Elated Over Eleven: Sheela Chari

Oh hello blog! I was beginning to forget what book blogging even meant. Anyway I'm bringing back my Elated Over Eleven feature! In case you've forgotten you can read my previous Elated Over Eleven features here

Today I've finally pulled my act together to present an interview with Sheela Chari, whose Middle Grade book Vanished debuted in August! I recently received a copy for review and I'm eager to dive into its mystery-laden pages :)

Thank you for stopping by Reading in Color Ms. Chari!

What is Vanished about?

Vanished is a mystery novel about eleven-year-old Neela’s quest to find her Indian musical instrument when it goes missing. But it’s also her quest to overcome her stage fright and find her true musical self.

Yes you read that right this is a middle grade mystery with an Indian girl as a main character. But it's not about her being Indian in America, rather it's about her musical talent and her search for her missing instrument. Ahhhh

What has your road to being published taught you?

The road to publication is winding, with lots of potholes along the way. I expected that, because that’s what I’d been told by the writers I know who traveled that road before me. So I was prepared to wait, to persevere, and to expect setbacks along the way. And even if I was prepared, it was still an education, and I think I’m more patient and more focused than I was when I first started writing seriously.

But the other thing that this long and difficult journey has taught me is that there are unexpected pleasures along the way – a sudden dip in the road where you don’t have to peddle so hard and you can cruise on a piece of extraordinary luck: a beautiful cover, a rave review, a chance to talk to before a sprawling audience of young readers (when you were told that maybe one or two would show up at the bookstore for your event). Every time something wonderful happens to Vanished or to me as an author, I have learned to enjoy it for what it is – an unexpected, fun gift in my life as a writer.

And that is what scares me about writing. Who wants to become more patient? In all seriousness though I love that people are able to find the positives on the scary journey to get published. But also like Ms. Chari said, I think if I ever decided to write a book I would be slightly mentally prepared thanks to my reading of interviews with other authors and learning about what the publishing process really entails and how long it takes. And there are some amazing moments on that journey such as being blessed with a gorgeous cover like Ms. Chari's! And knowing that at least one reader connected with your story, I imagine that could keep me on a happiness cloud for quite some time...

What do you think the hardest part about writing a MG mystery is/was?

Writing mysteries in general is hard – at least for me. Partly because I think seasoned mystery writers start with the end and go backwards. In other words, they know who’s done what and when in their story, and then go back to the beginning to “cover up their tracks.” I did the opposite. I started at the very beginning with the same question as Neela – why did the veena disappear? And honestly, I didn’t know! I had to follow Neela and discover the reason why. As I kept writing, the story finally emerged by the time I got to the end. But it did require me going back and retrofitting content after I knew what the ending was. This seems needlessly difficult, but I guess that’s just the way I work!

As for MG, I’m not sure that played nearly as much as a role. I’m comfortable writing middle grade. This is because I’m secretly twelve years old. Okay…well, I would be if I had a choice!

What book would your book date?

Vanished might date Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett or Shakespeare’s Secret by Elise Broach. I loved both of these books for their atmosphere, for their kid detectives, and the way art and literature play a central role in the mystery (like Vanished, where music is integral).

But Vanished might also be secretly crushing on The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd. What a fantastic, smart mystery novel! But it’s also young adult, and a little too old for young Vanished! ;)

Haha I love that, we must protect the innocence of Vanished! It's vital that one doesn't grow up too fast...I adored Chasing Vermeer, so clever and as a bonus it was set in my beloved Chicago. Which reminds me that I could review that book here. Hmm maybe Vanished review one day, Chasing Vermeer review the next?

You grew up in Iowa City in the 1970s. Did you read books about kids of color? If not, did that bother you? Did you ever feel alienated and did this play into your writing?

I can honestly say I never thought about color when I was reading books as a child. I read because I wanted to know what happened next. I devoured all the Beverly Cleary books, the Anne of Green Gables series, Little Women, Heidi, Island of the Blue Dolphin, A Wrinkle in Time, The Secret Garden and A Little Princess, and I loved Nancy Drew. I loved these books for their sense of adventure, for bringing me to worlds I didn’t know about. I loved stories about tomboys and detectives, about girls who had traveled far away from their homes to find themselves, often under difficult conditions. Race never entered the picture. Likewise, I never saw myself being different, even though when I was a child, I was the only Indian-American girl I knew in my whole grade.

Certainly I think about these issues now, maybe because I have children of my own. I wrote Vanished because I really wanted to see more books about Indian-American girls solving mysteries and having adventures just like their other peers. I might not have read and wondered about these types of books when I was little, but if Vanished had been available back then, it would DEFINITELY have changed my life and the way I saw myself. There are many Indian-American girls who have read my book now and have really enjoyed and responded to it. I don’t know if all Indian-Americans want to read about characters like themselves (some still want to read about vampires!), but it’s really important to me that the option is there. I hope to see more and more mystery and fantasy books featuring PoCs being added to the middle grade shelf!

I read those same books as a kid! Children's classics never cease to amaze me because we all read so many of the same book and yet the power of books for kids is often ignored. Although I do remember starting and not liking, Island of the Blue Dolphin haha. We are the richer for reading those books (or so I like to think anyway) but I agree my mind would have been blown if I could have read a book about a character who looked me and was having a cool adventure. It's like you never know what you could have had until much later...(if that makes sense)

What are some of your current favorite YA/MG reads? What fellow '11 debuts are you looking forward to in the fall? Have you read any great 2011 debuts already?

This might be the hardest question to answer. I’m a member of the Elevensies, so I’ve been anticipating and reading a long list of books over the past year. Since I’m an MG author, my favorites have been the middle grades I read this year like Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis, With a Name like Love by Tess Hilmo, and May B. by Caroline Starr Rose. All outstanding, with spunky female characters that know how to make their own decisions.

I also read many YA’s, and one of my favorites this year was Dead Rules by Randy Russell, which takes ideas of the afterlife and turns them into something new and thought-provoking. But I think I need to answer this question again when I get through my whole TBR pile!

What two PoC characters would you love to hang out?

I’m reading Grace Lin’s Pacy Lin books right now: The Year of the Dog, The Year of the Rat, and her most recent Dumpling Days, which I’m reading in ARC form as it won’t be out until January. I love Pacy’s directness, the way she invites you into her daily life, to be part of her Taiwanese heritage without a lot of explanation and back-story. Also some of her struggles to fit in remind me a lot of when I was growing up in the 1980s.

I’d have to say my favorite character growing up was Sacajawea. I read a book with the same title (Sacajawea by Anna Lee Waldo) when I was twelve, and her life history left a huge impression on me. It might have been that I just moved to Washington State at the time, where she had lived. But I loved this book, and I loved reading about her fierce pride, her incredible intelligence and astuteness, her knowledge of the land, and how she maintained her heritage in spite of being the first Shoshone woman to lead Lewis and Clark across the Columbia River to the Pacific Coast (something unheard of at the time in her culture).

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

Web site: www.sheelachari.com
Blog: http://sheela-chari.livejournal.com
Twitter: @wordsbysheela

Thanks for having me on your blog, Ari!

Not a problem, thanks again for stopping by Sheela! Buy Vanished

Elated Over Eleven: Medeia Sharif

Medeia Sharif is making her debut with the upcoming Bestest Ramadan Ever which releases July 8. Elated Over Eleven is a feature I started in which I interview debut authors of color (the Eleven in the title hints at being a 2011 debut just a fyi). Her book is one that I believe will help certain people get over their Islamphobia by being an entertaining read in which the main character is Muslim but so much more than that too.

Welcome to Reading in Color Medeia!

Tell us about your debut, Bestest Ramadan Ever

Fifteen-year-old Almira Abdul is fasting for Ramadan for the first time ever, but the month does not move smoothly at all. She has her first major crush, treads on her best friend’s toes, butts heads with a new archenemy, and has a strict old-world grandfather who drives her crazy. Her will is tested in more ways than one during the holy month.

