Posts Tagged kidlit

Growing Hearts: 10 Middle Grade Books to Inspire Gratitude

By Landra Jennings on November 22, 2024 / Book Lists

Let’s talk gratitude!

Fall is the time of year we tend to consider the concept. I recently read Michael J Fox’s memoir No Time Like the Future. His theme: “With gratitude, optimism is sustainable” drove home the realization that gratitude isn’t just a feeling we should have (peaking sometime around Thanksgiving), it’s a practice we must have. If we want to have a forward-looking life in the midst of all the uncertainty and the curveballs life will throw at us…

We need to cultivate the practice of gratitude all year long.

For our young people growing up in this fast-changing world bombarded by sensationalist media developing gratitude is particularly important. Fortunately, developing gratitude (and empathy and kindness and hopefulness and so on) is an area where middle grade literature really rocks! A feeling of gratitude was certainly on my mind while writing my middle-grade novel, Wand. And in general the genre is rich with books to help young people develop this life-sustaining practice, without being preachy or moralistic.

Jenn Brisendine created a gorgeous post a few years back about reflection and gratitude this time of year, and about learning to appreciate what’s right in front of us. Building on that…

Here are 10 middle grade books to inspire gratitude:

Ana María Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle by Hilda Eunice Burgos

The Penderwicks meets In the Heights in this sparkling middle-grade debut about a young Dominican American girl in New York City.

Her last name may mean “kings,” but Ana María Reyes REALLY does not live in a castle. Rather, she’s stuck in a tiny apartment with two parents (way too lovey-dovey), three sisters (way too dramatic), everyone’s friends (way too often), and a piano (which she never gets to practice). And when her parents announce a new baby is coming, that means they’ll have even less time for Ana María.

Then she hears about the Eleanor School, New York City’s best private academy. If Ana María can win a scholarship, she’ll be able to get out of her Washington Heights neighborhood school and achieve the education she’s longed for. To stand out, she’ll need to nail her piano piece at the upcoming city showcase, which means she has to practice through her sisters’ hijinks, the neighbors’ visits, a family trip to the Dominican Republic… right up until the baby’s birth! But some new friends and honest conversations help her figure out what truly matters, and know that she can succeed no matter what. Ana María Reyes may not be royal, but she’s certain to come out on top.

Elvis and The World As It Stands by Lisa Frenkel Riddiough

A poignant middle-grade story about loss and finding family from the point of view of a newly adopted kitten.

Most shelter animals dream of going home with a forever family. But for Elvis, being chosen by Mrs. Pemberton is a nightmare. He’s been separated from his sister, Etta, and is determined to get back to the shelter to find her. In spite of himself, Elvis becomes curious about 10-year-old Georgina Pemberton, who builds LEGO skyscrapers in her bedroom while navigating her parents’ separation. The longer he’s in his new home, the more he starts recognizing new feelings: admiration for Georgina’s creations, affection for the other pets, and even empathy for the Pembertons–despite their inability to listen.

As Georgina sets out to build her most important skyscrapers yet–the Twin Towers–Elvis realizes that maybe both humans and animals can take a page from Georgina’s Big Book of American Architecture and “build a world of their own choosing,” even if the choices aren’t what they’d initially expected.

Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson

Jacqueline Woodson’s first middle-grade novel since National Book Award winner Brown Girl Dreaming celebrates the healing that can occur when a group of students share their stories.

It all starts when six kids have to meet for a weekly chat–by themselves, with no adults to listen in. There, in the room they soon dub the ARTT Room (short for “A Room to Talk”), they discover it’s safe to talk about what’s bothering them–everything from Esteban’s father’s deportation and Haley’s father’s incarceration to Amari’s fears of racial profiling and Ashton’s adjustment to his changing family fortunes. When the six are together, they can express the feelings and fears they have to hide from the rest of the world. And together, they can grow braver and more ready for the rest of their lives.

