*Season #SIX (Summer 2019)
How did you come to know Zinnia?
Zinny is a product of my imagination. But I drew a bit on my daughter's experience when my son (her oldest brother) was in treatment for cancer. Of course, for that entire difficult year, our family's focus was on my son. But we all lived through his illness too--and coped in our own ways.
What do you think is her most admirable quality?
Zinny is a great family member, sensitive to everyone's needs, responsible and loyal. Some of this loyalty gets her into trouble, though, as she feels compelled to keep the family's secret.
Is there anything you wish she would have changed or done differently in her story?
I wish she had spoken up to her parents earlier about the need to keep Gabriel's condition a secret. I know she didn't because she was trying to be a good kid, not make waves, be respectful and considerate during a family crisis. But sometimes even an "easy," quiet kid needs to make some noise. Self-advocacy is an important survival skill.
What do you think Zinnia can offer to other children that are experiencing similar situations to what she went through?
A few things. I hope Zinny's experience can show kids that mental illness happens even to nice, "normal" families, and should never be hidden or stigmatized. Also, when one family member is affected, the whole family is affected, including siblings. Everyone may need some help, which can come in many forms--one-on-one talk therapy, a peer group like the Lunch Club, or maybe just informal conversation with a trusted adult like Mr. Patrick, the guidance counselor. The important thing is to not push people away, even if you think no one understands, or that you shouldn't divulge personal family matters.
How did you research Zinnia and the circumstances she found herself in?
In addition to much reading, I interviewed a child psychologist whose patients include kids dealing with the mental illness of a sibling. She told me that a number of these siblings have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, which typically appears in late adolescence. So her patients tend to be younger siblings trying to cope both with the older sibling's mental illness and the changed family dynamic.
Do you and Zinnia share any similarities?
We both try to make people laugh--and we both love ice cream and pizza!
What was the hardest scene to write about her?
I think probably the hardest scene to write was the family therapy scene at the end, when Zinny finally confronts her parents about their wish to keep Gabriel's condition secret. I wanted Zinny to be strong in that scene, but the focus needed to stay on Gabriel--his shock and hurt. Also, the parents' reactions had to be raw but not overwhelming. Balancing all this emotion for a middle grade reader was tricky.
Who do you think was Zinnia’s biggest supporter and why?
Zinny has several important supporters: her science teacher, her guidance counselor, and the other kids in Lunch Club. But I think her biggest supporter may be her friend Kailani, who remains loyal even as Zinny pushes her away. And I think the way Kailani secretly arranges for Zinny to join the lunch Club is brave and selfless.
Why do you think young people, like Zinny, show such resilience during difficult times when some adults don’t display positive and productive coping mechanisms.
Great question! Maybe one reason is that Zinny's curiosity and enthusiasm about science, particularly marine biology, brings her outside of herself, and gives her an understanding of what she can control--and what she can't. Also, Zinny is surrounded by caring people. Many adults going through difficult times simply withdraw without an institutional safety net like school.
What do you think she is doing at the present time?
I think Zinny is a brilliant marine biologist researching the effect of climate change on our oceans and its wildlife. She's both a scientist and a born nurturer, and that nurturing will extend into the natural world.
SEASON #SIX (Summer 2019)
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)
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