What has your journey to getting published taught you?

To take my time. I made the mistake that many writers make: vomit words on a page, do a quick revise and edit job, and start querying. You need to put a manuscript away and later on look at it with fresh eyes. I now wait months between drafts and revisions, and every time I find ways to make a manuscript stronger.

And that is why I can't be an aspiring published author, haha. No patience for all those revisions although I would want my work to be as close to perfect as can be.

One of your characters is described as a Muslim girl who "struts around in super-short skirts, commanding every guy's attention." I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume that this character does not fit the “Muslim girl stereotype.” Did you have a specific goal in mind when you created this character or did she just come to you?

My goal was to create competition between Almira and someone who was like her. It would be one thing to compete with any sort of classmate, but Almira and Shakira are of the same culture and religion. And they’re after the same boy, Peter. I also wanted to show the range of Muslim girls as far as their personalities, dress, and attitudes go. In my next book readers will encounter someone who’s more traditional.

That's tough because personally I can attest to the fact that you are drawn to people of the same culture, you feel an automatic connection that while valid may not be enough to ensure you're friends. Acquaintances or maybe even 'enemies' because there is a sense of competition sometimes (I think) between people with the same heritage (this may only apply to minorities though). I love that a wide range of Muslim girls will be shown in your book, after all books in both subtle and not-so-subtle ways teach tolerance so that's important.

What book would your book date?



My book would date ANGUS, THONGS, AND FULL-FRONTAL SNOGGING by Louise Rennison. I think my book would appreciate the humor and boy craziness of that novel.

Stationery inspires you, as previously mentioned in a guest post. When did this love-affair with stationery begin? Any tips on how to found the right bit of stationery (or anything else) that inspires you?

I’ve always loved stationery, but I started collecting it in my mid-20’s. Before that, any notebook or pen would do. I collect colorful notebooks and multi-colored gel pens. I suggest that people find designs, colors, and textures that resonate with them. It’s all about the look and feel of the ink, paper, and cover.

What are some of your current favorite YA reads? What fellow '11 debuts are you looking forward to?

I’ve read many verse novels this year, so I’ve become a fan of Ellen Hopkins, Sonya Sones, and Alma Fullerton. As for debut novels, I’ve already read several this year, and I have many in my TBR pile as well as on pre-order. I hope to read all of them, eventually. This summer I look forward to reading Natalie Zaman and Charlotte Bennardo’s SIRENZ, Dawn Metcalf’s LUMINOUS, and Carrie Harris’s BAD TASTE IN BOYS.

What two PoC characters would you love to hang out?

I’d love to hang out with Patti Yoon from Paula Yoo’s GOOD ENOUGH because she’s insecure and funny, and I’d like to tell her that she is indeed good enough for anybody or any situation. The second character is Jazz from Neesha Meminger’s JAZZ IN LOVE. She’s another lovable character.

I would be initimidated by Patti's smarts but she would make me laugh. Jazz would be so much fun to hang out with and I would follow whatever crazy plan she created.

What is one issue you have with YA/MG? What is something you love about YA/MG?

One issue I have is that not everyone takes it seriously. For example, as one rude person told me, “So you didn’t write a real book.” I’ve encountered the attitude that YA/MG isn’t serious fiction. That’s more of an issue with how people react to it, rather than the body of books themselves. What I love is that YA/MG covers so many topics and is, at times, riskier than adult fiction. I believe it’s due to the fact that the characters are at a point in their lives when they’re experimenting with everything and becoming independent.

I'm with you, the fact that many people look down on MG/YA is ridiculous because as you stated, often YA/MG books can be even riskier than adult fiction. They cover a wider range of topics as well and I think the main characters are more likely to stay with you maybe not forever but far longer than in adult fiction.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

Blog/Website – http://www.sharifwrites.com
Tumblr – http://sharifwrites.tumblr.com/
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/sharifwrites

Thank you so much Medeia!

Nerds Heart YA: Interview with B.A. Binns

B.A. Binns is the author of Pull, a book nominated for Nerds Heart YA

Did you ever worry that your story would not be easy for many teens to relate to? Many YA readers may be shocked by how hard David has to work to support his family and how quickly he had to grow up...

I believe teens are aware of their world, even parts of it that appear different from their own lives. Mostly they understand universal feelings of familial love and worry about the future. My favorite reader quote came from a girl who “picked up the book because of the hunk on the cover” and then found herself relating to his problems with his loved ones. No, she said she wouldn’t make the same final choice that he did, but she completely understood him.

In that same vein, you had him make a very difficult decision between working out of high school or going to college. What made you decide to give David such a tough decision?

This story came to me in pieces, and the first piece was David as an adult who had made that tough decision, and managed to survive and thrive (He’s the future founder and CEO of Albacore Construction). I walked into this knowing David’s future, and that college at this point in time would have been difficult for him. The tough part came when I gave him the possibility of a scholarship, but that’s what I wanted readers to debate. I’ve seen too many people pushed into things they weren’t ready for, and I wanted to use David to give a voice to kids who have to make difficult decision.

David and his sisters grieve in different ways. Why did you not want them to all grieve together as a family the same way?

Different people are different. I don’t want readers thinking there is a right or wrong way to grieve. David, Barney and Linda had different experiences with loss. Their gender, ages and personalities play a part in how they handled that loss. Just like in real families.


Which character was most difficult for you to write?

Yolanda Dare. I knew so much about her and literally cried over her self-esteem issues. I needed her to be hard and vulnerable and sympathetic, to have a heart and the potential for being stronger than even she knew. And I needed to reveal this to the reader without ever getting inside her head. It was hard just letting her evolve through David’s eyes. I got my satisfaction when she finally realized she what she was really worth.

Why did you decide to write stories only with guy main characters?

That was not my original intention. What David says about girls being mysteries went double about guys as far as I was concerned. In order to write what I know, I had to learn about teenaged boys to have a believable teen male protagonist. I wanted him to be real, and I wanted boys to want to read him. The more I learned, the more important it felt that this story come 100% from him. In the end that not only led me to write first person, but to write the entire book from his POV.

I don’t think all of my books will follow this path. But I’m glad I did this one. I think there are more than enough authors writing the adventures of female characters. Guys bring a different set of issues, needs and quirks. They’re fun to write about, too. And they write amazing fan letters.

You write very vividly about David's construction experiences. Did you learn so much about construction by using first-hand knowledge or lots of online/literary research?

I lived in an area that had almost constant construction going on for a three-year period. Lots of research and stimulation and people to talk to, including one unnamed young worker who earned a spot on Pull’s acknowledgement page after we shared a pizza and his story.

You are currently working on a story featuring Malik, the main antagonist of the story. Do you foresee also writing about Yolanda Dare or a follow-up to David's story?

The story I’m working on now involves the further adventures of both Malik and Barney, they both have more growing up to do. Their paths are parallel in the book, but they don’t really intersect, so I need both of them as main characters. After that Neill gets a book. David and Yolanda will make an appearance in Malik’s story, and probably in Neill’s as well.
I felt Yolanda completed her arc and matured enough not to need her own spot, but I’ve had a fan ask for more on her, so I may rethink that.

Which of your characters do you relate to the most? What were you like in high school?

Linda. That may be why I didn’t include as much about her as I originally intended, she’s too much like me and I’m not yet ready to be autobiographical. I was the quiet kid in high school, the “A” student teacher’s pet, envious of the kids who had fun and the nerve to get in trouble, and perfectly content to sit at the loser’s table..

David and Yolanda really connect through a Marriage Class. Did you ever have to take one of those?