Homebound by John David Anderson

Leo Fender is no stranger to catastrophe, whether it’s the intergalactic war that took his mother’s life or the ongoing fight for his own. He’s seen his planet plundered, his ship attacked, his father kidnapped, and his brother go missing–and found himself stranded on a ship with a bunch of mercenary space pirates.

Still, nothing could have prepared him for the moment he and the crew tried to save his father…and discovered a dark plot that could destroy hundreds of worlds in the blink of an eye.

Now Leo is adrift. His father has sent him on a mission with nothing but a data chip and a name of someone who could help, and Captain Bastian Black and the crew of the Icarus are determined to see this through to the end with Leo, to fulfill his father’s wish and prevent further conflict.

But as Leo searches for answers, he can’t help but wonder what it would take to end the war, to track down his father and brother and return to whatever home they have left–and if the cost of doing so is one he would be able to pay.

Kat Greene Comes Clean by Melissa Roske

Life is messy.

Kat Greene lives in New York City and attends fifth grade at Village Humanity School, an ultra-progressive private school in New York’s Greenwich Village. At the moment she has three major problems: dealing with her boy-crazy best friend; partnering with the overzealous Sam in the class production of Harriet the Spy; and coping with her divorced mom’s preoccupation with cleanliness–a symptom of her worsening obsessive-compulsive disorder. Kat wants to tell her dad what’s going on, but he’s busy with her new family uptown.

With nowhere to turn, Kat reaches out to the free-spirited psychologist at her school, Olympia Rabinowitz, for support and guidance. Olympia encourages Kat to be honest. Eventually, Kat realizes that sometimes asking for help is the best way to clean up life’s messes.

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

Jude never thought she’d be leaving her beloved older brother and father behind, all the way across the ocean in Syria. But when things in her hometown start becoming volatile, Jude and her mother are sent to live in Cincinnati with relatives.

At first, everything in America seems too fast and too loud. The American movies that Jude has always loved haven’t quite prepared her for starting school in the US–and her new label of “Middle Eastern,” an identity she’s never known before.

But this life also brings unexpected surprises–there are new friends, a whole new family, and a school musical that Jude might just try out for. Maybe America, too, is a place where Jude can be seen as she really is.

This lyrical, life-affirming story is about losing and finding home and, most importantly, finding yourself.

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow

Simon O’Keeffe’s biggest claim to fame should be the time his dad accidentally gave a squirrel a holy sacrament. Or maybe the alpaca disaster that went viral on YouTube. But the story the whole world wants to tell about Simon is the one he’d do anything to forget: the one starring Simon as a famous survivor of gun violence at school.

Two years after the infamous event, twelve-year-old Simon and his family move to the National Quiet Zone–the only place in America where the internet is banned. Instead of talking about Simon, the astronomers who flock to the area are busy listening for signs of life in space. And when Simon makes a friend who’s determined to give the scientists what they’re looking for, he’ll finally have the chance to spin a new story for the world to tell.

Simon Sort of Says, the Newbery Honor-winning novel by Erin Bow, is a breathtaking testament to the lasting echoes of trauma, the redemptive power of humor, and the courage it takes to move forward without forgetting the past.

Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe by Jo Watson Hackl

11 days. 13 clues. And one kid who won’t give up.

How far would you go to find something that might not even exist?

All her life, Cricket’s mama has told her stories about a secret room painted by a mysterious artist. Now Mama’s run off, and Cricket thinks the room might be the answer to getting her to come back. If it exists. And if she can find it.

Cricket’s first clue is a coin from a grown-over ghost town in the woods. So with her daddy’s old guidebook and a coat full of snacks stolen from the Cash ‘n’ Carry, Cricket runs away to find the room. Surviving in the woods isn’t easy. While Cricket camps out in an old tree house and looks for clues, she meets the last resident of the ghost town, encounters a poetry-loving dog (who just might hold a key to part of the puzzle), and discovers that sometimes you have to get a little lost . . . to really find your way.

