Posts Tagged Author Interview

STEM Tuesday — Natural Disasters — Author Interview with Amy Cherrix

By on March 23, 2021   /   Natural Disasters, STEM Tuesday  

Welcome to STEM Tuesday: Author Interview & Book Giveaway, a repeating feature for the fourth Tuesday of every month. Go Science-Tech-Engineering-Math!

Today we’re interviewing Amy Cherrix, author of EYE OF THE STORM: NASA, Drones, and the Race to Crack the Hurricane Code.

Mary Kay Carson: Tell us a bit about Eye of the Storm and how you came to write it.

Download a Discussion & Activity Guide for the book.

Amy Cherrix: Eye of the Storm is the story of an elite group of NASA meteorologists and the Hurricane Severe Storm Sentinel mission (HS3). These scientists and engineers re-purposed military drones to conduct high-altitude hurricane research. This Global Hawk drone was built for use in dry climates. Global Hawk is so delicate, it cannot take off during so much as a light rain shower, yet it can fly safely high above hurricanes–the most violent storms in nature’s arsenal. How’s that for irony? The drone is loaded with remote control science instruments that measure humidity, air pressure, temperature, and more. The Global Hawk’s pilot flies the aircraft using a computer mouse and keyboard from a control room on the ground that is hundreds, or thousands, of miles away from the aircraft.

I stumbled onto this incredible story while engaging in my favorite Saturday morning activity. I love to pour a big cup of coffee and surf the NASA.gov website (an activity I highly recommend to science enthusiasts and story writers). When I read about the HS3 mission, I knew I had a great book idea on my hands. I sent emails to the mission’s principal investigators and within an hour, replies from NASA were pouring into my inbox. NASA is a public agency and its scientists love to share their work. I accepted a generous invitation from the mission’s principal investigator, Dr. Scott Braun, and visited NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on the coast of Virginia to observe the mission. I interviewed drone pilots, engineers, meteorologists, and mechanics. Every single person was deeply invested in the mission’s success. It was inspiring.

MKC: Anything you’d like to share about the time you spent with researchers while writing this book?

Amy: The scariest part of writing this book was not knowing if the team would have a hurricane to study while I was visiting Wallops Flight Facility. What would I write about if nothing happened while I was there? But sometimes, things just work out for the best.  Hurricane Edouard formed soon after my arrival and was the best storm the HS3 team had studied to date! It was an ideal sample, staying far out to sea, not threatening land, and it spun for days. They were thrilled and it was an unexpected honor to be present at such a high-point of the mission.

MKC: Why do you choose to write STEM books?

Amy: I write STEM stories because I have always been insatiably curious about science and the natural world. When human beings try to overcome the forces of nature—whether it’s gravity, or the weather—challenges abound. Scientists confront these impossible challenges everyday. That’s their job. I’m fascinated by that kind of determination, patience, and persistence.

Amy Cherrix is the acclaimed author of In the Shadow of the Moon: America, Russia, and the Hidden History of the Space Race, as well as two middle-grade nonfiction books in the award-winning Scientists in the Field series: Backyard Bears: Conservation, Habitat Changes, and the Rise of Urban Wildlife and Eye of the Storm. Her newest STEM picture book is Animal Architects (9/7/21), from Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster. www.amycherrix.com

MKC: For readers who loved The Eye of the Storm, what other middle-grade books would you suggest?

Amy: I highly recommend every book in Houghton Mifflin’s Scientists in the Field series, of which Eye of the Storm, is a part. There’s something for everyone; thrilling stories about science in the fields of geology, biology, seismology, meteorology, genetics; just about any branch of science you can imagine. These books show young readers that science is much more than a white coat and a laboratory. Science is adventure!

MKC: Could you share where you are right now on a current project and how you’re approaching it?

