SCBWI Illinois Recording: Rabbit Hole Researching with Rebecca Siegel

Join us as we learn how to jump into the rabbit hole to find golden nuggets to bring our stories to life for children and teens. Author Rebecca Siegel is an enthusiastic TikTok storyteller and real-life adventurer. She learned how to fly an airplane and hunted for the Loch Ness monster to craft nonfiction gems. She delved into espionage, combing through recently declassified military files at the National Archives for her latest book: HOW THE GHOST ARMY HOODWINKED HITLER (Peachtree 2025). Her masterpiece received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly and was also named a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection title and an Illinois Reads title. She'll teach us how to research online, locally and abroad! Rebecca Siegel is an award-winning children’s author and retired editor. She has written more than 300 books about history, culture, science and art. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and two daughters. When she’s not writing, she likes to make pizzas, knit, and listen to spooky podcasts. Her latest critically acclaimed middle grade narrative nonfiction works are: TO FLY AMONG THE STARS (Scholastic 2020) earned a Booklist starred review, and was named a Mighty Girl’s book of the year. MAYFLOWER (Quarto 2020), was called “unreservedly recommended” by the Midwest Book Review, and was named a 2021 EUREKA! Children’s Honor Book. LOCH NESS UNCOVERED (Astra 2024) was a YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, a 2025 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Book Winner, listed in New York Public Library Best Books for Teens 2024, included in the 2025 Texas Topaz list, and has been named a Virginia Readers Choice 2025-2026 title.

Did you miss the free network event? Then enjoy UNLIMITED viewings of this recorded Illinois program with a small convenience fee. Your fee supports Illinois’ free events & opportunities like Networks (offered online or in-person for free) and scholarships and mentorships. TO GET THE LINK: To view the recording, go to MY EVENTS in your SCBWI website Member Home page, then click on the MEETING INFO button for the event to access the recording link. QUESTIONS?: Email [email protected] Pamela Morgan, Co-RA