The Other Half of Happy by Rebecca Balcárcel

One-half Guatemalan, one-half American: When Quijana’s Guatemalan cousins move to town, her dad seems ashamed that she doesn’t know more about her family’s heritage.

One-half crush, one-half buddy: When Quijana meets Zuri and Jayden, she knows she’s found true friends. But she can’t help the growing feelings she has for Jayden.

One-half kid, one-half grown-up: Quijana spends her nights Skyping with her ailing grandma and trying to figure out what’s going on with her increasingly hard-to-reach brother.

Quijana must figure out which parts of herself are most important, and which pieces come together to make her whole.

This is a heartfelt poetic portrayal of a girl growing up, fitting in, and learning what it means to belong.

When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson

A National Book Award Finalist, this remarkable graphic novel is about growing up in a refugee camp, as told by a former Somali refugee to the Newbery Honor-winning creator of Roller Girl.

Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, have spent most of their lives in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya. Life is hard there: never enough food, achingly dull, and without access to the medical care Omar knows his nonverbal brother needs. So when Omar has the opportunity to go to school, he knows it might be a chance to change their future . . . but it would also mean leaving his brother, the only family member he has left, every day.

Heartbreak, hope, and gentle humor exist together in this graphic novel about a childhood spent waiting, and a young man who is able to create a sense of family and home in the most difficult of settings. It’s an intimate, important, unforgettable look at the day-to-day life of a refugee, as told to New York Times Bestselling author/artist Victoria Jamieson by Omar Mohamed, the Somali man who lived the story.

Let me know in the comments which other middle-grade books have inspired gratitude in your students or kids!

Interview with Britnee Meiser, Author of ALL MY BESTS

By Melissa Roske on November 14, 2024 / Articles, Author Interviews, Upper MG

Today, Melissa Roske chats with kidlit author Britnee Meiser about her upper MG debut, All My Bests, which follows the up-and-down friendship—and burgeoning romance—of two high school freshmen, Immie Meadows and Jack Marshall, best friends since the age of seven. Hailed by Kirkus as “An emotional story that beautifully encompasses many sensitive topics,” the novel is out now from Aladdin.

Interview with Britnee Meiser

Melissa: Welcome to the Mixed-Up Files, Britnee. It’s a pleasure to have you here!

Britnee: Thanks Melissa! It’s an honor to be here.

All My Bests

Melissa: First, congratulations on the publication of All My Bests. It’s not a short book – almost 400 pages – but I gobbled it up in just a few sittings. Can you give our readers a brief summary?

Britnee: All My Bests is about Immie and Jack, who’ve been best friends since childhood, navigating their freshman year of high school and all the changes that come along with it. They’re making new friends, trying new things, and learning that their feelings for each other might run deeper than they thought. But what does that mean for their friendship?

You’re right that it’s not a short book, and would you believe that it was originally even longer? My editor and I cut over fifty pages from the final draft. I’m glad the page count didn’t deter you!

Melissa: On the surface, the main characters of your novel have little in common. Immie is an introverted bookworm who’s obsessed with taxidermy butterflies and dead queens; Jack is a popular soccer player who struggles in school. Yet their similarities outweigh their differences. Can you tell us more about this unlikely pair of BFFs?

Britnee: Absolutely. I think a big part of it is that Immie and Jack have the same sense of humor––quick, dry, at times absurd––and that can bring even the unlikeliest pair together. But on a deeper level, Immie and Jack are each other’s safe space. Each offers what the other feels like they lack in life. For Jack, that’s peace and quiet. For Immie, it’s devotion and companionship. Jack’s home life (not to mention his mind) is chaos, but Immie makes him feel calm. Immie, on the other hand, is used to feeling misunderstood and overlooked, but Jack knows and loves her for exactly who she is. They have so much chemistry, which made their scenes together really fun to write.