Amy: I’m working on a new STEM picture book series for Beach Lane Books called Amazing Animals. I just finished the first book in the series that publishes on September 7, 2021 called Animal Architects, illustrated by Chris Sasaki. Many animals, both on land and in the sea, build amazing structures to help them trap food, attract mates, or hide from predators. From undersea cities of coral, to a mother penguin’s palace of pebbles, the natural world is a construction zone. I spent months reading books, watching nature videos, taking notes, and studying photographs to collect their stories. The second book, Animal Superpowers, publishes in fall 2022. I approached Animal Architects with a spirit of wonder. I wanted to inspire readers’ curiosity. To do that, I created a list of the various structures animals and insects build. Then I imagined what questions young readers might ask of nature’s builders. The answers I found surprised me at every turn. For example, before writing this book, I’d never given termites a second thought. But I learned that some species of termites build giant, naturally air-conditioned towers. How cool is that? These tiny insects work together as a colony to build a home that helps them survive as a group. We can learn a lot from nature. I hope this new series inspires young readers to ask their own questions about the natural world, and consider what actions they can take to protect our planet and its creatures.

Win a FREE copy of EYE OF THE STORM!

Enter the giveaway by leaving a comment below. The randomly-chosen winner will be contacted via email and asked to provide a mailing address (within the U.S. only) to receive the book.

Good luck!

Your host is Mary Kay Carson, author of Wildlife Ranger Action Guide, The Tornado Scientist, Alexander Graham Bell for Kids, Mission to Pluto, and other nonfiction books for kids. @marykaycarson

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Catherine Urdahl Interview + VIRGINIA WAS A SPY Giveaway!

By on March 17, 2021   /   Author Interviews  

We’re very excited to spotlight author Catherine Urdahl today on the MUF blog and her new book Virginia Was A Spy! (Cathy has generously offered to send a signed copy of Virginia Was A Spy to one lucky winner–US+Canada. See details at bottom.)

Hi Cathy! Thank you for sharing Virginia Was A Spy with me. This was such an interesting biography about a trailblazing woman who was a spy . . . but as your book reveals, she was much more than a spy.

About the Book

Can you give us a short summary about the book?

Virginia Was A Spy is the true story of World War II heroine Virginia Hall. Virginia was an American who overcame huge obstacles—including an amputated leg—to become the first female secret agent working in occupied France. She was a master of deception and disguises. At one point she posed as an elderly milkmaid, selling homemade cheese to the Nazis in order to get close to them and listen in on their secrets.

When did it come out?

The book was published in August 2020.

Tell us who would especially enjoy this book (as it’s both a picture book and aimed at lower middle-grade readers). I wrote this book for ages 8 and up—anyone who’s interested in spy/adventure stories, incredible (and unrecognized) heroines, and World War II history. In addition to the main story and the wonderful illustrations by artist Gary Kelley, the book includes back matter with more details for older readers.

About the Author

Can you describe your writing journey? Did you enjoy writing as a child? Did you always plan on writing for kids?

I’ve always loved reading. My favorite part of school—especially in the early years—was going to the library. Once I was so lost in my book I didn’t notice that my class had left. I wrote (and illustrated) my first homemade book in second grade. In high school and college I wrote poems and short stories. Then I went to work in corporate communications, writing articles for company newsletters and brochures. But more and more, I dreamed of writing for children. I finally started writing, taking classes, and meeting with a critique group. After a lot of practice—and a lot of rejection—I published my first book, Emma’s Question, in 2009 and my second book, Polka-dot Fixes Kindergarten, in 2011.

What draws you to writing nonfiction? To biographies about women?

I love learning about people in history—what they did and, more important, why they did it. Whether I’m writing fiction or nonfiction, character is the most fascinating element for me. Researching a real person is like getting to know someone layer by layer and figuring out how their actions impacted history and even how we live today.

I especially love writing about unrecognized women like Virginia. History books are filled with the stories of men. But women were there, too—often behind the scenes, since both laws and stereotypes kept them from the roles that made men famous. Each of these women made specific contributions—and became part of the larger story of women’s rights and roles in our society.

