I’ve just finished re-reading Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson in preparation for my interview with Ms. Larson which will be published later in the month (details are forthcoming). This novel is truly a gem, completely deserving of its Newbery honor. My review of this book is the third most popular blog post here at Hope Is the Word, so obviously, other people are interested in it, too. I am over the moon about this chance to correspond with a real, live author, but there’s one problem: I’ve never conducted an author interview before. I’m sort of at a loss as to where to go with my questions. That’s where you, my faithful reader(s), come in: For those of you who have read Hattie Big Sky, can you think of any questions you would want to ask Ms. Larson about the story or her writing process? If you haven’t read the book but you have experience interviewing authors, what are some good, interesting questions to pose to an award-winning writer?
Stay tuned for this exciting bloggy development later in the month of February! If you haven’t read Hattie Big Sky, get thee to the library (or the bookstore, or click on the book and you’ll be transported to Amazon-land) and check it out!
Filed under: Author/Illustrator Spotlight, Bookish Thoughts, Juvenile Fiction, Newbery Award, Young Adult Fiction |
Hope Is the Word 
Kirby Larsen is just wonderful! I had the pleasure of interviewing her last time she was on a blog tour:
http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/09/23/interview-with-kirby-larson-newbery-honor-author-of-hattie-big-sky/
I always love interviews that share about how the books came to be. I also love getting to know the author as a person.
Hi! I haven’t done very many author interviews either, so I usually just ask what I would like to know without getting too nosy. Here are links to the two author interviews I’ve done at Semicolon:
http://www.semicolonblog.com/?p=3398
http://www.semicolonblog.com/?p=2231
If those help, great. I’ll be looking forward to your interview. I liked Hattie BIg Sky, too.
How about if she worries about whether historical fiction is still a popular genre for young people who seem to have jumped on the fantasy bandwagon. I loved this book, but as a 40-year-old I may have a different perspective than the average fifth grader.
I like to ask writers about their process… how their stories develop, whether they have a particular work space, what their disciplines as a writer are, things like that.
I’ve not read this; I was waiting till my kids are just a little older. But I’ll check it out more closely next time we go to the library.
Thanks, Kathy and Janet! I had already completed and sent my interview before either of you commented, but I will certainly keep your suggestions in mind for my next interview! ; )
Janet–I did not do this one as a read-aloud. I just enjoyed it all by myself! : )
I loved the book!! I look forward to the interview!!!