*Season #SIX (Summer 2019)
How did you come to know Kaia?
I think all of my main characters are a combination of the kid I wanted to be, the qualities that inspire me in young readers I meet, and from the kids in my own life. I have two sons, one in elementary school and the other in middle school. I love observing how they explore the world and when I’m developing characters, I tend to keep them in mind! But mainly I try to put my characters into different situations, noodle around, and see what comes out of it. Often I won’t end up using what I write, but it’s how I get to know my characters.
What do you think is her most admirable quality?
I love Kaia’s creativity! She’s a kid who’s ready and willing to jump into any situation, brainstorm, and come up with ideas for solutions. She’s a big dreamer, for sure.
Is there anything you wish she would have changed or done differently in her story?
The thing I’m glad I did early on in my writing process was to give Kaia siblings. Kaia started off as an only child, which felt a little too much like Lou from The House That Lou Built, so I then gave her a toddler brother. He didn’t didn’t come into the story much so I finally added Kaia’s teenage sister, and it brought much more nuance, fun, and tenderness into their family’s story.
What do you think Kaia can offer to other children that are experiencing similar situations to what she went through?
I think any transition, big or small, is tough for children. I try to give a growth mindset to my stories, so I hope that after kids read this one, they’ll understand that change is natural—but that we still have the ability to create joy and to grow from it. Kaia leaned on her friends, family, and community to come to that realization.
How did you research Kaia and the circumstances she found herself in?
I actually grew up very close to both sets of my grandparents, and my maternal grandparents lived with my family for a short while when I was growing up. They later returned home to the Philippines after many decades of living and working in the United States as American citizens. Though I was an adult by that point with children of my own, it was still very emotional to say goodbye. It was interesting for me to try and interpret this experience from a kid’s POV.
Do you and Kaia share any similarities?
The more I write middle grade the more I realize I identify with the moms in my stories (ha!). That definitely comes from having a middler schooler at home. However, as a girl, I loved art and creating things as much as Kaia does. She and I also share a n immense love of cupcakes and snacks.
What was the hardest scene to write about her?
The hardest scene for me to write in this book was surprisingly not one of the more tender or emotional scenes, it was the (spoiler) cake fight scene! I wanted it realistic but not too cartoony, so my boys were happy to throw things at each other in our backyard to help Mom figure out the logistics.
Who do you think was her biggest supporter and why?
Kaia is lucky in that all of her family is so supportive, but definitely Tatang, her great-grandfather, was the one who was most actively helping her get through their changing family dynamic. I never spelled it out, but he had a plan to help her through.
Why do you think some young people, like Kaia, form such meaningful and deep relationships with extended members of their family?
My guess is we all seek meaningful connection from extended family because there’s already an automatic bond there. I have a couple cousins I didn’t know growing up because we lived so far away, but we’ve gotten to know each other now that we’re older. And while we didn’t have years to build on, we picked up right away! There’s something quite special to that, knowing you all come from the same place—the same story—that I think brings extended family together.
What do you think Kaia is doing as the present time?
Kaia is probably remote schooling while complaining to her mom that she misses her friends! I don’t blame her. In her spare time she’s making a new movie (solo—she wrote, directed, and starred in it!), and I’m sure she’s growing stronger from all the changes in our world right now.
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)