I didn’t, but my daughter did and her experience inspired that class in Pull. I have a sneaking suspicion that class is the reason she’s in no hurry to make me a grandmother although she’s in her twenties.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is "People think cakewalk means easy. But real cakewalks were difficult as hell according to my grandmother. They required endurance, balance and training, and only the best lasted until the end." Do you know how to cakewalk?

I don’t have the stamina. I saw one when I was little. We’re having a family reunion next month, maybe I’ll suggest we resurrect the practice. If so, I’ll contribute a cake, but sit out the competition.


Thank you so much Ms. Binns!

Colorful Interview with Neesha Meminger!

Everyone get ready to be blown away! Today I have the absolutely phenomenal Neesha Meminger stopping by, yay =D

Neesha is the author of Shine, Coconut Moon and Jazz in Love and I admit, I count her as one of my dear friends. Even if we didn't interact so much online though, I would still be in awe of Neesha's brilliance (and yet she still manages to sound very down-to-earth and funny). Read on to see what I mean....

One of my favorite quotes from the book occurs when Tyler and Jazz are looking at the stars. Jazz says "The stars. They were like a thousand suns. And at night, that's what they felt like, little pricks prodding everyone to do what's deep down inside, and not worry about anyone or anything else. They were like a veil, letting the secret part of you be heard-the part you kept shut and quiet under the harsher light of the daytime sun." (pgs 142-143). Do you put a secret part of yourself in books? And growing up, did you feel as though you could never lift that veil?

A: I think I do put a secret part of myself in books. Somewhere in those pages are things I've never told anyone. And when I was growing up, it wasn't safe to lift the veil. It would have put me in a position of having to choose between people/things I didn't have the resources or emotional capacity to choose between. But there was always a part of me that knew. There was always that wavering, flickering voice down there that held the truth. That's why I wrote Jazz in Love - it's all about listening to that inner voice that knows the truth, even if the truth is not popular, "acceptable", or about to get you into a whole heap of crap.

And that is why book bloggers/reviewers feel a tinge (or in my case-a pang) of guilt when they criticize a book! The resounding messages of having to choose and the truth not always being acceptable, are ones that make Jazz in Love universal.

Cindy and Jazz have a relatively drama-free friendship. Today it seems that in YA friendships between girls always revolve around guys and guys are the ruin of the friendships. Jazz and Cindy talk about guys but most of their discussions have to do with schoolwork, food and getting together Auntie Kindner and Dr. Babaloo. Why did you decide to keep Jazz and Cindy's friendship very low-key?

A: A couple of reasons. 1) There *are* drama-free relationships between girls. What gets media play, of course, are the cat-fights, the rivalries, jealousies and backstabbing. I've written extensively about the Reena Virk case in Canada, where the media picked up this *one* story of "girl-violence" and played the "girls can be bullies, too" angle incessantly. The truth is that the story was far more complex than that. It was a devastating story, no doubt, but for the media to play the "girl violence" angle over all the other issues that were in play was problematic. And (2) When we create stories, part of what we do is create new possibilities and realities through the rules of the world we create. Women and girls have had functional, loving, caring, nurturing relationships for centuries. Women can work together in teams and partnerships where there is respect and compassion. That doesn't mean there isn't conflict - and this does occur between Cindy and Jazz when Cindy disagrees with Jazz's relationship with Tyler. Remember--they stop talking for a while, but that conflict is resolved respectfully and with love.


You briefly take us to the UK in your second storyline between Dr. Babaloo and Auntie Kinder. What kind of research did you do to get a feeling for being Asian in the UK?

A: Well, I grew up in Canada, which started as a collection of British colonies until it gained full sovereignty (in my lifetime) and Britain ruled India for almost a hundred years, so my connection to the UK goes way back. And it is still embedded in my pores in many ways. But besides all that, I spent a lot of time in parts of Britain when I was growing up. We visited yearly for a while and stayed with aunts and cousins in Birmingham and Wolverhampton - all of my British family members fascinated me.

I was in awe of the South Asian scene in Britain because South Asians really seemed to have made a home for themselves there. And in spite of this, those South Asians still struggled with being viewed as outsiders and immigrants, even when they'd been there for generations. But I loved all of it - the different regional accents, the connection to South Asian culture (in a way I didn't have when I was growing up), the over-the-top way of celebrating functions, etc. It was an entirely different way of being South Asian based on the history and geography of the nation.

Then, in my twenties, when I was in the thriving arts and culture scene of Toronto, I was part of an organization that brought a lot of UK-based South Asian artists and activists to screen their films and participate in a festival. We brought Gurinder Chadha (director of Bend it Like Beckham) to screen her first film, Bhaji on the Beach, and Pratibha Parmar, who screened her groundbreaking film about the South Asian LGBTQ community, Khush. There were many discussions then about the arts and culture scenes of London and Toronto and how the two compared politically, socially and economically, and how the South Asian communities were evolving in both places.

I suppose all of this filtered into the novel.


I've only read a few books about South Asian teens in the UK and a few more about South Asian teens in the U.S. but I would agree that the way of celebrating being South Asian seems to be very different in the UK than how it is in the U.S. Not necessarily better (to my mind), just unique. I wonder if there are more South Asians in the UK or the U.S.?


It must have been so much fun to visit your extended family in the UK! Then to go home to Canada. It's fascinating how you didn't grow up in the U.S. but (I would argue) your 'voice' is distinctly American. But I never would have thought Canada had a thriving South Asian community.

Jazz loves romance novels. A South Asian TEEN loving romance novels? You can practically hear the gasps of shock. Why did you decide to give Jazz this love of books that are often looked down upon and dismissed?

A: I guess because *I* was a South Asian teen who loved romance novels! Also, it's not a stretch for South Asian teens to connect with romance novels because most grow up with a strong connection to Hindi movies (also known as Bollywood films) - almost all of which have a strong romance component. And most of the teens I knew when I was growing up (and the ones I know now) - South Asian or not - weren't too concerned with what was looked down upon. If they liked something, they read it/watched it/listened to it. Even if they had to do it in secret, which is what Jazz does. :)

Do you have any recommendations of some good romance books, YA or not (bonus points if they're multicultural ;)?

A: I really enjoyed Cindy Pon's Silver Phoenix - it was such a sweet, beautiful romance mixed with adventure--how could you not love it? I've always loved Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier. I also liked The Season, by Sarah MacLean, very much. But I think I have a special soft spot for His Own Where, by June Jordan.

I will forever be grateful that you introduced me to His Own Where, a pure and simple love story with captivating language. I LOVE it! I second your recommendations of The Season (fun historical romance!), Silver Phoenix (we need a romance resolution though!) and Born Confused (awww).

Do you see Jazz in Love as chick lit? Do you feel that this label is beneficial or potentially hurtful?
A: Personally, I don't take offense to the term, but I can see how it could be limiting and trivializing. Jazz in Love has many layers and is more than just a book about a girl who wants to date. There are topics like spousal abuse, dating violence, class, and caste that are explored. I would hate for people to gloss over these important issues just because I didn't hit the reader over the head with them. The truth is that people navigate these issues while they are living their lives and having experiences and relationships--and other things, like falling in love, or falling in crush, are just as important when you're young. Maybe the term "chicklit" makes these books seem shallow and unimportant, somehow? That would be sad--and potentially turn away readers who might otherwise really connect with the characters and story.

You mention a few Bollywood films and what's good and the bad about these films. Do you have a favorite Bollywood film, and would you mind sharing it with us?

A: I have several! I loved Paheli, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukherjee; Chak De India; Veer-Zaara; Swades; Jodhaa Akbaar; Asoka; Fanaa; Mangal Pandey; Dil Se and so many more. Bollywood, like romance novels, is a genre. There are traits unique and specific to the genre and you either love it or you hate it. Bollywood films tend to be epic, or sweeping, and lavish with very dramatic music scores and over-the-top acting. They are completely escapist and the good ones are great fun :).

