*Season #SIX (Summer 2019)
How did you come to know Rylee?
I never thought I would write a followup to When Zachary Beaver Came to Town until I started wondering who Toby Wilson, the main character from that book would marry. When I realized who, I then tried to imagine what kind of child they would have. At first I thought they would have a son, but I'd already written that book. That's when I knew Toby Wilson would have a daughter.
What do you think is her most admirable quality?
Her kindness.
Is there anything you wish she would have changed or done differently in her story?
No although after the book came out, I wondered if I'd done enough with Zachary Beaver (a character from the first book). Then I quickly decided I had because the story belonged to Rylee.
What do you think she can offer to other children that are experiencing similar situations to what she went through?Rylee learns to value herself, not depend on others to decide her value. I hope that young people will see that they should never give that power to others. Self-love is important.
How did you research Rylee and the circumstances she found herself in?
I reread the original novel, When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, read New York Times archives for the 9/11 storyline, took a mandolin lesson, watched a 9-pin bowling league play, and interviewed people.
Do you and Rylee share any similarities?
Like Rylee, I too, sought my worth in the eyes of others.
What was the hardest scene to write about her?
The 9/11 scene. I wanted to unfold it in a way that showed the drama, but didn't seem melodramatic. When my daughter suggested I write it in spare prose, a weight lifted from me and I was able to write the scene, unfolding the moments that the Twin Towers fell.
Who do you think was her biggest supporter and why?
Probably her dad. Toby recognizes that she relies on Twig too much to feel accepted by others, and early in the story he tells her there isn't a person in the town that doesn't like her.
Why do you think some young friendships come and go quite quickly, while others can form a special bond that is like no other friendship and will last a lifetime?
I believe the type of friendships where you've been honest and shared true emotions are the friendships that can last a lifetime. Even if you lose contact for years and reunite, the bond is there.
What do you think Rylee is doing as the present time?
I'd like to think Rylee finally mastered those bar chords and is playing her mandolin on stages around the 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)
Interview #158 with Rebecca Ansari (Author of The In-Between)
Interview #159 with John David Anderson (Author of One Last Shot)
Interview #160 with Tracy Holczer (Author of Brave in the Woods)
Interview #161 with James Bird (Author of The Brave)
Interview #162 with Marcella Pixley (Author of Trowbridge Road)
Interview #163 with Barbara O'Connor (Author of Halfway to Harmony)
Interview #164 with Alan Gratz (Author of Ground Zero)
Interview #165 with Lisa Fipps (Author of Starfish)
Interview #166 with Ann Braden (Author of Flight of the Puffin)
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