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LIVE CHAT – Kristin Levine and
Lisa Von Drasek

Live Blog Live Chat with Kristin Levine, THE PAPER COWBOY
Krisitn LOVE to do school visits, whether in person or by SKYPE. To set up a visit, go to her Web site.
 Live Chat with Kristin Levine, THE PAPER COWBOY(10/01/2014) 
4:46
Nora - EarlyWord: 
We will begin our live online chat with Kristin Levine, author of the middle grade novel, Paper Cowboy, in about 15 minutes.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 4:46 Nora - EarlyWord
4:47
Nora - EarlyWord: 
Here’s the cover of the book, published by Penguin/ Putnam Juvenile last month …
Wednesday October 1, 2014 4:47 Nora - EarlyWord
4:47
 Nora - EarlyWord
Wednesday October 1, 2014 4:47 
4:48
Nora - EarlyWord: 
It's also been released in audio by Listening Library. Here is a clip:
Wednesday October 1, 2014 4:48 Nora - EarlyWord
4:48
The Paper Cowboy  Play
Wednesday October 1, 2014 4:48 
4:51
Nora - EarlyWord: 

Below is an excerpt from the starred Kirkus review:

KIRKUS REVIEW

A family crisis pushes a 12-year-old wannabe cowboy living outside Chicago in 1953 to resort to bullying and damaging pranks.

Since his baby sister’s birth, Tommy’s normally moody mother’s been like a “sky full of dark clouds.” When his older sister’s seriously burned, Tommy’s left to cope with her daily newspaper route, his increasingly abusive mother, his overwhelmed father and his younger sisters …Speaking in the first person, Tommy reveals himself as a good-hearted, responsible kid who’s temporarily lost his moral compass. … Period detail and historical references effectively capture the anti-communist paranoia of the McCarthy era.

A winningly authentic, realistic and heartwarming family drama.

Wednesday October 1, 2014 4:51 Nora - EarlyWord
4:55
Nora - EarlyWord: 

The narrator, Lincoln Hoppe gave Kristin props for the book on Twitter (the clip from the audio is above):

Aug 31

"The Paper Cowboy" is fantastic! Just finished narrating the audiobook. you are an absolutely amazing writer!

Wednesday October 1, 2014 4:55 Nora - EarlyWord
4:58
Nora - EarlyWord: 

I see chat participants gathering!

You can send your questions through at any time. They'll go into a queue, and we'll submit as many of them as we can to Kristin before the end of the chat.

Typos are welcomed!

Wednesday October 1, 2014 4:58 Nora - EarlyWord
5:00
Nora - EarlyWord: 

Our moderator is Lisa Von Drasek, head of the Children’s Literature Research Collections at the University of Minnesota Libraries (and EarlyWord kids Correspondent).

Say hi, Lisa!

Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:00 Nora - EarlyWord
5:00
lisa von drasek: 
Hello! Everyone.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:00 lisa von drasek
5:01
JoAnn Jonas: 
Hi Lisa!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:01 JoAnn Jonas
5:01
Nora - EarlyWord: 
And, here is our author, Kristin Levine...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:01 Nora - EarlyWord
5:01
Kristin Levine: 
Hi, everyone! I'm thrilled to be here!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:01 Kristin Levine
5:02
lisa von drasek: 
That was JoAnn Jonas who is a children's librarian now residing in New Mexico
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:02 lisa von drasek
5:02
JoAnn Jonas: 
Hi Kristin!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:02 JoAnn Jonas
5:02
Kristin Levine: 
Hi JoAnn! So who's got the first question?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:02 Kristin Levine
5:03
lisa von drasek: 
Kristine- we are dying to know- this book is set during the communist scare of the '50's...can you say a few words about the inspiration?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:03 lisa von drasek
5:03
lisa von drasek: 
Yikes! Kristin!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:03 lisa von drasek
5:03
Kristin Levine: 
I grew up in the 1980s and I remember being really afraid that there was going to be a nuclear war....
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:03 Kristin Levine
5:03
[Comment From Michelle K.Michelle K.: ] 
Hi Kristin -- love the book!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:03 Michelle K.
5:03
[Comment From Kathy C.Kathy C.: ] 
So fun to read about bomb shelters!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:03 Kathy C.
5:04
Kristin Levine: 
...then when I was 18 I was an au pair in Austria. This was right after the end of the Soviet Union and met all these people who had lived in communist countries...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:04 Kristin Levine
5:04
Kristin Levine: 
...and of course they seemed just like you and me. So that got be interested in the communist angle.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:04 Kristin Levine
5:05
Kristin Levine: 
Kathy, aren't bomb shelters fascinating?! That was a game I used to play as a kid. What we would take to a bomb shelter
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:05 Kristin Levine
5:05
lisa von drasek: 
We’ve received some advance questions from the Penguin Young Readers program participants, Here’s the first one: "I personally loved the 'Authors Note' where you wrote about who the characters were based on and actually published their photos. It kind of breaks the wall between fiction and reality however. How have readers responded?"
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:05 lisa von drasek
5:05
[Comment From Sally, Mich.Sally, Mich.: ] 
Lisa -- love your interviews!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:05 Sally, Mich.
5:05
JoAnn Jonas: 
Kristin--Did your family have a bomb shelter...or your dad's?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:05 JoAnn Jonas
5:05
[Comment From Linda P.Linda P.: ] 
Can't with to hear more about the inspirations for the book.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:05 Linda P.
5:06
Kristin Levine: 
I haven't heard from any readers about it yet. But I had a relative who (I thought) I had the okay from on it who ended up very upset. I felt really terrible about it!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:06 Kristin Levine
5:06
lisa von drasek: 
can you say what upset them?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:06 lisa von drasek
5:06
Kristin Levine: 
Linda, a lot of the inspiration came from stories my dad told me about his childhood.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:06 Kristin Levine
5:07
[Comment From Linda P.Linda P.: ] 
I hope to be an author and want to draw on my family's history -- how do you cover your bases with permissions?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:07 Linda P.
5:07
Kristin Levine: 
Lisa, I think my relative felt that I was sharing family secrets.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:07 Kristin Levine
5:07
Kristin Levine: 
Linda, this is my third book loosely based on family history...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:07 Kristin Levine
5:08
Kristin Levine: 
...I think it's important to talk to everyone involved. But no one has ever had a problem before. Changing names is good too!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:08 Kristin Levine
5:08
lisa von drasek: 
and this advance question relates...
"How brave to show an unsaintly mother! Have you gotten any push-back on that?"

Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:08 lisa von drasek
5:09
Kristin Levine: 
Back to inspirations, my dad and I went to Downers Grove to look at a bunch of stuff. I'll post a few pics.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:09 Kristin Levine
5:09
lisa von drasek: 
Do you have a map of the neighbor hood. It was very real to me.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:09 lisa von drasek
5:10
Kristin Levine: 
Re unsaintly mother: It felt like something that might really happen...something that has happened to many kids. I guess I just thought it was a story that needed to be told.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:10 Kristin Levine
5:10
Kristin Levine: 
Lisa, I couldn't find the map my dad drew for me. But we did walk his paper route!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:10 Kristin Levine
5:10
JoAnn Jonas: 
I'm sure many readers will be able to relate...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:10 JoAnn Jonas
5:11
 Kristin Levine
And here's where Tommy saw his movies!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:11 
5:11
lisa von drasek: 
ohhh
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:11 lisa von drasek
5:11
lisa von drasek: 
The sense of place and the community of immigrants is palpable…can you say a few words about that?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:11 lisa von drasek
5:11
Kristin Levine: 
Sure. My dad talked a lot about how he loved growing up in such a diverse immigrant community...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:11 Kristin Levine
5:12
Kristin Levine: 
...my understanding is, that their church bought a lot of land and offered cheap loans to immigrant families...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:12 Kristin Levine
5:12
Kristin Levine: 
...he also talked a lot about all the delicious food. And how kind people were to him when doing his paper route on cold winter mornings.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:12 Kristin Levine
5:13
 Kristin Levine
The pond where they went ice skating was a real place too
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:13 
5:13
lisa von drasek: 
Can we talk about Tommy?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:13 lisa von drasek
5:13
Kristin Levine: 
Of course! He was an interesting character to write....
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:13 Kristin Levine
5:13
Kristin Levine: 
...cause he does so many unlikable things. But I (at least) still really liked him.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:13 Kristin Levine
5:14
Kristin Levine: 
I thought it would be interesting to write about a bully from a bully's POV. And when my dad said that looking back he considered himself a bully, I thought it might be interesting to figure out why that happened.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:14 Kristin Levine
5:14
[Comment From School LibrarianSchool Librarian: ] 
Love what you said in the author's note about your dad realizing he had been a bully. Did the book give him a sense of relief about that?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:14 School Librarian
5:14
Kristin Levine: 
School librarian, what an interesting question!! Yeah, I think it did....
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:14 Kristin Levine
5:14
[Comment From Sarah Q.Sarah Q.: ] 
I loved how you made Tommy basically likable, but showed he made bad choices. How did you manage that>
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:14 Sarah Q.
5:15
JoAnn Jonas: 
That did strike me as a reader, he was almost too good to be true but then also a bully and often unkind, making him a more complex character
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:15 JoAnn Jonas
5:15
Kristin Levine: 
...he also said it was really interesting going back to his school reunion because no one else remembered all the bad things he had done. But he did.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:15 Kristin Levine
5:16
Kristin Levine: 
Sarah, how did I make Tommy likable? Oh that is so hard to strike the right balance. Truthfully, my editor helped a lot.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:16 Kristin Levine
5:16
Kristin Levine: 
My editor is the amazing Stacey Barney.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:16 Kristin Levine
5:16
lisa von drasek: 
JoAnn,
I have to disagree with you... Tommy had to be perfect at home taking care of the younger siblings, doing the dishes, running the household because the consequences were so devastating if he failed
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:16 lisa von drasek
5:16
[Comment From Four EyesFour Eyes: ] 
Oddly, I had more sympathy for Tommy than his victims.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:16 Four Eyes
5:16
 Kristin Levine
Here we are on the Ferris wheel at ALA in Las Vegas this past summer
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:16 
5:17
Kristin Levine: 
Lisa, yes, I think Tommy did feel like had to be perfect at home or it would all fall apart.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:17 Kristin Levine
5:18
Kristin Levine: 
Four Eyes, what an interesting observation! The POV you tell a story from determines so much about how you feel about what happens, I guess.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:18 Kristin Levine
5:19
[Comment From School LibrarianSchool Librarian: ] 
Dying to know how kids react to McCarthyism. Does it seem weird to them?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:19 School Librarian
5:19
Kristin Levine: 
School librarian, I haven't talked to a lot of kids about the book yet, but this is the way I see it...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:19 Kristin Levine
5:20
lisa von drasek: 
an advance question that relates to the one from School Librarian

You didn’t live through the period of the book. Do you think things are similar today – are we as ready to hate based on suspicions?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:20 lisa von drasek
5:20
Kristin Levine: 
... McCarthyism was kind of grownups bullying each other. Kids understand bullying. So I guess I think (hope) they will be able to relate...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:20 Kristin Levine
5:21
Kristin Levine: 
... and I guess I do see some similarities to things today, especially how rumors are sometimes reported as "news"
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:21 Kristin Levine
5:21
[Comment From School LibrarianSchool Librarian: ] 
I love that point -- so true. Looking forward to using this with my kids.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:21 School Librarian
5:21
Kristin Levine: 
The school in the book was also a real place. The head of the school was so nice about letting us look around.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:21 Kristin Levine
5:22
[Comment From School LibrarianSchool Librarian: ] 
And am trying to come up with similar issue today.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:22 School Librarian
5:22
[Comment From Linda P.Linda P.: ] 
Tell us about the editing process -- was it difficult?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:22 Linda P.
5:22
 Kristin Levine
Saint Joseph School
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:22 
5:22
Kristin Levine: 
Linda, I love the editing process...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:22 Kristin Levine
5:22
[Comment From School LibrarianSchool Librarian: ] 
Fox News might be a good example!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:22 School Librarian
5:23
Kristin Levine: 
... but I always say I'm not a good writer, just a pretty good rewriter, so I go through a lot of drafts. Will post some examples...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:23 Kristin Levine
5:23
JoAnn Jonas: 
how fun! thanks Kristin
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:23 JoAnn Jonas
5:23
 Kristin Levine
Most of my pages look like this...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:23 
5:23
lisa von drasek: 
Historic fiction requires a level of accuracy….can you say something about your research? Anything that surprised you?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:23 lisa von drasek
5:24
 Kristin Levine
... or this. (Sorry it's sideways!!)
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:24 
5:25
Kristin Levine: 
I had so much fun researching. There was this little museum in Downers Grover where I found notes from a League of Women's Voters meeting where they discussed McCarthyism in 1953. Will post a copy...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:25 Kristin Levine
5:25
 Kristin Levine
Copy of League Notes
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:25 
5:26
[Comment From Four EyesFour Eyes: ] 
Tommy’s dad seems just overwhelmed. What did you think of him?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:26 Four Eyes
5:26
 Kristin Levine
League notes.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:26 
5:26
[Comment From Four EyesFour Eyes: ] 
I said that wrong -- as the author, did you like him?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:26 Four Eyes
5:27
Kristin Levine: 
Four Eyes, yeah, Tommy's dad. I think men's roles were really different in the 1950s. He needed to step up and I don't think he could quite wrap his mind around what he needed to do.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:27 Kristin Levine
5:28
Kristin Levine: 
Did I like Tommy's dad? Yeah, I did. I think he was doing the best he could. Was he as brave or as helpful as he should have been? No...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:28 Kristin Levine
5:28
Kristin Levine: 
...but I guess I think peoples imperfects make them interesting, especially in a book.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:28 Kristin Levine
5:28
JoAnn Jonas: 
The Dad seemed to be in denial about the mothers mental illness, and how it effected the family I felt sorry for them all
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:28 JoAnn Jonas
5:28
lisa von drasek: 
Kristin,

Are there historic novels for kids that you really admire?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:28 lisa von drasek
5:28
[Comment From School LibrarianSchool Librarian: ] 
It's chilling to think what that time was like. That doc. makes it real -- would love to use it with kids -- is it on your web site?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:28 School Librarian
5:29
Kristin Levine: 
JoAnn, I think he was in denial because there really wasn't a lot of treatment for mental illness at the time. He really didn't know what to do.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:29 Kristin Levine
5:29
lisa von drasek: 
School librarian- you can download it to your picture file from this app.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:29 lisa von drasek
5:29
[Comment From Sarah Q.Sarah Q.: ] 
Good for the League of Women Voters -- didn't realize that they stood up to McCarthy.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:29 Sarah Q.
5:29
Kristin Levine: 
School librarian, I don't have it on my website right now, but that's a great idea. I'll post a copy of it. Or feel free to email me from my website and I can send you a copy.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:29 Kristin Levine
5:30
Kristin Levine: 
Sarah, yeah I was so excited when I found out people really had been talking about this issue in Downers Grove...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:30 Kristin Levine
5:30
JoAnn Jonas: 
Kristin, what historical fiction do you like?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:30 JoAnn Jonas
5:31
Kristin Levine: 
...in a previous draft there was a lot more about the League, Tommy went to a meeting with his mom, but for various reasons that thread was mainly cut.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:31 Kristin Levine
5:31
lisa von drasek: 
School Librarian et all....if you reproduce the League of Women Voters picture please credit the museum in Downer's Grove- Kristin what is the name of it?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:31 lisa von drasek
5:31
Kristin Levine: 
JoAnn, re. historical fiction... I love Christopher Paul Curtis. His book, The Watson Go to Birmingham, 1963, was such an inspiration to me.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:31 Kristin Levine
5:32
[Comment From Linda P.Linda P.: ] 
Love looking at your pages, but am surprised that the markings are in pencil. I thought this was all word processed these days!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:32 Linda P.
5:32
Kristin Levine: 
Lisa, I think it was the Downers Grove Historical Society. Will be sure to check with them before I post anything on my site.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:32 Kristin Levine
5:32
[Comment From Sally, MichSally, Mich: ] 
Hurrah! Love THE WATSONS!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:32 Sally, Mich
5:33
Kristin Levine: 
Linda, oh that is too funny!! Sometimes I write on the computer...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:33 Kristin Levine
5:33
Kristin Levine: 
...but I feel like I think differently with a pen in my hand. So I'm afraid I'm killing a bunch of trees...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:33 Kristin Levine
5:33
Kristin Levine: 
...truthfully, I find track changes so hard to use!! But in later drafts I do.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:33 Kristin Levine
5:33
lisa von drasek: 
Kristin- what are you reading now?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:33 lisa von drasek
5:34
Kristin Levine: 
Sally, isn't Watsons a great book? So funny. and I love how it makes the history personal.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:34 Kristin Levine
5:34
[Comment From Linda P.Linda P.: ] 
Was there a specific event that inspired the story about the store owner who lost business because of a silly rumor?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:34 Linda P.
5:34
Kristin Levine: 
Lisa, I just finished Counting by 7s by Holly Goldbery Sloan. I thought it was great.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:34 Kristin Levine
5:35
Kristin Levine: 
Linda, as far as I know, nothing like that happened in Downers Grove...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:35 Kristin Levine
5:35
Kristin Levine: 
... but I felt like it could have happened, so I went with it for the story.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:35 Kristin Levine
5:35
lisa von drasek: 
Kristin- It was also interesting all the different livelihoods of the people in the community- in the old country, in the United States.. what was the worst job that you ever had to do.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:35 lisa von drasek
5:36
lisa von drasek: 
I will say mine- its a tie between selling hot dogs off a cart on the street and selling dictionaries door-to-door
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:36 lisa von drasek
5:36
Kristin Levine: 
Hmmm... the worst job... I'm lucky I guess I've liked most of mine...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:36 Kristin Levine
5:37
Kristin Levine: 
... though I will say I taught elementary school for a year and it was the HARDEST JOB EVER!!!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:37 Kristin Levine
5:37
Kristin Levine: 
I liked the idea of being a teacher much more than the reality. That's why I love school visits...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:37 Kristin Levine
5:37
 lisa von drasek
Krisitn LOVES to do school visits, whether in person or by SKYPE. To set up a visit, go to her Web site.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:37 
5:38
Kristin Levine: 
...I get all the fun of interacting with the kids, but no tests, grading or meetings!!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:38 Kristin Levine
5:38
Kristin Levine: 
I do really love school visits!!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:38 Kristin Levine
5:38
JoAnn Jonas: 
Have you done any school visits with PAPER COWBOY yet? how have they been
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:38 JoAnn Jonas
5:38
Kristin Levine: 
JoAnn, I'm got a few on my calendar this month! Will let you know how they go.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:38 Kristin Levine
5:39
lisa von drasek: 
what is the most interesting question that a kid has asked you?

Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:39 lisa von drasek
5:39
Kristin Levine: 
Lisa, I love it when a kid asks me about a part of the book I don't even remember writing...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:39 Kristin Levine
5:40
JoAnn Jonas: 
Kristin--the book has such a happy ending...did you have any thoughts about making it otherwise?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:40 JoAnn Jonas
5:40
Kristin Levine: 
...I always say, "Oh yeah. Tell me more about what you thought about that part" (while I'm trying to remember what they are talking about) and they always come up with the most interest interpretation.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:40 Kristin Levine
5:41
[Comment From Former BullyFormer Bully: ] 
It's interesting that Tommy can have such compassion for his sister -- iIMHO, t's the key to him becoming a real human being.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:41 Former Bully
5:41
Kristin Levine: 
Re ending: well, I didn't want the book to have a depressing ending. But I didn't feel it would be realistic to have a totally happy ending either...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:41 Kristin Levine
5:41
Kristin Levine: 
...my hope it that is comes off as hopeful, that everyone will eventually be okay.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:41 Kristin Levine
5:42
Kristin Levine: 
Yes, former bully, Tommy's relationship with his sister was super important to him.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:42 Kristin Levine
5:42
lisa von drasek: 
yes- I would say we have hope for Tommy and his family but are not totally convinced all will be well.

Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:42 lisa von drasek
5:42
Kristin Levine: 
My dad's sister really was burned in an accident like that. I'll post a pic of the hospital.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:42 Kristin Levine
5:43
 Kristin Levine
Hospital (closed now)
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:43 
5:43
Kristin Levine: 
Re research - we found the most interesting info about this hospital at the local library. Have some photos...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:43 Kristin Levine
5:43
JoAnn Jonas: 
I loved your hospital scenes...very real and upsetting for a kid to see a sibling there
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:43 JoAnn Jonas
5:44
lisa von drasek: 
Peanut gallery- this is your ten minute warning...any questions before we wrap up?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:44 lisa von drasek
5:44
 Kristin Levine
There was a souvenir booklet from the hospital's opening...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:44 
5:45
 Kristin Levine
A room like the one Mary Lou might have stayed in...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:45 
5:45
JoAnn Jonas: 
So glad you have such a good public library in Downer's Grove! What a great spot for research. Did you interview any other people for your story?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:45 JoAnn Jonas
5:46
 Kristin Levine
The lobby. My dad said he remembered this space.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:46 
5:46
Kristin Levine: 
JoAnn, the public library in Downers Grove is amazing!!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:46 Kristin Levine
5:46
lisa von drasek: 
Kristin- we have talked about the time and place but I would you to address the reciprocal relationship with his next door neighbor- who in the beginning of the novel he sees in a very stereotypical way
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:46 lisa von drasek
5:46
[Comment From Sally, Mich.Sally, Mich.: ] 
JoAnn -- I so agree about the hospital settings. Took me back to my childhood -- I was in a ward with a kid who was in an iron lung!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:46 Sally, Mich.
5:46
[Comment From Kelly, CTKelly, CT: ] 
You inspire me to want to ask my parents more questions -- how did you get your father to open up?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:46 Kelly, CT
5:47
Kristin Levine: 
I also interviewed a lot of my dad's classmates. They had such funny stories!!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:47 Kristin Levine
5:48
Kristin Levine: 
Kelly, my dad wanted to talk. And talk. Sometimes he had too much detail. Like, I had a WWII surplus army tent that was olive green and had 20 poles and took 17 minutes to set up...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:48 Kristin Levine
5:48
Kristin Levine: 
... and at first, we had a few disagreements where he was like, "But that's not what happened." And I was like, "I know, because this is FICTION!!"
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:48 Kristin Levine
5:49
Kristin Levine: 
... but we worked it out. Being in the actual place, taking a trip to Downers Grover was amazing...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:49 Kristin Levine
5:49
[Comment From Kelly, CTKelly, CT: ] 
How did you get him to talk about emotions?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:49 Kelly, CT
5:49
Kristin Levine: 
...I think that really helped him to open up.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:49 Kristin Levine
5:49
JoAnn Jonas: 
good question Kelly!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:49 JoAnn Jonas
5:49
Kristin Levine: 
Re emotions... I did a lot of listening. Also he really wanted to talk...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:49 Kristin Levine
5:50
Kristin Levine: 
... this was my third book "based on family history" so he had a few years prior to think about what it would be like...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:50 Kristin Levine
5:50
[Comment From Kelly, CTKelly, CT: ] 
That's a good point -- going back to places can bring back feelings.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:50 Kelly, CT
5:50
Kristin Levine: 
... sometimes it was hard, but I think it was a great experience for both of us.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:50 Kristin Levine
5:51
Kristin Levine: 
Kelly, food was a really big trigger for my dad too. So going back to Downers Grove and eating similar food brought up a lot of memories.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:51 Kristin Levine
5:51
lisa von drasek: 
Kristin,
Is there another piece of family history for the next book that you would like to share????
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:51 lisa von drasek
5:51
[Comment From Linda P.Linda P.: ] 
how did you get your first book published?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:51 Linda P.
5:52
Kristin Levine: 
Oh, I think I'm tired of family history for now. Might do something present day next!!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:52 Kristin Levine
