Yearly archive for 2013

Aces Wild by Erica Perl

By on August 29, 2013   /   Author Interviews, Giveaways  

Zelly Fried has finally convinced her parents to let her get a dog, with the help of her grandfather Ace. Unfortunately, said dog (also named Ace) is a shoe-chewing, mud-tracking, floor-peeing kind of dog. Despite Zelly’s best efforts to drag Ace (literally!) to puppy kindergarten, his flunking report card says it all: “This Ace is wild.”
Also wild is the other Ace in Zelly’s life. Grandpa Ace has decided to begin dating again and is dining and dancing every night, against his doctor’s orders. Determined to get both Aces under control, Zelly enlists the help of her two best friends, Allison and Jeremy (despite the fact that they don’t quite see eye to eye). They need to come up with a plan, fast. But how? It’s not like either Ace ever does what he’s told.

Ace-with-Blue

Me: Hi Erica! *Waves* Welcome aboard the Mixed-Up Files. Why don’t you tell us what inspired you to write ACES WILD?

Erica: When I wrote WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU O.J., my main inspiration for the character of Ace (the grandpa) was my grandfather, Alan Perl.  When I returned to write another book about Ace and Zelly, I immediately thought about what Grandpa Alan did after my grandmother died – he started dating up a storm.  I now see that this was how he coped with being lonely and missing her, but at the time it seemed disrespectful to her memory… in addition to being just plain weird!  I also knew from experience that getting a puppy creates a new level of household chaos, so I loved the idea of seeing what would happen with a crazy, out-of-control (yet loveable) puppy going head-to-head with a crazy, out-of-control (yet loveable) grandpa.  And since Zelly had named her puppy “Ace” at the end of WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU O.J., the title ACES WILD was a perfect fit.

Me: That does sound like quite a perfect fit. Do you have a crazy, out-of-control (yet loveable) writing routine?

Erica:  For me, the hardest thing about being a writer is finding time to write.  I have a full time job that I love (at www.firstbook.org) but it means I have to find writing time around my work schedule.  I do my best writing early in the morning, because my inner censor is not awake yet.  So I usually get up, pour myself a cup of coffee and write until I have to stop and go to work, or – on the weekends – my kids get up.  If I’m lucky on the weekends or evenings, I find time to come back to what I’m writing and work some more.  When I have something ready to edit, I print it out, read it aloud, and edit it longhand.  I also carry a notebook and write down ideas and snippets and doodles wherever I go – on the subway, etc. – so later I can perhaps use them in something or see where they take me.  And if I’m somehow without my notebook, I use the recording function of my phone to memorialize ideas.  That way when I sit down to write, I have stuff to work with.

Me: I get strange looks from neighbors when I use the recording function on my phone. Oops! Did I say that out loud? Soooo…. would you rather be with your main character in a 50 foot well or a football field surrounded by zombies? (I like zombies – it’s kind of an obsession)

Erica: Hmm… tough one.  Zombies don’t run very fast, but then again neither does Ace-the-grandpa.  And Ace-the-dog would probably try to give the zombies doggie kisses, which is never a good idea.  So, I guess I’m going to go with the 50 foot well.  If we’re stuck there a long time, Zelly, Ace and Ace will definitely keep me entertained.

Me: Are you crazy? There’s blood-sucking, soul-draining monsters in those wells! All right, maybe you can answer this one correctly.  Peanut butter or jelly? Sardines or crackers? Careful. Your life depends on it.

Erica: This one’s easy.  Nutella on whole wheat toast.

Me: 50 points! Thanks for the riding the MUF boat today. (Get it, Love boat, MUF boat? Ah…nevermind.)

erica perl

 ERICA S. PERL is the author of When Life Gives You OJ, Vintage Veronica, and a number of picture books, including the well-loved Chicken Butt. A crowd-pleasing presenter to children of all ages, she has also done author visits at schools and libraries across the United States. In addition to writing books, Erica works at First Book, the groundbreaking nonprofit organization that has provided over 70 million brand-new books to children in need. Learn more about Erica and her books at www.EricaPerl.com. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

Want to win a copy of ACES WILD? Then just fill out the rafflecopter form below!

