Author Interviews

Welcome Super Librarian and Author Louise Simone!

By on February 7, 2014   /   Author Interviews, For Librarians  

Nobody knows the books kids love better than someone who’s surrounded by lots and lots of kids and lots and lots of wonderful books, which is exactly how I’d describe elementary and middle school librarian and author Louise P. Simone. What’s more, Louise is on the homestretch of her doctorate, on fantasy literature for children and young adults.

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Today I’m delighted to welcome Louise to From The Mixed-Up Files! Let’s get down to business, Louise. How do your students select great books- cover design, word of mouth, reading the first page or a random interior page, other?

In my experience the cover has a lot to do with which books go out and which don’t. Since I updated our copies of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House Series, which had 1970s era covers (the books were still in great shape, by the way, despite being loved by hundreds of students over the 35 years the library housed them), the books have been in almost constant circulation.  Same thing with the Box Car series. So much for not judging a book by its cover…

But just as important is another child/classmate’s recommendation. I can stand there talking up a book until I’m blue in the face, and get blank stares, until another student who I have managed to entice to read the story steps in to second my recommendation. Many kids are happy to take my word for the story’s worth, but when a friend recommends one, it’s gold.  I suppose the last thing a potential reader looks at is the jacket copy or the back cover’s description.  It has to be intriguing  and come almost to spoiling the story. Of course every publisher and writer knows the importance of a hook…I’m here to tell you they really, really work.

What surprises you about your students’ selections?

I must admit I take a great deal of time finding a book to meet my students tastes. I know who likes to cry, or who likes a fast paced adventure, or a mystery with just the right amount of puzzle to decipher. I don’t carry a lot of the really short, quick read series because they take up a lot of shelf space and kids go through them so fast I can’t keep them in the library long enough for them to check out the next one when they are ready. But because of the school’s demographics, most parents are happy to keep their children in reading material, so I am off the hook about purchasing those. But what surprises me is that even when I think I’ve figured out a kid’s preference, it changes, Which is great because then I have a whole new pile to recommend. I love watching a student venture off the mainstream into a new genre. It makes my job more interesting and keeps me thinking.

How do you go about steering kids to a just right book?

I use all the usual tricks: a five finger rule, grade level, and asking them what books he or she recently read and really loved. I also ask which books they hated and why, so I don’t offer those up, but it also helps me narrow down their tastes. Sometimes, when I get an especially tough reader, I ask what they like to watch on television or what video games they play. That helps me focus on the kind of things that keep them interested and focused over longer periods of time, and it really surprises kids when the Librarian asks about things most teachers don’t. Also, I’ve found, that students who wouldn’t touch a serious piece of fiction with a ten-foot pole, will often read some of the most intense nonfiction or biographies. They might not like to fight through a made-up story, but give them one about real people facing real obstacles and you’ve reeled them in.

 I suppose the only other trick I use is to ask them to tell me if they could write a book, what would it be about. I try very hard to come up with one that matches their interests whether it be pirates and battles or pink hearts and dinosaurs.

What are some of your current favorites?

Anything by Kathi Appelt or Kate DiCamillo. I love The True Blue Scouts of Sugarman Swamp because it combines wit and adventure with an environmental message. Any time a book is both entertaining and makes a kid think, is great. Of course Rick Riordan is a perennial favorite. Recently, the 39 Clues series and The Seven Wonders series have been popular. Although I try to read new things each year, a few I go back to regularly are Lloyd Alexander’s The Book of Three, R. J. Palacio’s Wonder, and Christopher Paul Curtis’s Bud Not Buddy.  I also loved this year’s Newbery Winner, Flora and Ulysses, and Clair Vanderpool’s Navigating Early. Two of my favorite sleepers are Christopher Healy’s The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom and The Hero’s Guide to Storming Your Castle.  They are hilarious. Also, Grace Lin’s books are very popular, and Kekla Magoon’s, Walter Dean Myers’s, and Rita William’s Garcia’s books go out all the time.  For older students, John Green. 

Is setting aside time for read aloud important for middle grade readers?

Everybody loves to be read to. I especially love it when after a few minutes of reading, I’ll look up and the squirmy, fidgeting middle schooler who I have had my eye on is suddenly fully engaged, completely still, listening with his or her mouth open. You gotta love a story that can do that. 