You took the leap and self-published Jazz in Love. From experience, I've read some not-so-great self-published books. but I've also read some great ones (A Wish After Midnight by Zetta Elliott and now Jazz in Love). Do you have any tips for those who also want to self-publish? And what would you say to readers who are wary of giving a self-published book a chance?

A: The best tip I have for anyone who wants to self-publish is to make your book the absolute best it can be. It will be competing for attention on bookshelves and it has to be able to hold its own. The production quality has to be excellent, the cover has to be arresting, and the story has to be engaging to its target audience (therefore, you really have to *know* your audience!). I would strongly advise people to hire a professional editor, if at all possible. If you don't have the finances for it, save up. Seriously--you NEED an editor.

For readers, I would say that things are changing. Most readers are not wary of independent film or independent music because these are accepted forms of expression. Publishing is heading down a similar path where there are options for people who have stories to tell, but for whatever reason, aren't finding a home for their work. I would read a sample or excerpt of an author's work before buying it--Google has a preview function, as does Amazon. A few pages of writing will give you a sense of whether an author has a style you enjoy, and a few chapters will let you know whether you're interested in the story enough to continue reading. I would check the author's track record, their online presence, the marketing they've done for the book--are they professional? Do you connect with anything else they've got out for readers (i.e. a blog, guest posts on others' blogs, interviews, etc.)? But I would definitely encourage people to broaden their reading choices. L.A. Banks, who is a NY Times best-selling author, self-published this year because no publishing house would acquire her YA novel. Imagine ruling out her YA books simply because she chose to self-publish?

YES to the needing an arresting cover! Even bigger yes to needing an editor! I've read quite a few self-published novels with some serious potential but they are poorly edited.

In a guest post at the Rejectionist called "A Kind of Blindness to the Truth" you make the most excellent point that "more and more people are looking behind what is shown. More and more people are less and less fooled by our constant diet of the single story and a culture that, however unintentionally, promotes a kind of blindness to the truth. I see it everywhere, all around me-people want the truth, they want what's real, they want to live in a world based on values of justice and equality and they want to see that reflected back in their stories and mythologies. This is the information age-people are getting smarter, and less likely to be fooled. Myth-makers and image-creators would do well to take heed, and some are. In the long run, it's about so much more than just the bottom line." This post is specifically talking about science fiction and fantasy, but it could apply to any genre. How do you think, as readers, we can make publishers see that every culture has more than a single story? Obviously there's no easy answer but do you think there are small, concrete steps we can take?

A: I think the power of persuasion is in the bottom line. Publishers, film production houses, music labels--all tend to give something a chance if it will make money (and perhaps if it conforms to certain accepted ideals). And the only way for a product to make money is if consumers "vote" with their dollars. If you are a librarian and find that your collection is scant in books by and about marginalized voices, make a concerted effort to order more books reflecting diverse experiences and put those books front and center for readers. If you are a teacher and find that your curriculum/syllabus is mostly offering one or two types of stories, include a wider range of voices and encourage students to seek out diverse opinions and perspectives. And if you are simply a reader who enjoys lots of different kinds of books, talk them up. Enthusiastically share all the diverse books you've read with everyone you know :)

In Shine, Coconut Moon, the main character, Samar is called a coconut. Jazz arguably fits the bill of being a coconut, especially in the eyes of her cousin, Camel (well actually her name is Kamal) who is annoyed by Jazz cutting her hair and says "it takes courage to assert your Indian-ness in the west." Yet she never outright calls Jazz a 'coconut'. Why did you decide to make this a non-issue in Jazz in Love?

A: Jazz is far more immersed in Indian culture than Sam ever was. Sam's mother deliberately raised her to be "American", whereas Jazz is having the same struggles that all her other cousins and South Asian peers have--they live in a country where most things are black and white. There are very few images of South Asians in the media, in magazines, and in books. So, Jazz is making her own choices, sure, but she is definitely in the same boat as other South Asian teens around her. Her cousin, Kamal, might see courage in asserting "Indian-ness", but Jazz might argue that playing by the cultural, traditional, familial "rules" is the easier way out. And that it takes courage to go against one's parents, community, culture, and traditions in the pursuit of one's own truth and one's own path of learning. Jazz wants to be able to make her own mistakes--make her own choices and deal with whatever consequences arise as a result.

I was clear, at the onset, that Jazz in Love was not going to be a novel about identity. Jazz doesn't struggle with whether she's Indian or American, or both or neither. That's never an issue for her. Yes, her parents want her to be *more* Indian, but she never worries about whether she's American enough and she never really worries about whether she's Indian enough. For Jazz, this is a struggle for autonomy. She wants to be able to do what *she* wants to do. She questions some of the restrictions and limits her parents place on her, but that is a generational battle that has to do with culture, tradition, religion, and gender roles.

I wanted more Tyler time! And more Jeeves time! And more time with everyone in Jazz's world. Is there a possibility that we will get to revisit Jazz and friends? Or at least, do you have any plans on writing another YA contemporary?

A: I really missed the characters in Jazz's world when I finished writing the book. They were a huge part of the reason I decided to put the book out myself, in the end. I *know* young people like Jazz and Jeeves and Tyler and Pammi. I felt such a strong sense of responsibility and . . . love . . . toward them (sorry to get hokey) that I couldn't help feeling I was letting them down if I didn't succeed in putting their representations out into the world. I am in a position to tell their story and have it heard by people who wouldn't normally listen. If I didn't do it, it would just be one more step toward invisibility for South Asian youth.

As for revisiting . . . I am already, mentally, sketching out a Jazz 2 plot. But shhhh--that's a secret ;).


My (very early, very very early) review of Shine, Coconut Moon and my more recent review of Jazz in Love. Thank you so much Neesha!


*I am currently on a (mandatory) school retreat so I have no Internet access. Don't let that stop you from leaving comments! I will check my email and reply to all comments upon my return :)

Colorful Interview with Sarwat Chadda

Today I am jumping up and down with joy to offer you an interview with one of my favorite authors, Sarwat Chadda!

His Devil's Kiss series is great and Billi is one of my absolute favorite main characters, male or female. Devil's Kiss is the first book in the series (my review) and The Dark Goddess is the next book (my review). These books were originally published in the UK but have now been released in the U.S.
Welcome Sarwat :)

Having briefly 'chatted' with you on Twitter and avidly read your blog, I've noticed that you have a great sense of humor. Yet as much as I love the Billi books, they are much more serious, with only small glimpses of humor interspersed throughout. Did you intentionally try to make the books a bit more serious or did it just end up happening that way? Granted Arthur isn't one to be cracking jokes!

I’m flattered that you find me amusing! The tone of the Billi books come out of the setting. I love gothic horror and Devil’s Kiss and Dark Goddess are my modern takes on that genre. It’s the gloomy streets, the shadow-filled alleyways and its the monsters. I wanted to play the monsters straight. I wanted to bring back terrifying vampires, savage werewolves and inhuman angels.

That said I think there is a gallows humour in the books. What about Arthur’s comment about needing shovels? I know I laughed.

Your books are absolutely packed with action scenes, and I love it. Are these scenes hard to write? Do you listen to inspiring battle-music that fills one with anticipation or a suspenseful soundtrack that fills one with dread to get you in the zone? :)

The action scenes are the easiest to write, I struggle with the romance! But I do listen to music when I write. For obvious reasons the song, Run with the Wolves’, featured a lot when I was writing Dark Goddess. I completely picture the story as a movie in my head when I write and when Billi and Ivan are being chased through the forests, it was with that tune playing.

RiC: I've never heard that song but I'm listening to it as I put together this interview and it's most appropriate for that particular scene!

The paranormal creatures in your book are truly terrifying. No characters falling in love with old vampires or werewolves with washboard-abs. No, your creatures want to kill. Do you have any favorite books in the paranormal genre where the monsters are scary AND not-so-scary?

I love the original Dracula. The vampires are uncanny, there is no logic or explanation to them. The fact they remain so unknown is what’s so scary. They are an inversion of the natural order of things, of God. Truly the Unholy.

I’m a big fan of True Blood and Being Human, two great tv series which feature the not-so-scary versions of the supernatural. Mitchell, the vampire character in Being Human, is my favorite blood sucker. Trying to control his blood lust but always failing. The most recent episode featured him having to confront those he’d killed, realizing the lives he’s ended and the ripple effect of all the connected lives he’s ruined because of what he is. Brilliant.

Why do you think people love paranormal books so much? And do you think we will ever see more books like yours, Cindy Pon's and even Dia Reeves', paranormal books that feature a diverse cast?

I love Silver Phoenix by Cindy. Alas, I’m not that familiar with Dia’s books. London is an incredibly diverse city, my daughters are mixed race as are a large number of their school chums. I write what I see and also I feel there’s a strange lack of diversity in children’s books, which is weird since it’s not reflected in any other form of entertainment. This needs to be fixed and it’s my goal to fix it. If I have any agenda, that’s to bring more ethnic characters into the mainstream. I recently sent a letter to a number of publishers on why is it that the only famous Indian character in children’s fiction is Mowgli, and he’s over a hundred years old. I will write on this in much more detail shortly as it’s a fundamental part of my next project.

Why do people love paranormal so much? For the same reason people love superheroes and spies. They’re larger than life and so outside our experience we get a huge thrill to be part of their worlds. The market is driven by trends, so right now it’s paranormal. My concern is that it’s become a tidal wave, washing everything else away and will eventually destroy itself because quality will drop.

I agree, we see more diversity in TV shows (but not movies just yet) than we do in books. Whoa, I'd never even thought that Mowgli was the most famous Indian character in children's fiction because it's such an old book/movie that it would not have crossed my mind. It's beyond awesome that you wrote letters to publishers asking them about that. Please unveil that new project very soon! The suspense might kill me....Oh and you MUST read Dia's books

Ivan and Billi. They banter with each other and save each other and both of them are refreshingly ok with that. Ivan gives her a gun, it's a match made in warrior/religious heaven. What was your inspiration for their relationship? Some would argue that Billi is so independent she doesn't need a guy...

On the subject of trends the one that appalls me is the huge number of passive, victim-psyched female characters out there in YA. I’m not equating violence with power but Billi very much controls her own destiny.

Billi’s key strength is her relentlessness. She’s very protective of those she loves and will do anything for them. She understands the buck stops with her. She doesn’t need a guy to save her, she can do that herself. But she needs love, like any other human. What I wanted to give her a partner worthy of her. An equal. That’s what I find difficult about a lot of the paranormal fiction, the huge imbalance of power between the (usually human) female and the (usually supernatural) male character. It’s difficult to love someone you don’t respect.

Hence Ivan. He knows Billi’s reputation and has huge respect for her. He’s a prince from an old, royal family. He’s a born leader and deadly warrior in his own right. He could have any woman he wants but he wants Billi, because she’s not interested in his wealth and status. Billi knows who she is, she knows her worth, so won’t be swooning at the first gorgeous guy who flexes his muscles at her.

I would like an Ivan in my life, I'm just waiting for authors to figure out how to make characters from the book appear in real life....Seriously though, what I love about Billi is that she can be a whiny teenager but she's determined and she definitely controls her own destiny.

Which of your characters do you relate to the most?

Elaine and Arthur but there’s a big part of me that’s Billi. How could it be otherwise? I access my memories and emotions when I write about hers. But Elaine is the most fun to write. She’s cranky, wise and nobody’s fool. She’s a great foil to the solemnity of the Templars.

I LOVE Elaine! (It's a three-way tie between her, Billi and Percy as my favorite characters). She is the key source of humor and the book and no one can push her around. I want to know more about her past. *hint hint*

You are a heartbreaker in both Devil's Kiss and The Dark Goddess, not hesitating to kill off beloved characters. Why?? Is it difficult to get rid of certain characters or is it necessary to keep the story moving?

Billi lives in a dangerous world, there will be those who fall. But while I write very violent stories what matters is the cost of the violence. No one walks away from a fight without scars, physical and emotional.

The deaths you refer to are also about heroism. It’s blatantly clear the biggest hero is the one willing to sacrifice everything for the other. It’s not just for the ones we love, but also the strangers who we’ll never meet. That’s true humanity and the fundamental belief of the Templars. Their duty is to protect the innocent and are willing to die to do it. It’s one of their Rules, their principles. You shall keep the company of martyrs.

I firmly believe that the Devil's Kiss series would make a great movie. Any ideas for who would play Billi, Ivan, Arthur, Percy, Elaine?

Billi would be either of my daughters, she’s based on them. Ivan is based on a younger Christian Bale, Arthur is James Purefoy, Percy is Idris Elba and Elaine would be someone like Betty Davis.

Ohmygosh Idris Elba! <3 <3 <3 *ahem* I love him and he would be perfect as Percy (especially since I saw him with his British accent in Luther). I am doing a post about my casting ideas (hey it could actually happen!) next week. I'm sure either one of your daughters would rock as Billi since they were your inspiration. Hmm a younger Christian Bale, I'd need an actual photo for that but James Purefoy would be really good as Arthur. And that picture I found of Bette Davis screams Elaine.

A quote from The Dark Goddess really resonated with me "'the world's not black and white. The bad guys come bright and beautiful and the good guys might look like monsters." The paranormal creatures are beautiful and bright, but why did you decide to make your heroes so..almost morally ambiguous? At times it's hard to cheer for The Knights Templar because they can be cold and driven to a fault. Why not make heroes that everyone can easily love? ;) Same goes for villains. Baba Yaga is touched in the head and yet you force the readers to see where she's coming from, yes our world is bad but should it really be ended? How can you make us empathize with the villains and want to yell at the heroes?

It’s impossible to know who the good guys are, especially in real life. The Templars were responsible for massacres and Arthur himself was dishonourably discharged for pursuing his own vendetta while serving as a Royal Marine. I think you should always be wary of making heroes of warriors. Having the power of life and death over anyone, which is what a warrior has, is something few people I think have the moral strength to handle. That’s because there is a fundamental conflict at the heart of being a warrior. You must follow orders but to be just, to be moral, you must question and have doubt.That’s the only way to survive in a world that is so morally grey.

That’s Billi. She doubts. She questions. She doesn’t automatically believe her cause is the right one. Maybe the enemy is just as right. Maybe she’s on the wrong side. How do you know?
So when I wrote Baba Yaga I wanted her to be right. Her cause is just, face it, she’s trying to save the world! What better conflict could there be that Billi, the hero, being on the wrong side. And knowing it.

Please share two truths and a lie about yourself that would make Arthur proud.

I kept human body parts in my fridge while I was at college.
I found true love at McDonalds.
I’m descended from the Mongol horde.

Highlight below to see if you guessed correctly, but comment first telling me your guess. Please, no cheating!


1) LIE (it was my best friend who did that, not me)
2) TRUE. I met my wife at McDonalds in Hong Kong.
3)TRUE. From my mother’s side
Thank you so much for joining us Sarwat! And I NEED another Billi book so everyone needs to buy the other two books.

Elated Over Eleven: Wendy Wan Long-Shang

I'm late with this interview but better late than never applies most excellently to this interview. Welcome to RiC Ms. Shang!

Wendy Wan-Long Shang is the author of The Great Wall of Lucy Wu which was released January 4th (I let my sister borrow my copy before I read it and she won't give it back, she loves that the main character is her age and just like her, plays basketball).

The Great Wall of Lucy Wu is receiving a warm reception and I'm just saying, but, it has a 4 average rating on Goodreads. Impressed yet? Yes or no, doesn't matter, keep reading to learn more about this lawyer/author/hilarious basketball player.