It Takes Two

Melissa: As above, All My Bests is told from the perspectives of Immie and Jack, who have been best friends since childhood. What was the impetus behind writing a dual-POV novel? Also, what was your writing process like? Did you write Immie’s section and then Jack’s? The other way around? Or did you alternate?

Britnee: I’ll start by saying that writing dual-POV, particularly in overlapping timelines, is not for the faint of heart. Every single detail in Immie’s section had to match Jack’s section exactly, except for a few purposeful moments of miscommunication. It was tedious! And difficult! I wrote Immie’s section first, then Jack’s, then did several rounds of revisions on Immie’s section only (to iron out the details), and then did a final revision of Jack’s. Immie’s letter was the very first thing I wrote, and Jack’s letter was the last. It felt important to tell both of their stories thoroughly, as opposed to just getting the story from one side, because as the book hopefully illustrates, you never know what someone might be going through––even someone close to you.

The Sound of Music

Melissa: In addition to friendship and romance, music factors heavily into the book— particularly songs from the early aughts, as evidenced by the CDs Immie receives from her mom. What is it about the music from this time period that speaks to you personally and as an author?

Britnee: Indie music from the early aughts shaped the person, and writer, I am today. I spent my formative tween/teen years blogging to the soundtrack of my iTunes library, which was sacred to me. I feel like discovering and listening to music back then was a much more involved experience. We didn’t have Spotify or Apple Music to introduce us to new artists; we had to go out and find them on our own. For me, that meant scouring the depths of Myspace and Tumblr, looking up movie soundtracks, and religiously checking the events calendar at my local music venue––The Chameleon Club, may she rest in peace––to see who was playing. I was fourteen, the same age as Immie and Jack in the novel, when I saw my first show there, and it rewired my brain chemistry.

The Social Currency of Secrets

Melissa: Another important theme in your book is secret keeping. I’ll avoid spoilers, but let’s just say… both Immie and Jack have a lot they’re not telling each other. What were you trying to say about the nature of secrets, and about secret keeping in general?

Britnee: Secrets are social currency, especially for teens and tweens. The more you know someone’s secrets, the stronger your relationship will be–at least, in theory. I think it can be incredibly difficult to reveal your deepest secrets to the people closest to you, because you want them to think the best of you, and you don’t want to feel judged. What if telling your best friend your secret fundamentally changes your relationship? Is honesty always the best policy, or are some things better left unsaid? That’s sort of the question at the core of this novel. I wanted to explore what happens when two people who supposedly know each other very well––and take pride in that––don’t actually know as much as they thought.

The MG/YA Divide

Melissa: With a pair of high school-age protagonists and a hearty dose of romance and other PG-13 behavior (i.e., kissing, unsupervised parties, a veiled reference to drinking), All My Bests straddles the line between MG and YA. Was this your intention or something that happened organically? Also, in these scary times of book banning, have you gotten any pushback from parents and educators?

Britnee: It was definitely intentional. YA is getting more mature, prioritizing older teens and “spice,” and a lot of middle grade veers younger. There seems to be a lack of contemporary stories geared toward tweens and young teens who don’t want super mature themes but have also aged out of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I wanted to write about ninth grade in a way that felt true to the experience, so including certain PG-13 behavior was inevitable. Book-banning puritans might want to pretend that fourteen-year-olds aren’t kissing each other, or that they’ve never even heard of alcohol, but they would be wrong. I haven’t gotten any pushback yet, but if it happens, I’ll be ready to fight against censorship and defend kids’ rights to access stories that might make them feel seen and understood.

Witches of Peculiar

Melissa: Although All My Bests is your MG debut, you’re also the author of the popular chapter book series, Witches of Peculiar, written under the pseudonym Luna Graves. First, can you tell us a bit about the series? And second, what prompted your decision not to use a pseudonym this time?

