Interview with Megan Crewe, author of GIVE UP THE GHOST

The perfect book to read this Halloween:

Megan Crewe is here to talk about her new book, GIVE UP THE GHOST.

About Give Up the Ghost

Cass McKenna much prefers the company of ghosts over "breathers." Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable, and they know the dirt on everybody... and Cass loves dirt. She's on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school.

But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass's whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, and Cass reluctantly agrees.

As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim's life, she's surprised to realize he's not so bad--and he needs help more desperately than anyone else suspects. Maybe it's time to give the living another chance...

Our Interview:

KRISTINA: What's your very favorite thing about your book (Certain chap? Scene? Cover?)?

MEGAN: I have favorite scenes, but most of them are spoilery! I'm very fond of the moment when Cass feels haunted by the sounds of the waves on the lake, even though there aren't any actual ghosts around.

KRISTINA: Where do you do most of your writing? And if you have a picture could you share?

MEGAN: The back third of my bedroom is my writing space--I've got my writing chair, my computer desk, and bookshelves with all my research and YA books. You can see it here.

KRISTINA: What's the naughtiest thing you did in high school that you DIDN'T get caught doing (Fess up now!)

MEGAN: I was pretty stick-to-the-rules in my teens, especially at school. There was a while, though, where my parents felt I was getting too serious with my boyfriend, so they limited my phone time with him to one hour a day. I used to call him on the school payphone during lunch hour to get extra time talking with him that they didn't know about.

KRISTINA: What did you do on the release day of Give up the Ghost?

MEGAN: I stopped by stores I knew had copies in stock and signed books, and went out to dinner with my husband to celebrate.

KRISTINA: What's your favorite coffee drink? (If you don't like coffee, WHY NOT?! Really, what do you like to drink then while you're writing?)

MEGAN: I love Tim Hortons' iced cappuccinos--so good! I'm also fond of their French Vanilla coffee.

KRISTINA: Oooh, haven't heard of Tim Horton's. Must try! Thanks Megan and good luck with your book!

Interview with Sydney Salter, author of Jungle Crossing

Sydney Salter is pretty busy this year with two new books! She's back to talk about her second book, JUNGLE CROSSING.

About Jungle Crossing

Thirteen-year-old Kat can think of dozens of good reasons not to go on a boring family vacation to hot, grungy Mexico. Number one: missing her friend Fiona's minicamp. If she's not there, she'll begin eighth grade as a social reject. And it looks like she's the odd girl out on vacation, too. When Kat's parents arrange for her and her younger sister, Barb, to go on a teen adventure tour, Barb makes more friends than she does. The only person who will talk to Kat is Nando, a young Mayan guide (who happens to be quite a cutie). Each day as they travel to different Mayan ruins, Nando tells Kat and Barb another installment in the original legend of Muluc, a girl who lived in the time of the Ancient Maya. The dangerous, dramatic world in which Muluc lives is as full of rivalry, betrayal, jealousy, and sacrifice as Kat's world at school. And as she makes new friends and discovers new treasures in Mexico, Kat begins to wonder: Is she willing to keep sacrificing her self in exchange for popularity?

Our Interview:

Kristina: What's your very favorite thing about your book (Certain chap? Scene? Cover?)

Sydney: I love the setting--the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. I've traveled extensively in that region and loved writing about my favorite places in Jungle Crossing.

Kristina: Where do you do most of your writing?

Sydney: When I wrote Jungle Crossing I took a lot of notes while on a family vacation in Mexico. Pool side writing is pretty hard to beat! I used almost all of my notes in the novel. I guess I need to go on more vacations, right? Please? Pretty please?

Kristina: What's the naughtiest thing you did in junior high school that you DIDN'T get caught doing (Fess up now!)

Sydney: A girl teased me about having hairy legs in 6th grade so I shaved my legs with my mom's razor after school. I felt so guilty when my mom came home that night with my very own razor. I couldn't tell her what I'd done. I had very smooth legs that day!

Kristina: What did you do on the release day of Jungle Crossing?

Sydney: I celebrated at my favorite Mexican restaurant with family and friends. Mmm... salsa!

Kristina: What's your favorite coffee drink? (If you don't like coffee, WHY NOT?! Really, what do you like to drink then while you're writing?)

Sydney: I do as the Mayans do--and drink hot chocolate. Sometimes with chili peppers!

Kristina: Thanks for stopping by Sydney! Good luck with your book!

Interview with Kate Messner, author of THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z.

Kate Messner's here to talk about her debut book, THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. I was lucky enough to get to read an advanced copy of this and I have to tell you, I ADORED this book. It's the kind of book that I can't wait to give my kids when they're old enough to read it.

About The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z

Gianna Zales has a lot on her plate this fall – a father who drives her to school in the family hearse, a mother who’s turned into the junk food police, a little brother who thinks he’s a member of the paparazzi, and a grandmother who leaves false teeth in the refrigerator. Worst of all, she’s left her 7th grade leaf collection to do at the last minute. It’s a monster project, and Gianna will miss cross-country sectionals if she doesn’t meet the deadline. She’ll need the help of her geeky friend, Zig, and some brilliant ideas of her own to pull it off.

Our Interview:

Kristina: What's your very favorite thing about your book?

Kate: I loved writing all the outdoor scenes - hiking around New England in autumn and calling it research really can't be beat! And I adore Joe Cepeda's cover art; I feel like he captured Gianna's spirit just perfectly.

Kristina: Where do you do most of your writing? And if you have a picture could you share?

Kate: I do most of my writing at my desk in the office I share with my husband. It's...umm...messy. But I'm also a teacher and mom, so sometimes I have work to do when I'm out and about. I did most of the revisions for my next book in the coaches' room at the ice rink where my daughter has her skating lessons. (It's a book about figure skating, so that actually worked out perfectly!)

Kristina: What's the naughtiest thing you did in high school that you DIDN'T get caught doing (Fess up now!)

Kate: I was the school superintendent's daughter and was afraid to do much of anything wrong! I did occasionally steal more than my share of the ice cream out of the freezer when my parents were out, though.

Kristina: What did you do on the release day of The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z.?

Kate: Release day was pretty quiet - some swimming and biking with the family. Our launch parties - one on each side of Lake Champlain, where I live - were the following weekends!

Kristina: What's your favorite coffee drink? (If you don't like coffee, WHY NOT?! Really, what do you like to drink then while you're writing?)

Kate: I love the frozen mocha latte with skim milk from Koffee Kat, our local coffee shop and favorite writing hangout, too!

Kristina: Yum, you're making me thirsty. Thanks for stopping by Kate and good luck with your book!