There has been devastating news in Israel and Gaza in recent days — with some areas now fully at war. That was not the case over the summer, when Serenitee Graham, a Ludlow High School student in NEPM's Media Lab, interviewed Hannah Moushabeck about her new book, "Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine."

The Media Lab is interviewing western Massachusetts authors of books for young readers. Next up: Kaliis Smith, co-author of "Sir Morien: The Legend of a Knight of the Round Table."

Mychal Connolly Sr. is himself a business owner. He shared his motivation for the book during an interview with with NEPM's Media Lab.

Tiffany Jewell is the author of "This Book is Anti-Racist" and — more recently — "The Anti-Racist Kid." She was interviewed by Kiara Lee, a student at Springfield Honors Academy and intern with NEPM's Media Lab.