Fourth Grade Journey

A Fourth Grade Teacher's Journey Through the World of Books

Monday, October 5, 2020

An Inside Look #147 (Author INTERVIEW)


An Inside Look with Ellen Hopkins
(Authors of Closer to NoWhere)

*Welcome to my favorite feature of my blog.  

*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)

*I'm excited to be back for season #NINE 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 FIFTH interview in which I'm calling Season #NINE.  

*Thank you to Ellen for being the One-Hundred Forty-Seventh author I've had the pleasure of interviewing.  I truly appreciate it.


*Here is my Review of the Novel...




Closer to Nowhere

by Ellen Hopkins

(October 6, 2020)


How did you come to know Hannah and Cal?  
Getting to know my characters is the very nature of my prewriting process. Cal was easiest to craft, as there is a child much like him living under my roof. Still, I didn’t want them to be exactly the same, so I gave Cal different goals. Hannah popped up as I created a foil for Cal. She’s not an antagonist, but rather someone who spurs him into action.


What do you think is Hannah and Cal’s most admirable qualities?
Hannah knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to work really hard to attain it. She’s dedicated to her dreams, and also to her family. Cal is resilient. He’s been traumatized but refuses defeat. He’s funny, and though he’s wary of showing it, he has a huge heart.


Is there anything you wish they would have changed or done differently in their story?
Interesting question because I think the story unfolds as it had to, so not if you’re talking from my POV. From theirs, though, I wish Cal would’ve opened up a little earlier, rather than carrying so much pain and resentment locked inside. And I wish Hannah would’ve talked to her parents about the problems they were having. Kids tend to blame themselves (or in her case, Cal) for things far outside of their ability to control.


What do you think Hannah and Cal can offer to other children that are experiencing similar situations to what they went through?
Hope, and the understanding that even when things look very bleak, very dark, there is light just beyond that moment. Also, the knowledge that families come in many blends. The common bond is love.


How did you research the two characters and the circumstances they found themselves in?
Primary research is always best. Anything I wasn’t familiar with, I reached out to my family, friends, and even readers, to learn more about.


Do you and the two children share any similarities?
Hannah and I are both strong-willed. We know what we want and aren’t afraid to reach high and go for broke. And, like Cal, I have a quirky sense of humor people might not always appreciate.


What was the hardest scene to write about them?
Probably the big climactic scene at the end. I keep thinking about what that would be like for anyone, let alone children. It’s something I think about all too often sending kids off to school every day.


Who do you think was their biggest supporter and why?
Hannah’s mom. She always supported Hannah’s goals, in deference to her own. And, though Cal was a relative stranger, she scooped him up and held him tightly, even when he struggled to make her let go.


Why do young people, and even some adults, often judge other people based on their behaviors and actions before they really get to know them on a deeper level?
I think it’s easier to judge someone else than to recognize personal shortcomings. Behaviors like Cal’s aren’t hard to make fun of, but looking for the “why” takes effort, with no promise of a reward. I do hope this book and others like it will help readers of all ages develop empathy, something that seems in short supply at this moment in time.


What do you think Hannah and Cal are doing as the present time?
I think Hannah has reached Level 10 and is headed to the Junior Olympic National Championships. And I think Cal is writing his first novel—a humorous sci-fi about an alien kid moving in with a problematic family. 

 



*Here are links to the One Hundred Forty-Five interviews...

SEASON #ONE (2016-2017)

























SEASON #FOUR (Summer 2018)






















SEASON #FIVE (2018/2019)













SEASON #SIX (Summer 2019)







SEASON #SEVEN (Fall 2019)




















SEASON #EIGHT (Winter/Spring 2020)

Interview #121 with Melissa Savage (Author of Nessie Quest)

Interview #122 with Tamara Bundy (Author of Pixie Pushes On)

Interview #123 with Lindsay Lackey (Author of All the Impossible Things)

Interview #124 with Tae Keller (Author of When You Trap a Tiger)

Interview #125 with Jamie Sumner (Author of Roll With It)

Interview #126 with Hena Khan (Author of More to the Story)

Interview #127 with Phil Bildner (Author of A High-Five for Glenn Burke)

Interview #128 with Leslie Connor (Author of A Home for Goddesses and Dogs)

Interview#129 with Gillian McDunn (Author of Queen Bee and Me)

Interview #130 with Jody J. Little (Author of Worse Than Weird)