5:52
JoAnn Jonas: 
Yes Kristin, my question too, what is coming next?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:52 JoAnn Jonas
5:52
Kristin Levine: 
Linda, my first book actually started as a screenplay. I got lots of people in Hollywood to read it, and everyone said it was a great story, but...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:52 Kristin Levine
5:53
Kristin Levine: 
...it had kids as the main characters and was a period piece. They didn't want that. So I decided to change it to a novel...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:53 Kristin Levine
5:53
[Comment From Linda P.Linda P.: ] 
Wait! Hoe did you get people in Hollywood to read it?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:53 Linda P.
5:53
Kristin Levine: 
...it took eight years from start to finish for that book!!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:53 Kristin Levine
5:53
lisa von drasek: 
I am looking at the time... any final thoughts Kristin that you want to leave with us?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:53 lisa von drasek
5:54
Kristin Levine: 
The script actually did well in this contest called Slamdance. It tied with "Maria, Full of Grace" which was made into a movie.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:54 Kristin Levine
5:54
Kristin Levine: 
Final thoughts... maybe I'll just say something about how I became a writer...
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:54 Kristin Levine
5:55
Kristin Levine: 
...because when I was in elementary school I hated writing. It was just too hard, I could never come up with good ideas, my writing never turned out how I wanted, and to top it all off, I was a bad speller.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:55 Kristin Levine
5:55
Kristin Levine: 
But then the summer after 7th grade I attended a program run by John Hopkins University called CTY (Center for Talented Youth.) At CTY, students get a chance to live on a college campus for three weeks, take a class, live in the dorms, eat in the cafeteria and basically pretend they are college students. I decided to take a writing class because I hoped it would help me not dread writing assignments so much.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:55 Kristin Levine
5:56
Kristin Levine: 
What I discovered at CTY was that I was good at writing. In fact, I really enjoyed it. From the writing workshop I took there, I learned that writing is not about getting it right the first time. It's about revising and making things better as you go along. When you're writing, your first draft can be absolutely horrible; all that counts is your final draft. I realized that I enjoy revising, and I am stubborn enough to keep at it, working and rewriting and changing things, until I feel like I’ve gotten it right.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:56 Kristin Levine
5:56
Kristin Levine: 
After that experience at CTY, I loved writing and wrote a lot. Even though my first drafts are still terrible. And I still can't spell.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:56 Kristin Levine
5:56
[Comment From School LibrarianSchool Librarian: ] 
Thanks, Kristin. Gearing up to use the book with my kids.
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:56 School Librarian
5:56
Kristin Levine: 
But I love to tell kids that story when I do school visits, because there are always some who just hate to write!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:56 Kristin Levine
5:57
Kristin Levine: 
Thanks, School Librarian. Feel free to email me if you think up any other questions!!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:57 Kristin Levine
5:57
JoAnn Jonas: 
Yes, they need to hear other's challenges and successes! Gret story Kristin!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:57 JoAnn Jonas
5:57
Kristin Levine: 
This was so much fun. Thanks everyone for taking the time to chat with me!!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:57 Kristin Levine
5:57
lisa von drasek: 
Thank you Kristin!
Nora- what book is next?
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:57 lisa von drasek
5:58
[Comment From Four EyesFour Eyes: ] 
This was GREAT!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:58 Four Eyes
5:58
Kristin Levine: 
Aww, thanks, Four Eyes!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:58 Kristin Levine
5:58
Nora - EarlyWord: 

Thanks, Kristin and Lisa for a fascinating discussion.

And thanks to the Penguin Young Readers program members for joining us today.

Our next chat, on Oct. 29, is with Michelle Cuevas & Julie Morstad, author and illustrator of Beyond the Laughing Sky, (Penguin/Dial, 10/2/14)

If you’re not part of the program, you can sign up here -- http://penguinyrauthors.ear...

Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:58 Nora - EarlyWord
5:58
Nora - EarlyWord: 
Goodbye, everyone!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:58 Nora - EarlyWord
5:58
Kristin Levine: 
Bye!
Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:58 Kristin Levine
 
 

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