Let’s welcome Laura Resau back to World Reads!

What is the title of your book?

THE INDIGO NOTEBOOK, THE RUBY NOTEBOOK, THE JADE NOTEBOOK

Where is it set?

INDIGO – Ecuadorean Andes

RUBY—Provence, France

JADE—Coastal Oaxaca, Mexico

In 70 words or less, provide a succinct plot description of your story.

INDIGO– 15-year-old Zeeta and her flighty mother live in a different country every year. This year, in the Ecuadoran Andes, Zeeta helps an American boy search for his birth parents. With him, she encounters adventure, mystery, love, and ultimately, the truth about what she really wants. (Ages 11 and up)

RUBY– Zeeta continues her adventures in the southern French town of Aix-en-Provence, where she encounters captivating street performers, age-old secrets, and mysteries of love.

JADE– Zeeta, Layla, and Wendell have settled in the beachside town of Mazunte, Mexico, where rare sea turtles nest. Zeeta is determined to make this piece of paradise her home, but as she digs deeper to unearth her elusive father’s past, she finds that paradise has its dark side.

How are you connected to the setting of your story?

I lived in Oaxaca for two years as an English teacher and anthropologist. I lived in Provence, France with a French family during my junior year of college.  I spent time in the Ecuadorean Andes while researching another book.

What inspired you to write this story?

My experiences traveling and living abroad.  I’ve had many adventures and met many fascinating people, elements that I wove into the stories.

What was the biggest challenge you had writing your story? How did you overcome it?

Meeting  the tight deadlines for a series! Very stressful!

What other YA/MG books have you written? Are any of them set outside of the United States? If so, which ones and where? What are these stories about?

All of my YA books are set mostly outside of the US. THE QUEEN OF WATER – a true story about child slavery— is set in the Ecuadorean Andes. RED GLASS—a road trip adventure — is set in an indigenous village in Oaxaca, Mexico as well as rural Guatemala. WHAT THE MOON SAW – a story of a girl finding her true self—is set in rural Oaxaca, Mexico.

What kind of story can we expect next from you? Is it set outside of the United States? If so, where? And what is it about?

I’m now writing a YA novel that is partly set in the Lacandon Mayan jungle in southern Mexico.  It’s a fantastical adventure involving chocolate!

What else would you like us to know about you or your story?

If you do read any of my books, you should check out my website and blog to read about the inspiration behind the books and see pics of places in the books.

Can you remember the first book that made an impact on you? And why?

I loved A WRINKLE IN TIME.  It made me think about the possibilities of the universe and existence and space and time in a whole new way.

Thank you, Laura Resau for joining us today! Your books are wonderful.

When I was a kid, I thought I would grow up and have a life like Cat’s with a herd of sheep, some cashmere goats, and a lot of dogs. I also planned on becoming a veterinarian, but my love of travel and foreign cultures took over and led me down a different path. So I get to live the other life I often daydream about through people like Cat. Welcome to Best Dog Books, Cat!

AOB: What is the title of your book? Pub date and publisher?

The Guardian Team: On the Job with Rena and Roo

October 2011, Boyds Mills Press

AOB: Who is your key dog character and what kind of dog is he/she? Tell us a little more about him/her.

* Rena was the runt of the livestock protection dog litter. She is a Turkish Akbash – a breed that has been used for thousands of years to guard livestock from predators. Rena went from being the smallest dog in the litter to the beautiful 130-pound beast that she is now.

AOB: In 70 words or less, provide a succinct plot description of your story.

* This is the true story of the runt puppy from the dog litter, six orphan lambs, and one scraggly wild burro. I put these animals together and photographed them for a year as they grew up together and became working partners. It’s an Ugly Duckling type of story that is true, and was based on our Wyoming sheep ranch.

