Author Interviews – Page 15

Artie and the Wolf Moon: An Interview with Olivia Stephens

Earlier this month Artie and the Wolf Moon hit the shelves. In this original and empowering middle grade, Artie Irvin is thrilled to discover she comes from a line of werewolves. She asks her mom to share everything—including the story of Artie’s late father. Her mom reluctantly agrees. And to help Artie figure out her own wolflike abilities, her mom recruits some old family friends. As she learns the history of werewolves and her own parents’ past, she’ll find that wolves aren’t the scariest thing in the woods—vampires are.

Today debut graphic novelist, Olivia Stephens, joins us to share a little bit about her creative process and some exclusive early sketches.

Author Interviews

Hair Story: An Interview with NoNieqa Ramos

The new celebratory picture book, Hair Story, follows Preciosa and Rudine as they play hair salon and take inspiration from their moms, their neighbors, their ancestors, and cultural icons. They soon discover that their hair holds roots of the past and threads of the future. With rhythmic, rhyming verse and vibrant collage art, author NoNieqa Ramos and illustrator Keisha Morris taken an intersectional look at natural hair.

Read on to hear author NoNieqa Ramos describe her inspiration for the story, the significance of the characters’ names, and more. Download a free teaching guide for Hair Story at the end!

Author Interviews

Understanding Coronaviruses: An Interview with Author Connie Goldsmith

While many scientists believed influenza would cause the next great pandemic, no one was prepared for the new strain of coronavirus that appeared in 2019. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has infiltrated every country and put global public health and the economy at risk. Health-care systems have been pushed to the limit as protective gear, life-saving equipment, tests, and vaccines are scarce and in high demand. From the initial infection to the widespread impact on daily life, Understanding Coronaviruses: SARS, MERS, and the COVID-19 Pandemic examines the intricacies of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 and how they compare to previous viruses and pandemics.

Read on to hear from author Connie Goldsmith who shares how she tackled this research-driven project and how she hopes this title will help YA readers make informed decisions.

Author Interviews

Amazing Inventions: AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR Blake Hoena

Who played the the first video game? Where did the first electric guitar play on stage? The Amazing Inventions series will fly off the shelf as readers discover true stories of invention behind coveted pop-culture objects—from sneakers to smartphones. With high-interest graphic novel art, these books profile the products’ creators and innovators, as well as the scientific or technical developments that made the inventions possible. The books also cover social history, revealing how people’s needs in a particular period led to creative solutions.

Today author Blake Hoena shares insight into writing a graphic nonfiction series and his research process. Read on to find out more!

Author Interviews

Brontë: An Interview with Author and Illustrator Manuela Santoni

Brontë, Manuela Santoni’s graphic telling of the lives of Emily, Charlotte, and Anne Brontë, arrived in the United States earlier this month. This sweeping work of graphic biography, originally published in Italy and translated by Matteo Benassi, explores the sisters’ tumultuous family and literary awakenings. To celebrate the occasion of its stateside release, the Lerner Blog asked Santoni about bringing the Brontës to life.

Author Interviews

How To Build an Insect: An Interview with Author Roberta Gibson

See what the buzz is about in this fresh, fun look at insect anatomy. In the pages of How to Build an Insect, you’ll find a workshop filled with everything you need, including a head, a thorax, an abdomen, and much more. This wonderfully original take on insect anatomy sparks curiosity and engages even those who didn’t think they liked creepy, crawly things!

Read on to discover author and entomologist Roberta Gibson’s first literary favorites and how she began to write picture books.

Author Interviews

The Spy Who Raised Me: An Interview with Author Ted Anderson

The Spy Who Raised Me by Ted Anderson and illustrated by Gianna Meola is a super-spy adventure and hilarious satire about the demands parents place on children. The story follows teenager Josie Black who can infiltrate any building and move like a martial artist. But no one told her that. When she discovers her mom secretly programmed her to be a special operative, spy family drama breaks out.

Author Ted Anderson joins us today to give us the inside scoop of how he wrote his new graphic novel!

Author Interviews

Beyond: An Interview with Author Miranda Paul

Beyond: Discoveries from the Outer Reaches of Space takes readers on a profound journey beyond our solar system and explores the marvels of interstellar space. A wonder-filled poem and spectacular illustrations explore everything from dwarf planets and black holes to dark matter and brand-new stars.

Today author Miranda Paul joins us to discuss her inspiration for Beyond, the picture book’s unique format, and her favorite celestial body!

Author Interviews

No Way, They Were Gay?: An Interview with Author Lee Wind

History has often ignored men who loved men, women who loved women, and people who lived outside gender boundaries. In No Way, They Were Gay?: Hidden Lives and Secret Loves, author Lee Wind examines primary source letters, poems, and more to rethink the lives and loves of historical figures.

Today Lee joins us to give readers insight into the inspiration and purpose of this fascinating YA nonfiction!