Britnee: Witches of Peculiar follows the (mis)adventures of eleven-year-old twin witches Bella and Donna Maleficent as they navigate their first year at Y.I.K.E.S.S.S. (Yvette I. Koffin’s Exceptional School for Supernatural Students). They live in Peculiar, Pennsylvania, where their suburban monster community hides in plain sight––a tricky situation for Bella and Dee, who don’t quite have a handle on their witchcraft yet. The series is such a blast to write! It’s equal parts spooky and silly, and I love leaning into the little details that make the world come alive. For example, Bella and Dee’s vampire friend Charlie wears “sunscream,” a special, ultra-powerful sunscreen that allows vampires to walk in the sun. I chose to write Witches under a pseudonym because I wanted it to exist in its own universe, like Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events.

Age Is Just a Number

Melissa: I read in your bio that you graduated college in 2017 and published your first children’s novel just five years later. What’s it like to have experienced publishing success at such a young age? (I’m not asking out of jealousy, I swear! 🙂)

Britnee: This question is really validating for me, because, thanks to social media, I see people getting book deals at 20, 21, 22, and I feel like I, at 29, am late to the game! So it’s a nice reminder that everybody’s timeline is different, especially in publishing. Whenever I want to compare myself, all I have to do is think about the stuff I was writing in college––more specifically, how much I thought I knew about writing and life––and I remember how glad I am most of it never saw the light of day. I’m growing and learning all the time, and I’m grateful for the experiences that led me here, because they have undoubtedly shaped the kind of stories I want to tell.

Britnee’s Writing Life

Melissa: What does your writing routine look like, Britnee? Do you have any particular rituals?

Britnee: Strangely enough, my process is different for every book I write. All My Bests was mostly written between the hours of 7 p.m. and 2 a.m., when everyone around me was asleep. I had a detailed, chapter-by-chapter outline that I worked from, but I ended up scrapping a lot of it as I moved from draft to draft. Also, I had the show Modern Family on in the background a lot of the time, because it’s my comfort show, and I need to write to noise!

In general, when I’m working on a deadline (either one from my publisher or one I set for myself), I calculate approximately how many pages I’ll need to write per day to meet the deadline, and I mostly stick to it. As far as rituals go, I start every day with a long walk, because I have a dog, and she demands it. I usually listen to an audiobook while I walk, which helps clear my mind.

Melissa: What are you working on now? Enquiring Mixed-Up minds want to know!

Britnee: I’m in the middle of edits for my next upper-MG novel, Jane Stays Dreaming. I’ve been saying it’s a bit like if the protagonist in Jane Austen’s Emma was a fifteen-year-old girl on Tumblr in the early 2010s. It’s fun, it’s full of complicated relationship dynamics, and it will be out next fall from Aladdin!

Lightning Round!

And finally, no MUF interview is complete without a lightning round, so…

Preferred writing snack? Seltzer water and kettle chips. Hal’s sea salt and cracked pepper is a recent favorite.

Coffee or tea? To quote Lorelai Gilmore: coffee coffee coffee!

Favorite band from the early aughts? Death Cab for Cutie. Emo forever ❤️

Zombie apocalypse: Yea or nay? Nay. I am realistic about my chances of survival.

Superpower? Controlling plants and manipulating nature, like Layla from Sky High.

Favorite place on earth? Sag Harbor, New York, especially in the winter.

If you were stranded on a desert island with only three things, what would they be? My dog; Memory & Dream by Charles de Lint; and a magic microwave that produces the perfect bowl of mac and cheese whenever I opened it.

MR: Thank you for chatting with us, Britnee—and congratulations on the publication of All My Bests. I’m sure Mixed-Up readers will enjoy it as much as I did!

Britnee: Thanks so much Melissa! I had a blast, and I really appreciate you asking such thoughtful questions.