Please give us the scoop on The Great Wall of Lucy Wu

Lucy Wu thinks she's about to have the perfect year - her big sister is moving out of their shared bedroom and her basketball team looks terrific (as does her crush, Harrison). But when her father announces that a long-lost great aunt is coming to visit and that Lucy should start going to Chinese school instead of basketball, Lucy thinks her year is in shreds - but is it? Like the Chinese saying that events that appear to be good luck or bad luck often turn out to be the opposite, Lucy discovers that while her original dream is not going to come true, she can create something even better.

How did you break into publishing?

I started off by taking a class with author Mary Quattlebaum at the Writer's Center in Maryland. Mary is a fantastic teacher, and teaches not just craft but industry basics as well. She mentioned that the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) is a good resource for writers, and I decided to join.

SCBWI lead to some amazing opportunities for me - I found my critique group at a SCBWI regional conference, and I also received one of their Work-in-Progress grants, which was a terrific confidence booster and a nice thing to mention in agent query letters. (True story: I was taking care of 6 kids when I found out about the grant. To this day, they will happily re-enact me jumping up and down and screaming. They think this is what publishing is about!) My book was sold by Lindsay Davis at Writers House to Lisa Sandell at Scholastic. (Lindsay has since left the industry, and I am very fortunate to now have Ken Wright as my agent!)

Frankly speaking, it's unusual to have a book about a young Chinese-American girl who loves interior design AND basketball. Even in the real world, when people think Asians and basketball the only person who comes to mind is Yao Ming. That's part of why I'm even more psyched to read The Great Wall of Lucy Wu. Why did you choose to create a character who is Chinese and loved both of these seemingly (to sheltered Americans anyway) unusual and disconnected things?


Well, Lucy is Chinese-American because I'm Chinese-American; as a first-time novelist, I knew I wanted to stick with what I knew! I also really love the way girls are today: you can be girly AND athletic. I wanted my character to reflect that idea because when I was growing up, there was a bit of the sense that you could only be one or the other. I chose basketball in particular because when I first started writing Lucy, we shared some characteristics, and I wanted to make sure she was her own person. And, if you've ever seen me on the court, I am not a threat to anybody...unless making somebody laugh so hard they're gasping for breath counts as a threat.

HA! I'm sure I'm even worse, the stereotype of being a good basketball player does not apply to me at all ;) But don't discount the gift of being able to make people laugh (well...erm...as long as it's WITH you and not at you). Seriously though, I love that today girls don't feel as though they have to fit in one mold. You can wear pink basketball shoes and still represent on the court.

What book would your book date (obviously it would be a very suitable date for a 6th grader)?

I think it would be really fun to have my book go on a date with Bette Bao Lord's In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson. That book is about a Chinese girl coming to America and discovering what it means to be American, and I think it's a great mirror for my book, which is about a Chinese-American girl finding her Chinese roots.

We used to own that book, my sister read it but I never got a chance too. Now I intend on looking for it so I can read them back-to-back. And they both feature young female main characters who are unafraid to admit they like-no-love sports :)

You went from being an attorney working for juvenile justice (as well as being a court-appointed special advocate) to a writer. Do you think your experience with the law and courtrooms helped you in any way with being an author?

There are a lot of lawyers in the kidlit field. Rebecca Stead, 2010 Newbery Medal winner of When You Reach Me, and Kathy Erskine, the 2010 National Book Award winner of Mockingbird, were both attorneys! I think that going to law school teaches you how to analyze writing and think about how you want to convey your ideas effectively, so in that sense, legal experience is very helpful.

I never knew there were so many lawyers in the kidlit field, I don't know where I was hiding because I'm sure I would have read somewhere that Rebecca Stead is a lawyer. I do know that Francisco Stork is a lawyer as well, but that's all I've got off the top of my head. I admit, I have a hard-time wrapping my head around lawyers writing for kids (I've been around too many serious ones!) but especially if they work with kids, it makes sense. And all of the lawyers we've mentioned have won at least one award (Francisco Stork won the Schneider Family book award for Marcelo in the Real World)!

What are some of your current favorite MG reads? What fellow '11 debuts are you looking forward to?

I adored The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger - it was funny and sweet and a little mysterious. As for debuts, I can't wait to read Winifred Conkling's Sylvia and Aki, and The Mostly True Story of Jack by Kelly Barnhill. Sylvia and Aki is set in 1940's California; Sylvia is Hispanic and must attend a "Mexican" school because of segregation laws; Aki is Japanese and her family is being sent to an internment camp. It is based on a true story. As for The Mostly True Story of Jack, I've had the privilege of seeing the first few chapters, and we're in for something really special. It's a magical story about friendship, loss and sacrifice.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Why am I just now hearing about Sylvia and Aki? It sounds WONDERFUL. So much for not adding more than 500 books to my TBR *heads off to Goodreads* The Mostly True Story of Jack sounds quite mysterious and The Strange Case of Origami Yoda sounds HILARIOUS and I could certainly use a laugh-out-loud read...

What two PoC characters would you love to hang out?

I think it would be really fun to hang out with Alvin Ho of the eponymous books and Fern from One Crazy Summer. They're both such sharp, observant characters - I know I'd come away seeing the world in a completely different way.

What is one issue you have with MG books? What is something you love about MG?

One of the hardest things about writing MG is trying to avoid the typical tropes - orphans, red-headed best friends, boarding schools - or at least do something original with them! I love MG readers - they are the most appreciative readers in the world. I got a pop-up card from one reader, depicting a scene from LUCY, and it just melted me. And I thought, I bet even Jhumpa Lahiri (one of my favorite writers of adult fiction and a Pulitzer Prize winner) never got a handmade pop-up card!

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

They can visit me at wendyshang.com, and I am also a contributor at From the Mixed-Up Files, a multi-author middle grade blog.

Thank you so much for stopping by Wendy! Now score some points and buy The Great Wall of Lucy Wu. I'm thinking it's at least as spectacular as a half court shot? haha ok I'm done.

Elated Over Eleven: Crystal Allen

I've always intended on writing a post bewailing the lack of light-hearted YA and MG books about people of color (it's coming in February, I promise!). Fortunately, we do have some authors like Crystal Allen who are trying to show that not all books with poc main characters have to be heavy, they can be hilarious and just plain fun. Even better, Crystal agreed to be spotlighted in my new feature (inspired by Kelsey the BookScout) that highlights YA/MG debut authors of color.

Crystal Allen's debut novel, How Lamar's Bad Prank won a Bubba-Sized Trophy comes out February 22, 2011.

Welcome Crystal to Reading in Color!

Please tell us about How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy

Thirteen-year-old Lamar Washington is the maddest, baddest most spectacular bowler ever at Striker’s Bowling Paradise. But he doesn’t have game – not like his older brother Xavier the Basketball Savior. And certainly not like his best friend “Spanish fly guy” Sergio. So Lamar vows to spend the summer changing his image from dud to stud by finding a way to make money and snag a super fine Honey. When a crafty teenage thug invites Lamar to use his bowling skills to hustle, he seizes the opportunity. As his judgment blurs, Lamar makes an irreversible error, damaging every relationship in his life. Now, he must figure out how to mend those broken ties, no matter what it will cost him.

That title is a mouthful but most definitely an attention-getter!

How did you break into publishing?

In February of 2008, I attended a writer's conference in Houston, where superpower agent, Jennifer Rofe' from Andrea Brown Literary Agency, (Jen was not my agent at that time. I didn't have one) was one of the faculty members. By fate, she critiqued ten pages of LAMAR and loved it. She asked for more pages and I sent them to her. This interaction between us went on for nearly nine months (isn't that like a pregnancy?), where she asked questions, and made me really focus on areas of my story that could be stronger. Then, in December, 2008, Jen offered representation and after thinking long and hard about it for three seconds, I accepted! :)

Jen and I worked very hard on LAMAR, revising and talking things through. And once we believed LAMAR was the best he could be, Jen provided the manuscript to editors at several different publishing houses. During the submission process, I made wonderful connections with several extraordinary editors interested in LAMAR. But, I found there to be something special about the connection with Harper Collins' Kristin Daly, editor at Balzar and Bray. She clearly loved LAMAR as much as I do, and our conversation seemed easy from the moment we said "Hello." So, I signed with Harper Collins.