What message do you hope readers will take away from Virginia Was A Spy?

Virginia fought for the right to be herself and fulfill her purpose. She heard no a lot—from the men of the U.S. Foreign Service, who said a woman with a wooden leg could not be a diplomat; from downed pilots who didn’t trust a woman to help them escape; and from British spymasters who thought it too dangerous for her to return for a second mission in France. Countless people underestimated her ability, both because of her gender and her amputated leg. But Virginia didn’t take no for an answer. More than anything, I hope readers are inspired by her determination to be herself and to make a difference.

Research and Writing Process

What got you interested in the life of Virginia Hall? Why did you think this was an important story to tell?

I first read about Virginia in an anthology about women in World War II. I admired her courage; she actually fought for the right to be a spy, despite the extreme danger. She didn’t let anything stop her—not even her heavy, wooden leg, which she had to drag through snow drifts on a 30-mile escape hike through the mountains. I wanted to honor her courage and determination, as well as her significant contributions to the Allied victory in World War II. But on a more personal note, I was drawn to write about someone so different from myself. I sometimes struggle to find courage to take action—even though the risk is NOTHING like Virginia faced. Maybe I could learn from her, even though I definitely do not have what it takes to be a spy!

Virginia was always unconventional—doing what others thought was unacceptable for women at the time and fighting against those who wanted to hold her back. Which of Virginia’s roles during her life surprised you the most and why?

Virginia’s whole life was surprising, given expectations about women’s roles at the time. But for me, the biggest surprise comes near the start, when she volunteers as an ambulance driver. Virginia had traveled to Paris to escape her disappointment about being rejected by the U.S. Foreign Service. But when war broke out, she took a huge leap from being a young woman exploring her favorite city to a person risking her life to rescue injured soldiers near the front lines. As an American, she could have returned to the United States, but she chose to stay in France.

Your book contains so many fascinating details about how Virginia operated as a spy (like putting a flowerpot in her window to signal she was home). What was the most interesting detail you found in your research? There were so many interesting details—it’s hard to choose. But one of my favorites is how Virginia and her doctor friend disguised downed Allied pilots as French farmers and helped them escape the country. Many of the pilots didn’t speak French, so if the Nazis stopped them their covers would be blown. To solve this problem, the doctor bandaged their necks and gave them notes explaining they had suffered throat injuries and could not talk.

Virginia went to great lengths to hide her identity (even changing the fillings in her teeth). Why did you think it was important to include these kinds of details in your book?

Specific details help readers enter into the story and understand what being a spy really involved. Imagine changing all the fillings in your mouth! Secret agents like Virginia had to pay attention to every little detail. If they didn’t, they increased their risk of being caught. So the little details are important in telling the story of a spy.

What took more time than you anticipated when researching/writing/revising?

I had so much interesting information, but I couldn’t include it all. I had to decide which details were most important for showing Virginia’s character and the actions she took. I also had to figure out how to shape these details so the book would read like a story and not just a list of facts. Both of these things involved lots and lots of rewriting and lots and lots of cutting!

For Teachers

How can teachers use this book in their classrooms?

My website—www.catherineurdahl.com—contains several free classroom activities, including a step-by-step biography-writing project and a character-trait activity, as well as profiles of other female spies. Teachers also could use the book as part of a study of World War II—as a way to highlight the work of all the unrecognized heroes.

Cathy launched her book with a spy hunt in the summer of 2020 at Excelsior Bay Books in Excelsior, MN, that my son and I had fun playing!

Are you doing school visits or events related to this book? Tell us more! (What grade range? What’s your focus—history, writing, or both?)

I love doing school visits—both virtual and, when it’s safe, in-person! I use Virginia Was A Spy for grades 3 and up (including middle school and high school) and tailor the visit to the specific grade level. I offer a variety of programs, including a “story-behind-the story” presentation, which talks about the overall brainstorming/research/writing/revision process, as well as presentations on biography-writing, women’s history, and spies.

