Episode 3: The Joy of Nature with Jo Watson Hackl

The Joyful Learning Podcast

Nationally recognized and award-winning Teacher Librarian, speaker, and host of the Joyful Learning Podcast, Melissa Thom in conversation with middle grade author, Jo Watson Hackl the author of Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe and the founder of Outdoorosity, a free resource for information and inspiration about nature. (The interview took place during the International Association of School Librarians (IASL) conference in Columbia, South Carolina, where both Melissa and Jo were invited to present.)

Jo Watson Hackl is the author of the bestselling novel, Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe, published by Random House Children’s Books. Smack Dab was awarded the Southern Book Prize and is an Amazon Teacher’s Pick. Jo also is the founder of Outdoorosity.org, a free resource for information and inspiration about nature. Jo is a first-generation college graduate on a mission to help students connect with nature, build skills that promote grit, resiliency and SEL skills, and improve overall writing, and she loves to do school visits. In collaboration with experienced educators, she and her team have developed a bounty of free resources for educators and other readers, available at www.johackl.com, and Outdoorosity.org.

Episode Resources:

• About Jo’s book Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe published by Penguin Random House
• The Joy Report Podcast: Nature is for Everyone: Equity in the Outdoors "The Joy Report" is a podcast dedicated to sharing stories about climate solutions and environmental justice grounded in intersectionality, optimism, and joy with host Arielle King (@ariellevking), an environmental justice advocate.
• Commitment to Create More Equitable Access to Parks & Nature

Books Mentioned:

• George, Jean Craighead. (1959). My side of the mountain.
• Konigsburg, E. L. (1967). From the mixed-up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.
• Lloyd, N. (2022). Hummingbird. Scholastic Press.
• Mapp, R. (2022). Nature swagger: Stories and visions of black joy in the outdoors. Chronicle.

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Connect with Carrie Seiden: Twitter