Author Interviews – The Lerner Blog

Red Stones: An Interview with Author and Illustrator Ernesto Saade

In 1981, the Salvadoran Civil War reached Miriam’s village of Santa Marta. In 2021, Ernesto Saade visited to hear her story. Red Stones: A Graphic Account of the Salvadoran Civil War chronicles the conflict and displacement of the Red Stones massacre with nuance and care.

Today author and illustrator Ernesto Saade joins us to explore his work, his inspirations, and his favorite comic book creators. Read on to see exclusive sketches and early art from the creation of Red Stones.

Author Interviews

Wild Mountain Ivy: An Interview with Author Shannon Hitchcock

COVID changed the lives of so many young people and many are still recovering. In Wild Mountain Ivy twelve-year-old Ivy is still sick months after catching a common virus. Hoping a change of scenery will help, she’s spending the summer in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, where her uncle has converted an old house into a bed and breakfast. There she starts dreaming about another sick girl, Jessie, who lived in the same house a century ago. As Ivy delves into the history of the house, hoping to find out what happened to Jessie, she makes other discoveries that turn her summer in the mountains into a new beginning.

Today, author Shannon Hitchcock joins us to talk about how Wild Mountain Ivy came to be and how her debut novel The Ballad of Jessie Pearl ties into the story. Read on to download a free discussion guide!

Author Interviews

The Ocean’s Heart: An Interview with Author Jilanne Hoffman

Every night zooplankton race to the ocean’s surface to feed on tiny plants called phytoplankton, creating the largest migration of animals on Earth. The Ocean’s Heart: The Tiny Creatures Essential to Life by Jilanne Hoffmann and illustrated by Khoa Le takes readers on an unforgettable journey as these zooplankton bring nutrients from the surface down into the depths, helping to nourish the many larger animals that prey on them.

Today Jilanne Hoffmann joins us to share why she writes science books for children, how she discovered the zooplankton’s migration, and why the zooplankton are so important.

Author Interviews

Béisbol Begins: An Interview with Author Ramon Olivera

Ramon Olivera hits it out of the park with Béisbol Begins: How Nemesio Guilló Brought Baseball to Cuba! This picture book biography follows Nemesio as he travels from his home in Havana, Cuba, to a school in Alabama and falls in love with baseball. When he returned in 1864, he brought a baseball bat in his luggage and began teaching others how to play the game.

Today author and illustrator Ramon Olivera shares what surprised him the most during his research, his favorite baseball teams, and more!

Author Interviews

The Power of Her Paintbrush: An Interview with Author Janice Hechter

Theresa Bernstein started drawing at seven and honed her talent at the Philadelphia School of Design. In New York, she challenged societal norms and painted real-life women at a time when female artists were largely ignored. The Power of Her Paintbrush tells the story of how Theresa overcame sexism and discrimination to leave a lasting impact on the art world.

Today author and illustrator Janice Hechter joins us on the blog to share what compelled her to write Theresa’s story, her research process and more!

Author Interviews

Beyond Seven Forests: An Interview with Author Amanda McCrina

Beyond Seven Forests is a survival story in more than one sense. In the winter of 1916 a blizzard traps eighteen-year-old Polish countess Renata in her home with two Polish deserters from the Russian army. Together they must not only survive but grapple with wartime scars. This young adult historical novel is both a page-turning tale of peril and a hopeful exploration of human connection and resilience in the face of hardship.

Author Amanda McCrina joins us today to share how she developed Renata’s story, how Polish folklore plays a part in the narrative, and more. Read on to find a free discussion guide!

Author Interviews

Choir Grrrl: An Interview with Author Ashley Granillo

Sing it loud, sing it proud! In Choir Grrrl, thirteen-year-old Alondra was born into a musical family; her dad, former frontman of an alt-rock band, has taught her and her sisters to follow in his footsteps. Despite secretly liking quieter music, Alondra is committed to the band she and her sisters have formed. But when a classmate recruits her for a choir group, Alondra rediscovers her love of singing and making music. Afraid to upset the delicate balance in her family, she covertly practices with the choir between shows with the band—until her secrets are exposed. Can she bring the different parts of her life into harmony?

Musician and author Ashley Granillo joins us today to share her inspiration behind Alondra’s struggles, her favorite bands, and more. And if you’re looking for an encore, keep reading to download the free discussion guide!

Author Interviews

Rules for Liars: An Interview with Author Debra Garfinkle

Rebecca is overwhelmed by the pressure of preparing for her bat mitzvah while grieving the loss of her mother and dealing with growing insecurity. Her friendship with Hailey is fraying, leaving Rebecca to find comfort in her dog, Meatball. Meanwhile, Nikki’s family has lost their home, forcing them to move into a smaller, less glamorous apartment. Nikki hides her financial struggles by lying to her old friends, even stealing money to maintain appearances. As their paths cross, Rebecca and Nikki form a deep, unexpected bond. Funny, fast-paced, and heartfelt, Rules for Liars is about making mistakes, asking for second chances, and discovering the truth is worth telling.

Today author Debra Garfinkle spills all the secrets including her favorite part of writing books, what it was like working with April Patten, and more!

Author Interviews

A Home on the Page: An Interview with Author Kao Kalia Yang

Award-winning author Kao Kalia Yang and dynamic illustrator Seo Kim team up once more to create the heartfelt picture book A Home on the Page. In this story, young Nou finds the hateful message “Asians Go Home” spray-painted outside on her family’s mailbox. She starts to wonder where home truly is. Family members share how they find home, and Nou begins writing stories, creating a place where she belongs.

Today author Kao Kalia Yang joins us to share what writing this picture book meant to her and how it felt to team up with Seo Kim who illustrated her first book A Map into the World.