The Top-Secret Diary of Celie Valentine: Friendship Over: Interview with Julie Sternberg - Blog Tour & Giveaway

I am very excited to welcome Julie Sternberg to Kid Lit Frenzy. I loved her Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie Series and excited about sharing Friendship Over with students once I wrestle it back from my niece who absconded with it the other day.  Thank you Julie for writing such fun books and for stopping by to answer some questions.

The Top-Secret Diary of Celie Valentine seems like the next step up in reading for your fans of Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie. Was it intentional to take this next step? And what was it like to write for a slightly older audience?

I wish I could say it was intentional. I’d feel like such a good planner! But I didn’t have a particular audience in mind when I started THE TOP-SECRET DIARY OF CELIE VALENTINE. I just wanted to create a story using the different writings in many kids’ lives: journal entries; notes passed in class; emails; notes scribbled down for family members; homework assignments; and the like. That structure is a little more complicated than the one in LIKE PICKLE JUICE ON A COOKIE, so it works well for slightly older readers. As much as I loved writing PICKLE JUICE and its sequels, it’s also been a lot of fun exploring a new format. I hope Celie’s diary, and the various writings she tapes into it, are as fun to read as they were to write.

Celie’s father received a punching bag when he was 10 and when Celie turned 10 her dad gave her both a punching bag and a diary. Did you keep a diary as a young girl and did anyone ever get into it and read it?

I was the kind of kid who loved the idea of keeping a diary, but never managed to actually do it. Now I wish I had! I’d love a record of my childhood thoughts and feelings.    

Friendships and sisters can seem like the most challenging thing whether you are 10 or well even as an adult. Were any of the scenarios in the story based on real experiences?

There’s a moment in the book when Celie is stuck in a long timeout after kicking her older sister, Jo. Jo did something bad, too, but Celie alone is punished. So Jo feels guilty. She writes an apologetic note to Celie and slides it under the door of the room where is Celie is having her timeout. Celie then slides an angry response back under the door. The girls continue to exchange notes this way, until the timeout is over.  

My daughters used to slide notes back and forth under their bedroom door, too, when one was in a timeout and the other felt at least a little guilty about it. I’ve always loved the idea of those notes, and the dynamic between sisters (both love and conflict) that they capture. My earliest drafts of the book started with that exchange.  

Do you have any special writing routines, and what is your writing space like (coffee shop, office, other)?  

I try to write between the time when I drop my younger daughter off at school and when I pick her up. I tend to drink a staggering amount of tea—iced tea and hot tea—as I write. I write in both coffee shops and at home, depending on my mood and the logistics of my day. Here’s a picture of my writing spot right now. Note the pot of hot tea, which I’ve already finished, and the practically empty glass that held iced tea before I finished it, too:

Are you working on any new books/projects that you can share with us? 

I just finished the latest draft of the second book in THE TOP-SECRET DIARY OF CELIE VALENTINE series, and I’m starting the third book now. I also have a picture book coming out in the spring. It’s called BEDTIME AT BESSIE AND LIL’S.  

What has been your favorite question or letter from a reader (either at a school visit or in a letter/email form)?

I once received this photograph of a big sister reading one of my books (LIKE CARROT JUICE ON A CUPCAKE) to her little sister. That moment feels magical to me. I can’t think of a better reason to write.

Photo Credit: Meredith Zinner

About the author:
Julie Sternberg is the author of the best-selling Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie and its sequels, Like Bug Juice on a Burger and Like Carrot Juice on a Cupcake. Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie is a Gryphon Award winner and a Texas Bluebonnet Award finalist; Like Bug Juice on a Burger is a Gryphon Honor Book, a Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Awards Nominee, and an Illinois Monarch Award Finalist. Formerly a public interest lawyer, Julie is a graduate of the New School's MFA program in Creative Writing, with a concentration in writing for children. She lives with her family in Brooklyn, New York. For more information about her life and work and to download free activity materials based on her books, visit her website 

Check out the other stops on Julie’s blog tour!

