Episode 121 - Race to the Sun, by Rebecca Roanhorse

Welcome to Middle Grade March! This episode, we’re following siblings Nizhoni and Mac Begay as they save their dad from monstrous coal exec Mr. Charles. They discover their similarities to the Hero Twins of Navajo legend and explore their burgeoning abilities through increasingly challenging trials. Grace and Madeleine discuss preferred middle school-age magical weapons, the power of a snarky little brother, and just how many pastas can be combined in a single dish. We also examine the ways this book is controversial, share the opinions of Navajo/Diné scholars and consider ways we can be respectful readers while honoring lines of disclosure.

Join us!

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NOT RECOMMENDED: Rebecca Roanhorse's RACE TO THE SUN by Michael Thompson

The Sci-Fi Author Reimagining Native History by Lila Shapiro

‘The Elizabeth Warren of the Sci Fi Set’ - Author faces criticism for repeated use of tribal traditions by Acee Agoyo

Rebecca Roanhorse on Which Aspects of Diné Culture are Featured in Trail of Lightning by Stubby / Reactor Mag

Grace's Reading Corner - Grendel, by John Gardner

A special lil episode on the enigmatic Grendel, by John Gardner! After covering The Snow-Walker’s Son and considering ancient Nordic literary monsters, Grace was compelled to revisit this darkly comedic retelling of Beowulf from his foe’s perspective. Joining her is Ranae Hanson, author, activist, and top-notch mother-in-law. Curl up in your watery cave and join us!

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First edition cover featuring Emil Antonucci’s exceptional illustration:

Episode 120 - The Changeover, by Margaret Mahy

Celebrate Valentine’s with this fascinating, bizarre and indelible tale of love among young witches - we’re reading The Changeover, by Margaret Mahy! We meet Laura Chant and her young brother Jacko, who are living a mostly-peaceful life in the Christchurch suburbs punctuated by Laura’s “warnings,” psychic premonitions that never bode well. When an ancient demon disguised as a terrifying shopkeeper places his mark on Jacko and begins extracting his life force, Laura enlists teen oddball (and prefect) Sorry Carlisle, who seems to have more than a touch of magic about him. Laura and Sorry discover a path forward that places Laura firmly in her own power and brings them closer together. Children of divorce, teen awkwardness, Enya-esque rituals and more than one romance novel wait inside (all wrapped up in Mahy’s exceptional prose) - join us!

Thanks to all the listeners who requested this and brought Mahy into our lives!

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Which Carmody is your sleep paralysis demon?

Episode 119 - The Snow-Walker's Son, by Catherine Fisher

We’re getting into our frigid sailboat and exploring The Snow-Walker’s Son, by Catherine Fisher! Jessa and Thorkil are banished to a forgotten hall in the far North when their fathers attempt to overthrow the current jarl, a pretender to the throne. The false jarl happens to be married to Gudrun, a terrifying ice sorceress who previously sent her own son to the same dark fate. Her son Kari is said to be a twisted monster, but Jessa and Thorkil discover that he’s much more complex - and get swept up in a plot to right Gudrun’s many wrongs. Grace and Madeleine delve deep into Grendel parallels, the potential alignment of a snake that encircles the world, and continue to love a cold witch. Join us!

Note - This is the first book in what is now packaged as a single volume titled Snow-Walker.

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Grendel by John Gardner

Babetreon Episode - Hogfather (2006)

We’re overwhelmed with holiday spirit and we’re releasing this Babetreon episode on the main feed! The sibling squabbling is at an all-time high as Grace tries to force Madeleine to enjoy a Christmas film. Happy Hogswatch!

*Please note, unlike our main feed, this episode is explicit.

If you’d like to hear more of our exclusive episodes, join the Babetreon for $3/mo at https://www.patreon.com/dragonbabies.

EPISODE NOTES

Watch Hogfather on Tubi - https://tubitv.com/series/3852/hogfather

The Nightmare Before Christmas - "The fuck?" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Guutj5BwtNM&ab_channel=DaisyMarieCruse