SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Pearl's & Ruby's
  • Politics in Practice
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About The Yarn
  • Subscribe
  • Show Notes
  • Articles
  • All Episodes
    • Season 1
    • Season 2
    • The Unraveller
    • The Series
    • Collaborators

November 14, 2021 by Travis Jonker

‘Shoot – David Small believes in me!’ Betsy Bird and the LONG ROAD TO THE CIRCUS

November 14, 2021 by Travis Jonker   2 comments

Travis: It was a pleasure to talk with Betsy Bird about her first middle grade novel, LONG ROAD TO THE CIRCUS.

In this episode Betsy talks about the real-life people and events that inspired this story set in Michigan, and her unique collaboration with illustrator David Small.

We hope you enjoy the episode.

Subscribe below to catch every episode of The Yarn:

iTunes

Spotify

Stitcher

Filed under: All Episodes, The Unraveller

SHARE:

Read or Leave Comments
Betsy BirdDavid SmallKnopfLONG ROAD TO THE CIRCUSRandom House

About Travis Jonker

Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

ADVERTISEMENT

SLJ Blog Network

100 Scope Notes

The Endies and Undies Awards Are Back for 2025!

by Travis Jonker

A Fuse #8 Production

2026 Newbery/Caldecott Summer Prediction Edition

by Betsy Bird

Good Comics for Kids

The Lost Sunday | Exclusive Preview

by Brigid Alverson

Heavy Medal

Our Mock Newbery List is Up to 52 Titles

by Steven Engelfried

Teen Librarian Toolbox

Teen MakerSpace: DIY Color Your Own Stickers, Low Tech

by Karen Jensen, MLS

The Classroom Bookshelf

The Classroom Bookshelf is Moving

by Erika Thulin Dawes

The Yarn

Behind the Scenes of a Caldecott Honor Winning Book: Molly Mendoza and Aida Salazar Discuss JOVITA WORE PANTS

by Travis Jonker

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

Swooping Through the Stacks | Series Made Simple Editorial

23 Titles to Welcome Little Ones Back to School

L’Chaim! Jewish Life, Family, and Celebrations New & Old | Great Books

More Than 50 Standout Titles! | Starred Reviews, June 2025

LGBTQIA+: Publishers Prioritize Stories Over Politics

SPONSORED

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elizabeth Bird says

    November 17, 2021 at 9:47 am

    Thanks so much for having me, Travis!

    • Travis Jonker says

      November 17, 2021 at 4:20 pm

      It was a pleasure!

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

Follow This Blog

Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

Primary Sidebar

  • News & Features
  • Reviews+
  • Technology
  • School Libraries
  • Public Libraries
  • Blogs
  • Classroom
  • Diversity
  • People
  • Job Zone

Reviews+

  • Book Lists
  • Best Books 2024
  • 2024 Stars So Far
  • Media
  • Reference
  • Series Made Simple
  • Tech
  • Review for SLJ
  • Review Submissions

SLJ Blog Network

  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal
  • Pearls & Rubys
  • Politics in Practice
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Yarn

Resources

  • Reasons to Love Libraries
  • 2025 Youth Media Awards
  • Defending the Canon:SLJ & NCTE Review 15 Banned Classics
  • Refreshing the Canon Booklist
  • School Librarian of the Year
  • Read Free Poster
  • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
  • Research
  • White Papers / Case Studies

Events & PD

  • In-Person Events
  • Online Courses
  • Virtual Events
  • Webcasts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Media Inquiries
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Content Submissions
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms of Use
  • Terms of Sale
  • FAQs
  • Diversity Policy
  • Careers at MSI


COPYRIGHT © 2025


COPYRIGHT © 2025