For younger students, I offer presentations using my earlier books—Polka-dot Fixes Kindergarten and Emma’s Question.

I love this book, Cathy. Thanks so much for sharing it with us on the MUF blog!

Please click the giveaway link below BEFORE SATURDAY MIDNIGHT and comment, retweet, follow MUF, etc. for a chance to win a signed copy of Virginia Was A Spy. The winner will be announced on Sunday, March 21.

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Storystorm: It’s Not (Just) for Picture Book Writers

By on March 3, 2021   /   Articles  

Tired of sitting on the sidelines while her novelist friends participated in NaNoWriMo each November, kidlit author Tara Lazar created PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month), a monthlong brainstorming event for picture book writers: 30 ideas in 30 days.

That was back in 2009. The event has since been renamed Storystorm, in order to be reflect a “broader range” of writers, moved to January, and now boasts nearly 2,000 participants from across the country and around the world—professionals, amateurs, teachers, and students alike.

Ready, Set… GO!

 

 

 

With this in mind, and eager to get my fun on during the dark days of Covid, I decided to give Storystorm a try. How hard could it be?

Harder than I thought. The first week went by relatively smoothly, with ideas spewing from my brain like Vesuvius lava. But by Day #11, I found myself scraping the bottom of the idea barrel. Such gems from my notebook include: “Tween kidnapping ring”; “Reality show for middle-school tuba players”; and, simply, “oranges.”

In frustration, I decided to kick Storystorm to the curb. The event was for picture book writers, I rationalized—not for middle-grade authors who wrote entire novels. The challenge was that much harder for us.

That was just an excuse, of course. The real reason I didn’t want to continue the challenge is that it was far outside comfort zone. Like, Timbuktu far. I also felt pressure to come up with the “perfect” idea for my next novel. The idea that would catapult me to MG superstardom and make readers go, “Jeff Kinney, who…?”

Under Pressure

Unfortunately, and as any writer knows, pressure can stop creativity dead in its tracks. It can also make you feel “less than” as a writer. So, instead of seeking perfection (which doesn’t exist, anyway), I decided to have fun with the challenge. I added “What if…?” and “maybe” sentences to my brainstorming sessions:

“What if the main character is forced to live with her crotchety grandmother for the summer?”

“What if she’s left-handed, with fiery red hair, and a dime-size gap between her two front teeth?” “Maybe she’s a gifted tap dancer who loves Cheetos.”

“Maybe she’s five feet tall…”

This helped ease the pressure that declarative statements can often bring. Once I started to enjoy the Storystorm journey, rather than the destination, I felt myself relax. And even better? I crossed the finish line, with a slew of sparkling new ideas.

And now, without further ado…

Five questions for the creator of Storystorm, Tara Lazar

MR: Hi, Tara! I know this isn’t your first Mixed-Up Files rodeo. You appeared on the blog in 2019, with this interview by Mindy Alyse Weiss. Welcome back!

TL: Merci beaucoup!

MR: As above, you created StoryStorm in 2009, as a response to NaNoWriMo. Which aspects of the event have changed most since then? What remains the same?

TL: The name and the month changed—because if I had thought about it for two seconds, I would’ve realized that PiBoIdMo is a terrible name and November is an awful month to get anything done. Plus, the first year, I wrote HALF of all the blog posts. Fifteen! Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel for ideas! The following year I invited more authors and illustrators to guest blog and I took on a more administrative role.

Advice for MG writers (including yours truly)?

MR: As I mentioned in the intro, as an MG author I had a hard time generating 30 ideas in 31 days. It felt like a lot! In your opinion, is brainstorming different for writers of MG fiction and nonfiction? What advice do you have for MG writers specifically, in terms of idea generation?

TL: I think picture books sell based more upon concept than MG novels. MG novels have much more “meat” to them—yes, they can have a brilliant premise, but voice, plot, subplot and language play a bigger role than in picture books. Picture books are generally a tougher sell, so the more manuscripts you have, the better a position you’re in. As an MG author you probably don’t need as many ideas as PB authors do, but I believe the more ideas from which to choose, the better.

Storystorm in the classroom

MR: Educators, such as teachers and librarians, are encouraged to participate in Storystorm. From what you’ve seen and heard, what are the most effective ways educators have used Storystorm in the classroom?

TL: Teachers put the daily blog posts on their smartboards in the classroom and encourage their students to brainstorm at the start of the school day. It’s an easy way to get students into a creative mode, plus they will have a portfolio of ideas ready to go for their next writing assignment. It eliminates that “blank page” fear! Writing is less daunting if students already know what to write about!

MR: You can say that again. Now, I’m curious, Tara… Do you participate in Storystorm yourself? If so, have any of your published or soon-to-be-published books been Storystorm ideas? Enquiring minds want to know!

TL: I do, and I don’t. I generate ideas all year long so I don’t necessarily need to do Storystorm, plus I’m busy behind the scenes. If I get ideas during the event, I write them down, like always. The whole point of Storystorm is to create a habit for writers, and I’ve already cultivated it!

Free to Be You and Me

MR: You sure have. What advice do you have for MG writers who are reluctant to participate in Storystorm because they feel intimidated? Let’s hear your best sales pitch. 🙂 

TL:  It’s free. There’s a great community of writers to keep you on track, and there’s no punishment if you don’t get 30 ideas. And your ideas are for your eyes only—no one has to see them if you don’t want to share. You’re going to end the month with more story ideas than you had before it began, so what have you got to lose? Nuthin’. Did I mention it’s free?

MR: Thank you so much for joining us again on Mixed-Up Files, Tara. And thanks for everything you do for the kidlit community!

About Tara

TARA LAZAR is the author of several picture books, including the award-winning 7 ATE 9: THE UNTOLD STORY from Little, Brown. Her next book BLOOP is illustrated by Mike Boldt and releases from HarperCollins in July ’21.

Tara is the co-chair of the Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature One-on-One Plus Conference and an SCBWI member. She writes flash fiction for adults and serves as an inspirational speaker, based on her battle with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

Tara lives in New Jersey with her husband, two teenage daughters, and a recently rescued stray cat, Phoebe. Learn more about Tara on her website, Twitter and Instagram.

The Skinny on Storystorm: What other MG writers are saying…

Wendy McLeod MacKnight, MG author of It’s Not a Mystery, Pig Face; The Frame-Up; and The CopyCat: “As an author who both struggles to come up with ideas AND flesh them out, Storystorm has been a creative godsend! I’ve got new tools for my idea-generation toolkit and a bunch of shiny new ideas to work on in 2021! I can’t wait for the next iteration!”

Christiana Doucette, MG writer: “Brainstorming alongside so many other writers—the energy and encouragement—has helped me to create an idea-seeds spreadsheet. I’m excited to sift through my list and start drafting my next story.”

Andrea Mack, writer of PBs and MG fiction: “I love how generating ideas through Storystorm inspires me by opening the door to my creativity. Sometimes I get ideas for developing my characters, plot events, or interesting details. If none of the ideas works for my story, starting my day by adding an idea or two to my list sets me up for a good writing day. And I love how I have that whole list of ideas to fall back on when my writing isn’t going anywhere.”

Mindy Alyse Weiss, Mixed-Up Files contributor and PB/MG writer: “Not only is Storystorm great for coming up with potential series ideas, I’ve found that a few ideas can mesh together into one amazing one. Also, I’ve discovered a few tricks to spark ideas, thanks to some of Tara’s archived posts. The ones I use most are: 500+ Things That Kids Like and 100+ Things Kids Don’t Like. I also scroll back to posts from previous years, for both Storystorm and the original PiBoIdMo. Tammi Sauer’s posts are always a huge help!”

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