Julie Halpern's Blog of Wonder

Super Bowl of Bedbugs

2010-02-07T13:03:00.003-06:00

The only time I have ever watched the Super Bowl is when the '85 Bears were doing the Super Bowl Shuffle. I still know most of the words. If other football teams would make hilariously bad songs and videos, perhaps I would be more interested. Not really. I'm too busy watching "Hoarders" to watch the Super Bowl. Man this show is jacked up. One episode I watched had a house filled with bedbugs. So disgusting. I was itchy for days. Matt can't watch the show anymore. He's in the shower now, though, so I can enjoy. Or whatever it is that one does when they watch "Hoarders." I think it would be sick to enjoy it. I read an article about the show where they said they once found 34 dead cats underneath a pile of junk. Say what? How can I not be fascinated by this?

In non-hoarding news, I received the best email from my editor. She said she thought my third novel was brilliant [when you send a manuscript off to your editor, you then have to wait around with fingers crossed that they will say they like it. And eventually you receive a puffy envelope with some typed suggestions for the overall book, as well as the entire manuscript with little changes throughout]), and that I would receive one of the lightest edits from her ever (except for my lamely rushed ending, which I totally know I have to fix). I forwarded the email to my agent, and she said she hasn't seen a letter like that from my editor in a long time. I still kind of don't believe both of them, like they are just trying to be overly nice, but maybe not? Sure made me feel good! The more positive feedback I receive on my writing, the more confident I am about it. Isn't that pathetic? I know I should just be proud of my art, or whatever, but I have never been one to enjoy a "critique." I want people to like my work. So nyah.

Excuse me, I think I see a cat sticking out of my pile of manuscripts over there... [Lamest blog ending ever.]

Proust Questionnaire Thursday! Today's Special Guest: Amy Brecount White!

2010-02-04T07:19:00.003-06:00

Amy Brecount White's debut novel, Forget-Her-Nots, drops (ha! I sound like such a tool when I use that word. So I shall use it as oft as possible) March 2. Her website has a very handy list of the meanings of flowers from the book. I give you basil! Figure it out!

The following questions are based on James Lipton's questions from Inside the Actors Studio, which, in turn, are based on the Proust Questionnaire. One of the questions is about swearing, so please excuse our French.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present Amy Brecount White!

1. What is your favorite word? serendipity
2. What is your least favorite word? sucks
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? The scent of flowers. Muffins baking. Cool mountain air.
4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Loud noises. Discord. Icky smells.
5. What sound or noise do you love? A silvery flute.
6. What sound or noise do you hate? My kids fighting.
7. What is your favorite curse word? Merde.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I'd love to run a flower conservatory with a bookstore and coffee shop!
9. What profession would you not like to do? Politician. I need my down time.
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? I just want a smile.

Next week's author: Cynthia Omololu!

Books and Boobs

2010-01-28T09:58:00.001-06:00

I know I have been an irresponsible blogger once again. It’s just that my brain is JAM PACKED with stuff right now, and I am almost overwhelmed with thoughts. My future holds many possibilities, and it’s been hard to wrap my head around one single thought for too long. To those authors who filled out the Proust Questionnaires: I promise to start them up again next Thursday. None of my possibilities are bad, just so you know, but there are a lot of ducks to wrestle into a row, and I don’t exactly know which ducks I’m wrestling yet. Does anyone know what I’m talking about?

In book news: I sent off the manuscript to my editor and agent for novel #3 last week, and now I have the Julie pain of wondering and wondering when when when I will hear anything. I also proposed novel #5 last week, too, and am waiting to hear back about that. I am not a good waiter. At all. And I think I’d be a bad waiter of tables, as well. Cause I’m kind of clumsy. And my wrists are bad. The real question I am sure you’re all asking is: what happened to novel #4??? Well, I can’t tell you much about that one, but what I can tell you is that it is going to be AWESOME and HILARIOUS and DIFFERENT. More on that some day. But I can’t wait to tell you all!

In non-important news: I am seriously disturbed by plastic surgery. I always knew it was disturbing that people are so blasted with incorrect and improbable body images from the media that they feel that they have to have ELECTIVE SURGERY to change things. That is so jacked up, says the person who is needle phobic. But lately, I just feel really really really grossed by it, mostly thanks to Heidi Montag. I have never even seen this person on anything except TMZ and in magazines, so I don’t get her deal, but how could someone so young be such a plastic surgery freak? She’s on the cover of People, and inside, her tool of a husband (I can only assume he’s a tool for even allowing his wife to be so delusional that she not only spends hundreds of thousands of dollars on surgery, but she feels bad enough about herself to do so) said something about how no one should ever have to see someone they love in so much pain. You think? SO WHY DO IT?!?!?!?! I can’t stop thinking about it. Can you?

The Book Stall Adventure!

2010-01-16T19:15:00.005-06:00

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to The Book Stall in Winnetka this past Saturday to see Beverly Patt and Kristina Springer, and I chat about our books and writing for teens! The audience was a neat mix of my family (always), my amazing friends, some of my sweet students, and I think some members of a writing group. I actually preferred speaking on a panel to doing my own reading. It was fun answering the same questions and hearing everyone's different answers. I think the only people who bought books were me and the authors buying each others books. Maybe not. It was still fun! Here are the glamorous pictures (note my hair. I had it cut that morning, and I think the blow dry and straightening make me look a little like Mary Tyler Moore).

Chatting before the big event.

Beverly reading from her book, HAVEN.

Kristina, THE ESPRESSOLOGIST!

Me, looking weird. But whatever.

Me and Kristina with her GIANT coffee mug.

35

2010-01-10T14:12:00.002-06:00

This Thursday, I turn 35. I don't know if it's a big deal yet. My friends, all older than me (I skipped kindergarten, so everyone I grew up with was always older), said it was a hard one. Half way. I thought they meant half way to 70, which seemed funny to think about, but what they meant was that it's half way to FORTY. I guess that's getting somewhere. Maybe I don't mind because I have already lived a very fulfilling life? Not that my friends haven't, but maybe that's what we're supposed to freak out about? Like we're supposed to feel fat if we're size 10s and we're supposed to feel awful when we see an age-appropriate laugh line and we're supposed to feel old when we're forty? The more I say it, the more I am a little worried that I will be upset. I think it's less about looking and feeling older than it is about the passage of time. Because that scares me, and always has. The inevitable. Ig. I'm freaking myself out. So what do I want for my birthday? I want a super long day, where I can spend a million hours with my husband and daughter, no stress about going to work the next day, where I can eat all I want and not get too full or too guilty or too fat, and where the day ends with an amazingly huge book/movie deal that means I won't have to go to work for a few years, at least until Romy is in school, and then I can settle back in at my awesome middle school library job. If I don't tell anyone these wishes, maybe they'll come true? Um, if that's the case, I hope you didn't read this post.

2010!

2010-01-01T08:38:00.003-06:00

Good morning, and a Happy New Year to one and all! It's frakking cold out (no, I don't watch "Battlestar Galactica." I probably would like it, but I am not committed to starting a new show right now. However, I am dorkish enough that I know of "frak." So that's the story on that.), and I am getting the blues about going back to work. I love having every day to wake up and play with my daughter. Sigh. Being a working mom kind of sucks.

In the good (no-- great!) news area, I just saw that INTO THE WILD NERD YONDER has made the list of 2009 Cybils Finalists for Young Adult Fiction! How cool is that? Only seven books made the list! And they are all books on my "to read" list. I'm not just saying that. A middle school librarian does have a "to read" list. The winner will be announced on Valentine's Day (also the 10th anniversary of my first date with my husband!). Thank you, Cybils!

In more bookly news, the new novel is coming together. I finished typing it up, so it is technically ready to send to my editor. HOWEVER, I am going to experiment with something, which hopefully won't bomb and be a huge waste of my time. I'll start that after my winter break.

So what have I been doing over break? Let's see: We went to visit the in-laws in South Carolina (I look forward to not being on an airplane or in a hotel room with Romy for a while. Unless, of course, we decide to head to Disney World. I'm always up for that.). I've read a few books: The wonderful, upcoming sequel to LIFE AS WE KNEW IT, THIS WORLD WE LIVE IN (I don't know how Susan Beth Pfeffer spent three books in that scary, depressing, foodless world! I get anxiety just thinking about it); The Duggars' book, 20 and Counting! (I am learning a lot about raising a gigantic family. Which I will never have.), and the book of short stories, SIDESHOW (with a long subtitle that I do not feel like typing). My favorite story was by Cecil Castellucci about, well, something that has always grossed me out: yeast. The whole book got me thinking that it might be time for me to write my circus book. I am somewhat of a circus history buff, and with the horrible news that the Circus World Museum has closed (I still have to call to confirm), it looks like a sign. Stay tuned.

Going out to breakfast now. I have eaten my way through this vacation. I even pulled a box of Swedish Fish out of the garbage yesterday that I originally threw out to stop myself from eating. That worked.

Happy new year! I think it's going to be a really great one.

Jersey Girl

2009-12-22T08:49:00.002-06:00

It's snowing outside right now (duh. It's not going to be snowing inside, right?), and it's so insanely beautiful when I have nowhere to be. Now, if it continues (which it is supposed to) tomorrow, that is going to suck for our holiday travels. So is the way of Christmas. All stress and rushing and money and fatness. At least, that's what it feels like right now to this Jewish gal.

In non-weather news, GET WELL SOON has been nominated for a Garden State Teen Book Award! Thanks to Brenda for the tip. To all you teens in Jersey reading my blog, please vote here! Maybe then I can visit New Jersey and stop by the Cake Boss bakery! They call me Buddy. And Buddy can make me a special book award cake! Yeah!

Be sure to visit Teensreadtoo.com to read the new, great review of INTO THE WILD NERD YONDER! Thanks, TR2 (um, do you guys ever refer to yourselves that way?)!

In new book news, I have FINALLY finished typing up my new novel. As some of you may remember, I hand-write (like an idiot, I'm starting to think), and then it takes me forever to retype what I wrote. But I can't have someone else do the typing because I do such much revising. But now that it's done, I think I am going to try something and go back and insert a bunch of new chapters from a different character's perspective. I just feel it will give more insight into why that character did what she did, and it will also show you about the two main characters through this character's eyes. Dunno. We'll see how it works. The book is not super-long, and I have a little over a month before my deadline, so I'm going to play with it.

Happy Hanukkah (over, I know, but I'm saying it anyway)! Merry Christmas! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy New Year!

List of Six

2009-12-11T15:39:00.003-06:00

My husband, the magnificently talented Matthew Cordell (you should see the new picture book he is working on for Lauren Thompson! It made me cry last night) has a monthly feature on his blog about his top ten favorite things of the month. I don't feel like committing to doing that right now, but I am always up for a list. So here is a list of things in my brain right now (RIGHT NOW!):

1. The Duggars. I can't get enough of the 18 Kids and Counting family. This morning I saw a 16 kids episode. They have to keep changing the name of the show! Because they keep having kids! The mom looked so different! Bizarre bangs surrounding her face. And the kids all wore matching clothes. That were homemade. Not anymore. TV really has changed them. For the better? Don't know, but I can't stop watching them. I have so many questions I would ask them. Do any of them NOT want to have kids when they grow up? Is Mama Duggar just one big mushball under her clothes? Do all of the girls have their periods at the same time? These questions are all kind of gross. Moving on.

2. The JK Rowling documentary on the Half Blood Prince DVD. It made me love her even more than I already do. It made me remember where I was when I first read Sorcerer's Stone-- how it wasn't even ANYTHING yet-- and then it was EVERYTHING. It made me relate to her as an author. Like, I'm an author, and I really am, because all of the things Jo was talking about with her writing is stuff I can relate to. And I never really thought that before. Or at least, not as much as Jo made me. Magical.

3. My DVR. Yes, I love it. Just like you all promised. We watch stuff and fast forward stuff and demand stuff whenever we want. So excellent.

4. My XM Radio is possessed. Seriously. The programmed buttons keep changing. How does that happen? And yet, I like the channels that it chooses for me.

5. Clementines. I can't stop eating them. Not like I'm some healthy freak and I only eat mass quantities of fruit. I eat tons of clementines (at least 4 per day) on top of my candy fix. One of the best pieces of winter.

6. Getting a new car. I think it's time. I drive a 98 Civic, and it is going to need new front tires and front brakes soon. I'd rather spend that money on a new car, with correct safety restraints for Romy's car seat, than spend it on fixing the old car. But can I part with it? And what will happen to my bumper stickers: "I played D&D before it was cool" and "WWBD: What Would Buffy Do?"?

I guess that's it. I'm sure I could add a million more, but for now, I will leave you with six.

A Happy Hanukkah to all, and to all, a good night!

Thursday Follies

2009-12-03T14:53:00.002-06:00

I have made a decision to postpone the Proust Questionnaires until the new year. I have several authors lined up, all with books that won't be out until 2010, so I figure I'll wait until their books are closer to being debuted.

In Julie news, I have started obsessing somewhat about Rupert Grint emailing me. Not that he has, but that he hasn't. So pathetic of me. Will he really write me just because I sent him my books and included his name in one of them? Will he, I ask? Sigh. Why do I get all weird when it gets wintry out? I seem to feel more Harry Potterly obsessive this time of year.

I happened upon something quite cool, and I don't remember what I was even searching for when I found it. INTO THE WILD NERD YONDER was nominated to be on the Amelia Bloomer List, a yearly list of the best feminist books for young readers selected by the Feminist Task Force of the American Library Association! That is such a HUGE honor! I was a Women's Studies major in college and am so down with the this list. That would be majorly fantastically cool to make it. Cross your fingers!

I wonder how Rupert Grint feels about feminists?

NCTE Roundup

2009-11-25T09:52:00.003-06:00

I don't know if this is actually a roundup, but that's a funny word and I'm hella out of it from the trip to Philadelphia. All in all, a wonderful time in Motown Philly. Back again. Man I'm tired. Anywho, here's the recap:

Arrived in Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon. Flight wasn't too awful, with just tiny bouts of Romy crying until we got her to fall asleep (she fights it hard). People complimented us on our handlings of baby on flight. It's so nice that people do that. Will have to remember to do that in the future to others. Our cab driver was odd, but nice, and he originally had XM Radio's '50s channel playing, but switched it it some boring classical stuff. So I said, "Switch it back," and we had a rockin' and rollickin' ride into Philly.

Don't get me started on the hotel suite debacle (which wasn't a debacle, actually, because we did get a free suite upgrade, but were later told by some other hotel guy that you DO NOT ask for upgrades when you are being paid for in a group because that's favoritism. Um, suck it? Because why should I not ask? You have the rooms. Someone's going to get the free upgrade, so why not the people with the baby so that they can put her in a separate room and actually talk to each other and pee and walk around without fear of waking the baby??? And, what kind of manager says, "Next time, remember that we don't do that?" Next time, tell your cronies not to GIVE OUT THE FREE ROOM IN THE FIRST PLACE.). Geez. I guess I got started. We had a beautiful room, and then we walked to the Rosenbach Museum to see some Sendak stuff (they pulled out some original art from "Wild Things." Matt was freaked out. "What if someone sneezed on it?! It wasn't even covered!"). Oh yes, and we had a delicious lunch at a place with a name that I don't remember. Shocking, I know.

