Way back in 2007, Kathy Erskine was one of the first authors I interviewed. I’ve invited her back again today because she’s now got a stunning new book out that you must read! I’ve actually had this ARC for about six months and I was waiting to read it until now. OMG! It is sooooo good. Seriously. I can’t say enough good things about this wonderful book. In May, I’ll be giving away my copy as part of my Spring Fling Giveaway Launch Party, so make sure you come back then and enter to win. Or better yet, it goes on sale tomorrow, April 15th, so just order a copy. You will love this book. And if my praise isn’t enough to sway you, check this out:
Here’s the Kirkus (starred) review of MOCKINGBIRD (Philomel, April 2010)
This heartbreaking story is delivered in the straightforward, often funny voice of a fifth-grade girl with Asperger’s syndrome, who is frustrated by her inability to put herself in someone else’s shoes. Caitlin’s counselor, Mrs. Brook, tries to teach her how to empathize, but Caitlin is used to depending on her big brother Devon for guidance on such matters. Tragically, Devon has been killed in a school shooting. Caitlin, her dad and her schoolmates try to cope, and it is the deep grief they all share that ultimately helps Caitlin get to empathy. As readers celebrate this milestone with Caitlin, they realize that they too have been developing empathy by walking a while in her shoes, experiencing the distinctive way that she sees and interacts with the world. Erskine draws directly and indirectly on To Kill a Mockingbird and riffs on its central theme: The destruction of an innocent is perhaps both the deepest kind of psychosocial wound a community can face and its greatest opportunity for psychological and spiritual growth. (Fiction. 8-12)
And now, Kathryn herself.
What’s your favorite website?
Here it is: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/wildcamafrica/
National Geographic’s webcam at a game reserve watering hole in Botswana. It’s a must see. No matter what craziness is going on in my life, Pete’s pond always brings me down to earth and centers me.
What are your hobbies that don’t have to do with writing?
Exploring. That covers a lot: traveling, museum hopping, walking, reading.
Gardening. Food items only! I’m really into organic growing and eating. I don’t grow flowers—other than nasturtiums, because you can eat those.
Beekeeping & chicken raising. So far, I’m only in training but some day . . . .
What author or book have you recently discovered that you want the world to know about?
Siobhan Dowd, THE LONDON EYE MYSTERY. It’s interesting, quirky, funny, and a good mystery, too. I guess I particularly like it because the main character has Asperger-type symptoms and, given the topic of MOCKINGBIRD, that’s obviously something that interests me. And Siobhan has crusaded for free speech, prisoners’ rights, children’s rights, humanitarian protection of writers in repressive regimes, and all kinds of great stuff, so I immediately respected her. I was seriously upset to find out she passed away a few years ago. After a 3 year struggle with breast cancer. When she was only 47.
If you could live anywhere for a year, where would it be?
New Zealand. That’s a part of the world I’ve never seen and I think both the people and their land are stunning. To me, this is quite a serious question. I really DO want to live in New Zealand for a year.
Do you know how to cook? What’s your specialty?
Yes. I’m a throw-it-all-together-and-experiment kind of cook because it’s the creative part of cooking that really appeals to me. People might say my all-butter Scottish shortbread is my specialty but I prefer cooking savory dishes. Garlic, onion, and olive oil are my three favorite ingredients. Anything using one, two, or preferably all three of those items, is my specialty!
Do you speak any foreign languages?
No, but I’ve learned bits and pieces of various languages in order to get by, be polite, or help my writing. Here they are in alphabetical order: French, German, Italian, Navajo, Spanish, Xhosa, Zulu.
Do you make plans in advance when you travel, or just hope for the best?
I research a lot and make plans because I live in fear of returning home and discovering, “What?! I could’ve done THAT?”
Thanks, Joelle, for having me here!
Thanks for coming back! And good luck with your new book!
P.S. Happy Birthday to my wonderful critique partner, Kim Harris Thacker! She’s a writer I’m sure you all will hear of in the next few years. Have a great birthday, Kim!
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