AOB: Starred reviews or blurbs you wish to share:

“This snapshot of animal dynamics presents a rugged picture of one surprising friendship.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Heartwarming photos and clear, accessible text combine to make this story a winner. . . . Perfect for classroom–and family–reading time. Lovely.” —School Library Journal

“A companion title to Brave Dogs, Gentle Dogs (2005). . . . Kids will be drawn by the immediate, cuddly drama that blends work and play, biology, and an affectionate pet story.” –Booklist

2013 Book of the Year, American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture

AOB: What inspired you to write this story?

* I live with these beautiful animals and am able to witness their close relationships. I realized that I’m one of the relatively few people who know such closeness exists between animal species, so I wanted to share this beauty with others.

AOB: What was the biggest challenge you had writing your story? How did you overcome it?

* The biggest challenge was figuring out where to end the story, because in reality the story continues with all the animals still on our ranch today. Eventually it became clear that this should be a 32-page picture book, and the significant events that couldn’t be told outside that format should probably go into a future book. That’s why I’m working on what I hope will be one of my next picture books, Raising Runt.

AOB: What other YA/MG books have you written? Do any of them feature a key dog character? If so, which ones? AOB: What are these stories about?

* I have written six other non-fiction books for children, and this book is actually somewhat of a companion book to my first title: Brave Dogs, Gentle Dogs: How They Guard Sheep. This book uses engaging photos to show how guardian dogs form a bond with sheep that lasts a lifetime. Brave Dogs has received much recognition and acclaim, including its status as an International Reading Association notable book. All of my titles for children are nonfiction photo essays.

AOB: What kind of story can we expect next from you? Is it about a dog? If so, what is it about?

*I’m working on Raising Runt, a picture book for very young readers. This 300-word photo essay follows one tiny white puppy growing up with lambs and becoming a large guardian dog protecting a sheep herd on the Wyoming rangelands.

AOB: What else would you like us to know about you or your story?

* The livestock guardian dogs that are the subject of so much of my work are what keep us in the livestock business here in western Wyoming – they are that important. We have predator populations that are expanding in both numbers and range, so the dogs are challenged by predators almost every day – from coyotes to wolves and bears. The guardian dogs are so gentle and caring for their sheep, and tend to baby lambs so carefully, and then become fierce when faced with a threat to their charges. It’s a beautiful relationship, and hard work, and it seems to be intriguing fodder for audiences of all age levels.

AOB: Can you remember the first book that made an impact on you? And why?

*I was one of those kids who always had a book in my hands, so I have plenty of favorites. My very favorite book of all time is The Story of Ferdinand, by Munro Leaf. I try to live my life by the lessons offered in that book – namely to lead a peaceful existence, and do what makes you happy, regardless of what everyone else is doing.

AOB: Where can readers go to find out more information about you and/or your books?

* Check out my website and friend me on Facebook!

Thanks for joining us at Best Dog Books! I’d love to invite you back to learn more about Brave Dogs, Gentle Dogs: How They Guard Sheep.

For other great books about dogs, check out 101 Best Dog Books for Kids.

For published authors and unpublished authors, check out our writing contests.

I’d like to welcome Mary Losure today. She’s written a fascinating tale about the true story of a wild boy.

What is the title of your book? The pub date and publisher? Genre? Targeted age group?

*Wild Boy: The Real Life of the Savage of Aveyron

March 26, Candlewick Press. Narrative Non-fiction, age ten and up

Where is it set?

* France

In 70 words or less, provide a succinct plot description of your story.

*The true story of a boy found roaming wild in the forests of southern France in 1797. Captured and taken to Paris, the boy must find a new home in the human world.

Links to starred reviews or blurbs you wish to share:

Check out the trailer!

How are you connected to the setting of your story?

*I speak French (badly) but my main connection to France is that it happened to be the setting of the story I chose for my book.

What inspired you to write this story?

*I read the book that the wild boy’s teacher, Dr. Jean-Marc-Gaspard Itard, wrote about his five-year-long attempt to “civilize” the wild boy and teach him to talk. I wanted to tell the story as narrative non-fiction with the boy himself, not his teacher, as the hero.

