Author Archives: Victoria Waddle

Unknown's avatar

About Victoria Waddle

Victoria Waddle is a Pushcart Prize-nominated writer and has been included in Best Short Stories from The Saturday Evening Post Great American Fiction Contest. Her books include a collection of feminist short fiction, Acts of Contrition, and a chapbook on grief, The Mortality of Dogs and Humans. Her YA novel about a polygamist cult, Keep Sweet, launches in June 2025. Formerly the managing editor of the journal Inlandia: A Literary Journey and a teacher librarian, she contributes to the Southern California News Group column Literary Journeys. She discusses both writing and library book censorship on her Substack, “Be a Cactus.” Join her there for thoughts on defiant readers and writers as well as for weekly library censorship news.

Get a Grip by Alyson Shelton

Posted on September 29, 2026 by Victoria Waddle

This compact novel (186 pages) is narrated in free verse. It has wide appeal, but is an especially good purchase for librarians seeking work on sibling death and grief, competitive gymnastics, changes in friendships that take place as kids get older, and hi/lo literature for tweens and teens. Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Sports, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Warbler School Chronicles by Stephanie Barbé Hammer

Posted on August 20, 2026 by Victoria Waddle

The Warbler School would also be great to have on a display spinner at the middle school and high school libraries. A quick read packed with relatable emotions. Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sexism and Sensibility: Raising Empowered, Resilient Girls in the Modern World

Posted on October 13, 2025 by Victoria Waddle

Virtually every girl and woman I see in therapy feels as if they got away with something when they experience success. They bring up the term ‘imposter syndrome’ and say, ‘that’s me exactly.’” Continue reading →

Posted in bullying, Family Problems, Human Rights Issues, Mature Readers, Non-fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sometimes We Tell the Truth

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Victoria Waddle

Sometimes is, in fact, a modern telling of Chaucer’s tales with teens as the pilgrims. Except that these pilgrims are not making a commitment to the Almighty. They are going to Washington D.C . on a six-hour bus trip with their Civics class teacher. Continue reading →

Posted in bullying, Family Problems, Fiction, Grief, Literary Read Alike, Mature Readers, Over 375 pages, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

National Book Award Longlist in Young People’s Literature

Posted on September 13, 2025 by Victoria Waddle

2024 Longlist for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature: Olivia A. Cole, Ariel Crashes a TrainLabyrinth Road / Penguin Random House Violet Duncan, Buffalo DreamerNancy Paulsen Books / Penguin Random House Margarita Engle, Wild DreamersAtheneum Books for Young Readers / Simon … Continue reading →

Posted in Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How to Talk to Your Succulent by Zoe Persico

Posted on September 5, 2025 by Victoria Waddle

How to Talk to Your Succulent by Zoe Persico While I usually focus on YA and adult books for high school students (age 14 and up), sometimes very edgy, I received this sweet graphic novel because I have a Substack … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Keep Sweet is here! My YA Novel 😊

Posted on June 22, 2025 by Victoria Waddle

My novel Keep Sweet officially launched yesterday. I also have an essay in an anthology on sibling loss and grief, The Loss of a Lifetime, which launched on Tuesday. We had a very emotional reading by the authors on Wednesday. It was recorded. You … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Grief, Human Rights Issues, Mature Readers, Uncategorized, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

John Green’s “Everything is Tuberculosis”

Posted on May 20, 2025 by Victoria Waddle

The infection has long exploited human biases and blind spots, wriggling its way through the paths injustice creates. Of course, tuberculosis doesn’t know what it’s doing, but for centuries, the disease has used social forces and prejudice to thrive wherever power systems devalue human lives.” Continue reading →

Posted in Biography/Memoir, Human Rights Issues, Non-fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Uncultured: The Children of God Cult

Posted on April 7, 2025 by Victoria Waddle

Mestyanek Young grew up in the Children of God cult (often referred to as ‘the Family’). Her experience there is horrifying. Her childhood traumas are so numerous, it’s hard to understand how the cult even exists. Why don’t its members run the other way? Continue reading →

Posted in bullying, Faith-Based/Religious Element, Family Problems, Non-fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Undivided: The Quest for Racial Solidarity in an American Church

Posted on March 31, 2025 by Victoria Waddle

Crossroads Pastor Chuck Mingo begins the work of combating racial injustice through the church after he feels called by God to do so and gives an honest sermon about his own experience with racism (he’s Black)—experience that most of the white parishioners don’t comprehend. Continue reading →

Posted in Faith-Based/Religious Element, Human Rights Issues, Non-fiction | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment