BOOKS AND MOVIES

Posted By CarrieK on February 4, 2010

Michelle at GalleySmith is hosting the Literary Road Trip:

The Literary Road Trip is a project in which bloggers are volunteering to showcase local authors. This showcase can be anything you want to make of it – book reviews, author interviews, giveaways – as long as you’re working with an author local to you.

Kirby Larson is the author of Hattie Big Sky, a YA novel based on her great-grandmother’s experiences homesteading alone as a young woman in Montana. Hattie Big Sky was a Newbery Honor Book in 2007. She lives in Kenmore, Washington.

Hattie Big Sky: Alone in the world, teen-aged Hattie is driven to prove up on her uncle’s homesteading claim. For years, sixteen-year-old Hattie’s been shuttled between relatives. Tired of being Hattie Here-and-There, she courageously leaves Iowa to prove up on her late uncle’s homestead claim near Vida, Montana. With a stubborn stick-to-itiveness, Hattie faces frost, drought and blizzards. Despite many hardships, Hattie forges ahead, sharing her adventures with her friends–especially Charlie, fighting in France–through letters and articles for her hometown paper.

Her backbreaking quest for a home is lightened by her neighbors, the Muellers. But she feels threatened by pressure to be a “Loyal” American, forbidding friendships with folks of German descent. Despite everything, Hattie’s determined to stay until a tragedy causes her to discover the true meaning of home.

The Magic Kerchief: It’s no wonder everyone in the village avoids Griselda. Not even the Lord Mayor is spared the wrath of her sharp tongue. Although Griselda pretends she doesn’t care, she’s actually quite lonely.

Yet, despite her grumpy nature, Griselda has a kind heart. She even gives shelter for the night to a poor old woman. In the morning, when the grateful visitor offers a “magic” kerchief, Griselda accepts the gift. It’s lovely, even though she knows that it couldn’t possibly be enchanted – or could it?

For more information on her writing and an in-depth bio, visit Kirby Larson’s web site.

I was fortunate to be able to interview Ms. Larson via e-mail for this post.

Your web site talks a bit about the “aha” moment that led you to want to write. Could you tell us about it?

Kirby: I have always enjoyed writing, but the “aha” moment came when I was reading Ming Lo Moves the Mountain, a picture book written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel, to my kids when they were small. When I finished the book, I felt as if a switch had gone on inside me and I knew that I wanted to write stories that would touch other families the way this one touched us.

What was the inspiration for your Newbery Honor book, Hattie Big Sky?

Kirby: The trigger to write the story was learning that my own great-grandmother had homesteaded all by herself in eastern Montana, in 1914. She was in her early 20s at that point. We had very little information about her experience so I began to read homesteaders’ journals and diaries and I was hooked — I knew there was a terrific story to tell. Also, this book was a tribute to my maternal grandmother who, though not a homesteader, overcame great odds with grace, humor and stubbornness.

What was your reaction when you learned about the Newbery Honor?

Kirby: I stopped breathing! Honestly, my husband was ready to call 911. I still have no idea what I said to the committee (they were on speaker phone) but I’m pretty sure I said “thank you.” Then I hung up the phone and burst into tears. After a few minutes, it occurred to me that this could be a practical joke so I waited with bated breath for the announcements to make sure it was really true.

What do your kids think about their mom being an author?

Kirby: Well, my “kids” are 27 and 29! They have always been great supporters and encouragers, but, honestly, to them I’m “Mom,” not writer Kirby Larson.

How long have you lived in Washington State – and what do you like best about where you live?

Kirby: Except for one year in Alaska as a newborn, I have been a lifelong resident of Washington State. I know the rain wears on folks but without it we wouldn’t have the green. What I love best about this state is our little beach cabin, which we’ve named “Shangri-Lar.” It’s on Boundary Bay, near Blaine, and no matter what the weather, you can find me (and Winston the Wonder Dog) walking the beach, looking for treasures.

What writing projects are you working on now?

Kirby: I just last week turned in another historical novel manuscript to my Delacorte editor; I’m waiting for her comments. And there will be comments! I will have another historical novel coming out in Fall 2010 and I’m beginning to do some research for a Hattie Big Sky sequel. In addition, Mary Nethery and I have our eyes open for another narrative nonfiction picture book project (she and I have co-authored Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival, and Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle).

Which writers have had the biggest impact on your life and your writing?

Kirby: On my writing life? The members of my two critique groups: Bonny Becker, Kathryn Galbraith, Sylvie Hossack and Dave Patneaude (my Kent group) and my Write Sisters, Tricia Gardella, Helen Ketteman, Mary Nethery, Dian Curtis Regan, Vivian Sathre and Ann Whitford Paul. On my writing: Karen Cushman, Betsy Byars, Katherine Paterson, Karen Hesse, M.T. Anderson, Barbara O’Connor, Jennifer Holm, Cynthia Lord, Susan Patron, Laura Kvasnosky, Marie-Louise Gay, Brenda Guiberson. . .do you have another hour or so?! I learn from nearly every writer I read!

What is the best book you’ve read this year so far?

Kirby: I have been buried in writing and am way behind on my reading but I would recommend four: The Adventures of Popeye and Elvis by Barbara O’Connor; The Almost True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick; Alchemy and Meggy Swann by Karen Cushman; and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows.

If you could recommend one book that everyone should read, what would it be?

Kirby: Nancy Pearl, bookworm extraordinaire, says there are 100 books everyone should read. . .but it’s not the same 100 books for everyone. I believe that with my whole heart. However, I think everyone would enjoy the picture book, How Tom Beat Captain Najork and His Hired Sportsmen by Russell Hoban and ill. by Quentin Blake; the chapter book, Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo; the middle grade novel How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O’Connor; and/or Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman; and the young adult novel Feed by M.T. Anderson.

To visit other blogs participating in the Literary Road Trip, click on over to GalleySmith.

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Tags: author interviews, literary road trip