Author of award-winning, adventurous realistic and historical fiction

slightly incoherent due to revision brain

More great trade reviews for THE DISASTER DAYS

Oct 11, 2019 | , , , , , , , , , ,

Trade reviews for The Disaster Days have kept rolling in, and I’m excited to share what these critics have to say about Hannah’s story:

“Behrens’s natural disaster–themed epic portrays a young person’s grace under pressure. . . . Her extraordinary resourcefulness and courage in deadly situations highlight her burgeoning maturity. Behrens (When Audrey Met Alice) uses immersive details and situations effectively viewed from Hannah’s perspective to create a suspenseful, vivid story filled with lessons about responsibility and overcoming adversity.” —Publishers Weekly

“After reading Behrens’s informative, riveting portrayal of earthquakes and their aftermath, readers may learn how to respond in a similar situation. VERDICT A realistic, engrossing survival story that’s perfect for aspiring babysitters and fans of John Macfarlane’s Stormstruck!, Sherry Shahan’s Ice Island, or Wesley King’s A World Below.”—Kaetlyn Phillips, Yorkton, Sask., School Library Journal

“The relentless progression of a variety of disaster scenarios will keep readers turning pages even as they learn, along with Hannah, vital information about earthquake safety and survival. Equally suspenseful and informative, this novel will spark important discussions about disaster preparedness.” —Jenna MacKay, School Library Connection

“The strength of this steadily paced novel that stretches over four days of a scary disaster scenario is that Hannah doesn’t figure everything out; she stumbles, doubts, and struggles throughout it all” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Today is THE DISASTER DAYS!

Oct 1, 2019 | , , , , , , , , , ,

One day in July 2015, I pulled out my Tupperware and started eating a wilted salad at my day-job desk while browsing for a lunchtime read. An article in The New Yorker was getting all kinds of online buzz—it was about earthquakes; in Seattle? Interesting. I clicked to read.
 
At some point I’m sure I dropped my fork and totally abandoned my salad, because I couldn’t focus on anything but the story I was reading, about the serious threat the Pacific Northwest will face in the coming years from a major megathrust earthquake along the Cascadia Subduction Zone. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the page (well, screen). And I couldn’t stop thinking about one particular detail of the devastating, terrifying aftermath: that people in rural communities might not be able to make it home for days after a quake wipes out the roads, bridges, and ferry system.
Those people could be parents.
Where would their kids be?
Immediately, I thought of a babysitter (much like tween me) trying to navigate this natural disaster as it happened.
What if, in a particularly isolated community—perhaps an island suburb—the parents couldn’t get home for hours and hours?
What if those hours turned into days?
 
My story, The Disaster Days, was sparked.
 
Of course, that was over four years ago. It took a trip to Seattle, loads of research, months of drafting, even more months of revision, a careful review by a geophysicist PhD, a title change (fun fact: the book was originally called In Case of Emergency), copyediting, proofreading, and a final promotion push for that idea to make it onto bookshelves. Where The Disaster Days hits today!
 
I’m excited to shift gears in terms of writing in a new genre with The Disaster Days, which is a realistic survival story. I still find it has a lot in common with my previous books: They all feature resourceful girl protagonists, a strong sense of place, a lot of diligent research during the writing process—although in this case I was researching science instead of history, and they represent the kind of books that I most loved as a young reader: historical fiction and realistic survival/adventure fiction (favorites were Hatchet, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Flight 116 Is Down, My Side of the Mountain).
 
Reviewers so far have called The Disaster Days “riveting,” “tension-filled,” and “epic,” and I hope readers will race to find out what happens to Hannah, Zoe, and Oscar! But at its heart, this story is about empowerment: a determined, quietly brave girl overcoming obstacles both ordinary and extraordinary, and resolving to try her best, even in extreme circumstances.
 
Also, there’s a really cute guinea pig.
 
PS: Natural disasters and their aftermath are a big part of this book—and I hope it sparks discussion in classrooms and families! In the Resources section of my website, you can download an educator’s guide, a book-club discussion guide, and a family discussion card to help guide your conversations.

THE DISASTER DAYS cover reveal!

Apr 24, 2019 | , , , , , , , , , , ,

A few weeks ago*, the awesome website YAYOMG! helped me share the cover for The Disaster Days–and an exclusive sneak peek into the book.

Be sure to check out all of YAYOMG!’s great book coverage–tons of interviews, posts, cover reveals, roundups, and more!

I also got a special delivery from my editor at Sourcebooks: ARCs!

I’m so excited for this story to head out into the reading world.

*Er, why am I sharing this just now? I have a book due on May 1, and I’ve been in my writing cave. 🙂

Catching up

Feb 12, 2017 | , , , , , , ,

Even though the winter seems long, time is flying by. Have I really not posted since nErDcampLI? Here’s what I’ve been up to lately.

