The Children’s Book Review | August 10, 2016
I Write Because …
I write because I can’t not write. It’s part of me now.
I Read Because …
I have always been a reader. A neighbor who knew me as a child told my mom that he wasn’t surprised when I grew up and became an author. He once saw me reading a book and holding a rake at the same time on the front lawn (I was supposed to be raking leaves!).
Latest Published Book …
My latest published book is Full of Beans from Random House Children’s Books. It’s a standalone prequel to Turtle in Paradise.
You Wrote This Book Because …
I wrote Full of Beans because my son, Will, wanted a book from the point-of-view of Turtle’s ornery cousin, Beans. It takes place in Depression-era Key West, Florida.
Your Special Place To Write …
I write in a nook in my bedroom. It has a large window so my cat, Augie, can sit on my desk and meow at the birds outside in vain. But the actual ideas for the books usually come when I’m away from my desk and out and about. I take notes on my iPhone.
Necessary Writing/Creativity Tool …
My favorite writing tool is scrap paper. I like to doodle out ideas before I start writing. I even outline my novels using doodles now.
The Person Who Has Been My Greatest Writing Teacher Or Inspiration Is …
My greatest inspiration is family history.
Currently Reading …
I’m currently reading an anthology of Prince Valiant comics. My late father was a huge Prince Valiant fan.
Favorite Bookshop …
My favorite bookshop is the Reading Bug in San Carlos, Ca. My daughter grew up in that store.
All-Time Favorite Children’s Book You Didn’t Write…
My all-time favorite book that I didn’t write is The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander. I loved it so much I considered naming my daughter Eilonwy after the headstrong sword-wielding princess in the book. (We ended up naming her Millie May instead although she does rock a suit of armor.)
Favorite Illustrator …
My favorite illustrator is my brother, Matt Holm. And he didn’t even pay me to say that!
A literary character to vacation with …
I’d kind of like to go on vacation with Babymouse.
When You Aren’t Reading Or Writing You Are …
When I’m not reading or writing, I’m chasing my kids. (Or hiding from them so I can read.)
***
Full Of Beans
Written by Jennifer L. Holm
Publisher’s Synopsis: Newbery Honor Book Turtle in Paradise is beloved by readers, and now they can return to this wonderful world through the eyes of Turtle’s cousin Beans.
Grown-ups lie. That’s one truth Beans knows for sure. He and his gang know how to spot a whopper a mile away, because they are the savviest bunch of barefoot conchs (that means “locals”) in all of Key West. Not that Beans really minds; it’s 1934, the middle of the Great Depression. With no jobs on the island, and no money anywhere, who can really blame the grown-ups for telling a few tales? Besides, Beans isn’t anyone’s fool. In fact, he has plans. Big plans. And the consequences might surprise even Beans himself.
Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers | August 30, 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-0553510362
Available Here:
About Jennifer L. Holm
Jennifer L. Holm is a three-time Newbery Honoree. She collaborates with her brother Matthew Holm on the Babymouse series (a 2013 Eisner Award winner) and the Squish series. Her latest novel, The Fourteenth Goldfish, is a New York Times bestseller. Jennifer lives in Southern California with her husband and two children. Find out more about her by visiting jenniferholm.com and look for her on Twitter at @jenniholm.
Discover more books like Full of Beans, written by Jennifer L. Holm, by checking out our reviews and articles tagged with Great Depression, Middle Grade Books, and Jennifer L. Holm; plus, be sure to follow along with our Writing and Reading Life series.