What was the biggest challenge you had writing your story? How did you overcome it?

*I think the biggest challenge was to stop thinking like a grownup and an ordinary person and try to put myself in the wild boy’s place. For years, he had lived all alone in the wilderness. He had a mind that did not think in words. What was his amazing life like for HIM?

What kind of story can we expect next from you? Is it set outside of the United States? If so, where? And what is it about?

*My next book is called ISAAC THE ALCHEMIST. Like WILD BOY, it’s narrative non-fiction with a child hero. It tells the story of the strange, magic-seeming childhood of the boy who grew up to be the world’s greatest alchemist –and along the way discovered the secrets of the universe. It’s set in England in the 1600’s.

What else would you like us to know about you or your story?

* I think children like reading about other children, but often this isn’t possible in non-fiction. I’m hoping my books will attract some child readers who might not ordinarily be drawn to non-fiction.

Can you remember the first book that made an impact on you? And why?

*It was MY FATHER’S DRAGON by Ruth Stiles Gannett, which is pure, unabashed fantasy! It was the first real story I read to myself, by myself. It took me to a completely different, imagined world that was very vivid to me.

As I child I never read non-fiction. I think that’s one reason I’m writing children’s non-fiction now –the idea that somewhere there might be children (girls, especially) drawn to my books who might otherwise read only fiction.

My first book is called THE FAIRY RING, OR ELSIE AND FRANCES FOOL THE WORLD. It’s NON-fiction, about two girls whose pictures of cut-out fairies fooled Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes. I’ve been very happy with the response from children (especially girls) so far.

Where can readers go to learn more information?

*Check out the endnotes to both THE FAIRY RING and WILD BOY! Many people assume children never look at endnotes, but children are curious –I hope they will. Perhaps some budding historians may learn what is meant by “primary sources” and how interesting they can be.

For more information about Mary Losure or Wild Boy, please click here. Thank you for joining us today, Mary!

 Margarita Engle is the Cuban-American author of The Surrender Tree, recipient of the first Newbery Honor ever awarded to a Latino/a.  Other novels in verse about the island include The Poet Slave of Cuba, Hurricane Dancers, The Firefly Letters, Tropical Secrets, The Wild Book, and most recently, The Lightning Dreamer.  Margarita has received two Pura Belpré Awards, two Pura Belpré Honors, three Américas Awards, and the Jane Addams Peace Award, among others. Her picture books for younger children include Summer Birds and When You Wander.  Margarita lives in central California, where she enjoys hiking and helping her husband with his volunteer work for various wilderness search and rescue dog programs.

What is the title of your book? The pub date and publisher? Genre? Targeted age group?

* THE LIGHTNING DREAMER, Cuba’s Greatest Abolitionist

Harcourt, March, 2013

Young Adult novel in verse

ages 10 and up

Where is it set?

* nineteenth century Cuba

In 70 words or less, provide a succinct plot description of your story.

* Tula’s mother thinks reading and writing are unladylike, so she has to write her poems and stories in secret, and then burn them.  Her only escape from this restriction is a theater for orphans, which she is allowed to develop and direct as a charitable work.  When the time comes for her to be married off to a rich man, she rebels, and is punished by being banished to a plantation, where she meets the freed slave who inspires her future as a groundbreaking abolitionist/feminist writer.

Starred reviews or blurbs:

*Booklist starred review by Michael Cart

How are you connected to the setting of your story?

* My mother is from Cuba.  As a child, I spent summers visiting her extended family.  I developed a lifelong passion for the island’s tropical nature, culture, and history.  As an adult, I have been able to return, and re-connect with my relatives.

What inspired you to write this story?

*I admire the courage of Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda (Tula), and hope she will be rediscovered by history.

What was the biggest challenge you had writing your story? How did you overcome it?

*Research!  It was difficult to find details about Tula’s childhood.

I used interlibrary loan, and when I couldn’t find documents, I imagined certain details.