I made a quick trip to Wisconsin for the holidays, where I managed to bake gingerbread cookies:

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And check out the new ice-skating rink on the beautiful, not-quite-frozen-solid Lake Mendota:

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Back in New York, a cool new subway opened:

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But I haven’t spent much time riding it–I spent January working on my revision of The Last Grand Adventure. It was a lot of work, and a lot of fun, to get back into Bea and Pidge’s story. I took occasional breaks to read:

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In early February I turned it in to my editor and then hopped a plane back to Wisconsin to meet my new niece:

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I think she’s pretty adorable. 🙂 I made it back just before a snowstorm hit the city and gave us all a peaceful snow day:

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What have you been up to in these cold, cozy months?

 

 

 

My 2016 in Books

Jan 1, 2017 | , , , , , , , ,

Happy New Year! 2016 brought a lot of good–and some not-so-good–so I’m looking forward to starting fresh today. But one good thing about 2016 was the wonderful books I read. Thanks to Goodreads (which makes a great book log), here are the titles that enriched, engaged, and entertained me over the past year:

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I read 28 kidlit titles, 7 nonfiction titles, and 31 grown-up fiction titles–for my personal reading. I didn’t track how much kidlit I read at my dayjob, but I’m guessing there’s another 30 or so there.

Here’s to a 2017 full of great books! What was your best read of last year?

Recent Reading

Feb 23, 2016 | , , , , , , , ,

I spent January and February speeding through the stack of MG/YA ARCs I picked up at ALA Midwinter. And if these ten books are any indication, 2016 is going to be an amazing year for kid lit. Here’s what I read, and in one(ish) sentence, I’ll tell you why I loved it:

Ravenous: I raced through this adventure-ful fairy tale reimagining–and I adored Greta, who is one brave, determined sister.

The Key to Extraordinary: Every word of this book is beautiful, and my heart felt so full after the pages I spent in Blackbird Hollow.

Up to This Pointe: A story that seamlessly blends ballet, Antarctica, and grief–it’s utterly original, the voice is perfect, and I loved it.

I Woke Up Dead at the Mall: Quirky, dry-witted, and poignant–and points for an awesomely unique title.

The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary: Diverse and in verse!

Makoons: The latest in The Birchbark House series, this was an engaging and informative story of family life on the Great Plains.

Tru & Nelle: Harper Lee and Truman Capote as kid detectives: Yes.

The Darkest Corners: Compulsively readable, and the ending–DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!

Counting Thyme: Thyme and her family–and all the wonderfully drawn characters–will stay with you for a long time.

Wanderlost: Sweet and swoony story of the power of travel to change you.

Which books are you looking forward to this year?

SUMMER, Fun

Jul 31, 2015 | , , , , , , , , , , ,

In my mind, summer is full of lazy days and long nights, salt breeze and shooting stars, fireflies and fireworks. It’s a time for reading in the sunshine, ideally with an ice-cream cone or a Popsicle dripping down one’s hand but not onto the book. Basically, the season of fun and relaxation in a perfect balance.

In reality, it’s also full of busyness. Family visits! Weekend getaways! All while diving back into a story for a deep revision. Which makes it no less enjoyable–perhaps the rewards of summer are even sweeter if you’re working hard, too.

Last week I turned in Summer of Lost and Found, after an intense month of revision. I’m so excited for this story! Here’s how I’ve been rewarding myself for finishing my work:

Reservoir runs

Reservoir runs

Movies on the Hudson

Movies on the Hudson

Sunsets on the sound

Sunsets on the sound

Frozen in the park

Frozen in the park

2 quarts of cherries, pitted (yes, I consider this a reward!)

2 quarts of cherries, pitted (yes, I consider this a reward!)

How have you been celebrating this season?

Time Flies

Jun 28, 2015 | , , , , , , ,

It’s summer! And if the saying is true, this week the corn will be knee high–it’s almost the Fourth of July. It feels like yesterday I was lamenting Arctic cold and unmelting snowpiles. Now I’m itching mosquito bites as I write.

Last week I traveled back to Wisconsin for a relaxing visit with family, including my favorite picture-book reader:

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I came back to some editorial notes, and now I’m busy revising Summer of Lost and Found. (The heat and humidity is really helping me with the summertime atmosphere.) This is the fifth or sixth draft–I kind of lost track–and right now the document looks like this:

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Writing is editing, right?

Soon I’ll have exciting news like a pub date and jacket copy and maybe even a cover to share. In the meantime, I’m sequestered with my revision.

What’s new with you?

A Happy Debut Year

Dec 29, 2014 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It’s hard to believe that the year is coming to a close. It really does feel like yesterday that I was welcoming 2014–and eagerly anticipating my February 4 book birthday.

It has really been a delightful experience sharing Audrey’s and Alice’s stories.

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Author copies arrive!

