Uh, oh, as the camera pans back, look who is standing on President Snow’s right.

Part 1 arrives November 21 and Part 2 the following year, Nov. 20, 2015.

Join us any time between 5 and 6 p.m. today.

Live Chat with Django Wexler, THE FORBIDDEN LIBRARY

(06/23/2014)

  

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4:38	Nora - EarlyWord:  We will begin our live online chat with Django Wexler in about 15 minutes Monday June 23, 2014 4:38 Nora - EarlyWord

4:39	Nora - EarlyWord:  Meanwhile, here’s the cover of the book… Monday June 23, 2014 4:39 Nora - EarlyWord

4:39	Nora - EarlyWord Published by Kathy Dawson Books, Penguin Young Readers Monday June 23, 2014 4:39

4:40

Nora - EarlyWord:  And an outline of the plot (from publisher): "When Alice’s father goes down in a shipwreck, she is sent to live with her uncle Geryon—an uncle she’s never heard of and knows nothing about. He lives in an enormous manor with a massive library that is off-limits to Alice. But then she meets a talking cat. And even for a rule-follower, when a talking cat sneaks you into a forbidden library and introduces you to an arrogant boy who dares you to open a book, it’s hard to resist. Especially if you’re a reader to begin with. Soon Alice finds herself INSIDE the book, and the only way out is to defeat the creature imprisoned within. It seems Geryon is more than he says he is. But then, so is Alice." Monday June 23, 2014 4:40 Nora - EarlyWord

4:41

Nora - EarlyWord:  It’s had good response from reviewers: Booklist -- "It's a joy to watch the dutiful Alice develop her innate curiosity and become a proactive, resourceful heroine, matching wits with snarky cats, dangerous beasts, and a certain smug boy. This is a charming, adventuresome fantasy from a promising new author." Horn Book - “By giving the richly textured literary adventures "teeth" and by placing subplots both inside and outside the books, Wexler dexterously avoids the "it's only a story" pitfall that might distance readers from the action, while the wondrous Library will gratify book lovers and fantasy experts alike.” School Library Journal -- "Wexler ingeniously creates an inventive world with interesting creatures and frightening situations." Monday June 23, 2014 4:41 Nora - EarlyWord

4:59

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 the author before the end of the chat. Don’t worry about typos – we’ll make them too! Monday June 23, 2014 4:59 Nora - EarlyWord

5:00	Nora - EarlyWord:  Here’s our moderator Lisa Von Drasek. Say hi, Lisa! Monday June 23, 2014 5:00 Nora - EarlyWord

5:00	lisa von drasek:  Hello, everyone!, I greet you today from the University of Wisconsin Student Union. Its a beautiful day here on the water. Monday June 23, 2014 5:00 lisa von drasek

5:01	lisa von drasek:  Madison Monday June 23, 2014 5:01 lisa von drasek

5:01	Nora - EarlyWord:  You're a long way from home -- on your way to ALA? Monday June 23, 2014 5:01 Nora - EarlyWord

5:02	lisa von drasek:  Not yet...just had a visit today with a Kerlan Friend, Lois Ehlert in Milwaukee and we are on our way home to the Twin Cities. Stopped at the U for our on-line chat. Monday June 23, 2014 5:02 lisa von drasek

5:02	Nora - EarlyWord:  I see Django is in the house -- say hi! Monday June 23, 2014 5:02 Nora - EarlyWord

5:03	Django Wexler:  Hi! Monday June 23, 2014 5:03 Django Wexler

5:03	Django Wexler:  Welcome, everybody! Monday June 23, 2014 5:03 Django Wexler

5:03	Nora - EarlyWord:  Those of you joining us -- say hi to Django. Monday June 23, 2014 5:03 Nora - EarlyWord

5:04	lisa von drasek:  Hi Django. How do you pronounce your first name? Monday June 23, 2014 5:04 lisa von drasek

5:04	Django Wexler:  Like Jango, without the D. Monday June 23, 2014 5:04 Django Wexler

5:04	[Comment From GuestGuest: ]  Hi Django and Lisa, glad to be joining in today! Monday June 23, 2014 5:04 Guest

5:04	Django Wexler:  (Just like in the Quentin Tarantino movie.) Monday June 23, 2014 5:04 Django Wexler

5:04	[Comment From MI LibrarianMI Librarian: ]  Hi Django -- from the shores of Lake Michigan! Monday June 23, 2014 5:04 MI Librarian

5:05	lisa von drasek:  Django, can you say a little about why as a published writer for adults that you turned your talent to a a solid middle grade fantasy? Monday June 23, 2014 5:05 lisa von drasek

5:05	[Comment From school librarianschool librarian: ]  And hi from Maryland. Monday June 23, 2014 5:05 school librarian

5:05	[Comment From Cat LoverCat Lover: ]  Hi from Ohio Monday June 23, 2014 5:05 Cat Lover

5:06	Django Wexler:  Sure. So, I started writing The Forbidden Library back before I *was* a published author for adults. Monday June 23, 2014 5:06 Django Wexler

5:06	lisa von drasek:  you were writing both at the same time... can you timeline that for me? Monday June 23, 2014 5:06 lisa von drasek

5:06	Django Wexler:  I'd gotten an agent for The Thousand Names, and he was shopping it around to publishers, but I needed something else to work on while that was happening. Monday June 23, 2014 5:06 Django Wexler

5:07	Nora - EarlyWord Monday June 23, 2014 5:07

5:07	lisa von drasek:  Why did you write a kids book? Monday June 23, 2014 5:07 lisa von drasek

5:07	Django Wexler:  Let's see. I signed with Seth (my agent) in fall 2012. Rewrote Thousand Names that Winter. We submitted it in January 2013, and that's around when I started writing Forbidden Library. Monday June 23, 2014 5:07 Django Wexler

5:07	Django Wexler:  Part of the reason I went with a kid's book was that it fit the idea I had, but part of it was because I wanted to write something shorter. Monday June 23, 2014 5:07 Django Wexler

5:08	lisa von drasek:  can you talk about who you liked to read... Monday June 23, 2014 5:08 lisa von drasek

5:08	Django Wexler:  Thousand Names is gigantic, and I was planning sequels, so I needed something that wouldn't take up quite the same amount of time. Monday June 23, 2014 5:08 Django Wexler

5:08	lisa von drasek:  what books influenced you? Monday June 23, 2014 5:08 lisa von drasek

5:08	lisa von drasek:  kids and adult? Monday June 23, 2014 5:08 lisa von drasek

5:09	Django Wexler:  Lets' see. For kids books I've always liked a bunch of good fantasy MG and YA authors. Monday June 23, 2014 5:09 Django Wexler

5:09	Django Wexler:  I love Phillip Pullman, Phillip Reeve, JK Rowling obviously, Jonathon Stroud, and Terry Pratchett. Monday June 23, 2014 5:09 Django Wexler

5:10	Django Wexler:  On the adult side, I love guys like George R. R. Martin, Joe Abercrombie, Steven Erikson, and China Mieville. Monday June 23, 2014 5:10 Django Wexler

5:10	Django Wexler:  I'm really attracted to things with an ambiguous morality -- that's a big part of Forbidden Library, filtered into the world of a kid's book. Monday June 23, 2014 5:10 Django Wexler

5:10	lisa von drasek:  Librarians, I see a lot of humor in the FORBIDDEN LIBRARY. any favorite moments for those who have read? Monday June 23, 2014 5:10 lisa von drasek

5:12	lisa von drasek:  one of mine was .."You don't get to say what's creepy , your a talking cat....you're creepy.. do you make yourself laugh when you write? Monday June 23, 2014 5:12 lisa von drasek

5:12	lisa von drasek:  I was on the edge of my seat... Monday June 23, 2014 5:12 lisa von drasek

5:12	Django Wexler:  Sometimes, or at least smile. If it makes me laugh when I come back to it later, I know it's a good line. Monday June 23, 2014 5:12 Django Wexler

5:12	Django Wexler:  Ashes gets most of the good lines. Monday June 23, 2014 5:12 Django Wexler

5:12	Django Wexler:  But then he's a cat, so he obviously would. Monday June 23, 2014 5:12 Django Wexler

5:13	[Comment From Cat LoverCat Lover: ]  The cat SHOULD get the good lines! Monday June 23, 2014 5:13 Cat Lover