In all honesty, not only do I never read about Black people bowling, I rarely see it. I think it's awesome that Lamar's Bad Prank features a Black kid bowling. You bowl too. What attracts you to bowling and why did you decide to make it a focus of the story?

I've bowled all of my life. My father managed a bowling alley when I was very young. I've bowled on leagues since my middle grade years. A bowling alley is one place where trash talk comes in all languages; hands, facial expressions and of course, straight from the mouth! It's an equal opportunity, multicultural sport, where abilities and disabilities don't measure a person's level of skill . I've seen bowlers in wheelchairs "mash" other bowlers like potatoes! Once I realized there weren't many stories written with bowling as a main focus, I got busy with LAMAR and it's been so much fun!

I rarely go bowling but next time I do, I'll be looking out for trash-talkers! I love that it is an equal opportunity sport, although I never thought of that until you brought it up :)

What book would your book date?

I believe strengths and weaknesses should balance out a great relationship. Therefore, Olugbemisola Rhuday Perkovich's 8TH GRADE SUPER ZERO would be the perfect book to read with LAMAR and here's two reasons why:

1. In Super Zero, Reggie, the main character, lacks confidence, but eventually gains the self-assurance he needs. My main character, Lamar, has enough confidence for the entire planet, but later learns what it means to be humble.

2. Both stories have a focus on friendships and lots of humor.

If the summary of Lamar's Bad Prank and the interview so far hasn't sold you on the book, the above statement should allow you to finally make up your mind about why you must read this book. 8th Grade Superzero is one of my favorite books, absolutely wonderful! Time for me to check out my next date ;)

Do you have any bad (or good) pranks to share with us that you yourself committed?

One prank. When I was around nine or ten, I put a tack in my Mom's chair and then stood there while she sat on it. (Wait, it gets worse) I lied and said I didn't do it. Mom and I were the only people home at the time, so it couldn't have been anyone but me. Forgot to factor that in.

First prank. Last prank.

Oh no! I don't think I would still be alive today if I tried to pull a stunt like that. ha

What are some of your current favorite YA reads? What fellow '11 debuts are you looking forward to?

I don't get to read much YA, but I do have a few favorites.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Copper Sun by Sharon Draper
Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble.
Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen
Speak by Laurie Halse-Anderson

I'm sure there's more, but those came to me immediately!

As for '11 debut authors, I belong to a group of 2011 debut authors called "The Elevensies." We've been together for at least a year and I'm looking forward to purchasing all of their books at major bookstores!

What two PoC characters would you love to hang out with?

I would absolutely love to hang out with Milagros De La Torre in the story, Milagros, Girl from Away, and Lula, a hilarious character in Janet Evanovich's bounty hunter series.

That is so funny that you mention Milagros since I recently read that book! The writing was lovely. Gotta love the humorous characters too

What is one issue you have with YA/MG?

I would have to say the lack of representation of young adults and middle graders of every race, in plain, everyday situations. There shouldn't be a stereotype of ethnic children doing ethnic things. Every African American character doesn't have a sibling or parent on drugs or in prison. Every Hispanic character doesn't have a sibling in a gang. Regular, everyday, kid-stuff should be the focus, so the ethnicity of the character is understood, but is secondary to a story every child can relate to.

What is something you love about YA/MG?

When what I mentioned above, works. Stories like:

Tears of a Tiger by Sharon Draper

Paris Pan Takes The Dare by Cynthia Liu

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

My website address is: crystalallenbooks.com

Thank you, Ari, for the interview!

You know what to do, preorder How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy (I have an ARC that keeps landing in the gutter [haha bowling joke] because I've had a lot of big school assignments and finals. But I'll be starting it asap!). Furthermore, please, please aspiring-authors take heed of Crystal's comments about the intense YA/MG books about poc. It's important.

Elated Over Eleven: Danette Vigilante

This is my 3rd Elated over Eleven interview, in which I interview 2011 debut YA/MG authors of color. It is my pleasure to welcome Danette Vigilante to Reading in Color. Her MG debut, The Trouble With Half a Moon releases on January 6, 2011. It's already received some good reviews and scored a blurb from Olugbemisola Rhuday Perkovich (one of my favorite people ever)! What a great way to prepare for your book's release. Read on to learn more about Danette's debut and how she compares writing to escaping out of jail ;)

What is The Trouble With Half A Moon about?

The Trouble with Half a Moon is about thirteen year old Dellie who lives with the guilt that her little brother's death was her fault. Her mother cries all the time and because she wants Dellie to stay safe, she keeps her inside as much as she can. It doesn't matter that Dellie longs to go outside to be like other girls or that there's a boy she likes and he likes her too. All that matters to her mother is that she's safe at home. So, Dellie has no choice but to watch the world of her housing project through her second story window.

Things start to change soon after new neighbors move in on the first floor. Trouble like this has never happened in Dellie's building before. Now there are men fighting on the stoop, gunshots echoing through the night and Corey, a hungry and abused five year old boy knocking on her door looking for something to eat. Corey reminds Dellie of her brother and even though their friendship is dangerous, she wonders if this time, she'll be able to do what needs to be done. Will she be able to save Corey?

How did you break into publishing?

I broke into publishing after years of slowly scratching away at it the same way someone might try to escape from jail! Seriously, I learned what I could about the business and I was persistent. Also important was taking what I could from rejections and using it. I’m the type of person who could spend the day cleaning then when company comes, I see everything through their eyes—ugh, I missed a spot! And, why didn’t I straighten out this or that! So when it came to rejections I was able to see my story through a different set of eyes which was very helpful.

What was the inspiration for The Trouble With Half a Moon?

Trouble has lived inside me since I was a young teenager. Corey, the little boy in the story, reminds me of a little boy I knew growing up. When I sat down to write this story, I wasn’t sure where it was going. All I knew was that I wanted to give that little boy a chance.

That's so cool that you've known the story you wanted to tell since you were a teenager. I'm so glad you finally get a chance to share it with everyone. I hope that little (well not so little anymore) boy reads it!

What book would your book date?

(Interesting question! Could my book date a few? There are so many to love!) Okay, okay. I’d have to go with Paris from The Road to Paris by Nikki Grimes.

I'm glad your book is mongamous, we've had a few playas in the past :p

In a previous interview, you mention that you wanted to be an archeologist. Do you foresee archeology being in any of your future books? What drew you to (and eventually away) from archeology?

I would love for Archeology to play a role in a future book! For the life of me, I don’t remember what drew me to Archeology. I just know that I have this thing for imagining the people who were here before me and how they might’ve lived. As for being drawn away, it just happened. It’s like walking on a certain path while admiring something off in the distance without stepping off to explore it.

I've had an interest in archeology since watching the TV show Bones (since that's what temperance Brennan originally was before she turned to forensic anthroplogy I think). I agree, there is a strong appeal in learning about the people of the past, especially as it gets harder to imagine the further away from the time period we get.

What are some of your current favorite YA reads? What fellow '11 debuts are you looking forward to?

Right now I’m enjoying Lena by Jacqueline Woodson and just before that, Handbook for Boys by Walter Dean Myers. For 2011 I see that I’ll be a very busy reader. I think I’ll start off with How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized (Love that title!) by Crystal Allen and Across the Universe by Beth Revis.

6. What two PoC characters would you love to hang out with?

Lahni from When the Black Girl Sings and Rhonda from My Life as a Rhombus.

