ReadWonder: December 2023

How I Heard About It
*I read The Hope of Elephants by Amanda Rawson Hill and enjoyed the story. I was excited to see she had a new novel out. I read this middle-grade novel during my Christmas vacation. Once I started, I couldn't put it down.

What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Winnie isn't too thrilled when she and her mother have to move from Denver to a small Colorado town in order for her mother to marry the new man in her life.

*The move has created more anxiety and negative thoughts for Winnie than she usually has.

*Her "inner" voice, which she has named, is sending more and more negative messages to Winnie and she isn't quite sure how to handle this new situation.

*One evening, Winnie notices a glowing tree and finds herself climbing the tree where she discovers some magical eggs.

*The eggs seem to bring wishes, which at first Winnie thinks will solve all of her problems; but discovers there is more to a wish than what appears on the surface.

What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*My first take away was the integration of Winnie's story and the fairy tales she write about her own life. I loved this connection.

*I found her "alter-ego" interesting and quite accurate for young people struggling with anxiety and negative thoughts.

*While reading, I enjoyed getting to know the members of Winnie's new family and the new friends she "tried" to establish new friendships with.

*The plot was strong, engaging, and quite thoughtful. Lots of emotions sprinkled throughout the pages.

*Amanda Rawson Hill wrote with heart, authentic emotions/reactions, and characters that readers will come to know and care about.

Who Should Read It:
*The middle-grade novel is geared toward the upper elementary reader along with middle-school readers. I also think most adult readers would enjoy Winnie's journey to self-discovery. Happy Reading!

Rating: 4 STARS out of 5 Stars

An Inside Look with Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko

(Authors of DogTown)

*Season #ONE (June of 2016 to March of 2017)

*Season #TWO (Summer of 2017)

*Season #THREE (School Year 2017/2018)

*Season #FOUR (Summer/fall of 2018)

*Season #FIVE (School Year 2018/2019)

*Season #SIX (Summer 2019)

*Season #SEVEN (Fall 2019)

*Season #EIGHT (Winter/Spring 2020)

*Season #NINE (Fall 2020)

*Season #TEN (Winter/Spring 2021)

*Season #ELEVEN (Fall 2021)

*Season #TWELVE (Winter/Spring 2022)

*Season #THIRTEEN (Summer 2022)

*Season #FOURTEEN (Fall 2022)

*Season #FIFTEEN (Winter/Spring 2023)

*I'm excited to present season #SIXTEEN with brand new interviews/authors.

*It has been such an honor to connect with authors and "chat" about their novel, characters, and thoughts about the story.

*This is the Ninth interview in which I'm calling Season #SIXTEEN.

*Thank you to Katherine and Gennifer for being the Two Hundred Sixty-First authors I've had the pleasure of interviewing. I truly appreciate it.

DogTown

by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko

(September 19, 2023)

How did you come to know Chance and Metal Head?

GC: Chance kind of popped up fully formed. Metal Head took more work. Trial and error. No he’s not like that. “Hey Katherine, do you think he’s like this?”

KA: With Chance, I think we inevitably channeled our own dogs. Maybe Metal Head was more challenging because we’re not acquainted with any robot dogs!

What do you think are their most admirable qualities?

GC: Chance is kind, despite herself. Metal Head is trying valiantly to figure out who he is and how he works.

KA: Chance is resilient. She’s been through a lot and keeps persevering. And there’s an odd sweetness to Metal Head that becomes apparent over time. (I’m very fond of him.)

Is there anything you wish they would have changed or done differently in their story?

GC: The best thing about getting to do a series is you can course correct in the next book.

KA: I hate to admit it, but naming a female dog “Chance” seems to have confused lots of people. I wouldn’t change it, though!

What do you think they can offer to other children/dogs that are experiencing similar situations to what they went through?

GC: All of us are trying to figure out who we are. It is a trial and error process.

KA: I hope kids realize that unexpected friendships lie around every corner. It’s important to be open and welcoming.

How did you research the characters and the circumstances they found themselves in?

GC: I volunteer at a shelter called Marin Humane.

KA: I had a therapy dog named Goofy who visited schools in a program similar to “Reading Buddies.”

Do you and the dogs share any similarities?

GC: I, for one, have a fraught relationship with hope.

KA: Dogs are experts at living in the moment. I’m trying very hard to be more like that.

What was the hardest scene to write about them?

GC: (Spoiler alert!) It was painful to write the scene where James rejects Metal Head.

The most challenging part was figuring out how to write the book together. Initially we thought we would each write from the pov of one character. But that kind of imploded on us, so we had to find our own way of working together.

KA: There were definitely some poignant moments where we both needed Kleenex on hand.

Who do you think were their biggest supporters and why?

GC: I think Mouse, Metal Head and Chance supported each other.

KA: I agree. The dogs created their own network of support.

Why do you think dogs have such a personal and meaningful relationship with humans?

GC: Humans provide something to dogs that they can’t get from each other: Belly Rubs. Dogs provide something to humans that we desperately need: Unconditional acceptance.

KA: Dogs are eternal optimists, and spending time around that endless joy is contagious.

What do you think they are doing at the present time?

GC: Stay tuned. Next Dogtown launches September 2024.

KA: Someone once said that “The dog is the god of frolic.” I’m pretty sure that whatever the dogs are doing, there’s some serious frolic going on.

SEASON #ONE (2016-2017)

Interview #1 with Elly Swartz (Author of Finding Perfect)

Interview #2 with Jeff Zentner (Author of The Serpent King)

Interview #3 with Nora Raleigh Baskin (Author of Nine, Ten, A September 11 Story)

Interview #4 with Cammie McGovern (Author of Just My Luck)

Interview #5 with Kate Messner (Author of The Seventh Wish)

Interview #6 with Paul Griffin (Author of When Friendship Followed Me Home)

Interview #7 with K.A. Holt (Author of House Arrest)

Interview #8 with Abby Cooper (Author of Sticks and Stones)