Interview #131 with Jenn Bishop (Author of Things You Can't Say)

Interview #132 with Kaela Noel (Author of Coo)

Interview #133 with Rebecca Stead (Author of The List of Things That Will Not Change)

Interview #134 with Gae Polisner (Author of Jack Kerouac is Dead to Me)

Interview #135 with Emily Blejwas (Author of Like Nothing Amazing Ever Happened)

Interview #136 with Joy McCullough (Author of A Field Guide to Getting Lost)

Interview #137 with Kim Baker (Author of the Water Bears)

Interview #138 with Erin Entrada Kelly (Author of We Dream of Space)


Interview #139 with Jess Redman (Author of Quintessence)

Interview #140 with Melanie Conklin (Author of Every Missing Piece)

Interview #141 with Lindsey Stoddard (Author of Brave Like That)


Interview #142 with Gae Polisner and Nora Raleigh Baskin (Authors of Seven Clues to Home)



SEASON #NINE (2020/2021)

Interview #143 with Jacqueline Woodson (Author of Before the Ever After)

Interview #144 with Sharon Creech (Author of One Time)

Interview #145 with Barbara Dee (Author of My Life in the Fish Tank)

Interview #146 with Kim Ventrella (Author of The Secret Life of Sam)
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It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (10/5/20)

     


Thanks to Jen and Kellee for hosting this idea on their site.  Here is a link to the site...
                


Books I Will (continue to) Read this Week...


Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy

*My Novel Published for Adults

The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed

*My Young-Adult Novel










Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

*My Novel Published for Adults 








What Stars are Made Of by Sarah Allen

*My Middle-Grade Novel









The In-Between by Rebecca Ansari

*My Middle-Grade Novel (ARC)

Books I Read this Past Week...  


American As Paneer Pie by Supriya Kelkar

*Middle-Grade Novel (4 STARS out of 5 Stars)








Brave in the Woods by Tracy Holczer

*Middle-Grade Novel (5 STARS out of 5 Stars)

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Sunday, October 4, 2020

Brave in the Woods by Tracy Holczer

How I Heard About It:
*I'm a huge fan of Tracy Holczer.  I can remember reading her first novel The Secret Hum of a Daisy and being blown away.  I was thrilled when Tracy's second novel won a Charlotte Huck Book Award.  Hearing about an upcoming third novel made this reader quite pleased.  After being granted an electronic ARC of the story, I began to read immediately and couldn't put the book down.  Tracy never disappoints and sure knows how to write a middle-grade story.  


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Juni is missing her older brother Connor who has gone missing in action in Afghanistan.  

*She comes from a family full of curses, along with a miracle or two.  

*When Juni's parents decide not to keep Connor's beloved dog, Juni goes on a journey that will not only change her life, but also those people closest to her. 

*During her quest, Juni learns of her grandmother's "curse" and "miracle" and relives a trek very similar to the one her dear grandma took.  

*With a family dealing with the greatest possible loss, Juni finds the courage, strength, and determination to face her own loss and comes to terms with both the past and her current situation.  


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*I'm so pleased to have been granted access to an electronic ARC of Tracy's newest work of fiction.  My TBR pile is bigger than ever, but I put them all aside to read from one of my favorite authors.

*As soon as I began, I knew I was in for a special treat.  Tracy has a way with words that force me to reread sentences, paragraphs, and whole pages.  I want to take in, absorb, and appreciate the language she presents on the page.  

*Juni was one special character and will remain in my heart for quite some time.  I could feel her pain, frustration, and revelations.  

*There were a few occasions when I had tears streaming down my face.  If that isn't a sign of a powerful, meaningful, and thoughtful story, than I don't know what is.

*I always say, add a dog to a story, and I'm 100% in.  Connor's dog brought such joy and depth to the story.  I'm not sure who I loved more, the dog or the people in the dog's life.  


Who Should Read It:
*EVERYONE!  This is one of those stories that needs to be read by young, teen, and adult readers alike.  I already know this is going to be a class read aloud during the 2020/2021 school year.  The novel will be out in the world in January 2021 and I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy of the book.  Happy Reading!  


Rating:  5 STARS out of 5 Stars




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Saturday, October 3, 2020

American as Paneer Pie by Supriya Kelkar

 How I Heard About It:
*I feel like I've been seeing this cover for quite some time.  When a fellow reader recommended the story to me, I downloaded the audio version on Audible.  Once I started listening, I couldn't stop.  