I always felt so bad that Lahni was so loney (at first anyway), I would totally hang out with her too. Rhonda is awesome (I'd like to hang out with any main character from one of Varian Johnson's books!) and I have lots of questions for her....

7. What is one issue you have with YA/MG? What is something you love about YA/MG?

I don’t think I have any issues. I absolutely adore everything about YA/MG and probably always will.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

You can come and visit me at these places: Danettevigilante.com or, danettevigilante.blogspot.com or, facebook.com/danette.vigilante

Thank you for stopping by Danette and hooray for your upcoming debut!

Elated Over Eleven: Sarah Jamila Stevenson

This is my 2nd Elated Over Eleven interview. This is a feature I started in which I interview YA/MG 2011 debut authors of color. Kelsey at the Book Scout was part of my inspiration for the idea.

Today I'm thrilled to present an interview with Sarah Jamila Stevenson, the author of The Latte Rebellion. The Latte Rebellion releases on January 4, 2011. Keep reading to learn about why mixed race people are called lattes and how we balance cultures.

Hi Sarah and welcome to Reading in Color! Please tell us about The Latte Rebellion

The Latte Rebellion is about a moneymaking idea that spirals out of control; then hilarity ensues. (Hilarity always has to ensue when your scheme goes awry, right?) Asha Jamison, the narrator, and her best friend Carey—both high school seniors of mixed ethnicity—use an unpleasant racist incident as the springboard for their idea: they start a fictitious club (the Latte Rebellion) for students of mixed race, and the money they earn from selling t-shirts is funneled into their post-graduation vacation fund. But the Rebellion gains its own momentum, and as Asha gets more and more involved, her friendships and her academic career are put on the line, forcing her to make some difficult choices about what she believes in and who she wants to be.

How did you break into publishing?

Time, persistence, and hard work! That's the short answer. It isn't an easy or predictable road, and there's no magic formula, but you have to have those three—and probably a healthy dose of luck and good timing—to succeed in the writing field, and in the arts in general.

Taking creative writing classes really helped me develop that persistence and discipline. I got a lot of valuable advice about my work, and about the writing life, while in graduate school for fiction writing. But ultimately, here's what I did to get published: I sent my work out. I got rejected. Again. And again. And again. I revised my work some more. I wrote new things and sent them out. I got rejected some more. Until one day, about four years into it, somebody said yes. I'd been sending The Latte Rebellion to agents and editors for about a year and half before it was accepted to Flux. The whole "breaking in" thing is still kind of mystifying to me.

In The Latte Rebellion, mixed race people are called 'lattes' by the main character. How did that term come about?

Like my main character, I was probably drinking a lot of coffee! I was in the car, on a long drive back from visiting my parents, when the phrase "latte rebellion" popped into my head. (Fortunately, my husband was driving.) I jotted down a few notes with the bare bones of an idea—Asha, a half-South-Asian girl, decides to start a movement called the Latte Rebellion. I don't think I made the conscious connection between lattes and mixed ethnicity until a little later, as I brainstormed some more. All I know is, there was a post-it note on the car dashboard that said "Asha" and "Latte Rebellion", and the next thing I knew was, it was National Novel Writing Month and I'd written half the book.

Wouldn't it be awesome if people of mixed race started calling themselves 'lattes'? Non YA-readers would be so confused :p I'm not a coffee person but maybe this book will convince me to try it!

What book would your book date?

Maybe Robin Brande's Fat Cat—Cat being a smart, determined girl with

bright ideas of her own. Or Sherri Smith's Hot, Sour, Salty, Sweet—talk about a melting pot of mixed ethnicities! Or maybe Shine, Coconut Moon, by Neesha Meminger. Sorry, I guess that's three...

The more the merrier, your book is just a playa! I keep meaning to read Fat Cat. And Hot, Sour, Salty, Sweet has been on my wishlist for forever, I need to get on that. And I adore Shine, Coconut Moon :)

Mixed-race people often feel torn between cultures (or at least speaking for myself). Did you experience this yourself? If so, which culture did you lean more towards and how did you learn to reconcile both cultures?

Yes and no. In some ways, I was very much NOT confused, because I was born and raised in California, and I always felt very American in all the ways that count. At the same time, it can be complicated to figure out who you are in relation to the different sides of your cultural identity. In many ways I identified more with my mother growing up, with what I saw as the more mainstream side of my heritage.

It wasn't that I felt conflicted about being of mixed heritage, but I have to be honest—there were times while I was growing up that my father's Pakistani cultural traditions felt like an obstacle to my desire to be a "regular" American girl, to do what my friends were doing, to live life like the teenagers I'd read about in books. It was hard for me to cope with the dos and don'ts that were probably perfectly reasonable to him, from his point of view.

And I think I'm still working on reconciling the two cultures, weaving the two together in ways that fit me as an individual. Being married to someone of mixed ethnicity really helps, though, and I'm close to my in-laws, too—having an understanding support network has been so valuable. I'm probably not done exploring the topic, though. I think I'll always be mulling it over, meshing the two sides together in new and unexpected ways as my life continues forward.

I can relate to identifying with the more mainstream half of your heritage. So I may be one of the few people who is conflicted about my heritage (but I'm getting better!) ;) Slightly disappointed to hear that working on balancing both cultures is a life-long act, but like you said, it will be fun to see the new and unexpected ways the two cultures manifest themselves in our lives.

What are some of your current favorite YA reads? What fellow '11 debuts are you looking forward to?

I'm a huge fan of fantasy and sci-fi—some recent fantasy reads that I really enjoyed include Fire by Kristin Cashore and Sacred Scars by Kathleen Duey. (The main character of Fire is mixed-race, too—she's half monster!) I really love the Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness. I also recently read The Ghosts of Ashbury High by Jaclyn Moriarty, whose books are truly hilarious.

As for '11 debuts, I'm so horrible at keeping up with these kinds of things (as you can see, most of my "recent" reads are a bit behind) but Jessica Martinez's Virtuosity sounds intriguing, as does Beth Revis's Across the Universe, and The Bestest Ramadan Ever by Medeia Sharif.

The cover of Across the Universe is brilliant! I love it. Virtuosity does sound really good and I'm quite looking forward to reading The Bestest Ramadan Ever. I feel as though Jaclyn Moriarty is one of those authors that everyone should read, I certainly intend to give her books a go.

What two PoC literary characters would you love to hang out?

Sticking with a YA theme, I'd definitely hang out with Samar from Shine, Coconut Moon, or Eunice "Bug" Smoot from David Macinnis Gill's Soul Enchilada.

What is one issue you have with YA/MG? What is something you love about YA/MG?

I have an issue with the way YA/MG books are sometimes marketed, especially when the cover art or marketing verbiage is so overly targeted that it has the effect of limiting readership—books that might appeal to both girls and boys having a cover that would make boys embarrassed to read it, for instance. Or the whole "let's keep people of color off the cover so it will appeal to a wider audience" debacle, which frankly is a terrible argument in my opinion--but then it's just as bad when a book with a non-white person on the cover gets relegated to the "ethnic interest" section of the bookstore.

I love the coming-of-age aspect of YA/MG books—I may be far from my teen years, but I feel like great YA or MG novels can always teach readers something new about growing up and learning who you are. The way I see it, the process of growing up never stops, and I'm still figuring things out. :)

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

For more information about The Latte Rebellion, readers can visit the Latte Rebellion website: http://www.latte-rebellion.com

For information about me, they can visit http://www.sarahjamilastevenson.com – the site's under construction, but should be finished within the next few weeks.

I have two blogs: Finding Wonderland, a blog about reading and writing YA books which I co-write with author Tanita S. Davis, and my personal blog, Aquafortis (http://aquafortis.blogspot.com). My Twitter handle is aquafortis, too

Thank you so much Sarah! Pre-order The Latte Rebellion now and hooray for your soon-to-be debut =)