All About Britnee

Britnee Meiser is a writer living in Brooklyn, New York. Her chapter book series, WITCHES OF PECULIAR, is published under a pseudonym by Simon & Schuster/Aladdin. The series has been featured in Forbes, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal. Previously, Britnee’s work has been featured in i-D Magazine, shop TODAY, and The Wild Honey Pie, among other publications. Britnee is a 2017 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Fiction Writing and Communication. She also holds a publishing certificate from NYU. Learn more about Britnee on her website and find her on Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter.

The Witching Hour: Interview with Author Jordan Kopy

By Laurie J. Edwards on October 31, 2024 / Author Interviews

Jordan Kopy headshot as a witch For Halloween, we have the perfect author interview with Jordan Kopy, author of the Theodora Hendrix series. Not only is Jordan’s favorite time to write midnight—the witching hour—but she’s here to talk about her latest middle-grade novel, Theodora Hendrix and the Curious Case of the Cursed Beetle, which is set at Halloween in a haunted mansion with members of the Monstrous League of Monsters (MLM) and one human girl, Theodora. So, how did a human girl end up surrounded by scary creatures and with a Mummy for a Mom? And how did a cursed beetle end up in the mansion? And what problems will it cause? Are you curious? Me too!

Although you’ll have to read the book to find answers to some of those questions, I was also curious about the author, so I’ve asked Jordan a lot of questions to find out how she comes up with such spooky ideas.

Hi, Jordan, so happy to have you with us today. I hope you’re ready for a trick-or-treat bag full of questions. Here’s the first:

Did you have any childhood dreams? If so, did they come true?

I always dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer. I practically lived at the dance studio when I was growing up. Unfortunately, an ankle injury put an end to those aspirations. I then wanted to be an actress – but life had other plans for me! Jordan dancing

Did you love to read as a child? If so, can you tell us some favorite books?

I did! My nose was always stuck in a book. As far as some of my favorites, I adored anything by Roal Dahl – Matilda in particular – and Tamora Pierce’s Alana adventures. I also devoured the Harry Potter series and the Goosebumps series respectively.

What was an early experience where you learned that written language had power?

What a great question! When I was five years old, my mom read me a picture book we’d picked up from the library. I can’t recall the title, only that it was beautifully illustrated and that it told the tale of two troll best friends. In the end, one sacrifices himself to save the other. A beautiful flower grew in the spot where the first troll died, which the remaining troll lovingly tended to for the rest of his days. By the time my mom had finished, I was sobbing. I couldn’t stop! So, that experience certainly stands out as the moment where I learned that the written language has power.

What was your biggest fear when you were young? Did you get over it?

I used to be petrified of sharks. There were many years where I flat-out refused to dip so much as a toe in the ocean. I’m mostly past it now – though I do still get a wee bit anxious going into the water unless its crystal clear!

What advice would you give to your younger self?

To take more chances – to not be so afraid of failing that you never take any risks.

Would you be willing to share an embarrassing elementary school moment?

Presented without comment. Jordan in Dare T-shirt

Is your past woven into the story? If so, how?

Only bits and pieces: like Theodora, I was very much a misfit when I was growing up and had a tough time making friends. Similarly, I share Theodora’s distaste of “rules for rules’ sake”… And I also tend to disregard these! So, those aspects of the story stem from my own history. But beyond those two instances, this tale is very much Theodora’s own.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I first considered becoming a writer when I was around 22. By 23, I knew I wanted to be one! I had been working in finance for about a year at that point. The hours were long and grueling, so attending dance classes or participating in local theater was out. Still aching to do something creative, I decided to try my hand at writing. The rest is history!

What drew you to writing?

The same thing that drew me to ballet and to acting – escapism! I love entering a new world, meeting a new character…the brilliant thing about being a writer is that you not only get to disappear into these things; you get to create them! It’s very, very cool.

What is your favorite and/or most challenging part of being a writer?

My favorite part about being a writer is the moment when I’m working on a new idea and the pieces begin to click into place. When I eventually come up for air, it’s not unusual for me to find that several hours have passed – that’s when I know that I’ve come up with something worth pursuing. My least favorite part of being a writer is facing the rejection which inherently accompanies a career in the arts – the highs are so high, but the lows are so low. This industry definitely requires a thick skin!