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*School is hard enough, but when you are the only Indian American, fitting in can be even more difficult.  

*Lekha tries her best to keep her culture, heritage, and family customs from ever entering the four walls of the school building.  


*When Avantika moves in, Lekha is thrilled to have another student that looks like her.  

*Once Avantika begins school, Lekha isn't sure having her there will help her being one of the girls.

*As much as Lekha wants to "blend" in, Avantika shows her how rewarding it can be to "stand out".  


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*A complete joy to listen to with a thought-provoking and powerful story.

*The reading was fascinating to read about two girls with similar backgrounds and how differently they went about "fitting in".

*Avantika was a unique, strong, and incredible role-model for all young children, especially girls.

*The plot moved along at a perfect pace and I never lost interest in the story while always wanting more.

*Many important life-lessons were presented throughout the story and would lead to deep and meaningful discussions.  


Who Should Read It:
*The book could easily be put in the hands of fourth, fifth, and sixth grade readers along with seventh and eighth graders.  Every young reader would benefit from getting to know Lekha and Avantika.  I think the story would make for a wonderful class read aloud.  Happy Reading!  


Rating:  4 STARS out of 5 Stars





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Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes

How I Heard About It:
*I remember attending a NCTE dinner and sitting at Jewell Parker Rhodes table.  She talked about a story she was working on.  That was this story.  I was thrilled to get an ARC at the next year's NCTE.  Even though I had the book, I decided to listen via Audible during my September commute to and from school.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Trey and Donte are twelve-year old brothers.  They attend Middlefield Prep which consists mostly of white students.

*Even though the two boys are brothers, Donte is darker skinned while Trey is lighter skinned.  This causes some major troubles for Donte.

*Donte always seems to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time.  He doesn't understand why the other students and staff always assume the worst of him.

*After a "misunderstanding" at school, Donte is suspended and actually arrested.  

*He ends up joining a fencing group and it is through this experience he learns who he truly is and what he stands for.  


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*A wonderful and important story for all young readers to experience.

*As a fourth grade teacher, I've had many black boys in my class that I know have felt and experienced what Donte experienced in his life.  

*The relationship between the two brothers, being the "center" of the story, drove everything that each boy did and reacted to.  

*Every good story needs the antagonist and/or "villain", and Jewell Parker Rhodes certainly delivered with the Alan character.

*I loved the "life lessons" Donte learned from his fencing, and reminded me of my fencing class back in ninth grade. 


Who Should Read It:
*I believe all middle-school readers would be able to relate to Donte's story. For that reason, I would like to see a copy of the book in all middle-school libraries.  Fifth and sixth grade readers would also be a target audience for Rhodes' newest novel.  If you know a young black boy, this may be the perfect story for him.  Happy Reading!  


Rating:  5 STARS out of 5 Stars









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A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi & Laura Shovan

How I Heard About It:
*I've been meaning to read this middle-grade story for quite some time.  I've had an ARC and an actual hard cover of the book.  I actually ended up listening to the story via Audible.  The narrators were wonderful!  


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Sara is a new sixth grader navigating new territory compared to her former Islamic school.  

*Elizabeth is also a sixth grader dealing with both friend and family issues.


*Sara and Elizabeth end up in the same after school cooking class.  They each ended up in the class for their own reasons.  

*When a cooking show announces a contest, both girls decide to join forces to win first prize.

*As they come up with the perfect recipe, the two girls learn about each other, their differences, and how they may be more alike than they realized.  


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*Based on all the rave reviews, I was excited to begin listening to the story.  

*The characters, the plot, and the setting were all well written, realistic, and engaging.  

*I loved how the two girls came to know each other, formed a friendship, and faced challenges neither one of them should have been forced to deal with.  

*As a reader I learned so much about the Islam and British cultures.  Reading about their experiences, opened my eyes to the difficulties facing so many of our young people in our country.

*I'm always in awe of writers, but especially impressed when two "forces" come together and create a solid, heart-warming story.  


Who Should Read It:
*I think readers in grades four, five, and six would be ideal for the story.  The book should also be found in all middle-school classrooms and libraries.  If you are looking for a solid and strong audio experience, this is definitely a perfect choice.  Happy Reading!  


Rating:  4 STARS out of 5 Stars




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