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Louise is the author of the action packed upper middle-grade/YA thriller HEIR OF THE JAGUAR. Hailed by Kirkus for “nail-biting suspense” and “tight, sharp and intelligent” prose, it’s great for daring advanced readers who aren’t afraid to be a little bit scared when they read. JAGUAR was a finalist for the Next Generation Indie Book Award and is now available as a graphic novel.

Thanks Louise!

Tami Lewis Brown is all for nail-biting suspense… as long as it stays on the page. She’s now working on a middle-grade murder mystery with a historic twist.

 

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ICE DOGS: An Interview with Terry Lynn Johnson

By on January 24, 2014   /   Author Interviews  

Terry Lynn Johnson

Today I have the privilege of introducing author Terry Lynn Johnson and her new MG novel, ICE DOGS. Terry is a conservation officer in Whitefish Falls, Ontario, Canada, and her love of the great outdoors shines through her novels as well. She is also an experienced musher, so for anyone interested in dog sledding, this book is a must read.

A description of the book:

Pre-order a copy today by clicking on the image above

Lost. That’s how fourteen-year-old dogsledder Victoria Secord has felt ever since her father died. A champion musher, Victoria is independent, self-reliant, and thanks to her father, an expert in surviving the unforgiving Alaskan bush. When an injured “city boy” and a snowstorm catch Victoria and her dog team by surprise, a routine trip becomes a life-or-death trek through the frozen wilderness. As temperatures drop and food stores run out, Victoria must find a way to save them all in this high-stakes, high-adventure middle grade novel of endurance, hope, and finding your way back home.

If you are the visual type, watch the amazing trailer (which is just as awesome as the book):

Welcome to From the Mixed-Up Files, Terry! I am so excited to talk with you today about both your book and your own experiences with dog sledding!

First of all, I have to ask, what kinds of things do you do as a conservation officer in Canada? That sounds like a fascinating job!

A Conservation Officer is sometimes called a Game Warden in the States. I work outdoors enforcing Ontario’s natural resources legislation. I go on patrols in boats, canoes, snow machines, airplanes, ATV’s, and by truck. It’s a very diverse job, one day I could be tranquilizing bears, the next collecting DNA from a moose kill site.

Wow. I can see why you write about the wilderness, since you get to experience it up close every day.  Is there anything in your book, ICE DOGS, that was based on your job or your own mushing experiences?  Did you have to do a lot of book research as well?

Most of the events in the story I have had personal experience with. I don’t want to give spoilers here – but honestly, some of those experiences I’d rather not have had! One thing I did specifically for the story was drink twig tea and chew on the inner bark of trees. I also forced my husband to do it with me so I can watch his reaction. He’s a good sport.

That twig tea and bark chew sounds disgusting. I’m glad I only have to experience it through your writing. I also loved experiencing Victoria’s special relationship with her dogs, particularly her lead dog, Bean. Can you share with us some of your experiences with your team?

Most of the moments that stick in my mind involve just being with the dogs. My dogs were such characters and fun to watch as they learned. Seeing them think and respond to problems we came across on the trails, that was the best part for me. And I’ll never forget those quiet morning runs – the sled skimming hard trails, being surrounded by hoar frost-covered branches that sparkled like diamonds as the sun rose. Those mornings fill up my soul.

I love your vivid description of the winter wilderness. Your book is full of them, too. I especially loved the way you described the snow and its effect on the surroundings (and the people and animals, too). Any advice for the writers out there on ways to capture the setting in your writing?

An early version of Ice Dogs went out to agents and the feedback I got from one agent suggested that setting is a character and this story would benefit from a little more description and layers. That turned out to be great advice because after I revised, I found my agent Caryn Wiseman from ABLA. How to do it? What works for me every time is to go snowshoeing. Whenever I have trouble with a manuscript, that always seems to bring me back to centre. Though, that might not work for everyone. I’ve heard some writers think of their best scenes in the shower.

It’s clear you spend a lot of time outdoors! Have you ever been lost while mushing?

I did get lost one day for a few hours in heavy snow. This is the experience that my premise came from for the book. For me, my lead dog knew the way at a fork in the trail, and I trusted him. For Victoria, unfortunately she must go through the situation of what could have happened…

And I know your readers will love going on the adventure with Victoria. (I did.)  To be honest, reading your book made me me want to take up dog sledding.  Do you have any advice for those who are interested in learning more about mushing and wilderness survival training?

Outward Bound is a good place to start. I used to run dogs with them, so I know the quality of their instructors. They teach winter survival, take you out on trips, and have fun doing it. Another fantastic place to research dogsledding opportunities in your area is www.sleddogcentral.com.

