Fourth Grade Journey

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

Monday, November 11, 2019

An Inside Look #114 (Author INTERVIEW)

An Inside Look with Chris and J.J. Grabenstein
(Author of Shine)

*During the summer of 2016, I added this feature to the blog which was called "Season #ONE".  This first season ran from June of 2016 to March of 2017.  

*I started up the interviews again in June of 2017.  It was great to get back to Season #TWO.  This season ran throughout the summer.  

*Season #THREE ran during the school year of 2017-2018.  



*The next season (season #FOUR) of interviews took place during the summer and fall of 2018.  With each interview I became more and more impressed with the authors I was having interactions with.  

*Season #FIVE ran during the 2018/2019 school year.  I took a little break at the start of June 2019.  

*During my summer 2019 vacation I continued a series of interviews in which I put under the heading of Season #SIX.

*To kick off my 29th year of teaching, I'm adding Season #SEVEN with a whole new season of authors, books, and interviews.  


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

*This is the ELEVENTH interview in which I'm calling Season #SEVEN.  

*Thank you to J.J. and Chris Grabenstein for being the One-Hundred Fourteenth author that I've had the pleasure of interviewing.  I truly appreciate it.  

*Here are links to the first One Hundred Thirteen interviews…


SEASON #ONE (2016-2017)

























SEASON #FOUR (Summer 2018)






















SEASON #FIVE (2018/2019)










Interview #81 with Tony Abbott (Author of The Great Jeff)

Interview #82 with Susan Ross (Author of Searching for Lottie)

Interview #83 with Gillian McDunn (Author of Caterpillar Summer)

Interview #84 with Rebecca Ansari (Author of The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly)

Interview #85 with Ali Standish (Author of August Isle)

Interview #86 with Shaun David Hutchinson (Author of The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried)

Interview #87 with Greg Howard (Author of The Whispers)

Interview #88 with Lynda Mullaly Hunt (Author of Shouting at the Rain)

Interview #89 with Lynda Mullaly Hunt (Author of One for the Murphys)

Interview #90 with Laurie Morrison (Author of Up for Air)

Interview #91 with Jody J. Little (Author of Mostly the Honest Truth)



SEASON #SIX (Summer 2019)

Interview #92 with John David Anderson (Author of Finding Orion)

Interview #93 with Lisa Thompson (Author of The Light Jar)

Interview #94 with Keith Calabrese (Author of A Drop of Hope)

Interview #95 with Alicia D. Williams (Author of Genesis Begins Again)

Interview #96 with Kim Ventrella (Author of Bone Hollow)

Interview #97 with Natalie Lloyd (Author of Over the Moon)

Interview #98 with Cynthia Lord (Author of Because of the Rabbit)

Interview #99 with Tina Athaide (Author of Orange for the Sunsets)

Interview #100 with Elly Swartz (Author of Give and Take)

Interview #101 with Amy Rebecca Tan (Author of A Kind of Paradise)

Interview #102 with Varsha Bajaj (Author of Count Me In)

Interview #103 with Laura Resau (Author of Tree of Dreams)



SEASON #SEVEN (2019/2020)

Interview #104 with Laurel Snyder (Author of My Jasper June)

Interview #105 with Lisa Bunker (Author of Zenobia July)

Interview #106 with Jasmine Warga (Author of Other Words for Home)

Interview #107 with Barbara Dee (Author of Maybe He Just Likes You)

Interview #108 with Graham Salisbury (Author of Banjo)

Interview #109 with Donna Gephart (Author of The Paris Project)

Interview #110 with Jake Burt (Author of The Tornado)

Interview #111 with Jess Redman (Author of The Miraculous)

Interview #112 with Karen Strong (Author of Just South of Home)

Interview #113 with Nicole Melleby (Author of Hurricane Season)



*J.J. and Chris were kind, gracious, and giving with their answers to the questions.  It is an honor to post their responses here on the blog. 

*Thank you J.J. and Chris for writing this incredible and thought-provoking book.

*Here is my book review...



Shine by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein

(November 5, 2019)


 How did you come to know Piper?
Chris is going to answer this one:  Piper is a 12-year-old version of J.J. – the kindest, most caring, funniest person I've ever met.   J.J. came up with the name for the character.  The last name came from a childhood friend.  Piper came from a dog we know in our neighborhood.
What do you think is Piper's most admirable quality?
As the story progresses, Piper becomes surrounded by people who value accomplishments and status more than anything else. But she values other things and, even though it's often a difficult thing to do, stays true to herself. She is a very good friend and a kind person who is willing to put others before herself.

 Is there anything you wish Piper would have changed or done differently in her story?
Piper had to do whatever we told her to do in the story, so we think she made all the right choices. 
What do you think Piper can offer to other children that are experiencing similar situations to what she went through?
It’s important to know that who you are is more important than what you accomplish.
How did you research Piper and the circumstances she found herself in?
Living in New York City, we are very familiar with kids who are being pushed to accomplish great things.  Believe it or not, a lot of parents here think the path to Harvard or Yale starts with choosing the right Pre-K for their kids.
What was the hardest scene to write about Piper?
We needed to find a way for Piper to express her feelings and her greatest fears.  Once we added a dog (Mr. Pugsly) for her to talk to, these scenes became easier to write.
Who do you think was Piper's biggest supporter and why?
Her dad is her biggest supporter. He loves her and wants her to have all the good things in life. He is a single dad (Piper’s mom died before our story begins) so he feels even more pressure to give Piper the best life possible.
How do you think adults, parents and teachers, can help young people find what they are destined to SHINE with and foster that?Everyone shines in their own way and not all “shining moments” are in the spotlight. Adults, parents and teachers can help kids by letting them know when they shine, even if it’s a small good deed or a simple act of kindness.
What do you think Piper is doing as the present time?
Good question! I guess we’ll all find out if there is a sequel! We’re sure she is still being kind and helping others even when nobody is watching. 
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