What kind of story can we expect next from you? Is it set outside of the United States? If so, where? And what is it about?

*SILVER PEOPLE, Voices From the Panama Canal, Harcourt, March, 2014.

What else would you like us to know about you or your story?

*THE LIGHTNING DREAMER is dedicated to young writers in search of words.

Can you remember the first book that made an impact on you? And why?

*The Black Stallion, for its spirit of adventure, and Island of the Blue Dolphins, for its historical value.

Click here to learn more.

Thank you for joining us Margarita Engle! We look forward to more interviews with you.

I fell in love with the story and the writing from the very first word of ORCHARDS and can’t wait for Holly’s next book, THE LANGUAGE INSIDE when it comes out in May 2013. Let’s welcome Holly Thompson to World Reads!

What is the title of your book? The pub date and publisher?

* Orchards (2011, Delacorte/Random House)

Where is it set?

* Shizuoka, Japan and a small town north of New York City

In 70 words or less, provide a succinct plot description of your story.

After a classmate commits suicide, Kana Goldberg—a half-Japanese, half-Jewish American—wonders who is responsible. She and her cliquey friends said some thoughtless things to the girl. Hoping that Kana will reflect on her behavior, her parents pack her off to her mother’s ancestral home in Japan for the summer. There Kana spends hours under the hot sun tending to her family’s mikan orange groves. Kana’s mixed heritage makes it hard to fit in at first, especially under the critical eye of her traditional grandmother, who has never accepted Kana’s father. But as the summer unfolds, Kana gets to know her relatives, Japan, and village culture, and she begins to process the pain and guilt she feels about the tragedy back home. Then news about a friend sends her world spinning out of orbit all over again.

Click here for a link to starred reviews.

How are you connected to the setting of your story?

* I’ve lived in Japan for over 17 years and worked for 18 months on a mikan orange farm like the farm in Orchards.

What inspired you to write this story?

* Orchards was a story that began to develop as I was doing research at a mikan orange farm in Shizuoka, Japan, for an adult novel. Midway through my work assisting a mikan farm family and absorbing everything I could about mikan cultivation and Japanese agricultural village life, the farmer’s American-born niece came to visit. Seeing her there, a family member yet out of her element, inspired the character of Kana. The other element of the story, Ruth, was sadly inspired by the suicide death of the thirteen-year-old daughter of a friend. I never truly expected to write about it, but the idea of Kana’s summer in Japan, the mikan and apple orchards, the girls in New York all began to merge into a tale I felt needed to be told. I hope that Orchards raises questions for readers and starts discussions.

What was the biggest challenge you had writing your story? How did you overcome it?

* The biggest challenge for me in writing Orchards was facing the pain of teen suicide—creating Kana’s character meant dealing with all the complex emotions of suicide survivors. I cried and cried as I wrote, but I knew that the story needed to be told.

What kind of story can we expect next from you? Is it set outside of the United States? If so, where? And what is it about?

The Language Inside (Delacorte/Random House) is due out in May 2013 and is a verse novel that explores language both spoken and unspoken and features poetry that crosses boundaries. The story takes readers from Japan to the Cambodian-American community of Lowell, Massachusetts, and to the world of a woman who can only communicate through eye movement. It is a story layered with love, loss, movement and words, and I hope that readers enjoy it.

Also, the middle-grade novel I just finished is set in Japan, and I’ll soon be at work on my next YA book set in Japan and the U.S.

What else would you like us to know about you or your story?

* There are many interviews with background info about Orchards on my web page.

Can you remember the first book that made an impact on you? And why?

*  A Wrinkle in Time. At age 12 I was a slow reader and easily discouraged by any slow-moving novel. This book excited me; I was immediately hooked and glad to have a female main character.

Where can readers go to learn more information?

* For information about Orchards and my other works of fiction and poetry, as well as various interviews, reader’s guides, news and speaking info, please visit my website. 

Thank you so much for joining us today, Holly! Look for Holly’s next World Reads interview on Monday, August 13, 2013!