5:13	lisa von drasek:  You really captured cat personalities with Ashes and Mother. Do you have any cats? Monday June 23, 2014 5:13 lisa von drasek

5:13	Django Wexler:  Clearly! Monday June 23, 2014 5:13 Django Wexler

5:13	Django Wexler:  Yes, I have two cats. Monday June 23, 2014 5:13 Django Wexler

5:13	lisa von drasek:  picture please? Monday June 23, 2014 5:13 lisa von drasek

5:13	Django Wexler Monday June 23, 2014 5:13

5:13	Django Wexler:  They are Sakaki and Tomo. Monday June 23, 2014 5:13 Django Wexler

5:14	lisa von drasek:  Nice Monday June 23, 2014 5:14 lisa von drasek

5:14	Django Wexler:  The thing about cats is that it seems so obvious, if they COULD talk, what kind of personality they'd have. Monday June 23, 2014 5:14 Django Wexler

5:14	[Comment From Cat LoverCat Lover: ]  You DO know what you're talking about! Monday June 23, 2014 5:14 Cat Lover

5:14	[Comment From GuestGuest: ]  What beauties! and inspirations! Monday June 23, 2014 5:14 Guest

5:14	lisa von drasek:  can you tell me a little about your writing day? Monday June 23, 2014 5:14 lisa von drasek

5:15	Django Wexler:  They are awesome. I think Ending looks like Sakaki, although Sakaki is scared of everything. Monday June 23, 2014 5:15 Django Wexler

5:15	lisa von drasek:  Do you have a day job? Monday June 23, 2014 5:15 lisa von drasek

5:15	Django Wexler:  Usually I try to get two sessions of writing in, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Monday June 23, 2014 5:15 Django Wexler

5:15	Django Wexler:  So it's like, morning writing, lunch, taking care of misc. stuff like twitter, publicity etc, then more writing. Monday June 23, 2014 5:15 Django Wexler

5:15	Django Wexler:  Then computer games and whatnot. Monday June 23, 2014 5:15 Django Wexler

5:16	lisa von drasek:  what is your twitter? Monday June 23, 2014 5:16 lisa von drasek

5:16	Django Wexler:  I quit my day job (at Microsoft) about two years ago. Monday June 23, 2014 5:16 Django Wexler

5:16	Django Wexler:  @DjangoWexler -- come say hi! Monday June 23, 2014 5:16 Django Wexler

5:16	Django Wexler:  There's a lot of good stuff on my website too at http://www.djangowexler.com Monday June 23, 2014 5:16 Django Wexler

5:17	lisa von drasek:  I was just reading about the lack of "strong women characters" Alice is not only smart and brave but also a bit snarky for the time. Monday June 23, 2014 5:17 lisa von drasek

5:17	Django Wexler:  In particular check out the Forbidden Library art page, I love that stuff! http://djangowexler.com/for... Monday June 23, 2014 5:17 Django Wexler

5:17	lisa von drasek:  the art in the book was done by a friend...how did that come about? Monday June 23, 2014 5:17 lisa von drasek

5:18	Django Wexler:  See, people misunderstand what "strong" means there. I see a lot of fantasy authors think they're making their women characters "strong" by letting them kill hundreds of orcs or whatever. Monday June 23, 2014 5:18 Django Wexler

5:18	Django Wexler:  That's not what "strong" means in this context. It's about strong *characters*, which means they have to have their own story. If a woman can kick ass, but her role is still "the hero's girlfriend", that's not a strong character. Monday June 23, 2014 5:18 Django Wexler

5:18	Django Wexler:  Hmm. My friend didn't actually to the art that's IN the books. Monday June 23, 2014 5:18 Django Wexler

5:19	lisa von drasek:  oh, I misunderstood Monday June 23, 2014 5:19 lisa von drasek

5:19	Django Wexler:  The US art was done by Alexander Jansson, and the UK art by David Wyatt. Monday June 23, 2014 5:19 Django Wexler

5:19	lisa von drasek:  The characters are the opposite of two-dimentionals, do you have full biographies and backstory written for each?.... ….do they surprise you as you write? Monday June 23, 2014 5:19 lisa von drasek

5:19	Django Wexler:  But several friends of mine have been kind enough to do art for me based on the book, which you can read here: http://djangowexler.com/for... Monday June 23, 2014 5:19 Django Wexler

5:19	Nora - EarlyWord:  I was just looking at the U.K. cover on your Web site-- So different. Monday June 23, 2014 5:19 Nora - EarlyWord

5:19	Nora - EarlyWord Monday June 23, 2014 5:19

5:20	Django Wexler:  I love the UK internal artwork, very wood-cut style. It has a great old-fashioned feel. Monday June 23, 2014 5:20 Django Wexler

5:20	Django Wexler:  I wouldn't say I have *full* biographies? I generally make up what I need as I go along. Monday June 23, 2014 5:20 Django Wexler

5:20	Nora - EarlyWord:  I'll post some of those. Monday June 23, 2014 5:20 Nora - EarlyWord

5:20	Django Wexler:  I feel like if you have a good sense of who a character IS, you can tell the kind of backstory he or she might have. Monday June 23, 2014 5:20 Django Wexler

5:21	lisa von drasek:  can we talk how your fairy is really creepy and scary,...where did that come from? Monday June 23, 2014 5:21 lisa von drasek

5:21	Django Wexler:  I do have notes on the backstory of the older characters, like Ending and Geryon. Monday June 23, 2014 5:21 Django Wexler

5:21	Django Wexler:  When I started the book, I decided I didn't want to use any "stock" fantasy creatures. Fairies, elves, dragons, etc. Monday June 23, 2014 5:21 Django Wexler

5:21	Django Wexler:  So any time I included something like that, I would put some kind of a twist in it to make it unique. Monday June 23, 2014 5:21 Django Wexler

5:22	Django Wexler:  So Vespidian, the fairy, is creepy and scary looking, with a bunch of wasp-like characteristics. (I hate wasps.) Monday June 23, 2014 5:22 Django Wexler

5:22	Nora - EarlyWord From the U.K. edition Monday June 23, 2014 5:22

5:22	Django Wexler:  The Dragon, which you can see in that picture, has eight legs and six eyes, and is kind of alien-looking. Monday June 23, 2014 5:22 Django Wexler

5:23	lisa von drasek:  Alice's empathy is as much a strength as her quick wits. Was that an attribute from the start? Monday June 23, 2014 5:23 lisa von drasek

5:23	Django Wexler:  The elves had needle-like hair which stands up into spikes when they get startled. Etc. Monday June 23, 2014 5:23 Django Wexler

5:23	Django Wexler:  Alice really evolved as a character during the book. I always knew I wanted her to be intelligent, hard-working, and a little bit cynical and smart-alecky. Monday June 23, 2014 5:23 Django Wexler

5:24	Django Wexler:  But as I went along, her empathy became more important. It's really one of the biggest points of the series -- it's what makes Alice different from the other Readers. Monday June 23, 2014 5:24 Django Wexler

5:24	lisa von drasek:  it seems that you have a gift for the cute and threatening at the same time. Anything like that in your real life?f Monday June 23, 2014 5:24 lisa von drasek

5:24	Django Wexler:  Hmm. I have a stuffed animal collection that includes various cute monsters. Monday June 23, 2014 5:24 Django Wexler

5:24	lisa von drasek:  Hah Monday June 23, 2014 5:24 lisa von drasek

5:24	Nora - EarlyWord This one gives me the chills -- like TRUE DETECTIVE! Monday June 23, 2014 5:24

5:25	Django Wexler:  I have a cute Cthulu and Darth Vader Monday June 23, 2014 5:25 Django Wexler

5:25	Django Wexler:  Cats are a bit like that to be honest. They are adorable, but also full of sharp bits. Monday June 23, 2014 5:25 Django Wexler

5:26	lisa von drasek:  I could see these adventures translating easily to other medium...movie and/or game...plans? Monday June 23, 2014 5:26 lisa von drasek

5:26	Django Wexler:  None at the moment, but we're certainly out there. I have a film agent, etc Monday June 23, 2014 5:26 Django Wexler

5:26	[Comment From GuestGuest: ]  Thanks for the UK art Nora--beautiful! Monday June 23, 2014 5:26 Guest

5:26	[Comment From Cat LoverCat Lover: ]  Well said! Monday June 23, 2014 5:26 Cat Lover

5:26	Django Wexler:  people kept asking about Thousand Names and when it was going to be a movie. Monday June 23, 2014 5:26 Django Wexler

5:26	lisa von drasek:  The protagonist was not aware of her powers is not unusual start. What is unusual is the magical powers are attributed to her being a Reader. Can you describe what that is? Monday June 23, 2014 5:26 lisa von drasek

5:26	Django Wexler:  But I think Forbidden Library would be better suited to it. Monday June 23, 2014 5:26 Django Wexler

5:27	Django Wexler:  So, in Alice's world magical powers are based on the ability to activate magical text inscribed in books. Monday June 23, 2014 5:27 Django Wexler

5:27	Django Wexler:  Which they called capital-R Reading. Monday June 23, 2014 5:27 Django Wexler

5:28	Django Wexler:  The most basic ability of the Reader is to open these special books and use them, either to go to a world inside them or to pass through a portal to another place. Monday June 23, 2014 5:28 Django Wexler

5:28	Django Wexler:  Eventually they learn to create them, too, out of little bits of raw magic they fish out of other books and cram together. Monday June 23, 2014 5:28 Django Wexler

5:29	Django Wexler:  A particular type of book, called a prison-book, lets them bind magical creatures and use their powers. Monday June 23, 2014 5:29 Django Wexler

5:29	[Comment From MD. school LibrarianMD. school Librarian: ]  I love the idea of the Reader literally entering the book. Where did that come from? Monday June 23, 2014 5:29 MD. school Librarian

5:29	Django Wexler:  I'm not entirely sure! It's something I've always wanted to do something with. Monday June 23, 2014 5:29 Django Wexler

5:29	Django Wexler:  The idea of a library where the books contain worlds has been kicking around in my head for a long time. Monday June 23, 2014 5:29 Django Wexler

5:30	lisa von drasek:  The world building in Forbidden Library is detailed and unique yet it is easy to suspend disbelief ... Would you be able to say to a kid if you liked __________ book, you will like mine. Monday June 23, 2014 5:30 lisa von drasek

5:30	[Comment From MD. school LibrarianMD. school Librarian: ]  it's a great metaphor -- books can change you. Monday June 23, 2014 5:30 MD. school Librarian

5:30	[Comment From MD. school LibrarianMD. school Librarian: ]  "there is not frigate like a book" Monday June 23, 2014 5:30 MD. school Librarian

5:30	Django Wexler:  There's an anime (Japanese cartoon) called Yami to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito (roughly "Travellers in Darkness with Book and Hat") that has roughly that theme, which I saw a long time ago. Monday June 23, 2014 5:30 Django Wexler

5:31	Django Wexler:  Lisa, hmm, I'm not really sure? It's hard to compare books directly that way. Monday June 23, 2014 5:31 Django Wexler

5:31	lisa von drasek:  okay Monday June 23, 2014 5:31 lisa von drasek

5:31	Django Wexler:  When I was writing it I thought of "Harry Potter Book 1" as my target demographic in terms of roughly the kind of people I was writing for. Monday June 23, 2014 5:31 Django Wexler

5:31	Django Wexler:  But that was more an age group/vocabulary thing. Monday June 23, 2014 5:31 Django Wexler

5:32	[Comment From Jersey LibrarianJersey Librarian: ]  Are you bothered when the book is compared to others? I've seen it compared to Harry Potter (isn't EVERY fantasy) and INKHEART. Monday June 23, 2014 5:32 Jersey Librarian

5:32	Django Wexler:  Bothered, not particularly? Monday June 23, 2014 5:32 Django Wexler

5:32	Django Wexler:  I mean, comparing something to Harry Potter these days, as you say, doesn't mean much because everything is. Monday June 23, 2014 5:32 Django Wexler

5:32	lisa von drasek:  I would say that you achieved that! What they have in common for me is - fast paced adventure, great story AND a pleasure to read aloud. And I don't say that lightly Monday June 23, 2014 5:32 lisa von drasek

5:32	[Comment From Jersey LibrarianJersey Librarian: ]  Are you influenced by Anime? Monday June 23, 2014 5:32 Jersey Librarian

5:32	Django Wexler:  There's definitely some similarity with Inkheart (which I actually haven't read) Monday June 23, 2014 5:32 Django Wexler

5:33	Django Wexler:  But I think the point of the story is very different. Monday June 23, 2014 5:33 Django Wexler

5:33	Django Wexler:  Yes, I'm definitely influenced by anime. Monday June 23, 2014 5:33 Django Wexler

5:33	Django Wexler:  I did some Japanese in college, and that's always been one of my hobbies. Monday June 23, 2014 5:33 Django Wexler

5:33	lisa von drasek:  yes, I would agree.... Monday June 23, 2014 5:33 lisa von drasek

5:33	Django Wexler:  They do children's TV *way* better than we do, at least until recently. Monday June 23, 2014 5:33 Django Wexler

5:34	Django Wexler:  Especially in the MG age range. Monday June 23, 2014 5:34 Django Wexler

5:34	lisa von drasek:  Is there an Anime series you would recommend to librarians who may not be familiar with the genre? Monday June 23, 2014 5:34 lisa von drasek

5:34	Django Wexler:  Ooh, that's tough. Monday June 23, 2014 5:34 Django Wexler

5:34	lisa von drasek:  yes indeed, tough questions here! Monday June 23, 2014 5:34 lisa von drasek

5:35	Django Wexler:  The Miyazaki movies are always a go-to. (Spirited Away, Nausicaa, Princess Mononoke, Totoro, etc.) Monday June 23, 2014 5:35 Django Wexler

5:35	lisa von drasek:  Oh yes! Totoro! Spirited away! Monday June 23, 2014 5:35 lisa von drasek

5:35	[Comment From GuestGuest: ]  Love those! Monday June 23, 2014 5:35 Guest

5:35	Django Wexler:  A lot of the stuff I consider favorites is a bit dark for kid. Monday June 23, 2014 5:35 Django Wexler

5:36	Django Wexler:  I actually write a column called "Lost in Animeland" at SF Signal about anime for non-anime-fans: http://www.sfsignal.com/arc... Monday June 23, 2014 5:36 Django Wexler

5:36	lisa von drasek:  Dark! Dark! you don't consider Forbidden Library dark???!!!! Monday June 23, 2014 5:36 lisa von drasek

5:36	Django Wexler:  The Forbidden Library is as dark as I could get away with in a book for ten-year-olds. Monday June 23, 2014 5:36 Django Wexler

5:36	lisa von drasek:  thanks for the column link.. Monday June 23, 2014 5:36 lisa von drasek

5:37	Django Wexler:  Like I said, I tend to be a fan of stuff that's at least a little ambiguous. Monday June 23, 2014 5:37 Django Wexler

5:37	lisa von drasek:  It is dark as childhood is dark but you have a thread of humor that saves it from being oppressive. Monday June 23, 2014 5:37 lisa von drasek

5:37	Django Wexler:  For me one of the most fun things about The Forbidden Library is that Alice doesn't really know who the good guys are. Monday June 23, 2014 5:37 Django Wexler

5:38	lisa von drasek:  ambiguous! Alice doesn't know?!! I don't KNOW! When is the sequel!!! I am dying here! Monday June 23, 2014 5:38 lisa von drasek

5:38	Django Wexler:  It always bugged me in kid's books where the Wise Old Mentor comes on and says, "By the way, this is who is good and this is who is evil." Monday June 23, 2014 5:38 Django Wexler

5:38	Django Wexler:  How come Wise Old Mentor gets to decide that? Who appointed him judge? Monday June 23, 2014 5:38 Django Wexler

5:38	Django Wexler:  The sequel (The Mad Apprentice) should be coming out in March of next year. Monday June 23, 2014 5:38 Django Wexler

5:39	Django Wexler:  It's basically done, they're working on cover and other art. Monday June 23, 2014 5:39 Django Wexler

5:39	lisa von drasek:  and of course we find it is our own actions that could make us good /evil Monday June 23, 2014 5:39 lisa von drasek

5:39	[Comment From School LibrarianSchool Librarian: ]  Were you "dark" as a kid? Should we worry about such kids? Monday June 23, 2014 5:39 School Librarian

5:39	Django Wexler:  The series is intended to be five books, and I've got it mapped out to a definite conclusion. (Hopefully!) Monday June 23, 2014 5:39 Django Wexler

5:39	Django Wexler:  Do you mean "dark" as a person, or did I like dark stuff? Monday June 23, 2014 5:39 Django Wexler

5:40	lisa von drasek:  what did you read as a kid? Monday June 23, 2014 5:40 lisa von drasek

5:40	Django Wexler:  The latter was definitely true. I was reading adult books by age 10 or so (just whatever they had on the SFF shelf in the library.) Monday June 23, 2014 5:40 Django Wexler

5:40	Django Wexler:  And I played a ton of role-playing games, etc. Monday June 23, 2014 5:40 Django Wexler

5:40	Django Wexler:  I was more of a total nerd than any kind of cool dressing-in-black with silver jewelry type though. Monday June 23, 2014 5:40 Django Wexler

5:40	[Comment From School LibrarianSchool Librarian: ]  I mean liking "dark" stuff. But that probably also carries over into the kids personality. Monday June 23, 2014 5:40 School Librarian

5:40	lisa von drasek:  did your parents support your extra curricular choices? Monday June 23, 2014 5:40 lisa von drasek

5:41	Django Wexler:  I think liking "dark" stuff is not something to worry about. All the kids *I* know are pretty good about the difference between fantasy and reality. Monday June 23, 2014 5:41 Django Wexler

5:41	Django Wexler:  And I really believe in the idea of letting kids pursue their interests and what they like in terms of books, movies, etc. Monday June 23, 2014 5:41 Django Wexler

5:42	Django Wexler:  Trying to sanitize everything just makes it worse. Monday June 23, 2014 5:42 Django Wexler

5:42	Django Wexler:  My parents were very supportive of me. I didn't require much work as a kid, I spent a lot of my time either reading or playing quiet games. Monday June 23, 2014 5:42 Django Wexler

5:42	Django Wexler:  Sometimes they would encourage me to, like, play soccer or otherwise get out of the house. Monday June 23, 2014 5:42 Django Wexler

5:43	Django Wexler:  But I come from a very bookish family, so by their standards I wasn't too far from normal. Monday June 23, 2014 5:43 Django Wexler

5:43	lisa von drasek:  you were a career changer....can you say something about that? Monday June 23, 2014 5:43 lisa von drasek

5:43	[Comment From School LibrarianSchool Librarian: ]  I agree. Besides, what are you going to do? Force them to go to Nicholas Sparks movies? Monday June 23, 2014 5:43 School Librarian

5:43	Django Wexler:  Meaning, that I changed careers? Monday June 23, 2014 5:43 Django Wexler

5:44	Django Wexler:  Haha, anything but that! Monday June 23, 2014 5:44 Django Wexler

5:44	Django Wexler:  I learned from my parents, I think, that you're not locked in to whatever it is that you do. They both had very strange career paths. Monday June 23, 2014 5:44 Django Wexler

5:44	Django Wexler:  My dad went from math teacher to opera singer (for 20-odd years) to computer programmer and bank executive. Monday June 23, 2014 5:44 Django Wexler

5:45	Django Wexler:  My mom did photography, advertising, non-profit work and marketing, and ended up as a Presbyterian minister. Monday June 23, 2014 5:45 Django Wexler

5:45	lisa von drasek:  meaning that you had a regular job and then became a writer full time. was this a leap of faith? how long were you writing before your first book sold? Monday June 23, 2014 5:45 lisa von drasek

5:45	Django Wexler:  So I had good examples that changing careers was something you could do. Monday June 23, 2014 5:45 Django Wexler

5:45	[Comment From Jersey LibrarianJersey Librarian: ]  Woa! Amazing about your father. Monday June 23, 2014 5:45 Jersey Librarian

5:46	Django Wexler:  I started writing when I was in high school. I wrote a little bit about it here: http://www.powells.com/blog... Monday June 23, 2014 5:46 Django Wexler

5:46	Django Wexler:  I did some fan-fiction and other stuff, but I finally wrote a fantasy novel and tried to sell it in my last year of college. Monday June 23, 2014 5:46 Django Wexler

5:46	[Comment From Jersey LibrarianJersey Librarian: ]  And your mother, too! Glad they served as good examples, rather than making you feel unstable. Monday June 23, 2014 5:46 Jersey Librarian

5:46	Django Wexler:  I sold two novels to a small press, Medallion, which was gratifying but didn't count for much financially. Monday June 23, 2014 5:46 Django Wexler

5:46	lisa von drasek:  have you done many school or library visits? Monday June 23, 2014 5:46 lisa von drasek

5:47	Django Wexler:  So I decided to try and get an agent so I could write a book for the big publishers. Monday June 23, 2014 5:47 Django Wexler

5:47	Django Wexler:  That took a while. Monday June 23, 2014 5:47 Django Wexler

5:47	Django Wexler:  I didn't quit my job until I had enough contracts to live on, though, so it wasn't really a leap of faith. Monday June 23, 2014 5:47 Django Wexler

5:47	Django Wexler:  Only a few school visits so far, but I love doing them! Monday June 23, 2014 5:47 Django Wexler

5:48	Django Wexler:  I'm part of the Skype in the Classroom program, if anybody uses that. I always love talking to kids. Monday June 23, 2014 5:48 Django Wexler

5:48	[Comment From Jersey LibrarianJersey Librarian: ]  How can I get you for a school program? Monday June 23, 2014 5:48 Jersey Librarian

5:48	[Comment From NM LibrarianNM Librarian: ]  Do you have any other writing projects going on right now (besides the rest of this series) that you can tell us about? Monday June 23, 2014 5:48 NM Librarian

5:49	Django Wexler:  Jersey Librarian -- Depends on if its in person or over Skype. Send me an email (there's a form on my website) and I can put you in touch with the right people at Penguin. Monday June 23, 2014 5:49 Django Wexler

5:50	[Comment From Jersey LibrarianJersey Librarian: ]  Great, thanks. Monday June 23, 2014 5:50 Jersey Librarian

5:50	Django Wexler:  NM Librarian -- well, between my adult series and kids series, I'm kept pretty busy! I do have a humorous urban fantasy series with a small press called Ragnarok: http://djangowexler.com/sto... Monday June 23, 2014 5:50 Django Wexler

5:50	lisa von drasek:  This from an on-line participant how long did it take for you to get this book published? Monday June 23, 2014 5:50 lisa von drasek

5:51	Django Wexler:  And I've been doing a few short stories that should start showing up in various anthologies next year. But mostly trying to do one enormous adult book and one kids book a year takes up most of my time! Monday June 23, 2014 5:51 Django Wexler

5:51	Django Wexler:  Getting The Forbidden Library published was actually pretty quick, all told! I sent it to Seth, who sent it specifically to Kathy Dawson at Penguin, because he thought it would be a good fit. She liked it, so we were set. Monday June 23, 2014 5:51 Django Wexler

5:52	Nora - EarlyWord:  The next one in your adult series is coming out in a few weeks... Monday June 23, 2014 5:52 Nora - EarlyWord

5:52	Django Wexler:  Maybe a couple of months all told. (Then of course more than a year of waiting for it to actually come out.) Monday June 23, 2014 5:52 Django Wexler

5:52	Nora - EarlyWord Monday June 23, 2014 5:52

5:52	Django Wexler:  The hard part was getting an agent and my first sale. That took ... maybe five years? Monday June 23, 2014 5:52 Django Wexler

5:52	Django Wexler:  Depends on when you start counting. Monday June 23, 2014 5:52 Django Wexler

5:52	[Comment From NM LibrarianNM Librarian: ]  What differences to you see between writing for children and adults. Monday June 23, 2014 5:52 NM Librarian

5:53	Django Wexler:  I try not to write TOO differently. I don't like the idea of writing "down" to kids. Monday June 23, 2014 5:53 Django Wexler

5:53	Django Wexler:  Basically, I think of it as leaving out the sex, swearing, and extremes of violence, but otherwise not too different. Monday June 23, 2014 5:53 Django Wexler

5:53	[Comment From GuestGuest: ]  So glad to hear you say that! Monday June 23, 2014 5:53 Guest

5:53	Django Wexler:  It's a little simpler in terms of narrative structure -- there's only one POV character, and we follow her story in a pretty straightforward way. Monday June 23, 2014 5:53 Django Wexler

