The Worlds of Words Center at the University of Arizona College of Education launched a new podcast called “WOW Reads” that centers the voices of teens and pre-teens around literature for young people. The podcast, which currently has four episodes of about 15 minutes each and a bonus episode, features WOW Center Reading Ambassadors discussing books after having met the authors of those books.
Middle School Reading Ambassadors

WOW Middle School Reading Ambassadors Present Melissa Marr

Photo by Sara Jo Tiberio
This conversation focuses on The Hidden Knife. From Nancy Paulsen Books, “Vicky has grown up under the watchful eye of a gargoyle named Rupert, and excels at sword-fighting and magic. But there’s so much she doesn’t know–like why her mother, once one of the queen’s elite Ravens, keeps Vicky hidden away and won’t let Vicky train at the elite Corvus school where girls with her gifts perfect their skills. But when a horrific tragedy occurs, Vicky knows it’s finally time to use her gifts, and that the only place she should be to avenge the crime against her family is at Corvus. There she bands together with a former street thief and an alchemy student to figure out whom they can trust in a place that’s rife with intrigue and secrets.”
The program includes a brief presentation, a question and answer period and time for snacks and personal interactions with the author. The workshop also includes one free hour of professional development, so invite your favorite teacher.
Books will be for sale at the conclusion of the meeting with time for signing.
Free parking is available at the surface parking lot north of the intersection of First and Vine. Sometimes free parking is available at the Second St. Garage next door to the College of Education. The WOW Center is also located just off of the 2nd St. Modern Streetcar stop.
To request disability-related accommodations that would ensure your full participation in this event, please email wow@arizona.edu or call 520.621.9340.
Middle School Reading Ambassador author meetings occur every other month throughout the academic year and are open to the public. This free program for area middle school students encourages them to promote reading in their own contexts. Additional information on the Teen Reading Ambassadors is available on our website.
Event details may change. More information to follow.
WOW Middle School Reading Ambassadors Present Dusti Bowling
WOW Middle School Reading Ambassadors invite you to meet Dusti Bowling.
This conversation focuses on Across the Desert. From the publisher, “One girl sets out on a journey across the treacherous Arizona desert to rescue a young pilot stranded after a plane crash in this gripping story of survival, friendship, and rescue from a bestselling and award-winning author.”
The program includes a brief presentation, a question and answer period and time for snacks and personal interactions with the author. The UA BookStores offers books for sale and autographing during this event. The workshop also includes one free hour of professional development, so invite your favorite teacher.
Free parking is available at the surface parking lot north of the intersection of First and Vine. Sometimes free parking is available at the Second St. Garage next door to the College of Education. The WOW Center is also located just off of the 2nd St. Modern Streetcar stop.
To request disability-related accommodations that would ensure your full participation in this event, please email wow@arizona.edu or call 520.621.9340.
Middle School Reading Ambassador author meetings occur every other month throughout the academic year and are open to the public. This free program for area middle school students encourages them to promote reading in their own contexts. Additional information on the Teen Reading Ambassadors is available on our website.
Event details may change. More information to follow.
WOW Middle School Reading Ambassadors Present Heather Kassner

Photo by Cameron Straatsma.
This conversation focuses on The Plentiful Darkness. In this spine-chilling fantasy novel, reminiscent of Serafina and the Black Cloak, an orphaned girl chases a thieving boy into a magician’s land of starless, moonless gloom where other children have gone missing before her.
The program includes a brief presentation, a question and answer period and a book signing. Guests are welcome to stay after the author presentation as the Middle School Reading Ambassadors will receive recognition for their year-long participation in the program.
The UArizona BookStores offers books for sale during this event. The event also includes a professional development certificate, so invite your favorite teacher.
Free parking is available at the surface parking lot north of the intersection of First and Vine. Paid parking is available at the Second St. Garage next door to the College of Education. Located just off of the 2nd St. streetcar stop.
To request disability-related accommodations that would ensure your full participation in this event, please email wow@arizona.edu or call 520.621.9340.
Teen Reading Ambassador author meetings occur every other month throughout the academic year and are open to the public. This free program for area high school students encourages teens to promote reading in their own contexts. Additional information on the Teen Reading Ambassadors is available on our website under the About tab.
Event details may change. More information to follow.

WOW Reading Ambassadors Host Read-a-thon
By Veronica Martinez, Worlds of Words Educational Guide Intern
Get lost in a good book with the Worlds of Words Center’s Reading Ambassadors as they host their 3rd-annual Read-a-thon! The middle and high school reading ambassadors encourage booklovers of all ages to join them for focused reading paired with fun prompts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 9 @WOWTeenAmbassadors on Instagram. There is no physical location for the Read-a-thon, so participants can join from anywhere they would like to read!