, it seemed so out of the norm.

#reading #kidlit

[Julie Stroebel Barichello @JSBarichello]

I finished reading @KateMessner's THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES last night. The last time I cried reading a book was A MONSTER CALLS. This book is a superb examination of living with grief. Highly recommend for middle schoolers.

#middlegrade #amreading #kidlit

[Julie Stroebel Barichello @JSBarichello]

Currently reading THE POPPY WAR by R F Kuang. I got to the part where Rin has to carry the pig up the mountain, and all I could think of was Elya Yelnats carrying Madam Zeroni's pig up the mountain in HOLES.

#amreading #reading #booktwt

[Julie Stroebel Barichello @JSBarichello]

Spent the afternoon filling out contest applications for The Mountain of Dempsey Molehill. Wish my book luck when I drop it in the mail Monday morning to send copies to judges!

#WritingCommunity #authorjourney

[Julie Stroebel Barichello @JSBarichello]

WCSJ's Radio Book Club will discuss The Mountain of Dempsey Molehill at 8 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, and 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7. Catch the first of the two broadcasts tomorrow morning at 103.1 FM or at https://t.co/pQnb1JD6IE!

[Julie Stroebel Barichello @JSBarichello]

Spending my New Year's Eve in sweatpants and my WSQK The Squawk shirt and counting down til the #StrangerThings finale.

[Julie Stroebel Barichello @JSBarichello]

It looks Christmassy outside, but I haven't been feeling the season yet. I've decided the best remedy is baking Christmas cookies and watching THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL.