Earlier this year, my friend Caroline Starr Rose (who is the fantastic author of May B, Blue Birds, Jasper and the Riddle of Riley’s Mine, and several fascinating picture books) was kind enough to invite me onto her blog for an interview:
Alone in the Woods: An Interview with Author Rebecca Behrens
Check it out to hear about how being the world’s oldest living tween has helped me write authentic MG fiction, as well as my research and inspiration for the book!
I really love the book blog Pop! Goes the Reader. It’s beautifully designed and illustrated, and Jen’s coverage of MG/YA books is so inclusive, thoughtful, and creative. So I was thrilled to partner with her to discuss Alone in the Woods. Check out our conversation to learn more about the inspiration behind the book, including my love for Wisconsin wildlife, and how my personal experiences with a fractured friendship helped me write this story–along with my advice for any readers going through something similar.
And earlier this fall, Jen compiled a fantastic list of 25 MG and YA survival stories to give young readers hope. If you enjoyed Alone in the Woods and The Disaster Days, check out the list to find other adventurous books!
I love talking about writing about as much as I love writing (so, a lot). And I had a great time talking about historical fiction and the writing life with one of my “Write Nite” pals (and directly-across-the-street neighbor) Gabriela Pereira. We get into:
Check out Episode 215 of diyMFA Radio for our discussion here, and be sure to browse all the wonderful resources on the diyMFA site!
I’ve been busy talking up Bea and Pidge’s grand adventure with fellow book lovers and Amelia enthusiasts online. Here are a few interviews to check out if you’d like to know more about the story and why I wrote it:
Episode 34 of the “Chasing Earhart” Podcast
Interview with MG Book Village
Interview and Fun Facts with YAYOMG!
Straight from the Source: A conversation with Caroline Starr Rose
And here are a few reviews from early and speedy readers!
“Rebecca Behrens writes a touching and heartwarming story chronicling Bea and Pidge’s journey to not only find “Meelie” but also find themselves.” —Beagles and Books
“This is just one of those stories that I did not want to end. The messages it delivers will fill readers with hope – hope for family, believing in the impossible, and finding our true adventurous spirit. The story and characters will stay with readers long after the book is done.” —Zone 114: The Next Chapter
“The Last Grand Adventure transports family drama into an interesting and vibrant time period and shows us that while fashions, types of travel, and acceptable breakfasts (sugar sandwiches!) have changed over the last 50 years, family ties have not.” –Ms. Yingling, YA Books Central
Thanks for reading!
A couple of weeks ago, I had the chance to chat with Jeanne Kolker of the Wisconsin State Journal about Summer of Lost and Found and my career as an author. I grew up reading the State Journal–starting with the funny pages and eventually cover-to-cover–so it’s pretty exciting to have a chance to talk about my work in its pages! You can read the full interview online here: “Behrens digs into 16th-century mystery in new book for young readers.” Thanks for a great conversation, Jeanne!
And I’ll be in Madison for an event at Mystery to Me this weekend–Saturday at 1:00 p.m. There will be Duck Donuts, scuppernong juice, and plenty of bookmarks and stickers for young readers to take home. Stop by and say hi!
Over the summer, Laurie Morrison, a writer and teacher, emailed me to see if I’d like to participate in her wonderful student-author interview series. Of course I did! Last month she sent me the questions from her seventh-grade girls at Friends Select School in Philadelphia. I’ve enjoyed all the interviews I’ve done for When Audrey Met Alice, but I have to say that their thoughtful, unique, and enthusiastic questions were my favorites. (And I really loved the chance to hear from them what they liked best about the book–readers’ favorite parts always surprise, and delight, me.)
You can read the interview here on Laurie’s blog: http://lauriemorrison.wordpress.com/2014/10/16/student-author-interview-8-rebecca-behrens/
A big thank you to Laurie for this opportunity to connect with her students, and to Sophia, Alex, Nyeema, Poli, Sydney, and Olivia for reading and asking me such great questions!
What I’m Reading
I just finished up Louise Galveston’s By the Grace of Todd, a hilariously gross and inventive MG. Thanks to it, I will be deep-cleaning my apartment this weekend. Now I’m reading Jennifer Mathieu’s The Truth About Alice, which is an amazing contemporary YA told from four perspectives. All of the characters feel so very real–the voices in this book are so, so good. I’m having a hard time putting it down.
What I’m Writing
I am finally done (for now) revising that old manuscript. YES! So I’m back to researching/outlining, and I’m having lots of fun with that, asking myself lots of “what if?” questions and imagining what this story could be.
What Inspires Me Right Now
It’s tulip time again!
What Else I’ve Been Up To
I’m busy getting ready for a see-your-setting-in-person research trip next week. More on that–with pictures–when I’m back.
I also did an interview with Keith Muchowski, who volunteers at the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site. (If you’re ever in NYC, you must stop by the site for his tour!) The first part of my interview is here.
So what have you been up to lately?
What’s Up Wednesday is a weekly meme that helps readers and writers touch base with blog friends. You can find the link widget (and cute buttons!) on Jaime’s and Erin’s blog posts.
The When Audrey Met Alice blog tour is wrapping up. It’s been so great to hop around the Internet with guest posts and interviews! Here’s the second batch of posts, including an ongoing giveaway!
Middle Grade March: Guest Post about one of my middle-grade memories
March MG Madness: Interview, review, and a giveaway (running through 4/6!)
Spirit of Children’s Literature: Interview and Review
Teen Reads: Guest post about my favorite scene to write
Leisure Reads: Character profile for Audrey
The Adventures of Cecelia Bedelia: Guest post on historical women I find fascinating, and a giveaway (running through 3/31!)
Diamond & Coal Book Review: Guest post on my interest in First Daughters
Tressa’s Wishful Endings: Guest post on ten things Audrey found out about Alice
Zee Monodee – Author’s Corner: Guest post on First Daughters as celebrities
The Chicago Moms blog: Guest post on more historical women I find fascinating
Literature & Laura: Interview
Caroline Starr Rose’s Classroom Connections
A huge thank-you to the bloggers who have hosted and interviewed me!
I’m thrilled that When Audrey Met Alice has been featured in two newspapers since it’s release:
Sarah Harrison Smith from the New York Times reviewed it on Wednesday, February 12:
“. . . When Audrey Met Alice may pique middle-grade readers’ interest in Teddy Roosevelt’s tenure as president, as well as in the dramatic improvements to women’s rights over the course of the 20th century. Behrens includes a bibliography that can get young researchers off to a good start. But that laudable end, which should please teachers and librarians . . . shouldn’t dissuade those who are looking for nothing more than an entertaining middle-grade romp—albeit one set at America’s most famous address.”
The full review is here!
And my hometown paper, the Wisconsin State Journal, ran an interview with me in this past Sunday’s edition. I had a great time talking to Jeanne Kolker about my book, and it was such an honor and a thrill to be in the pages of the paper I grew up reading. The interview is available online here: “Historical Friction.”
I had so much fun watching When Audrey Met Alice head off to “eat up the world” this week! Thanks to everyone who congratulated, shared, tweeted, and cheered me, Audrey, and Alice on.
And a huge thanks to the bloggers who’ve generously hosted me on their sites as part of the blog tour. Here are the places you can find me talking about When Audrey Met Alice so far:
Mundie Moms: Interview
A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust: Guest post on where Alice Roosevelt would hang out in DC today
Smack Dab in the Middle: “Middleview” Interview
Musings of a YA Reader: Guest post on who inspired me as a tween
The Compulsive Reader: Guest post on fascinating First Daughters
Books for Kids: Guest post on what Alice would do if she were a First Daughter in the 21st century
Bookshelf Fantasies: Guest post on what Alice would find confusing about the 21st century
Sharp Read: 5,4,3,2,1 Interview
Nerdy Book Club: Guest post “From Reader to Writer”
The Class of 2k14 blog: Book Birthday Interview
Fearless Fifteeners: All Four Kids Interview
Jessica Spotswood’s blog: Thrice Interview (enter the giveaway!)
Heidi Schulz’s blog: In the Middle Interview
Readerly Musings: Guest post on historical women I find fascinating