Talking Freedom Fire: A New Imprint Discussion with Kwame Mbalia, Tracey Baptiste, and Leah Johnson
So, look. Here’s the deal. You hear that there’s a new children’s book imprint and what’s your immediate reaction? “Another one?” you might say. “How can I keep track of them all?” And normally I might be with you, but here’s the deal. You know Kwame Mbalia? Maybe the name is striking a faint chord of recognition, so I’ll help you out. Mr. Mbalia is probably best known for the Tristan Strong series. You ever read one of those books? They’re desperately fun, and no question. That’s probably what made him the New York Times bestselling author he is today, but he isn’t resting on those laurels. Nope. He’s started Freedom Fire, an imprint of Disney Hyperion, devoted to stories about the Black diaspora by Black creators.
Why am I telling you all this? Well, Freedom Fire is coming out this fall with three books on their launch list. Here’s what they are:
Moko Magic: Carnival Chaos by Tracey Baptiste—On sale August 6 (ages 8-12)
- An Afro-Caribbean-inspired story about three cousins who discover they are mokos–protector spirits–during carnival season in Brooklyn.
Jax Freeman and The Phantom Shriek by Kwame Mbalia—On sale October 1 (ages 8-12)
- A secret world where kids can wield magic by summoning the power of their ancestors
Black Girl Power by Leah Johnson—On sale November 5 (ages 8-12)
- A collection of 15 middle grade stories and poems that celebrates the joy, strength, and experience of Black girlhood, including stories from Ibi Zoboi, Renee Watson, and Leah Johnson.
And today… today I’ve a treat for you. I’m not going to just interview Kwame Mbalia about this. Oh. Oh no. Oh, no no, I’m also going to interview Tracey Baptiste and Leah Johnson, and we are going to hear about ALL THREE of these books today!
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How’s that for cool?
Betsy Bird: Kwame! Congrats on your new imprint! Okay, tell us precisely what Freedom Fire is. And better yet, tell us what it’s doing that nobody else is right now.
Kwame Mbalia: Freedom Fire is the sound of laughter. Freedom Fire is the feeling of pride. Freedom Fire is a celebration of the stories found in the Black diaspora and everyone is invited to take part in the joy. What are we doing? Unabashed, unequivocal, unbelievable wonder and adventure. In book form, of course. Community, one page at a time.
BB: Is an imprint something that was always floating around at the back of your mind before, or is this a new venture that caught you by surprise and that you’re running with full throttle?
KM: Something I have always done is celebrate a book, especially those by Black authors. I can’t help it. It was a hobby, then a passion, and now it’s my job. From highlighting stories on social media, to crafting a newsletter, to collaborating with Disney Books on this imprint, the mission has alway been the same: Share Black Books.
BB: Tell us a bit about one of your books coming out this fall, JAX FREEMAN AND THE PHANTOM SHRIEK. I know it’s hard coming up with an original fantasy these days, but I think you get extra credit for working in everything from Chicago (which NEVER gets to be in books, so thank you), Pullman Porters, guys who try to steal your skin, and more. Where’d you get the idea for the book?
KM: I was reading a book about the Chicago Defender, and how Pullman porters would often leave copies of the Black-owned newspaper in cities on their trips south, and how they were instrumental in encouraging the move north during the Great Migration. And then I thought about a giant boy who wouldn’t hurt a fly and how the ancestors sent a magic train that rescued him when he needed it most. The rest, as they say, was Black history.
BB: Finally, what’s in the future for Freedom Fire?
KM: Adventures around the world! Fantasy, contemporary, science fiction and more! Laughter, tears, fun and excitement! Melanin and celebration and the cutest side kick you’ve seen since a certain sticky folk heroine kicked her way on to the scene. Joy! Community! Me yelling at you through the screen because I’m too excited to be calm, cool and collected. How can I be? Freedom Fire is paginated joy, and I intend to share it with everyone.
BB: Let’s move on to Tracey Baptiste now. Hi Tracey! I know a lot of people are going to be excited that you’ve a new fantasy coming out this fall. Tell us a little bit about MOKO MAGIC. Where did the idea come from? And what’s the book about?
Photo Credit: Viscose Illusion
Tracey Baptiste: Moko Magic: Carnival Chaos is about three cousins who discover they have the powers of a moko jumbie–healing, protection, and seeing visions. As they try to understand their new abilities, the Caribbean community is being plagued by a series of strange events during which magical abilities are drained from people. As the new mokos, the cousins have to figure out who is behind the attacks, and stop them before everyone’s magic is drained during the big Caribbean Day parade on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, NY. The idea for the book was actually suggested to me, but I immediately pulled from memories of what it was like to be a new immigrant living near Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn and joining in the festivities for the Caribbean Day parade. It felt like a little bit of Trinidad right in Brooklyn, and that’s what I hope I brought to the story.
BB: That Frank Morrison cover is something else too. I can’t imagine any kid being able to resist picking this book up. I see you have some Brooklyn in this book, but also clear-cut Afro-Caribbean connections. How did you work out that balance?
TB: It’s impossible to have Brooklyn without all the wonderful immigrant communities that make up the borough. It wasn’t hard to strike the balance between Brooklyn and the Caribbean in the story because they go hand in hand so well! It’s one of the greatest things ever.
BB: Finally, are we going to see more Moko Magic in the future?
TB: You are definitely going to see more Moko Magic. I’m working on the sequel, Museum Mahem right now, and I can’t wait to show everyone what kinds of trouble the cousins get into next.
BB: Finally, let’s have a work with Leah Johnson. Hi Leah! Tell us more about BLACK GIRL POWER. I know you’re editing the big big names that are in there. Where did the idea for the book come from, and how did you decide whom to include?
Leah Johnson: Kwame Mbalia laid such a beautiful foundation with Black Boy Joy that it felt only right to continue the tradition of celebrating the beauty, the brilliance, and the broadness of what Black kids are and can be by turning towards Black girlhood next. We did our best to curate a spectrum of writers that brought that same level of variety—both in their lived experience and on the page. Whether I read their books in childhood or am inspired by their work now, the writers in Black Girl Power have saved me time and time again. I’m excited to see it do the same for the readers of this anthology!
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BB: I know you’ve done a lot of work for teens and in the YA sphere, but this book is hitting a little younger. Why is the book aimed at 9-12 years olds instead of teens? What can you do with that age that you can’t with YA?
LJ: The great gift of middle grade is how playful and voicey it is. I love the way middle grade readers are so ready to suspend belief but also willing to internalize big life lessons.
BB: Finally, what’s next for you after this? What else are you up to?
LJ: Next up is the second book in my middle grade series, called Bree Boyd is a Legend! It picks up where Ellie left off, with one of Ellie’s besties suddenly developing a superpower of her own after a thunderstorm. Imagine Akeelah and the Bee meets Matilda. It’s been a ton of fun to work on, and I can’t wait for you all to read it next year! In the meantime, you can find me behind the counter at my independent bookstore, Loudmouth Books, which just opened last fall, highlighting and uplifting banned and challenged books.
Biggest of thanks to Kwame, Tracey, and Leah for taking the time to answer my questions today. Thanks too to Daniela Escobar and the folks at Disney Publishing for helping me put all of this together. Enjoy this imprint and be sure to also enjoy these books!
Filed under: Interviews
About Betsy Bird
Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.
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