5:53	[Comment From Jersey LibrarianJersey Librarian: ]  That explains a lot -- I thnk that is true for all really good children's authors. Monday June 23, 2014 5:53 Jersey Librarian

5:54	Django Wexler:  My editor took out some vocabulary she thought was too exotic. "Gnomon", is one I remember. Monday June 23, 2014 5:54 Django Wexler

5:54	lisa von drasek:  We have only a few minutes left....any burning questions? Monday June 23, 2014 5:54 lisa von drasek

5:54	Django Wexler:  But otherwise it's pretty much just the way I always right. Monday June 23, 2014 5:54 Django Wexler

5:54	Django Wexler:  There's even a Shakespeare quote in book 2! Monday June 23, 2014 5:54 Django Wexler

5:54	Django Wexler:  I always write, haha. Monday June 23, 2014 5:54 Django Wexler

5:55	Django Wexler:  (If I don't get to your question, btw, please feel free to ask me on Twitter or Facebook!) Monday June 23, 2014 5:55 Django Wexler

5:55	lisa von drasek:  which brings me to a question I had....this is historic fiction as well as fantasy... why this time period? Monday June 23, 2014 5:55 lisa von drasek

5:55	Django Wexler:  Ah, good question. Monday June 23, 2014 5:55 Django Wexler

5:55	Django Wexler:  My editor asked me early on, "Why is this set in 1931? Can't we set it in modern day?" Monday June 23, 2014 5:55 Django Wexler

5:56	Django Wexler:  And I said, well, the problem is that their magic is based on printing and books. So I don't know how that would work with computers, cell phone, scanners, and whatnot. Monday June 23, 2014 5:56 Django Wexler

5:56	Django Wexler:  Makes everything WAY more complicated. Monday June 23, 2014 5:56 Django Wexler

5:56	Django Wexler:  So, I wanted a past setting, and I'd been reading a bit about the Depression, and I went with that. Monday June 23, 2014 5:56 Django Wexler

5:57	Django Wexler:  It's also close enough to WWII that it gives it a little Chronicles of Narnia feel. Monday June 23, 2014 5:57 Django Wexler

5:57	lisa von drasek:  oohhhhh, I didn't think of that... and the loss of money and the decline in their standard of living played a big part in the beginning Monday June 23, 2014 5:57 lisa von drasek

5:57	Django Wexler:  Right, exactly. The whole "being shipped off to live with a distant uncle" plot seemed more likely in those days. Monday June 23, 2014 5:57 Django Wexler

5:57	Django Wexler:  Today you'd just keep in touch with your friends on Instagram and complain on your blog. Monday June 23, 2014 5:57 Django Wexler

5:58	lisa von drasek:  with the understanding of losing everything to "the bankers" and having no where to turn Monday June 23, 2014 5:58 lisa von drasek

5:58	Nora - EarlyWord:  I hear many writers, including those for adults, say modern settings are difficult. Things can happen too quickly -- difficult to create tension. Monday June 23, 2014 5:58 Nora - EarlyWord

5:58	Django Wexler:  It definitely can be difficult. Monday June 23, 2014 5:58 Django Wexler

5:58	Django Wexler:  ONe reason I like fantasy. Monday June 23, 2014 5:58 Django Wexler

5:58	Django Wexler:  The real world, especially for kids, also changes so fast that things become dated very quickly. Monday June 23, 2014 5:58 Django Wexler

5:59	lisa von drasek:  Final thoughts? Monday June 23, 2014 5:59 lisa von drasek

5:59	Django Wexler:  If I'd written about the world of fifteen years ago, with dial-up modems and myspace, it'd be unrecognizable today. Monday June 23, 2014 5:59 Django Wexler

5:59	Nora - EarlyWord Before we go, I wanted everyone to see this photo Lisa sent of where she was chatting from today -- the U. of Wisconsin Student Union in Madison -- pretty gorgeous! Monday June 23, 2014 5:59

5:59	Django Wexler:  Thanks to everyone for listening! Monday June 23, 2014 5:59 Django Wexler

6:00	[Comment From NM LibrarianNM Librarian: ]  Thanks so much! I really enjoyed the book (as did my 7th grader!)Can't wait for the sequel! Monday June 23, 2014 6:00 NM Librarian

6:00	Nora - EarlyWord:  The hour has flown by -- thanks everyone! Monday June 23, 2014 6:00 Nora - EarlyWord

6:00	Django Wexler:  Again, feel free to get in touch, either by social media or emailing me through my site. http://www.djangowexler.com I'm happy to answer any questions you have. Monday June 23, 2014 6:00 Django Wexler

6:00	lisa von drasek:  Thank you Django- THE FORBIDDEN LIBRARY was a grand adventure and I am looking forward to further adventures with Alice Monday June 23, 2014 6:00 lisa von drasek

6:00	[Comment From GuestGuest: ]  Thanks so much! Monday June 23, 2014 6:00 Guest

6:00	Django Wexler:  Thanks for having me on! Monday June 23, 2014 6:00 Django Wexler

 

 

Will there be more movies based on John Green novels?

Don’t bother answering that.

Now that The Fault in Our Stars is a certified hit, The Hollywood Reporter gives details on the “frenzy of interest” in his other novels.

The one most likely to hit screens first is Paper Towns, (Penguin/Speak), which has Nat Wolff, (Isaac in TFIOS), set to star. Fox 2000 is on the search for a director.

THR also reports on the “ripple effect” for other “grounded” Y.A. adaptations (which have the advantage of not requiring expensive special effects). On the heels of the success of TFIOS, Lionsgate says they are close to hiring a director for an adaptation of R.J. Palacio’s Wonder, (RH/Knopf)

Note to Hollywood: Green is currently promoting a much different book, one that is not yet a movie, but should be, he says, Katherine Boo’s Behind the Beautiful Forevers (Random House).

Adam Rex’s chapter book, The True Meaning of Smekday, (Disney/Hyperion; Listening Library) has been changed to the more prosaic Home (following an earlier attempt to call it Happy Smekday!) for the animated movie adaptation and its world is very colorful, as shown by the first trailer:

The original received a rapturous review in The New York Times Book Review when it was published in 2007; “a story so original, so absorbing and so laugh-out-loud funny that the minute I read the last page, I want to start at the beginning again … [it] will captivate fans of the wordplay and characters in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld and of the outrageously entertaining satire of Douglas Adams’s Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.”

Written in the form of an essay for a time capsule by an 11-year-old girl nicknamed Tip (her real name is Gratuity), it begins after aliens called the Boov, have invaded the earth and changed the name Christmas to Smekday (after one of the Boov leaders). It was illustrator Adam Rex’s first novel (the sequel, Smek For President, is coming in Feb, 2015)

It happens that the rave NYT BR review was written by EarlyWord Kids Correspondent, Lisa Von Drasek. As such a fan of the book, we wondered how she’d feel about the trailer. Looks like it scores with her as well:

I LOVE this! The animators really captured how the alien Boov should look. The section of the story featured in the trailer is exactly the one one that I read aloud when I book talk Smekday. I am really looking forward to this one.

The movie is scheduled for release on March 25, 2015.

The main character, Tip,  is voiced by singer Rihanna and the Boov alien, named Oh, by Jim Parsons (star of The Big Bang Theory). Fans of the book will remember that character was originally named J.Lo  In a twist worthy of the wordplay of the book, the real J.Lo, Jennifer Lopez, voices a different character in the movie.

Critical reception was strong for How to Train Your Dragon 2, which opened this weekend, but the box office receipts were a disappointment, earning “only” $50 million (predictions had been $65 million).

Just before the opening, Dreamworks announced a release date for How To … 3 , (6/17/18) as well as a raft of other animated sequels and just one original title, an adaptation of Captain Underpants, based on the best selling Dav Pilkey series (Scholastic).

Voicing the leads will be Kevin Hart (George Beard) and Ed Helms (the Captain). Directed by Rob Letterman, the movie  is scheduled for release on Jan. 13, 2017.

Captain Underpants first appeared in The Adventures of Captain Underpants (Scholastic,1997). The eleventh volume in the series, Captain Underpants and the Tyrannical Retaliation of the Turbo Toilet 2000 will be released on August 26.