Thank you so much for coming on the blog and sharing your experiences and your book, Terry!

And don’t forget, ICE DOGS will be releasing February 4th, so add it to your wish list now. Readers, as a special bonus, Terry is offering an autographed hardcover copy of her book, ICE DOGS, as well as some matching doggy bag swag! Enter below for a chance to be the lucky winner. The winner will be announced on January 30, 2014.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Elissa Cruz is currently experiencing the snow in her own home state of Utah. She is not a fan of the cold. You can learn more about her than you ever wanted to by visiting her website at www.elissacruz.com.

 

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Courage and Civil Rights: An Interview with Tanya Lee Stone

By on January 20, 2014   /   Author Interviews, Nonfiction  

On this day, many of us retell the stories of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his speech, the bravery of Rosa Parks on the bus, and the students of Little Rock. But few realize that the seeds of the civil rights movement began during World War II.

courageIn Courage Has No Color, award-winning author Tanya Lee Stone tells the story of our nation’s first black paratroopers who integrated the army six months before Truman’s executive order calling for “equality of treatment and opportunity” in the military in 1948.

Tanya met Walter Morris, the sergeant who decided to train his men in the service company of the Parachute School as paratroopers. He wanted them “to act like soldiers, not servants.” Because of Morris’ leadership, the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, the Triple Nickles, was born.

At the end of the war, black and white servicemen had shared experiences that began a shift in society. “White Americans found it difficult to ignore the fact that they had been fighting Hitler while perpetrating atrocities and inequalities on their own black citizens—especially when those black citizens had done their part to unite in the fight against the same foe,” Tanya writes.

Courage Has No Color earned four starred reviews, was named Publishers Weekly Best Books 2013 and Kirkus Best Books of 2013, and received many honors, including the YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award and NAACP Image Award Finalist. Tanya took some time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions.

Tanya Lee Stone

MUF: This is an amazing story about the courage and patriotism of the Triple Nickles. You tell the largely hidden story of the Japanese balloon bombs, giving meaning to the firefighting these paratroopers did in 1945. Yet these paratroopers never went overseas to fight Hitler. Was it hard to write about that disappointment?

TS: Yes, it was. It was a tricky thing to piece together as well. There was a lot of disappointment and sadness involved with this story as well as pride and accomplishment, heroism and honor.

MUF: Sergeant Walter Morris was a true leader and, it seems, a storyteller. I was saddened to learn that he died in October 2013. Was he happy to see his story told?

TS: Oh, he was elated. And the book came out the day after his birthday, so he had it in his hands. I was on the phone with him during his birthday party and a lot of the Triple Nickles men were there, and we were all whooping and hollering. It was an honor and a joy to have gotten to know Walter these last ten years, and not only was he happy to see his story told, he was able to participate in that telling. I will forever be grateful for that.

MUF: This book began as a picture book, and it sounds like you resisted turning it into a longer work for middle grade readers. Can you talk about that decision?

TS: The phone call I received from Hilary Van Dusen at Candlewick came at a moment when I was probably more tired than I had ever been from writing. I had just finished The Good, the Bad, and the Barbie right on the heels of Almost Astronauts, with a picture book in between. Ashley Bryan had read the picture book version of Courage Has No Color and the praise he gave me bolstered my confidence. And did I mention I was tired? So when Hilary told me she wanted me to expand it to the scope of Almost Astronauts, I was resistant. We both agreed that I was tired, and I asked her for some time to think about it. Of course, my sister-by-choice, Sarah Aronson didn’t hesitate at all in reminding me that she had been telling me that for some time! Once I took a nap and thought about it some more, I knew most certainly it was the right choice.

MUF: One of the things children’s books do—and you do well—is to tell the truth, with room for hope. Was it hard to write your last chapter, “We will have a colorless society one day”?

TS: I don’t think I would characterize it as hard, and my research in that area didn’t surprise me, but it was certainly sobering. Of course, that is balanced by many of the forward steps our culture has taken. There is certainly room for great improvement.

MUF: You’re an award-winning writer of children’s nonfiction books. I know that takes a lot of research and firsthand interviews with amazing people. Tell us: Have you ever jumped out of a plane?

TS: Ha! I almost did—in college—but I chickened out! I will never forget what it felt like to climb to the Drop Zone and look out the door of that plane, though!

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