Mon, Sept 29     Mother Daughter Book Club    http://motherdaughterbookclub.com/

Tues, Sept 30    5 Minutes for Mom   http://www.5minutesformom.com/category/feature-columns/5-minutes-for-books/

Wed, Oct 1      Sharpread   http://mrcolbysharp.com/

Thurs, Oct 2    KidLit Frenzy    http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/

Fri, Oct 3        The Hiding Spot    http://thehidingspot.blogspot.com

Sat, Oct 4       Booking Mama   http://www.bookingmama.net/

Mon, Oct 6     Ms. Yingling Reads   http://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/

Tues, Oct 7     GreenBeanTeenQueen   http://www.greenbeanteenqueen.com/

Wed, Oct 8     Great Kid Books   http://greatkidbooks.blogspot.com/

Thurs, Oct 9   Teach Mentor Texts   http://www.teachmentortexts.com/#axzz3DP0vkvgi

Fri, Oct 10        Unleashing Readers     http://www.unleashingreaders.com/

Sat, Oct 11       Bermuda Onion       http://bermudaonion.net/  

Giveaway!

One lucky reader will receive a copy of FRIENDSHIP OVER: THE TOP-SECRET DIARY OF CELIE VALENTINE in hardcover (U.S. addresses only). Please complete the rafflecopter form to enter.

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Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - October New Releases

Thank you everyone for all of the great posts each week for the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2014.  

At the beginning of each month, I like to try to do a post to spread the word about recent releases or upcoming nonfiction/informational titles.  It is not comprehensive, but I do try to include a variety of books that might be of interest to readers.  Some of them I have read and some I have yet to read.  Often I include reviews in later posts.

Here are some October titles and a few that I missed posting earlier in the year.  If you missed the posts from the past nine months, I have included links to them below.

January Post | February Post | March Post | April Post | May Post | June Post | July Part 1 | July Part II | August Post | September Post 

Some new releases:

October 7, 2014

Beetle Busters by Loree Griffin Burns; Illustrated by Ellen Harasimowicz (HMH Books for Young Readers)

Creature Features: Twenty-Five Animals Explain Why They Look the Way They Do by Steve Jenkins, Illustrated by Robin Page (HMH Books for Young readers

Ivan: The Remarkably True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate; Illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Clarion Books)

October 14, 2014

Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos by Stephanie Roth Sisson (Roaring Brook Press)

October 21, 2014

Born in the Wild: Baby Mammals and their Parents by Lita Judge (Roaring Brook Press, 

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews:

Flora and the Penguin - Happy Book Birthday

Flora and the Penguin
by Molly Idle
Chronicle Books (September 30, 2014)
IndieBound | WorldCat

I am so excited to be able to celebrate my birthday with Molly Idle's Flora.  Happy Book Birthday Molly and Flora & the Penguin. As a birthday celebration, I am giving away a signed copy of Flora and the Penguin. Enter the rafflecopter for a chance to win.  And don't forget to check out the book trailer. 

The Official Book Trailer:

Giveaway:
To enter the giveaway you must be 13 years old or older and have a U.S. or Canadian mailing address.

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Book Review & Giveaway of This Book Just Ate My Dog by Richard Byrne

This Book Just Ate My Dog!
by Richard Byrne
Henry Holt and Company (September 30, 2014)
author website | author twitter | author blog
IndieBound | WoldCat

Description from GoodReads:
When her dog disappears into the gutter of the book, Bella calls for help. But when the helpers disappear too, Bella realizes it will take more than a tug on the leash to put things right. Cleverly using the physicality of the book, This book just ate my dog! is inventive, ingenious, and just pure kid-friendly fun!

My thoughts on this book:

Some books, from the moment you unwrap them, you know they are going to be a fun read. This Book Just Ate My Dog! is certainly one of those books. No matter how many times I have read this book, I laugh and smile. Every time I share this book with a child or adult, there are smiles and chuckles.

First, when you remove the cover, look what you find:

Some books also require visuals for when talking about them. The main character Bella is going out for a walk with her dog. This would normally be a simple, every day thing except for when you go for a walk in a naughty book.

Yes, odd things do happen in this book and they only get stranger.

And yes, you are reading this right. The book ate the dog! 