Have you had any careers besides writing?

I have – I previously worked in financial services for thirteen years.

Jordan and her little sister dressed up for Halloween

How did you come up with the idea for Theodora Hendrix?

My mom was visiting me, and we were watching one of our favorite films, My Cousin Vinny. The actor who played the judge, Fred Gwynne, also played Herman Munster on The Munsters, a television show from the ‘60s. My mom pointed out this fact repeatedly – at least a dozen times – which must have stuck with me, because the next morning I woke up with an idea for a story about a human girl being raised by a family of monster superheroes. I jumped out of bed, grabbed my laptop, and began to write. Two hours later, I had written the opening chapters of what would become my debut novel!

What inspired you to write about a human girl among monsters?

I love a “fish out of water” tale, so when the idea for a story about a little girl growing up with a family of monster superheroes popped into my head (see above!), I couldn’t wait to dive in. I had so much fun creating the various monsters and thinking about what it might be like to live in a mansion-full of them: normally, we think of the monsters as the strange ones, but in Theodora’s case, she’s the odd one!

Are the characters based on anyone you know?

Not really. I might borrow certain characteristics here and there from people I know, but I don’t tend to model my characters after them. For me, a lot of the fun in writing is in imagining what could be, versus what is – I don’t want too much of my “real” life to infiltrate the fantasy!

Did you have pets while growing up or now that made their way into the story?

Camy in her vampire costume

I had many pets while I was growing up: hamsters, fish, cats, dogs…I miss them all dearly. Sometimes, they do make their way into my stories: I had a clever black cat, Mischief, who appeared as (a magical version of) himself in my first, unpublished manuscript. And my current cat, a lovable but naughty Maine Coon named Camy, is the inspiration for Bandit, a masked vampire cat, in the Theodora Hendrix series.

What gave you the idea to focus on Egyptian artifacts and curses? And did you have to do research?

While I was drafting the first book in the series, I especially enjoyed writing the character of Mummy. In addition to being Theodora’s – well, mummy, she’s also a fierce warrior who runs the Monstrous League of Monsters’ Reform School. For the series’ second book, I wanted to explore Mummy’s backstory – just how did she come to possess such a unique and impressive assortment of skills? – and that’s where ancient Egypt came in. I loved learning about different mythologies when I was growing up, so it was a great deal of fun to revisit some of those stories!

Since the book features a Halloween party, can you share any holiday traditions or foods you enjoy at Trick or Treat time?

My favorite Halloween tradition is watching Hocus Pocus on the final Saturday night in October. Every October, my husband and I watch Halloween-themed movies all month long, but we always save Hocus Pocus for last. It’s such a great, campy film!

Can you tell us a little about the other books in the series?

Sure! Book One is Theodora Hendrix and the Monstrous League of Monsters, where we first meet Theodora and her monster family. We’re also introduced to Dexter Adebola, Theodora’s first-ever human friend; Ms. Frumple, Theodora’s horrible head teacher; an evil villain who shall not be named – yet; and a mysterious narrator. The final and third installment is Theodora Hendrix and the Snare of the Shadowmongers. It sees Theodora and Dexter going on a grand adventure in New York City, where they meet a slew of new monsters – some of which have the terrifying ability to destroy other monsters’ powers and to give humans unending nightmares for life. In the end, Theodora uncovers the truth about her human parents and just why it was that they abandoned her in a haunted graveyard some ten years earlier.

Is there anything more you’d like to share about this book?

I had such a blast writing it – and I hope you all have a blast reading it, too!

The novel has so many funny moments, do you have any tips for writing humor?

