Author Interviews

Happy Flag Day! Let’s celebrate with an interview with award-winning author Kate Messner and a giveaway!

By on June 14, 2013   /   Author Interviews, Book Lists, For Librarians, For Teachers, Giveaways  

 

Happy Flag Day!

flag

 

What better way to celebrate than to talk to award-wining author Kate Messner        

kate

  

about her middle-grade mystery book, Capture the Flag!

 

Kate’s newest middle-grade novel series has it all – excitement, intrigue, high-stakes action, and best of all it centers on the stolen American flag! What a great idea and a fun topic for our Flag Day post!

 

 

A stolen flag, a secret society, and three complete strangers . . .
Capture-the-Flag
Anna, José, and Henry have never met, but they have more in common than they realize. Snowed in together at a chaotic Washington, DC, airport, they encounter a mysterious tattooed man, a flamboyant politician, and a rambunctious poodle named for an ancient king. Even stranger, news stations everywhere have just announced that the famous flag that inspired “The Star-Spangled Banner” has been stolen! Anna, certain that the culprits must be snowed in, too, recruits Henry and José to help find the thieves and bring them to justice.
But when accusations start flying, they soon realize there’s even more than a national treasure at stake. With unexpected enemies lurking around every corner, will the trio solve the heist before the flag is lost forever?

 

 Praise for CAPTURE THE FLAG
A Junior Library Guild Selection
“A fast-paced mystery . . . a sparkling start for a promising new series.” –KIRKUS REVIEWS
“A novel as cinematic in execution as it is patriotic in theme.” –PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

 

I just finished reading your delightful book, Capture the Flag, I was wondering – where did you get the inspiration for this story? Did you visit the actual flag in the Smithsonian?

I did visit that flag – but not until I already knew I was going to let it be stolen in this book!  The inspiration for CAPTURE THE FLAG was actually the setting — I love airports and thought it would be great fun to set a mystery in one during a snowstorm. I love the super-charged atmosphere…everyone coming or going someplace. In airports, everyone has a story.  And I loved the idea of the snowstorm keeping everyone stuck there for a short period of time so my kids could investigate the crime, knowing that if they didn’t solve it, all the evidence and suspects would fly away as soon as the storm let up.

 

Much of the book takes place in an airport and the baggage area underneath. Were you able to go behind the scenes of the baggage handling area to do research for this book?

That’s the one thing I wasn’t able to explore firsthand in my research. Not surprisingly, airport security in a post-9/11 world doesn’t make exception for children’s authors.  However, I was able explore those under-the-airport worlds virtually, since most companies that build baggage handling systems have videos online showing how they work.

 

How much research, if any, do you do for your fiction books? Do you think this is  important?

I do extensive research for my books, especially when it comes to making sure I have the setting just right.  For CAPTURE THE FLAG, that meant spending a day at the Smithsonian, exploring behind the scenes with the curator of the flag exhibit and talking through just how those fictional bad guys might get out of the museum with the flag.

 

This book is your first mystery. Did you have fun writing it?

Great fun – but it was a great challenge, too, and taught me to plan in much more detail than I’d been accustomed to with my previous books.

 

Any tips aspiring authors should be aware of when writing mysteries for middle grade readers?

When I teach mystery writing workshops, I focus a lot on planning – the idea that suspects aren’t the only ones who need motives; investigators do, too.  It takes a lot of playing around with ideas to make sure all the details end up fitting together just right. And I think setting is huge in mysteries, too. The place can be a huge part of the story, and I encourage writers to think of it as the playground for their characters. What adventures can happen in a museum? In an airport, or a rainforest, or at the World Series?

 

Do you tend to stick with one writing level at a time or go back and forth depending on what inspires you?

I write across genres — middle grade, chapter books, and picture books – both fiction and nonfiction – and I love them all, so I couldn’t choose just one as a favorite. Most often, it’s my deadlines the determine what any given writing day looks like. The book that’s due first gets first priority, and when I’m not on deadline, I tend to play a lot, working on whatever seems to be calling me that day.

 

Your characters are ethnically diverse. How important do you think it is to have ethnically diverse characters in middle grade  books?

Very much so – and I’ve actually been quite involved in providing input for the covers for this mystery series. Scholastic has been amazing about asking for feedback, and we’ve talked about just this topic – the importance of not only including kids from different backgrounds on the covers but also showing their faces.  When I was teaching 7th grade, it was important to me that all of my students could find books with faces on the cover that looked like theirs. It was frustrating to me when most of the books I could find with brown faces on the covers were historical or issue books, where the story was about the character’s race.  In real life, it’s not like that — kids of all different backgrounds go to school and play lots of different sports and solve mysteries and have adventures, and I feel like we need to be mindful of that when we write and market books, too. I’ve been thrilled with the covers for the books in this series!  (And I can’t share the cover for book 3, MANHUNT, quite yet, but I can tell you that I think it might be the best of all!)