Then it was time for me to get ready for the ALAN Cocktail Party. I wore these shoes. They were beyond cute. So beyond cute that every person I met complimented me on them. Seriously. But I could not feel my toes by the end of the night. Seriously again. And my publisher had to call a cab for me (which I shared with two other people), just because I couldn't walk to the restaurant. I'm no diva. I'm just a tool who can't wear high heels. Is it worth it? Why do people love their high heels? I don't get it. Just some sick invention of men trying to slow us women down. I think. Moving on... The party was fun, and I mingled and smiled and said ridiculous things to many nice teachers and authors (although, Sarah Dessen must think I'm a lunatic. The last time I met her I was talking about breastfeeding. And there I was, chatting about breastfeeding again, my apparently go-to topic of conversation, with E. Lockhart, and who should come up to say hello? Sarah Dessen. I imagine the two of them sneaking off to talk about the breastfeeding-obsessed freak of an author. "What was her name? I forget, since she wasn't wearing a name tag [because they spelled my last name "Halperin," that's why. That kind of thing wouldn't happen to Sarah Dessen, no sir.]" Sigh. Then I journeyed along with my publishing peeps (thanks to Tim, Katie, Joy, Jeanne, and Lauren-- am I forgetting anyone? Am I spelling names wrong?) and some GREAT authors (Mary Pearson, David Klass, Paula Jolin, Danica Novgorodoff, and Chris Carlton Brown), and a slew of incredibly nice teachers for a fancy dinner. I sat with some super sweet and fun people and loved talking to all of them. If you're reading this: facebook me! I don't know all of your last names!

The next day was a semi waste, since the museums we wanted to visit were closed on Mondays. The weather was gross, but we ended walking mega far, and Romy slept happily in the stroller (BEST STROLLER EVER). We had quite the food adventure, though. There was a line of people waiting on a food vendor with a shiny silver cart, plumes of smoke puffing out. No signs anywhere, we asked the people what they were waiting for. Everyone in line proceeded to share their food tales, assuring us this guy was like the Soup Nazi, don't ask him any questions, and so on, but the food and the wait were worth it. We left, but decided why not, and came back to wait in line. While waiting, the guy handed out fancy bread slathered in papaya hummus. The resulting lunch was incredible, huge portions of flavory chicken breast (yeah, I'm not a food reviewer. Flavory is such a sad word choice. Yet hilarious.), salad, hummus, falafel, etc. Massive and delicious. Worth the wait and the experience. Then, with the rain and nap time approaching, we just went back to the hotel, each of us taking turns taking naps. Ruby Tuesdays for dinner.

Finally, I presented on a panel with Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones. Nobody told me that when you are on a "panel" with people at NCTE, it means you don't actually have to have anything to do with those people! I was so panicked, since our books are SO different. But I spoke, and then they spoke, and that was that. I signed some autographs, went back to the hotel and snuck around until Romy woke up from her nap, went to the airport (fourth super-nice Philly cabbie, btw), endured the stressful plane ride (I don't know how anyone travels on airplanes with babies without breastfeeding. Sorry, Sarah, had to just say that.)--with more baby-handling compliments!--, and made it back. Today and the rest of my break will be spent unpacking, doing laundry, and trying to finish typing up my new novel. End NCTE roundup.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Proust Questionnaire Thursday! Today's Special Guest: Kimberly Pauley

2009-11-19T13:01:00.002-06:00

Kimberly Pauley is a YA author (Sucks to Be Me and the forthcoming Still Sucks to Be Me), though she is perhaps better known as the YA Books Goodess from YA Books Central. You can learn more than you ever wanted to learn about her at www.kimberlypauley.com

The following questions are based on James Lipton's questions from Inside the Actors Studio, which, in turn, are based on the Proust Questionnaire. One of the questions is about swearing, so please excuse our French. And, once again, the spacing and stuff is all weird.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present Kimberly Pauley!

1. What is your favorite word?

Epiphany (though, you know, this changes all the time.)

2. What is your least favorite word?

No.

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

Random Connections.

4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

Stupidity.

5. What sound or noise do you love?

Little Max giggling.

6. What sound or noise do you hate?

That awful beep beep beep sound that construction vehicles make when they back up.

7. What is your favorite curse word?

Um, probably "Dammit!" Sometimes followed by "Janet"

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Artist. Any kind, really.

9. What profession would you not like to do?

Anything corporate. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, hated it.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

You know, you were right. (Then God would poke me on the nose with his/her finger and giggle.)

Next week is Thanksgiving, so we'll skip the Proust. Until the next week!

D&D and Me! And a contest!

2009-11-17T16:51:00.002-06:00

The cold has hit the whole family. It's on it's way into my system, and I hope it would hurry up and get here so it can hurry up and leave before I have to fly with the family to Philadelphia for NCTE/ALAN. Sigh. Or should I say, sneeze?

There's an interview up with me on the Wizards of the Coast website. The interview was done by the awesome Shelly Mazzanoble, author of Confessions of a Part-time Sorceress: A Girl's Guide to the D&D Game. Want to win a signed copy of Shelly's book plus a nifty dice bag? Just go to the Wizard site, read my interview, then send me a message @ julie@juliehalpern.com OR just post a comment here on my blog. It doesn't even have to be about the interview! Just say something nice. Niceness is good. I'll pick two names from the entries. You have until Thanksgiving to enter. Oh! And you can enter to win a copy of my book, INTO THE WILD NERD YONDER at the Wizards site! Us D&D folk gotta stick together.

Back to School

2009-11-15T09:21:00.002-06:00

I'm watching Back to School starring Rodney Dangerfield right now. This movie feels very different to me than it used to. I feel old. I relate more to Rodney's character than to his college aged soon (although, truth be told, I have always thought that "young" actor looked WAY OLD. I still do.). So is life.