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Amie Borst doesn’t have a crazy, out-of-control anything in her house, but she does write about characters with those traits. Her first book, Cinderskella, co-authored by her middle-grade daughter, Bethanie, debuts October 26th, 2013. You can find her on facebook, twitter and her blog. 

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Back to School

By on August 23, 2013   /   Book Lists  

Hi Mixed-Up Filers!

Hope everybody is doing well since my last post around five weeks ago.

Again, I know what you’re thinking. Isn’t it a little soon for you to be posting, Jonathan? And the answer to that, is yes. Yes, it is. But there’s a reason for it. You see, at the last MUF staff-meeting, where my function is basically to get fresh doughnuts and hot coffee for the other members, I crawled over to Elissa Cruz and requested an audience with her. Well, after getting reprimanded for not sorting the strawberry frosted ones from the chocolates, she agreed. It was then, that I practically begged her to let me post a little sooner than the normal thirteen-month rotation that I’m usually on.

Sure, at first she was skeptical. I mean, I probably would be too in her position, but when she heard me speak, she rolled her eyes and sighed. But after that, she agreed to let me post a little early, under the condition that she not be mentioned at all…oh, I should probably not have said that part. Eh, it’s okay, I’m sure I’ll remember to edit it out later.

Anyway, this week my kids, like many others across the nation, went back to school after a fun-filled summer vacation. So naturally, I thought it would be a great idea to write about the escalating inflation rate in the country. Well, she thought it might perhaps be better to write about books that dealt with schools or going back to school. In hindsight, I have to admit that her idea was probably a little bit better. But, anyway, I took that suggestion and ran with it.

Now, granted this topic seemed a little bit broad. Because, a lot of middle-grade books deal with the child’s school or school plays an important part in it. I had to do the only fair thing, and that was basically to pick whichever ones I wanted. So, I narrowed it down toward books that showed what it was like to be the new kid in school. That feeling of excitement, but also nervousness and fear. Wondering if you’ll fit in. Wondering if you’ll make friends. Wondering if you’ll like anyone or anyone will like you. It’s funny that as a teacher now, you get a lot of those same thoughts. As a child though, I both loved and hated going to new schools. But, I did it…a lot. My family moved frequently. And I was fortunate enough to see a lot of interesting places and to meet a lot of interesting people. I made many good friends, and some are friends to this day. But, on the other side of the fence, is the exact opposite of that. When you meet good friends, it sure does stink to have to move away from them. And I had to do that a lot too.

So, here is my small list of books where kids go to new schools.

One of the first ones that comes to mind now, wasn’t even a book when I was a kid. Yeah, I might’ve been just a tad older, but I really enjoyed it nonetheless. Anyway, it’s Carl Hiaasen’s Hoot. I thought Hoot captured a lot of that nervous feeling of going to a new school and trying to fit in and no matter what you do, you inevitably get on the wrong side of the school bully. I remember those times in middle school vividly. I also liked it because it took place in Florida, which is exactly the place where I had many an anxious moment in middle school, after moving to Florida at that time. Doesn’t hurt at all that Hoot has a good sub-plot about saving burrowing owls from a construction site. And with character names like “Mullet Fingers”, what’s not to love?

hoot

Another one that I loved, and was around when I was a child, was Thomas Rockwell’s, How to Eat Fried Worms. Right off the bat, great title. Definitely grabs a kid’s attention. The plot centers on ten-year-old Billy entering a new school and getting picked on by a bully. See a theme? I guess I identified a lot with this when I was a kid, since we moved so much, so that type of story resonated with me. But, in the book, the bully, Joe, bets Billy that he can’t eat fifteen worms in fifteen days. Plenty of gross-out moments, which kids will love.

friedworms

Another more recent one, is Rick Riordan’s, The Lightning Thief. It follows twelve-year-old, Percy Jackson and his discovery that he is in fact the son of the God, Poseidon. Percy has to go to a new school to learn about himself and what worse school could there be to be a new kid of, than one filled with DemiGods and Goddesses?   This was a fun book and a fun twist to the new kid in school theme.