Many thanks!  ~Kate

 

And many thanks to you, Kate, for giving us a peek into your writing process. Mysteries are my favorite and I really loved this book! Can’t wait to read the new one in the series.

To learn more about Kate’s many amazing books, see her website http://www.katemessner.com/

Now, for what you’ve all been waiting for,  Kate has generously offered to donate an autographed copy of Capture the Flag to one lucky reader!  Simply leave a comment below and you will be entered in the giveaway.

 

****

Jennifer Swanson is a life-long mystery lover. Some say she was born with a magnifying glass in one hand a Nancy Drew book in the other.

Back to Top

It’s almost Summer – have you planted your Butterfly Garden yet?

By on May 31, 2013   /   Author Interviews, Book Lists, Giveaways  

It’s a New Book Release and Giveaway for one of our very own Mixed Up Files Authors . . .

Kimberley Griffiths Little!

When the Butterflies Came (Scholastic, 2013)

***A magical mystery!***

MUF: Why did you decide to make this story for middle grade readers?

I adore MG literature because the stories and emotions are so heartfelt and speak to the pivotal changes that go on in a kid’s life when they’re between 10-12. Reading was my *real* world when I was a kid . . . I read a book a day. Or better yet *devoured* a book a day. I was EXTREMELY shy as a child and my parents worried about me because I didn’t talk much to other people. Books were my lifesaver and best friends. We still have quite a close relationship and send greeting cards and yearly letters to each other – well mostly me to them – every chance we get.

The nice thing about middle Grade is that even though its meant for children, adults can read them too, but those are the adults that still view the world as magical and wondrous–and it’s nice that there are so many of them! I try to oblige that love (for everyone of all ages). 🙂

MUF: What was your favorite part of the book writing process?

I love when I’m thinking of a new book idea and my mind is working subconsciously – and suddenly ideas start spilling into my brain and I can’t write them down fast enough. That’s why I love first drafts more than revision. It’s all so exciting as the ideas pour out and they get down on paper. But you have to trust the process. Some days you’re pulling your hair out wondering how it’s all going to fit together, and then suddenly the Idea Goddess waves her sparkly wand and blesses you.

Researching all the gorgeous butterflies from around the world was fascinating as well as discovering the Island of Chuuk and talking to people who had lived there. Micronesia and Chuuk, especially, has a fascinating history!

butterfly2MUF: Can you share an excerpt from the book that gives us a flavor of your character’s voice?

“The butterfly’s tiny black eyes fix on mine. We stare at each other, and it’s almost as if that butterfly is looking at me and knows who I am. Like it’s got a brain and is thinking.

That’s when I hear music again. Not Riley’s rock music rattling my brain, making me want to crunch my teeth. This is angel music, delicate, unearthly, filling me up until my heart feels like it’s gonna burst. This butterfly ain’t no regular butterfly!”

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

MUF: How did you come up with your characters voice? It started when my mind kept turning to one of the minor character from my previous book Circle of Secrets. I found myself wanting to know more about Tara Doucet. She’s a 7th generation *Pantene Princess* of the Doucet family who lives in an old plantation house in the South. I mean, who doesn’t want to be Scarlett O’Hara! *Voice*, for me, comes after many hours of daydreaming about my character and mentally and visually putting myself in her shoes. I thought about Tara’s personal foibles, mannerisms, expressions, relationships, motivations, problems, friends and family.

A very curious picture began to emerge—not one I’d originally assumed. The most popular girl at school with silky waterfall hair was actually living in a crumbling mansion house (the trust fund is gone and they’re trying to “keep up appearances”) with a bratty older sister who wears combat boots—and she’s got a touch of OCD. The rug fringe in the front hall must be perfectly laid!

The person Tara is closest to, her Grammy Claire, is a research scientist studying some unusual butterflies in Micronesia. She’s even got a laboratory in a tree house. I also *love* the name for butterfly on the island of Chuuk: nipwisipwis – and with that word ideas for the story began to burst forth. Tara receives a set of mysterious letters and keys—from beyond the grave—which leads her on a dangerous journey as she discovers more and more about the butterflies. There are bad guys, too! Tara finds out she’s smarter and tougher than she ever thought, and, of course, the relationships of the characters is always a big component in my books as well as the magical realism.

The perfect beach at the Blue Lagoon on the island of Chuuk also know as Truk Lagoon in Micronrsia South PacificMUF: Why did you choose the setting of your story?