Next weekend I'm traveling with the fam (always with the fam; never again without. That is my vow) to Philadelphia to hang and speak at the NCTE (National Council for Teachers of English) conference, specifically at the ALAN (Assembly on Literature for Adolescents) Workshop. I am super nervous, but not about the conference stuff. Maybe I should be, but traveling with a baby trumps all nervousness of any other kind. What will I have to remember to bring? What will I forget? Will she fuss on the plane? Will she get Matt's cold just in time for the trip? Will I? That, on top of heaps of booktalks at work this week, is making me a loon. And to top it off, I just can't decide on which pair of shoes to buy to go with my dress that I plan to wear to the conference cocktail shindig (where all of the authors at ALAN will cocktail about). This is making me batty. Like, I can't stop buying shoes just in case they are the right pair to wear. I need the PERFECT pair of shoes. But why? Why does it matter anymore? Ever since I had Romy, I have such a guilt about spending money on shoes for myself. And now I have one week to choose the perfect pair. Or... or what? None of this addresses the fact that I have to present on a panel about writing humorous stories. But that's not until Tuesday morning, well after the cocktail party where I must wear the correct shoes to attend. Now that I think about it, what shoes will I wear to the panel? Will people be able to see my feet?

Update: Romy has a cold! Which is good because it will hopefully be gone by next weekend. But the question remains: when do I get mine?

Proust Questionnaire Thursday! Today's Special Guest: Nina Hess!

2009-11-12T11:46:00.003-06:00

Nina Hess and I met years back when I was doing some freelance writing about reluctant readers. We hit it off famously and have been buds ever since. I wish I could see her more than less than once a year (or whenever we happen to be at a conference at the same time). Nina will be my guest of honor when Rupert Grint invites me back to his lair, I mean, to Hogwarts. Nina is the author of the most excellent A Practical Guide to Monsters, as well as an editor extraordinaire. Read all about her monsters here.

The following questions are based on James Lipton's questions from Inside the Actors Studio, which, in turn, are based on the Proust Questionnaire. One of the questions is about swearing, so please excuse our French. And, once again, the spacing and stuff is all weird.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present Nina Hess!

1. What is your favorite word? I can’t pick just one so I will say: Thesaurus

2. What is your least favorite word? No

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Smart, funny open-minded people and great books

4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Negativity

5. What sound or noise do you love? Silence

6. What sound or noise do you hate? Loud clangy music in public places

7. What is your favorite curse word? Poo!

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Elementary school teacher in a place that actually pays a living wage for teachers

9. What profession would you not like to do? Accountant

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Go home!

Next Thursday's author: Kimberly Pauley!

My Interview with Rupert

2009-11-06T07:58:00.004-06:00

Well, it's not an interview with Rupert, but it is an interview with me on a Rupert Grint fansite! I am both excited and a little, what's the word? Not embarrassed, but more like, exposed, I think. As much as I have shared my obsessions with my blog and book readers, this feels so much more out there than I have been since high school as a fan of anything. Maybe not. Maybe people who know me well are like, Julie, you've always been a fangirl of some capacity. We are not the least surprised that you have a poster and Peeps of Rupert Grint in your library (the Peeps were for a contest! All the kids made dioramas of books! It wasn't just me sitting around making Weasley Peeps! I swear!). Anyway, here is the link. One of the commenters called me weird. To what story is she referring? Anyway, I am going to put a cap on the Rupert blog posts for a bit. At least, until he calls me to thank him for the plug. {Fantasy sequence begins: "Your ticket to Hogwarts awaits!" End fantasy sequence.}

Proust Questionnaire Thursday! Today's Special Guest: Jill S. Alexander!

2009-11-05T11:39:00.003-06:00

Jill S. Alexander is the author of the delightful THE SWEETHEART OF PROSPER COUNTY. I say delightful, although I have not yet read the book (I will! I swear it! I'm a school librarian and am always 2-3 season behind in my reading. But I promise I will!), because the cover is delightful and Jill herself seems delightful. Enough of that word. She has a great looking website, jillsalexander.com, and a wonky blog (her word, not mine) called "Welcome to the Wonky Tonk," where she muses often about Southern things. I look forward to reading more and hearing more from Jill. (if she ever speaks to me again. I was being sincere about wanting and planning to read the book.)

The following questions are based on James Lipton's questions from Inside the Actors Studio, which, in turn, are based on the Proust Questionnaire. One of the questions is about swearing, so please excuse our French.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present Jill S. Alexander!

1. What is your favorite word?
Swanky

2. What is your least favorite word?
Booyah! Time to stop with the BOOYAHS, folks.

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Music inpsires me.

4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Whining. I don’t do whining.

5. What sound or noise do you love?
I absolutely love the sexy rumble of a ’69 Mustang Boss 429 engine.

6. What sound or noise do you hate?
The monotonous drone of a treadmill.

7. What is your favorite curse word?
Ri-damn-diculous

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
In my dreams, I teach country and western dancing. Two-step, Waltz, Swing, The Slide, line-dancing – the whole HonkyTonk package.

9. What profession would you not like to do?
Chris Brown’s publicist

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
You hear that? That’s your grandfather leading the Hallelujah Gloryland Full-on Gospel Choir, and he’s been expecting you.

Next Thursday's author: Nina Hess!

My Mind is a Blur of Rupe

2009-11-04T09:05:00.003-06:00

Love this review from the Grintastic webzine:

As ICM announced back in August, the main character in Julie Halpern’s new book “Into the wild nerd yonder” would be a huge Rupert Grint fan.
Julie Halpern herself had left a message in our comments: “Thanks so much for mentioning my book, INTO THE WILD NERD YONDER, on your page! I’m a big Rupert fan, and the main character of the book has pictures of him hanging around her bedroom”.
So, of course we made sure to check out the book, which has only been released on 29th September 2009.
I tried to keep the spoilers out so you can all enjoy the book yourselves, and therefore this review turned out to be pretty short.

The plot itself is simple:
Jessie Sloan has just started her sophomore year. Her two best friends, Bizza and Char, decide to become punks, and one of them goes after Jessie’s long-term crush Van. Jessie’s brother Barrett, in his final High School year, gives up his life as punk because of his budding romance with the homecoming queen. Which leaves Jessie to figure out who she is, who her friends are, and: What makes someone a nerd?
With Jessie as the narrator, the story is told in a funny, witty and somewhat sarcastic tone and describes typical teenage situations everyone can relate to: your best friends seem to be way cooler than yourself, the girl sitting next to you in class is just weird, and unlike you, even the nerds manage to find a boyfriend.
Instead of the “typical” teenage books, Jessie is not the school’s beauty queen, nor is she the outsider who will turn into the beautiful swan who gets the most handsome bloke ever. She’s a normal girl with normal problems. And with a crush on Rupert Grint.

So, what about Rupert? First off, Rupert Grint only gets mentioned four times. Beware, though, as these are moments where most of us will almost cringe because the situations are very well-known to every proper “Roupie Groupie”.
However, the entire book is peppered with little descriptions that will make you think of our gorgeous red-head or his film characters : A bloke called “Van” (we all know Rupert’s most famous vehicle), another guy with too-short jeans and far-to-white sneakers. The main character sharing the names with a co-star from HP and the stills photographer from Cherrybomb. The cool big brother (coincidence that his punk hair is orange?), funky t-shirts and a guy whose fringe keeps covering his eyes; and jealousy over a BJ…

So, yay or nay?
Definitely a big YAY! The book is easy to read, and I needed only one day to finish it. It is very funny and witty, and it is easy to feel with Jessie, who is a normal teen instead of the classical “teen-novel character”. Not to mention that Rupert (or what might be interpreted as hints to Rupert) keeps popping up in the most unexpected moments.
How much Rupert is there really? The more you know about Rupert and his films, the more you can pick up, laugh about, cringe at and agree to. If you only know his name and link him to Harry Potter, it’s not that much. If you know characteristics of the characters he has played, his co-stars, Rupert’s behaviour and interests, it’s quite a lot.
But maybe I only found that much Rupert because I’m a nerd.
And nerds can be pretty cool, too…

I wonder how much I actually subliminally did write about good ol' Rupe. I love how there is a photograph of his name on the page of the book. I had no idea when I wrote the book that I would reach Rupert fans. It's such a cool, unique fanbase. Thanks to The Ice Cream Man site for spreading the word about NERD!

Radical, Dude!

2009-11-03T12:35:00.003-06:00

For some reason, this post has all sorts of weird fontness going on.

The title of this blog is because I have some radical items to discuss, and because some of my students dressed like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for Halloween. Still? The cool-as-pizza news is that I have a few excellent interviews coming up. I don't know exactly when, but just know that one is associated with Dungeons and Dragons and the other is associated with Rupert Grint. Just those enticing details should have you all panting for more. I know I would be, if I weren't already.

Other grand news is that INTO THE WILD NERD YONDER will appear in Indiebound's Winter 2009-2010 Kid's Indie Next List --- "Inspired Recommendations for Kids from Indie Booksellers." It's not out yet, but it's quite a good thing, fer sure. I'm bringing that back, by the way. Fer sure. Fer sure, radical, dude, and maybe even a little gag me with a spoon. I'm bringing 'em all back.

And now for another great NERD review! This time it comes from Booklist. There may be a few spoilers, so don't read it if you want to be REALLY surprised. I kid. Or do I?

Jess loves audiobooks, sewing skirts, and the first day of school. She even gets along with her family,
including Barrett, her rock-god older brother. She is, in short, a nerd, and feels immediate dread when she
starts to grow apart from her two best friends, Bizza and Char, who underwent a punk makeover to fit in
with Barrett’s band. After Bizza goes after Jess’ longtime crush and winds up with an STD, Jess ends the
friendship. Karma, like Bizza, can be a bitch. With no clique to hang out with Jess is lulled into the
clutches of the Dungeons & Dragons crowd—and finds herself falling for one of them! Halpern (Get
Well Soon, 2007) realistically writes about teens coming to terms with their coming-of-age. Jess waffles
anxiously about embracing her inner nerdlinger, but emerges from the transformation secure in her self
worth and seeking out the people that will support her. Reinvention is rarely so delightfully nerdy.

That's five great reviews out of five! Outta sight! On second thought, I'm not bringing that one back. Fer sure.

Proust Questionnaire Thursday! Today's Special Guest: Josh Berk

2009-10-29T11:03:00.003-05:00

Josh Berk is the author of the upcoming novel, The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin. That's how we met, actually, cause I was all like, that's really close to my name! And he was all, are you a fat, deaf guy? And I was all, say what? Then he interviewed me. He is also the star of the hit sitcom "Berkin' It Up." His book does not come out until February 9, but until then you can enjoy his Berkness at joshberkbooks.com.

The following questions are based on James Lipton's questions from Inside the Actors Studio, which, in turn, are based on the Proust Questionnaire. One of the questions is about swearing, so please excuse our French.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present Josh Berk!

1. What is your favorite word?

My favorite word in any language is tush (also tushie, or the proper Yiddish "tuches").

2. What is your least favorite word?
Blogosphere.

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

I am constantly inspired by the dada-ist sensibility that the only logical response to the hypocrisy of society is a furious burst of laughter. Also fart jokes.

4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Pretentiousness.

5. What sound or noise do you love?
I believe that the sound of an electric guitar, fuzzed out with distortion and amplified very loud, is the most beautiful sound in the world. Magical even.

6. What sound or noise do you hate?
Laugh tracks piss me off.

7. What is your favorite curse word?
I use all the regular English ones far too often, but again I have to go with the Yiddish. So many to choose from! Putz is good, but schmuck is probably my absolute favorite. All the best curse words have that angry "k" sound.

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

I often think I'd like to be a doctor, until I think of the approximately 45,000 reasons why I'd be a terrible doctor (such as I don't like touching people and am afraid of blood). Being in a band was something I used to be sort of good at and I loved very much, so I'm going to go out on a wild limb and say rock star.

9. What profession would you not like to do?
Anything to do with the military. I have a moral objection to violence in most cases, but also I hate getting up early and suck at push-ups.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

Hot wings half off? Or maybe: "You did all right, son." Then God would give me a noogie and I'd punch him in the arm and we'd wrestle a bit. And then eat some wings.

Next Thursday's author: Jill S. Alexander!

Rupe Mail

2009-10-26T11:07:00.001-05:00

Well, I have done it.I have mailed a copy of INTO THE WILD NERD YONDER to Rupert Grint. I also mailed him a paperback of GET WELL SOON (I waffled over paperback vs. hardcover and went with paperback because of the black cover and the interview with me in the back.). I also included an absurd letter that is now gone into the air and far away, so I will not have the opportunity to look back at it and kick myself for being such a dork. Will he get the books? Will he care? I forgot to mention that the whole reason I sent him my books (um, and if you need me to clarify that “him”, Rupert Grint, is the guy who plays Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter movies, than I feel very sad for you. Because Rupert is AWESOME.) is that the main character of NERD, Jessie, has pictures of Rupert on her bedroom wall. I never would have thought to send him the book, except that a Rupert Grint fansite actually highlighted NERD a while back when they heard (from Green Bean Teen Queen's blog) that the book had a couple Rupert mentions. That gave me the idea to send because, why not? I doubt he’ll even get them. I mean, the address I sent the books to is c/o Nigel Grint. Rupe’s dad, perhaps? What if he reads the books and thinks I’m a weirdo and never gives them to Rupert? Or what if he’s like, “Rupert doesn’t read! I’ll just chuck these in the bin.” Only time will tell. Or not. I did have a British friend send me a British airmail stamp so that I could give Rupert an official SASE. Whatever. I promise I will not check my mailbox every day in a psychotic manner. Not yet anyway. I mean, we have to give the books time to get to Rupe and give him time to read them, right?

Proust Questionnaire Thursday! Today's Special Guest: Kristina Springer

2009-10-22T10:35:00.002-05:00

Kristina Springer is the adorable author of the new release, The Esspressologist. I shared a cab with her and Margarita Engle this past summer at ALA. We probed Margarita about what it was like to have a million golden awards covering her book. Kristina has a beautiful and bubbly website, kristinaspringer.com. And she has four kids! Way to go! Must be all the coffee.

The following questions are based on James Lipton's questions from Inside the Actors Studio, which, in turn, are based on the Proust Questionnaire. One of the questions is about swearing, so please excuse our French.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present Kristina Springer!

1. What is your favorite word? love
2. What is your least favorite word? poop
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Quiet (because I don’t get a lot of it) and meet ups with other writers usually gets me recharged.
4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Chaos and a calendar that’s way overfilled.
5. What sound or noise do you love? My kids laughing.
6. What sound or noise do you hate? When all four kids are screaming at the same time. OMG. It’s loud.
7. What is your favorite curse word? Shit. But I don’t really curse too much. Trying to be good in front of the kids!
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Talk show host.
9. What profession would you not like to do? Politician.
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? The chocolate river is on your left, that giant cappuccino fountain over there never turns off, and oh, did I mention there are no calories here? :-)

Next Thursday's author: Josh Berk!

NERD Gets a Star!

2009-10-19T10:38:00.004-05:00

I just did one of my MANY searches (this is what authors, and I'm sure most regular folk do, too. Not that authors aren't regular folk. Most of them, anyway), where I type "Into the Wild Nerd Yonder" (in quotes, Boolean style) into google. And this is what I found (under the "show options" tab, "past 24 hours") from Publisher's Weekly:

Into the Wild Nerd Yonder Julie Halpern. Feiwel and Friends, $16.99 (256p) ISBN 978-0-312-38252-0

Sophomore Jessie Sloan is having a bad year. Her two closest friends are turning punk and boy-crazed; one of them even pursues Jessie's longtime crush. To make matters worse, Jessie's beloved older brother will soon be leaving for college. Jessie feels adrift and spends her time sewing skirts and listening to audiobooks. Halpern's (Get Well Soon) story picks up pace when class nerd Dottie introduces Jessie to Dungeons and Dragons, which Jessie (to her surprise) actually enjoys, leading her to a new group of friends as well as a heartfelt, if a little clichéd, crush on a cute boy with his own nerdish tendencies. Jessie is a thoughtful, sympathetic narrator (“How is it that someone becomes a dork?... What makes some people like punk music and Denny's and other people like costumes and Dungeons and Dragons?”), and her fresh voice will reveal to readers just how independent and exceptional she is (even when Jessie can't see it herself). The relationships and dialogue ring true; readers navigating the stratified social structures of high school will relish an ending that celebrates true friendship. Ages 12–up. (Oct.)