The_Lightning_Thief_cover

One more book that I’m going to list, is also a fairly new one. Trenton Lee Stewart’s, The Mysterious Benedict Society. This book was sooooo much fun. It’s about eleven-year-old orphan, Reynie Muldoon, who sees an ad seeking gifted children looking for special opportunities. After answering it, he has to compete in a series of tests, using logic and puzzle-solving ability. He then goes to where else? A new school! There, he and several other kids are trained by the mysterious Mr. Benedict, to infiltrate a sinister school. To me, it sounds like senior year of high school all over again, but it was a fun read.

the-mysterious-benedict-society

I definitely recommend all of these and would love to hear about some of your favorite new-kid-in-school books as well! One of my friends mentioned to me that there was an obscure one about a kid who discovers he’s a wizard and goes to wizarding school, but I didn’t have time to authenticate it, so I left it off for now.

Anyway, wishing all the kids a great school year and all the parents the strength to get through it.

Until next time…

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Wish by Beth Bracken and Kay Fraser

By on August 22, 2013   /   Author Interviews, Giveaways  

Two friends, torn apart. Soli and Lucy argue, and then Lucy disappears, taken by the faeries who live in the forest near their homes. Can Soli save her friend, even if it means facing the biggest dangers she’s ever experienced?  (Facebook,  Facebook Capstone , Capstone)

Wish

 Me: *Waves* Hello ladies! Great to have another writing team on The Files.  What’s the best part about writing middle-grade books?

BETH: The best part is collaborating with my co-author. But I also love the rush I get from writing: I sometimes get lost in it, and it feels really good.

KAY: The best part is that it brings you back to that time period in your life. It gives you the opportunity to get in touch with the tween that lives in your heart no matter the writer’s age. Middle grade is a time when you make huge discoveries about yourself and others, and it’s always great to have the opportunity to write for that audience and entertain them with new ways to look at things they haven’t yet considered.
Me: I love that part, too, Kay!  What is your favorite type of middle-grade book to read?
BETH: My favorite middle grade books always have really strong main characters and clear settings. I don’t really love historical fiction or high fantasy, but prefer books that are rooted in contemporary settings. I think I just connect better to that kind of book.
KAY: I’m a huge J.K. Rowling and Rick Riordan fan. I’m always intrigued by fantasy, and the way the writers approach the book’s world building. It’s really fascinating to me.
Me: Oooh. Good answers! I love world building, too. I especially like to see how a character develops in that world, what sort of influence it has on them. What do you like most about your main characters, Soli and Lucy?
BETH: I like that they’re both complicated girls. It’s not as easy as one being popular and one being quiet; they’re both real, with good qualities and bad.
KAY: What I like the most about Lucy and Soli is their bond and understanding of each other. They believe in one another; they understand they can make mistakes; they trust their hearts; they keep strong side by side, showcasing that friendships can move mountains. I believe in those friendships. I still have them, and they mean the world to me. Friends like that exist, and they will change your life. Both girls are extremely relatable, and I identify with both of them, in different levels of their personality. They are just girls, true girls, you see everyday walking down the street, and they are really trying to grow and discover themselves throughout the story.
Me: They sound like characters many middle-grade girls can relate to.  Do you prefer bologna and cheese or peanut butter and jelly?
BETH: I have peanut butter and strawberry jam on an english muffin for breakfast almost every day, so I’ll choose that one. 🙂
KAY: Peanut butter, no jelly, or bologna, no cheese. It’s a cultural thing. We Argentineans are odd. LOL!
Me: I guess I can’t have lunch with either of you. I’m allergic to nuts and meat! Maybe we can find a nice salad to munch on 🙂 Thanks for coming to MUF today, ladies!
Wish authors
Kay Fraser and Beth Bracken are a designer-editor team in Minnesota. Kay is from Buenos Aires. She left home at eighteen and moved to North Dakota — basically the exact opposite of Argentina. These days, she designs books, writes, makes tea for her husband, and drives her daughters to their dance lessons. Beth lives in a light-filled house with her husband and their son, Sam. She spends her time editing books, reading, daydreaming, and rearranging her furniture. Kay and Beth both love dark chocolate, Buffy, and tea.
Would you like to win a copy of WISH? Then just fill out the rafflecopter form below!

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Amie Borst is the co-author of Cinderskella, a twisted fairy tale. She writes with her middle-grade daughter, Bethanie, and they’re excited about their debut on October 26th, 2013. You can find them both on facebook.
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