I love islands and beaches and miss the ocean where I grew up near San Francisco living in the desert and mountains of New Mexico. Of course, The Doucet Mansion is set in the bayous/swamps of Louisiana in the small town of Bayou Bridge, but Grammy Claire’s research is on a remote island and her laboratory is in a tree house! Both settings are unusual and mysteriously beautiful. I was also looking for an excuse to justify a research trip out there since the waters are so pretty and the spa treatments so relaxing. 🙂 (Kidding!)

Chuuk 11MUF: What can you tell us about your research process? What was your most unusual source?

Finding information about the Island of Chuuk was tricky, (especially since its on the other side of the world!) I scoured and read everything on the internet. Then I found some blogs by people who’d lived there – and got to talk to them by phone, which was extremely helpful. Then I went on Youtube and found some marvelous videos filmed on Chuuk as well as lots of articles about the island. I even spent hours poring over the Chuukese/English dictionary.

MUF: Who is your cover artist? Illustrator? Is the character in the illustration as you imagined him?

I’ve been blessed by the Cover Goddesses, too. Erin McGuire did the artwork for Circle of Secrets and Scholastic was so pleased they asked Erin to create the artwork for When the Butterflies Came, too. The two books have a completely different look, but the colors pop off the shelf and they’re gorgeous. Erin blogged about her process of creating my cover here. (You may be surprised at the other book jackets she’s done!): http://emcguire.blogspot.com/2012/07/when-butterflies-came-process.html

MUF: Do butterflies ever follow you?

Only on sunny, happy days. (Or the days I use rose scented perfume. It attracts them like moths to the flame! I usually feel like I’m being stalked by the Butterfly Paparazzi. I know I occasionally stalk them with a camera hoping for a perfect shot.) Or maybe butterflies *create* sunny, happy days! Butterflies are magical because they go through this incredible metamorphosis, changing from a green, icky caterpillar into a peculiar chrysalis and then burst out of their cocoon into a gorgeous colorful butterfly. Sort of like reincarnation or resurrection!

Purple spotted swallowtail

MUF: Was there a teacher or librarian in your childhood who inspired or empowered you to be a writer?

My 8th grade teacher raised his eyebrows when I turned in a *novel* instead of a term paper, but he was very empowering when he had me reading the Classics and writing projects the other students weren’t. He encouraged me to keep writing and gave me a sense that I had a spark of talent. I think it may have been more desire than talent because it took a REALLY LONG TIME to get published, but I still think about him and his encouragement.

MUF: What is your favorite…place to write? Work day snack? 

My brother and his family came down and invaded my already stuffed house a couple Christmases ago and built me a writing cottage on the back of our one-acre property so I could get away from the crazy and just write. It was exactly what I needed but needless to say *the crazy* has a tendency of following me out there on little children’s feet. Writing breaks usually include a Large Dr. Pepper w/Ice and a salad from a local pizza place or if I’m feeling in need of a particularly large amount of “Inspiration”, then a large batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies followed by a short sugar coma on my daybed.

And now for a Spectacular Giveaway!

A signed hardcover of WHEN THE BUTTERFLIES CAME

*PLUS* pretty bookmarks

*PLUS* a butterfly/key necklace!

MUF Giveaway picture

Just leave a comment and you’re entered! If you share on your blog/Facebook/Twitter, etc. please let us know and your get your name added an extra time for more chances to win!

***Winner announced on Thursday, June 6th! The book trailer for WHEN THE BUTTERFLIES CAME will air that day as well so come back for all the fun!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kimberley Griffiths Little just turned in the manuscript for her next magical realism novel for Summer 2014 – which includes time-slipping and a cursed doll. You can find her hanging out a lot on Facebook. (Check our her recent FB photo album of Petra, Jordan – yep, another book research trip!) Enjoy Teacher’s Guides and Mother/Daughter Book Club Guides and “filmed on location” book trailers at her website.

 

 