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Author copies on a shelf [they’re all gone now–in libraries, where they belong :)]

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Signing at my launch party

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A great panel at Books of Wonder, my indie home

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Class of 2K14 celebrating after ALA in Vegas

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Barnes & Noble panel with Tara Dairman, Polly Holyoke, and KA Holt in Fort Worth, TX

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Awesome panel at The Book Spot in Round Rock, TX

Working on an Amelia Earhart story

Working on an Amelia Earhart story with young writers at the NYSL

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WAMA projects by the great students at St. Francis Academy

I’m so grateful to all the people who have supported me along the way,  to all those who work tirelessly to get books produced and shelved and sold and checked out and taught, and most of all to readers. Because of all the wonderful moments along the way, the best have always been about them.

First up in 2015 is finishing revisions for my second book, Summer of Lost and Found (which might be undergoing a slight title change–more on that in the new year). Then I’ll be back to work on a brand new story.

Have a safe and happy new year!

Not-So-Lazy Days of Summer

Jul 22, 2014 | , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How exactly is it July 22nd already? I swear, I was staring out the window at slushy snow just days ago. And now back-to-school ads are popping up . . .

But even though this has been a busy summer so far, it’s been busy in delightful ways:

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Pre-fireworks in my beautiful hometown, Madison, WI

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Quality time with my adorable nephew

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Sunny days at the beach

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Exploring the Catskills (not pictured: black bear encounter)

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NY’s gorgeous waterfalls

I’ve also read some amazing books lately, like Ann M. Martin’s Rain Reign and the short-story collection This Is Paradise.

From now until I head off to Texas, I’m working very hard on edits for The Summer of Lost and Found. I’m a little nervous about making this the best book it can be, but revising is also my favorite part of the writing process. I’ve had a few lightbulb moments in the past week, and I’m excited.

How’s your summer?

 

What’s Up Wednesday, 4/2

Apr 2, 2014 | , , , , , , ,

RobotWhat I’m Reading

I read a ton of books (or what amounts to a “ton” for me) in March: No Surrender Soldier, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Leading Man, The Secret Hum of a Daisy, The Ninja Librarians, and Push Girl. Now I’m back to Barbara Kingsolver’s Flight Behavior, which I reluctantly put aside when I was in the middle of a debut-author ARCapalooza.

What I’m Writing

I’m back to revising an old manuscript and doing some research so I can begin outlining a new one. I’d love to be finished with these revisions in the next week or two so I can focus on outlining. In truth, I am itching to get to the drafting stage of this new project. I’m one of those writers who gets caught up in counting new words–sometimes I need to remind myself that reading/researching, outlining, and daydreaming is part of the writing process–and that time “counts,” too.

What Inspires Me Right Now

I am knocking on wood as I type this, but I think it’s finally warming up! Thanks to longer days, I’m loving going home from work while it’s still light out. Hooray, spring. 🙂

What Else I’ve Been Up To

I finally got back to a yoga class, after a few months off due to an injury. It was kind of a bummer to realize how much I still can’t do, but it feels great to know that I’m making progress.

A quick note on an online event I’m doing this week: Booklist Webinars is hosting me and three other New Leaf Literary debut authors for an hour-long presentation on our books and the the debut experience. It’s free, and should be a fun conversation! You can register here: https://alapublishing.webex.com/alapublishing/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=662413562

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.

What’s Up Wednesday, 1/29

Jan 29, 2014 | , , , , , , , ,

WUW7What’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.

What I’m Reading 
I finished  Tiger Lily, which I loved. I also read Brandy Colbert’s Pointe, which was incredible. Bookanista rec for that to come next month! Now I’m reading the great MG Esperanza Rising.

What I’m Writing   
I made some slow progress with revising over the past week. I also wrote a short story, kind of randomly. It was an idea that I’d been circling for a while, and I found myself with some extra time on the couch (more on that below), so I just sat down and wrote it. Which was incredibly fun and refreshing.

What Inspires Me Right Now

Cheering for the winners of the ALA Youth Media Awards (and watching my TBR list grow and grow). Celebrating the book birthdays of fellow Class of 2K14-mates and OneFour Kid Lit writers. And anticipating my own book birthday next week (eep!)!

What Else I’ve Been Up To 
Remember my last What’s Up Wednesday post, when I said I did something to my hip in yoga? Well, apparently I’m not so great at anatomy, because it wasn’t actually my hip–a doctor’s visit confirmed that I have a hamstring injury, from some combination of overuse in running and yoga. It’s been a bit of a bummer–I spent the first week after figuring out what was wrong with me doing nothing but rest and ice. Being sedentary and me don’t agree, and it will be quite a while before I can run again. But if there is a bright side, it’s that I’m learning to slow down a little. Actually, a lot. Being kind to myself is working, and I’m already feeling a lot better. I’m looking forward to running again this spring when I’m good as new (or as “new” as a thirtysomething can be!)–hopefully we’ll be rid of Polar Vortexes by then. 🙂

So what have you been up to lately?

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