Thank you very much! The best tip I have is to be yourself – what do you think is funny? If you’re laughing at what you write, there’s a good chance that your readers might as well. I also find it helpful to consider the following:

Know your audience. Different age groups will find different things funny, so it’s important to keep who you’re writing for in mind.
Try different techniques. Satire and irony might work well in one scene or story, while slapstick might be more effective in another. Others still might benefit from unexpected twists, hyperbole, puns, wordplay etc.
Don’t force it. If the humor feels contrived, or if the timing or the context is off, the joke might fall flat. In that case, it might be better to hold off; not every scene or story requires humor in order to be effective.

Did you leave anything out of this book that you wish you could have included? If so, what?

No, I don’t think so!

What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I hope readers walk away from this book and think, wow, that was so much fun! I also hope that young readers, especially those who might identify as misfits (I’m with you!), walk away feeling encouraged that the traits which others might view as “unique” are the very things which make them special – and which true friends will appreciate.

Illustrator Chris Jevons created the humorous art. Did you have any input into the character design or scenes?

Chris is unbelievably talented – I’m so lucky that our publisher paired us up! We worked closely in terms of character and setting design: I’m a very visual writer, so I make a point of including descriptive language in my prose. When we were first starting out, I pulled that verbiage into a “character description” document and shared it with Chris so that he had an idea of each character’s major characteristics; it’s super important that the artwork matches the text – otherwise, readers might get confused. We were both thrilled with the end result! I would love to work with him again someday.

Do you have any message or advice for the teachers and parents who will be sharing your book with their students and families?

I wanted to tell the story of a young misfit who was beginning to find her voice – and building the confidence to use it: I’m passionate about empowering young girls and women to speak up for what they believe in. I’m also passionate about encouraging children to appreciate each other’s differences, and I hope this also comes across in Theodora’s various friendships with humans and monsters alike. In addition to these, there’s also a theme of found families, which the series makes a point to celebrate.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on two very different manuscripts: the first is another middle grade comedy-horror while the second is a dark young adult contemporary fantasy. I’m having tons of fun writing both!

We also asked Jordan a few random questions:

Can you share your favorite game or toy from childhood/middle school days?

Scrabble! I used to play with my late grandfather – I only beat him once!

Did you ever run away from home?

No way, I was too much of a scaredy-cat for that!

When do you like to write?

I’ll write whenever, wherever! But my favorite time to write is at midnight, the witching hour: it feels like the whole world is asleep except for me (and maybe Camy) …My imagination really seems to come alive in those quieter, moonlit moments.

Ooo… that makes me shiver. If you want more thrills and chills, be sure to pick up a copy of Jordan Kopy’s latest book.

About Theodora Hendrix and the Curious Case of the Cursed Beetle:

If you think monsters don’t exist, just ask Theodora Hendrix. The second in a brilliantly funny new series, perfect for fans of Amelia Fang.

After facing down an evil hag, a thieving skele-crow and an army of the undead, ten-year-old Theodora Hendrix is certain she can handle anything – that is, until she meets the unpleasant Inspector Shelley and her even more unpleasant pet rat. Shelley and Ratsputin have come to spy on the MLM, and are determined to make trouble at every turn. Then Theodora makes a discovery of her own: a cursed beetle. She needs to destroy it without attracting the attention of the inspector – and fast. The stakes couldn’t be higher: if Theodora fails, her beloved monster family will rot in the dankest, darkest prisons of Transylvania. . .

About Jordan Kopy

Jordan Kopy is a born and raised New Yorker who now lives in London with her husband and poorly behaved (but lovable) cat. A financial services professional by day (no idea how that happened), Jordan spends her nights with ghouls, witches, and the occasional evil hag. She’s the author of the Theodora Hendrix middle grade series. For more information, follow her on Instagram @Jordan_Kopy or find her on her website at JordanKopy.com.

Posts Tagged kidlit

Growing Hearts: 10 Middle Grade Books to Inspire Gratitude

Let’s talk gratitude!

We need to cultivate the practice of gratitude all year long.

Here are 10 middle grade books to inspire gratitude:

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