Back to Top

Indy Spotlight: Children’s Book World,Haverford PA

By on May 29, 2013   /   Author Interviews, Book Lists, Indie Spotlight  
screenshot_723It’s always a pleasure to learn more about a thriving children’s bookstore, and today we’re talking with Hannah Schwarz of Children’s Book World in Haverford, Pennsylvania (www.childrensbookworld.net).
Sue Cowing for Mixed-Up Files: Let’s start right off with something amazing I read in a review of the store — that your booksellers are required to read every book that comes into Children’s Book World! True?  That must say a lot about what your shop and your staff are all about.
Hannah Schwartz: We do have an amazing staff and they do read a ton. When we used to get a lot of F&G’s we all read them all. But now publishers don’t send as many, so we cannot read every book before it comes in.  We don’t “require” our employees to read every book in the entire store but we do collectively cover many, many of the books. I would say that we strive to read every piece of fiction in the store and as much nonfiction as we can. Even for the biggest book readers there are only so many hours in the day! We do believe, however, that in order to fulfill the needs of our readers – young and old – we need to know what’s in the books – so we keep on reading.
screenshot_784
MUF:Your shop has obviously weathered the recession and all the changes in the book industry and is going strong.  What do you think is the secret to survival for an independent bookstore.
Hannah: SERVICE! Knowing our books, knowing our customers and making the perfect match is how we survive and thrive.
MUF: Suppose a ten-or eleven-year-old comes into your shop and asks you  to help him find a good book. What happens next?
Hannah: We ask about A) interests (sports, fantasy, etc.) B) age/grade levels C) any favorite books they’ve read. Then we ask him or her to look over a few choices and give us feedback and we go from there – either suggesting others or selling the ones already chosen.
MUF: What are a few of your own favorite middle-grade titles, fiction or non-fiction?
Hannah: Wonder, Wonderstruck, Penderwicks (series), 7 Professors of the Far North, Sound Bender, Tangle of Knots, Steel Trapp, Black Duck, Pizza the Size of the Sun, Goose Girl, Crash, Who is…/Who Was… (series of biographies), and Eyewitness Books.
MUF: Is yours a nooks-and-crannies store? Do people curl up and spend time reading there?screenshot_787
Hannah: Yes, especially on our “stage” area. We took a lot of care when planning the store to make it a comfortable and inviting space for people to browse, read and discuss. We want our customers to feel like part of a book community and share their love of literature with one another.
MUF:  You have a good number of autographed children’s books at Children’s Book World. Does that include some by middle-graders’ favorite authors?
Hannah: Yes, we certainly do. We ask all of the authors who appear at our events to sign their books for stock. Some books we have recently added are by Brandon Sanderson, Jessica Day George, Jacqueline Davis, Lauren Myracle, Leslie Margolis, and Sarah Mlynowski.

Middle-Grade Mania with Joe Schreiber, Linda Urban, & Jacqueline Davies

Middle-Grade Mania with Joe Schreiber, Linda Urban, & Jacqueline Davies

MUF: You hold a number of author appearances and other events each month, both on site and out in the community. What have been some of your favorites? What’s coming up in June?
Hannah: I think our favorite types of events are when we have the opportunity to gather a bunch of authors and illustrators together to meet each other and our community. It is wonderful to see, for example, an author who admired another author meet for the first time in our store.  We also enjoy bringing in first time authors and introducing them to the community as well as big draws such as J.K. Rowling who created lines around the corner and down the street.  For our middle-grade customers we had a fun event recently called “Middle Grade Mania” where we brought together 4 middle-grade authors to serve on a few panels at two local schools and our store.
Erin Hunter (Gillian Philip), author of THE EMPTY CITY, Survivor Series

Erin Hunter (Gillian Philip), author of THE EMPTY CITY, Survivor Series

This June we are slated to have:
–Rachel Rene Russell author of the popular Dork Diaries will be in-store for a discussion and signing of her newest book in the series, Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Happy Heartbreaker!screenshot_782
–Summer Reading Club – June-August This is a yearly program we run designed to give our customers a chance to read pre-published books and review them.  At the end of the summer for each book reviewed, they are rewarded with credit to use for the purchase of books in the store.
–Also in June we will host picture book author Jen Sattler and YA author David Levithan.
MUF:If a family from out of town made a day-trip to Children’s Book World, would there be family friendly places nearby to get a snack or meal after book browsing? And if they could stay a little longer, are there other special places or activities in Haverford that families would enjoy?
Hannah: We have lot of places in walking distance or nearby for families to explore. For starters we are across the street from Haverford College which is a beautiful campus with a duck pond, walking trails, trees to climb and fields for playing. We also have a number of food options including a family friendly bagel shop and a soup, salad and sandwich place. We are also halfway between Ardmore, a suburban shopping mecca and Bryn Mawr which has a beautiful newly renovated library and independent shops lining the street, like the toy store Puns. Plus, Haverford is a suburb of Philadelphia which is chock full of amazing historical sights such as the Liberty Bell, the Constitution Center and Independence Hall as well as children’s museums such as the Please Touch Museum and the Franklin Institute.
MUF:  Thank you, Hannah , for making time in your busy day to respond to  these questions!
Readers, have you been to Children’s Book World, or  would you like to visit?  If so please let us know in a comment.  And, wherever you are, do plan to visit a children’s bookstore near you this summer.  Each one is a unique experience.
Sue Cowing lives in Honolulu and has to travel 2,000 miles to the nearest children’s bookstore!  She is the author of the puppet-and-boy novel, You Will Call Me Drog (Carolrhoda Books, 2011; Usborne UK, 2012).
Back to Top