Poor Bella. As the book progresses, things become more and more unbelievable. And Bella must finally take charge.

Without spoiling the ending, Bella must get a little help from someone special in order to set everything back to normal. 

Even Holmes thinks you should pick up a copy of This Book Just Ate My Dog! at your local indie bookstore. 

Giveaway: 
Participants must be 13 years old or older and have a US mailing address to enter. 

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Review and Giveaway of Rory's Promise by Michaela MacColl

Rory's Promise
by Michaela MacColl & Rosemary Nichols
Calkins Creek Books (September 1, 2014)
Audience: Ages 9 to 12
Historical Fiction * Sisters * Orphans
Educator's Discussion Guide
Indie Bound | WorldCat

Description from GoodReads:
Twelve-year-old orphan Rory Fitzpatrick lives with her younger sister Violet at New York City's Foundling Hospital in the early 1900s. But when Rory discovers that Violet will be sent to the Arizona Territory to be adopted, her world is shattered. Although too old to be adopted herself, Rory--brave and smart--is determined to stay with her sister, even if it means hiding out on a train traveling west. When Rory and Violet arrive in Arizona, everything that could go wrong does go wrong. Will Rory give up? This uplifting novel about the power of faith and the true meaning of family launches the Hidden Histories series, spotlighting little-known tales from America's past, and the children behind those stories. Includes authors' note and further resources.

Reviews/Interviews/Giveaways: Kirkus | Kirby's Lane | Middle Grade Mafiaso | Mother/Daughter Book Club | Middle Grade Minded | Unleashing Readers

Thoughts about the book:
Historical fiction has always been my favorite way to enter into history. History can be fascinating when you study the stories behind the events. However, too often we make it about a list of events and dates. Not as fun, at least in my mind. 

Michaela MacColl has written several historical fiction novels and Rory's Promise is the first in a new series of Hidden Histories by Calkins Creek Books. In this middle grade historical fiction novel, readers learn about the Great Arizona Orphan Abduction through the eyes and lives of 12 year old Rory and her five year old sister Violet. When Rory's younger sister is going to be separated from her and sent out to Arizona to be adopted, Rory must act quickly. Though there was no known quick thinking 12 year old girls helping out the Sisters, the story still captures the emotions and general experiences that would have been part of the lives of children who had indeed been on an Orphan Train during this incident.

One of the things that I particularly found fascinating with Rory's Promise is the complexity of what was happening both from the perspective of the Orphan Trains taking children away from New York and sometimes from their families, as well as, the racial tensions and prejudice against Mexican families adopting Irish Catholic children.  As I was reading the book, I keep looking up information because I wanted to know more about this event in history that I had heard little of before reading Rory's Promise.  And any book that sparks readers to want to learn more about a topic or an event is great to include as part of the classroom curriculum.

The end of the book includes an author's note and additional resources. Though the book lends itself to further discussion on its own, there is a link above to the educator's discussion guide. 

Additional information about the Orphan Trains and New York Foundling Hospital:

National Orphan Train Complex

The Foundling/New York

Official Book Trailer:

About Michaela MacColl:
Michaela attended Vassar College and Yale University earning degrees in multi-disciplinary history. Unfortunately, it took her 20 years before she realized she was learning how to write historical fiction. Her favorite stories are the ones she finds about the childhood experiences of famous people. She has written about a teenaged Queen Victoria (Prisoners in the Palace, Chronicle 2010) and Beryl Markham’s childhood (Promise the Night, Chronicle 2011). She is writing a literary mystery series for teens featuring so far a young Emily Dickinson in Nobody’s Secret (2013) and the Bronte sisters in Always Emily (2014).  She has recently begun a new series with Boyd’s Mill/Highlights called Hidden Histories about odd events in America’s past. The first entry in the series is Rory’s Promise and will be published in September 2014. She frequently visits high schools and has taught at the Graduate Institute in Bethel, CT.   She lives in Westport CT with her husband, two teenaged daughters and three extremely large cats. 

Don't forget to enter to win a copy of Rory's Promise - Thank you Calkins Creek Books for sponsoring the giveaway. Participants must be 13 years old or older to enter and have a U.S. mailing address.

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