Huzzah! (as Jessie and her nerd friends would say) That's my fourth great review for NERD, but there's some extra special goodness in the star. And I love that it's pink. A pink star! Um, I have to go teach a class now. But I just had to share. Gush!

Oh, and an extra gush for my awesome husband, Matthew Cordell, who did his first reading of his picture book, Trouble Gum, this weekend at The Book Stall in Winnetka. You did a fantastic job, honey!

Proust Questionnaire Thursday! Today's Special Guest: Carol Lynch Williams!

2009-10-15T09:27:00.003-05:00

Carol Lynch Williams is the author of the chilling The Chosen One about a girl living in a polygamist compound. You will never look at a book mobile in the same way. Interesting fact #1: Carol's new website is about to be up and running, so look out for that. Interesting Fact #2: My book group is discussing The Chosen One today. Therefore, I proclaim today Carol Lynch Williams Day! Please do not celebrate by marrying multiple people.

The following questions are based on James Lipton's questions from Inside the Actors Studio, which, in turn, are based on the Proust Questionnaire. One of the questions is about swearing, so please excuse our French.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present Carol Lynch Williams! (for some reason the formatting is a little weird from my cut and paste)

1. What is your favorite word? Hmmm. I’ve always loved the word gurgle. It just sounds nice. It’s baby-ish, don’t you think? Unless someone was gurgling out a last breath. Or gurgling up blood. Then I wouldn’t like the word as much.

2. What is your least favorite word? I’m not one much for swearing. There is one word I hate so much that I don’t want to even put initials to it. I’ll give you a hint—it’s not the Eff word.

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Something that touches me emotionally can make me want to write. It doesn’t matter the emotion. I might be laughing my butt off and think, hey, this would make a great scene. When I heard about a young girl whose father was trying to get her to marry her own uncle (his brother) it made me so angry I knew that I would write about that. Several years later, I started my novel The Chosen One.

4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally? When I’m feeling down about something. Then I just feel like eating something yummy or watching movies. Or both.

5. What sound or noise do you love? Babies laughing or talking.

6. What sound or noise do you hate? People (especially children) crying out in pain. That just sickens me. I can’t even think of that.

7. What is your favorite curse word? I’m not much of a curser. So maybe I would choose damnhell. For best effect, you must say this quickly. And, like, three times in a row.

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Oh, this is good. I’d love to sing professionally. I think I could have been a Country singer. And I would write my own songs. One song would go like this:

Gimme what I want, bay-bee.

Gimme what I need.

Help me plant the crops outside

Help me get to the weed (FYI—to the reader—or listener, if this song goes big. I do NOT mean pot [marijuana], but weeds like those bushes that have pricklies on them and spread really fast.)

So what if I love diamonds

Mercedes, good chocolate, fine steaks.

That just means I’m a fancy girl

Who’s finally gotten a break

So gimme what I want, bay-bee

Gimme what I need

And if you’re smart (and rich and wise and funny and good looking)

I’ll let you in my ol’ heeeaaart!

BTW, I just made that song up, right on the spot. As you can see, I'm a natural.

I’d also like to be the librarian who just has to read for her job and show people terrific books. Or a dancer.

9. What profession would you not like to do? Anything math-ish. Eeew.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Oh, I so believe heaven exists. So I guess I’d love to hear God say, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant.’ Then He would give me a big hug and say, ‘Where are all your daughters?’

Next Thursday's author: Kristina Springer!

I Accept Your Oscar and Raise You One Slimey

2009-10-14T09:03:00.003-05:00

Below is the 9th episode of The Neverending Commute. In today's episode, I talk about how I shall dress and what I shall say when I win my Academy Award. For what, I don't know. Happy listening.

Episode 9

Proust Questionnaire Thursday! Today's Special Guest: Jay Asher!

2009-10-08T10:07:00.003-05:00

Jay Asher is the author of the sad, suspenseful, compelling and addictive read, THIRTEEN REASONS WHY. The audiobook for this is fantastic, and the book completely lends itself to being listened to (since half of the book is a boy listening to the tapes of a deceased girl). Jay is one of the authors appearing at the NCTE conference this fall, where I will also appear (doesn't that make us sound like magicians? Or not.). Follow Jay's blog here.

The following questions are based on James Lipton's questions from Inside the Actors Studio, which, in turn, are based on the Proust Questionnaire. One of the questions is about swearing, so please excuse our French.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present Jay Asher!

1. What is your favorite word?
cottage

2. What is your least favorite word?
onion

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
kindness (especially when it's uncalled for)

4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
unnecessary rudeness (yes, sometimes it is necessary)

5. What sound or noise do you love?
my wife laughing

6. What sound or noise do you hate?
cars skidding to a stop

7. What is your favorite curse word?
fart (saying it just makes you feel better immediately)

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
I would love to write and illustrate a daily comic strip!

9. What profession would you not like to do?
accountant

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"I'll sign your book if you'll sign mine."

Next Thursday's author: Carol Lynch Williams!