The first full-length trailer for Paddintgton, features a slimmer Bear than we’ve come to know from Michael Bond’s beloved books. Voiced by Colin Firth although impossible to recognize here (UPDATE: There may be a reason Paddington only grunts in this trailer. It was revealed on 6/17 that Firth is leaving the project). Also in the trailer are Downton Abbey‘s Hugh Bonneville. The movie, which also features Nicole Kidman as the evil taxidermist, opens Dec. 12

Official Movie Site: Paddington.com

Michael Bond began his series in 1958,  with A Bear Called Paddington, illustrated by Peggy Fortnum (published by Collins in the U.K. and HMCo here in 1960). Paddington has been featured over the years in chapter books, picture books, pop up books, plays, 56 animated episodes of a television series and 3 half-hour televison specials for HBO.

The first was a chapter book, illustrated by Peggy Fortnum. That version will be reissued in July by HarperCollins.

Several picture books feature Paddington. In the 1990’s they were released with illustrations by R.W. Alley, The first in that series, Paddington, is also being reissued.

Other movie tie-ins arrive on Nov. 4.

BEA is all about discoveries. Follow me, in the slide show below,  as I wander around the floor with my trusty iPad. 

Click on the photos to read more about each book.

Note: if the slide show does not appear, reload the page.

Slide One

Gaiman text

Hansel and Gretel - cover

Stein

I'm My Own Dog

Dahl Text

Goodnight Football

Tom and Jerry

Mouse In My Book

There's a Mouse Hiding In This Book! A Cat Is Chasing Me Through This Book! Don't Give This Book a Bowl of Milk! This Book Is Not a Piece of Cheese! All by Benjamin Bird, illus. by Carmen Pérez, Capstone

Ferret Text

Ferrets Cover

Half My Facebook Friends Are Ferrets, by J.A. Buckle, Capstone, Sept. 2014

Stan Lee Text

Zodiac Cropped

Jacby Text

Jackaby

Sciezka text

Frank Einstein

Horrorstor Text

Horrorstor Jacket

Horrorstor back

Therapy Text

Therapy dog

McMullan Text

I'm Brave!

Stanley Text

Stanley series

March text

March Cover

The film of John Green’s book, The Fault in Our Stars, premieres tonight, at NYC’s  Ziegfeld Theatre, before opening in theaters nationwide on Friday.

Author Green has had a busy few days. He appeared with the film’s stars last night to a packed audience at the Apple Store in NYC (in a commentary on our times, the store occupies a former post office building in Soho).

Green also appeared at BEA and was a huge hit at Book Con on Saturday.

All of this attention leads the New York Post to speculate on “How The Fault In Our Stars Became A Cult Sensation.”

Below is the most recent chat from the Penguin Young Readers Author Program. To become a member of the program, sign up here.

Live Chat with Piers Torday, THE LAST WILD

(05/21/2014)

  

Close

4:38	Nora - EarlyWord:  We will begin our live online chat with Piers Torday, author of THE LAST WILD in about 15 minutes. Wednesday May 21, 2014 4:38 Nora - EarlyWord

4:39	Nora - EarlyWord:  Meanwhile, here’s the cover of the book… Wednesday May 21, 2014 4:39 Nora - EarlyWord

4:39	Nora - EarlyWord THE LAST WILD, Cover Wednesday May 21, 2014 4:39

4:42

Nora - EarlyWord:  It's received many admiring reviews. Booklist gives a good summary -- "In a world where there are no more animals (only a few rogue varmints ), Kester Jaynes finds himself in an unusual position: a cockroach is asking him for help. Kester, who hasn't spoken since his mother died, answers the entreaty of the cockroach (and some persuasive pigeons) and escapes to the forbidden wild, where a few animals have been hiding ... an enchanted adventure with a message of empowerment and hope that ought to sweep readers along to the planned second volume." Wednesday May 21, 2014 4:42 Nora - EarlyWord

4:56

Nora - EarlyWord:  It’s great to see our chat participants gathering. You can send your questions through at any time. They'll go into a queue, and Lisa will submit as many of them as we can to Piers before the end of the chat. Don’t worry about typos – and please forgive any that we commit! Wednesday May 21, 2014 4:56 Nora - EarlyWord

5:02	lisa von drasek:  tech difficulties!!! here I am! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:02 lisa von drasek

5:04	Nora - EarlyWord:  Hurrah! Welcome Lisa! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:04 Nora - EarlyWord

5:04	Nora - EarlyWord:  The clock has struck the magic hour. I see that Piers is here from the U.K. -- say hi to everyone, Piers! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:04 Nora - EarlyWord

5:04	Piers Torday:  Hi everybody! Great to be here Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:04 Piers Torday

5:04	lisa von drasek:  Hello Piers! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:04 lisa von drasek

5:04	Piers Torday:  Hi Lisa! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:04 Piers Torday

5:05	Nora - EarlyWord:  I see some others out there -- say hi to Piers! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:05 Nora - EarlyWord

5:06	Piers Torday:  Please feel free to ask me anything Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:06 Piers Torday

5:06	[Comment From MD LibrarianMD Librarian: ]  Looking forward to getting WILD, today, Piers! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:06 MD Librarian

5:06	[Comment From sdnsdn: ]  ::waves:: Hi, all three of you. Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:06 sdn

5:06	lisa von drasek:  Piers, can you say a few words about the response that middle graders have been having to The Last Wild? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:06 lisa von drasek

5:06	Piers Torday:  Great MD Librarian - hope you enjoy - and hi sdn! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:06 Piers Torday

5:07	lisa von drasek:  sdn- would that be Sharyn November Piers' editor? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:07 lisa von drasek

5:07	Piers Torday:  Lisa I've had the most phenomenal response from middle graders - beyond what I expected. I think I had forgotten how powerful animal stories can be for younger children Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:07 Piers Torday

5:08	lisa von drasek:  ... what do kids like best about the book? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:08 lisa von drasek

5:08	[Comment From Michy FishMichy Fish: ]  Greetings from the wilds of Michigan! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:08 Michy Fish

5:09	lisa von drasek:  Although this book is dystopian, there is an undercurrent of humor.... especially the Wild...I love the white pigeon and the wolf pup Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:09 lisa von drasek

5:09

Piers Torday:  I think they find the beginning - which we find quite bleak as adults - very exciting and then are thrilled when some humble cockroaches and pigeons break our hero out of his horrible prison. And they really respond to the humour in the characterisation of the animals, absolutely Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:09 Piers Torday

5:09	[Comment From PDLibFanPDLibFan: ]  Not surprising that this was a big hit at the Texas Library Association convention last month! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:09 PDLibFan

5:09	Piers Torday:  Hello Michigan and thanks PDLIbfan, that's great to hear! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:09 Piers Torday

5:09	[Comment From sdnsdn: ]  (It would indeed be Sharyn November, Piers's editor!) Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:09 sdn

5:09	lisa von drasek:  We got this advance question from one of the program members: How did you choose the animal that would save the little boy? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:09 lisa von drasek

5:10	Piers Torday:  The one and only SDN! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:10 Piers Torday

5:10

Piers Torday:  Great question Lisa. I chose animals that I felt were neglected and taken for granted by us - the cockroach and the pigeon. Because I wanted animals that any child who has felt that way could identify with and also make a point about biodiversity. In the 19th century the passenger pigeon was the most prolific bird in the US. Their flocks went up to 3.5 billion in size and when they flew the sky went black. But following the commercialization of pigeon meat and massive deforestation, by 1914 there was only one left alive and she died in captivity. Not many of us like cockroaches but they are nature’s garbage collectors and recyclers – the world wouldn’t function without them. So I guess I'm saying - you can't take things for granted! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:10 Piers Torday

5:11	lisa von drasek:  Sharyn, I noticed in my reading that you and Piers left "British" English alone. can you comment on that? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:11 lisa von drasek

5:13	[Comment From sdnsdn: ]  Sure! Whenever possible, I prefer to keep the original flavor of a book when it comes to language usage and spelling -- it makes for full-story immersion, if you will. Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:13 sdn

5:13

Piers Torday:  As Sharyn has said, she had no desire to Americanise more than necessary, which I really appreciated - but this wasn’t just her choice, it was borne out by all the responses from her test readers. And as a result I think if anything the story is how many English words young American readers weren’t troubled by. I was allowed to keep ‘torches’ rather than change to ‘flashlights’ , ‘rubbish’ rather than ‘garbage’ or ‘trash’, and so on. Not only that, there were a number of words that some young English readers might not get which their US counterparts had no problem with -like ‘bally’ - meaning ‘bloody' and ‘chuffed’ - meaning ‘delighted’. Of course, I did have to make some changes. As Sharyn says, ‘Trackies’ (sweatpants) and ‘Trainers’ (sneakers) just make no sense at all over in the States, so they had to go. A few others: We ‘click’ our fingers to make a point, American readers ‘snap’ theirs, so I changed that. Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:13 Piers Torday

5:14	lisa von drasek:  what is the difference between a rabbit and a hare? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:14 lisa von drasek

5:14

Piers Torday:  Lisa the difference between a rabbit and a hare is chiefly in the ears. The hare has longer ears and longer legs, which mean they can run much faster. The hare sleeps above ground, unlike rabbits in their burrows. Rabbits tend to breed like, well, rabbits – which hares don’t. A hare being pursued or “harried” by a dog (hence their name) can make an awful cry which sounds like a baby in distress, which rabbits can’t do. Hares can make tremendous pets, being very happy on duvets and armchairs, rather like cats. And… they box, which rabbits don't! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:14 Piers Torday

5:15	lisa von drasek:  You're pulling my leg! Like a Kangaroo? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:15 lisa von drasek

5:15	Piers Torday:  Absolutely - do you want to see a photo? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:15 Piers Torday

5:15	lisa von drasek:  yes, please! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:15 lisa von drasek

5:16	Piers Torday Boxing hares Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:16

5:16	lisa von drasek:  wow! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:16 lisa von drasek

5:16	Piers Torday:  They do this every March... Hence the rather prickly “March Hare" in Alice in Wonderland Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:16 Piers Torday

5:17	lisa von drasek:  I read that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is one of your favorite books to recommend. Did I hear that you met Roald Dahl? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:17 lisa von drasek

5:17	Piers Torday:  I did meet the great man, Lisa. When I was growing up my mother ran a children's bookshop, and she invited Roald Dahl to speak at a book week event... Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:17 Piers Torday

5:18	Piers Torday:  ...And a few days later a mysterious brown envelope arrived addressed to me and my mum. Do you want to see what was inside? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:18 Piers Torday

5:18	lisa von drasek:  yes, please. Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:18 lisa von drasek

5:19	[Comment From Michy FishMichy Fish: ]  Wonder why rabbits don't do that? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:19 Michy Fish

5:19	[Comment From Boston Lib.Boston Lib.: ]  Piers -- did you draw your avatar? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:19 Boston Lib.

5:19	Piers Torday:  Michy Fish - I don't know - think they're happy to let the hares go for it! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:19 Piers Torday

5:19	Piers Torday Miranda Mary Piker Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:19

5:20	Piers Torday:  This is the note I got from Roald Dahl when I was little - an Oompa Loompa Song he cut from the first draft of Charlie - about the character Miranda Mary Piker, also cut, because his daughter didnt like her Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:20 Piers Torday

5:20	lisa von drasek:  OMG! you really know your way to a curator's heart Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:20 lisa von drasek

5:20	Piers Torday:  I keep it as a reminder that even the very greatest writers make big mistakes Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:20 Piers Torday

5:20	[Comment From sdnsdn: ]  I have never seen that in color, I don't think. WOW. Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:20 sdn

5:21	Piers Torday:  Hi Boston Lib - yes, I did! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:21 Piers Torday

5:21	lisa von drasek:  Do you save all your drafts? Do you show them to kids? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:21 lisa von drasek

5:21	lisa von drasek:  when you were writing did you have pictures of all the animals at your desk? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:21 lisa von drasek

5:21	[Comment From HCLibrarianHCLibrarian: ]  I wondered if Roald Dahl was an influence. I was reminded of Dahl quite a bit when I read The Last Wild--in very good ways. Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:21 HCLibrarian

5:22	Piers Torday:  Lisa I save all my drafts - I don't show them to kids but when I do talk to kids I really try and get them to enjoy the process of writing and not worry too much about getting perfect end results straightaway Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:22 Piers Torday

5:22	lisa von drasek:  do you have a day job or are you a full time writer Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:22 lisa von drasek

Piers Torday:  Lisa - I used to work in TV as a producer but now I divide my time between writing full time and speaking to children in schools and libraries.   Piers Torday

5:22	Piers Torday:  HCLibrarian - thank you, he was a massive influence hopefully not too much! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:22 Piers Torday

5:23	lisa von drasek:  -- Can you talk about your writing process? Do you get up at 4:00 am to write? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:23 lisa von drasek

Piers Torday:  cant write till after breakfast - about 9am, and I think and write till about 1pm, and then try and tidy up what I've done after lunch. It's quite haphazard. as long as I get my 750 words a day, I'm happy. But no work after 7pm!   Piers Torday

5:23

Piers Torday:  Hi Lisa Lisa no I didn't keep photos of the animals on my desk because I wanted to keep the characters in my head and not get too waylaid by the actual everyday animal. But I did do a lot of library research to make sure that – other than talking – none of the animals did anything they wouldn’t or couldn’t do in real life. And I stored a lot of photos to make sure physical details were correct. And…I did got to meet a real wolf. Want to see a picture of that? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:23 Piers Torday

5:24	lisa von drasek:  yes , please Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:24 lisa von drasek

5:24	[Comment From Boston Lib.Boston Lib.: ]  I'm fascinated by you're not wanting to be overly influenced by the actual animal -- can you elaborate on that? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:24 Boston Lib.

5:25	Piers Torday Tala the 18-month wolf cub who inspired the one in the book Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:25

5:26	lisa von drasek:  wow. that cub is really big. I imagined it to be the size of a golden retriever puppy all bouncy and loose. Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:26 lisa von drasek

5:27

Piers Torday:  Boston Lib - what I mean is that although I want them to look and feel like real animals, there is a danger that when you look too much at photos of "real" animals there is nothing behind the eyes, and so when you are trying to use them in ways which draw on their symbolic, poetic, mythological - or simply comic - potential, too much reality can deaden it for me. I really care about them from an eco point of view in the real world, but in the study I need to see them more figuratively Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:27 Piers Torday

5:27	Piers Torday:  Lisa - maybe this is the size Kester's wolf cub grows into! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:27 Piers Torday

5:27	lisa von drasek:  -- I read that you were friends with Eva Ibbotson. Had you read Secret of Platform 13 before Harry Potter came out? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:27 lisa von drasek

5:27	[Comment From Boston Lib.Boston Lib.: ]  Thanks for that -- makes sense. Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:27 Boston Lib.

5:28

Piers Torday:  Eva was my mum's greatest friend and she'd just started writing books when my mum opened her shop. She used to record them on cassette (remember those?) and send them to us for our thoughts. So yes we had read Platform 13 and were, ahem, as surprised as anyone when HP came out.. Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:28 Piers Torday

5:28	[Comment From MG LibrarianMG Librarian: ]  Sorry; I'm not familiar with Secret of Platform 13 -- is it like HP? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:28 MG Librarian

5:30	Piers Torday:  MG - the big deal is the secret hidden platform at Kings Cross station in London in both books Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:30 Piers Torday

5:30	Piers Torday:  But hey - I clearly borrow from lots of other writers.. I think these things are overplayed and so did Eva Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:30 Piers Torday

5:30	lisa von drasek:  To me they were alike in that they were both really fabulous fantasies with a lot of humor, really bad guys and adventure and magic from authors that I wasn't familiar with. I read both of them aloud to 4th graders Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:30 lisa von drasek

5:30	Piers Torday:  Exactly Lisa! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:30 Piers Torday

5:30	lisa von drasek:  When I was book talking the Last Wild, I had trouble coming up with comparable titles. Sharyn...what did you tell the sales reps? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:30 lisa von drasek

5:31	[Comment From sdnsdn: ]  I told them exactly what my first US reader -- Alice, who was 11 at the time -- said: "It's like sci-fi Roald Dahl!" Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:31 sdn

5:31	Piers Torday:  Still my favourite blurb ever, sdn Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:31 Piers Torday

5:31	lisa von drasek:  I love that! Can I use it? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:31 lisa von drasek

5:32	[Comment From sdnsdn: ]  Oh, feel free! It's on the jacket. Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:32 sdn

5:32	lisa von drasek:  oh now you all know that I don't read book jackets! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:32 lisa von drasek

5:32	Piers Torday:  It's a great book - the secret of platform 13... and everything Lisa said about is true Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:32 Piers Torday

5:33	lisa von drasek:  Piers, speaking of villains -- I really really really hated Captain Skuldiss. I wanted to kill him with my own bare hands. Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:33 lisa von drasek

5:33	Piers Torday:  Lisa, sorry but thank you! Now he is inspired by The Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, only as an animal catcher Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:33 Piers Torday

5:34	lisa von drasek:  Piers, I read that you had a pet monkey. picture please Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:34 lisa von drasek

5:34	Piers Torday:  You mean Basil? Hang on, I just need to try and get him to sit still for a moment... Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:34 Piers Torday

5:34	Piers Torday Basil, my pet monkey Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:34

5:34	lisa von drasek:  thank you. Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:34 lisa von drasek

5:35	lisa von drasek:  I loved Kester's scarf. Do you have a favorite piece of clothing that is also an object of comfort? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:35 lisa von drasek

5:37	Piers Torday:  I'm not sure as much as him, but I was sent some great fan art of his scarf Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:37 Piers Torday

5:37	lisa von drasek:  can I see it? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:37 lisa von drasek

5:37	[Comment From sdnsdn: ]  (I want someone to knit you that scarf.) Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:37 sdn

5:38	lisa von drasek:  Sharon, I will. are you okay with wool? Piers, I will need some measurements. Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:38 lisa von drasek

5:39	[Comment From sdnsdn: ]  I love you, Lisa Von Drasek. Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:39 sdn

5:39	Piers Torday:  Boston Lib - Monkeys are not only difficult pets, they are a nightmare and forever throwing coconuts at my neighbours head, not recommended Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:39 Piers Torday

5:39	lisa von drasek:  Where in the world would you like to travel? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:39 lisa von drasek

5:39	Piers Torday The scarf I would like SDN to get me knitted Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:39

5:40	Piers Torday:  Lisa I would like to travel to the Antarctic before it disappears Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:40 Piers Torday

5:42	lisa von drasek:  Do you have plans to visit the united states? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:42 lisa von drasek

5:43

Piers Torday:  I would love to come. I have so many friends over there from my time at school in USC, working in LA and New York, and now lots of new friends from the books, so perhaps once The Last Wild is out in soft cover and the Dark Wild is out in hard cover I can come and meet some of them! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:43 Piers Torday

5:44

Piers Torday:  Lisa - you also asked about my working process, what time I get up and so on. I cant write till after breakfast - about 9am, and I think and write till about 1pm, and then try and tidy up what I've done after lunch. It's quite haphazard. as long as I get my 750 words a day, I'm happy. But no work after 7pm! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:44 Piers Torday

5:44	lisa von drasek:  What are you reading now? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:44 lisa von drasek

5:45

Piers Torday:  I am currently reading a million books - a book on the sea, a book on making my handwriting better, a book on extinction, a novel from the 1970's by Anita Brookner, a fabulous MG adventure called Ironheart and some very old Balzac tales. Oh and I just started a book called Grasshopper Jungle today as well. Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:45 Piers Torday

5:45	lisa von drasek:  I am dying to read the sequel The Dark Wild. When can I get my hands on it? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:45 lisa von drasek

5:45	[Comment From sdnsdn: ]  (Viking will be publishing THE DARK WILD in Winter 2015 -- the season one year from now.) Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:45 sdn

5:46	Piers Torday:  Can't wait! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:46 Piers Torday

5:46	Nora - EarlyWord The U.K. cover of THE DARK WILD, the sequel to THE LAST WILD. To be published in the U.S., Winter, 2015 Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:46

5:47	lisa von drasek:  Have you had any surprising reactions to your book? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:47 lisa von drasek

5:47	Piers Torday:  A mysterious white dog, a needy rat and a bossy starling... Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:47 Piers Torday

5:47	lisa von drasek:  no that is just mean...teasing us like that! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:47 lisa von drasek

5:47

Piers Torday:  Lisa I’ve mainly had the most lovely reactions – so many emails and letters from children who it has really touched, and you can’t ask for better than that. Some parents have said they were animal lovers and appalled by the fact it is about some animals dying...which is a little ironic as really it is about animals surviving and encouraging us to look after our fellow creatures a little better! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:47 Piers Torday

5:48	Piers Torday:  Ok... and some mean foxes too! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:48 Piers Torday

5:49	lisa von drasek:  Do you have more than one story going at once? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:49 lisa von drasek

5:49	Piers Torday:  Lisa I have more than one story going in my head, sure, but not on the page. I’ve learned that focus really pays dividends. I do write around in a book though, I’m not always strictly chronological. Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:49 Piers Torday

5:51	lisa von drasek:  What did you eat for breakfast? Sharyn? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:51 lisa von drasek

5:52	Piers Torday:  Today it was porridge which means tomorrow it will be boiled eggs! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:52 Piers Torday

5:52	lisa von drasek:  what is porridge made of? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:52 lisa von drasek

5:52	Piers Torday:  Rolled oats and water stirred over a gentle heat + milk/honey/fruit/whatever takes your fancy. Scottish! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:52 Piers Torday

5:53	lisa von drasek:  Any last questions for Piers? I have one- do you ever Skype an author's visit? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:53 lisa von drasek

5:53	[Comment From Boston LibrarianBoston Librarian: ]  Was just browsing your site -- very nice by the way -- and I see THE DARK WILD is already out in the UK! http://www.pierstorday.co.uk Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:53 Boston Librarian

5:53	Piers Torday:  Hi Lisa - I have never Skyped an author's visit before but totally up for that Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:53 Piers Torday

5:53	lisa von drasek:  Boston Librarian, Are you going to wait for the US edition or get a UK bootleg? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:53 lisa von drasek

5:54	lisa von drasek:  tempting isn't it? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:54 lisa von drasek

5:54	Piers Torday:  Boston Lib - thank you! Yes it is and I've had some lovely feedback, mainly -- Hurry up and finish the 3rd! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:54 Piers Torday

5:54	[Comment From sdnsdn: ]  Hey, Lisa! NOT FAIR. ::grins:: Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:54 sdn

5:55	lisa von drasek:  oh right. please forgive me. sigh. Can you at least simultaneously publish number 3? Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:55 lisa von drasek

5:55	[Comment From Boston LibrarianBoston Librarian: ]  I would try to get a bootleg edition, but don't know how! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:55 Boston Librarian

5:55	[Comment From sdnsdn: ]  No, wait for the US version. Signed, US publisher and editor Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:55 sdn

5:56	[Comment From Boston LibrarianBoston Librarian: ]  THANKS for that, Lisa! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:56 Boston Librarian

5:56	Piers Torday:  Gladly Lisa if you can not only get me a scarf knitted but invent a time machine so I can finish it quicker! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:56 Piers Torday

5:56	Piers Torday:  Boston Lib - I promise you will be the first to get the US signed TDW, right sdn?! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:56 Piers Torday

5:57	lisa von drasek:  I will knit you AND Sharon scarves. just tell me the colors that you want. Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:57 lisa von drasek

5:58	lisa von drasek:  Thank you everyone for joining us. Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:58 lisa von drasek

5:58	Piers Torday:  Red and blue as in the book please! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:58 Piers Torday

5:58	Nora - EarlyWord:  Thanks to you and Piers, Lisa -- this was really fun. Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:58 Nora - EarlyWord

5:58	Piers Torday:  Thanks for having me everybody and for all your support, this has been great Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:58 Piers Torday

5:58	Nora - EarlyWord:  And thanks to those of you who joined us today. Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:58 Nora - EarlyWord

5:59	Nora - EarlyWord:  I want you to know that, offline, Lisa is finding out what kind of wool Piers peters! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:59 Nora - EarlyWord

5:59	Piers Torday:  I'm not revaling the answer! Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:59 Piers Torday

5:59	Nora - EarlyWord:  This chat is now archived on the Penguin Young Readers page on EarlyWord -- http://penguinyrauthors.earlyword.com/last-wild-live-chat/ Wednesday May 21, 2014 5:59 Nora - EarlyWord

6:00	Nora - EarlyWord:  The next book in our program is THE FORBIDDEN LIBRARY. If you are not already a member of the Penguin Young Readers program, you can sign up here: http://penguinyrauthors.ear... Wednesday May 21, 2014 6:00 Nora - EarlyWord

6:00	Nora - EarlyWord:  Goodbye, Piers, Lisa and the Penguin Young Readers Program members! Wednesday May 21, 2014 6:00 Nora - EarlyWord