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Miss USA, Remah Fakih, read Mary Nethery and Kirby Larson's book, Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle, at the Bronx Zoo!

Revision update: Halfway through chapter 10 of 29. Goal: To be finished by the end of the month.

Kirby Larson

Today, I’m thrilled to have an interview with Newbury Honor winner Kirby Larson. I met Kirby at the Austin SCBWI conference, where she gave an awesome talk about her journey from unpublished writer to her current success and all the peaks and valleys in between. I asked her to answer a few questions on research, both the research she did for her fictional Hattie Big Sky (2007 Newbury Honor book) and the research she nows does for her non-fiction books. She also talked about writing with a partner and writing on your own.

But, before we get to Kirby’s wisdom, tomorrow I’m at the Houston SCBWI conference with another incredible lineup: author Cynthia Leitich Smith, Balzer & Bray/HarperCollins assistant editor Ruta Rimas, Henry Holt creative director Patrick Collins, Simon & Schuster senior editor Alexandra Cooper, Scholastic senior editor Lisa Ann Sandell, Harvey Klinger agent Sara Crowe and National Geographic Children’s Books editor-in-chief Nancy Feresten. So check in next week for reports from the conference.

And now, onto Kirby…

You said at the Austin SCBWI conference that you did a lot of research for Hattie Big Sky. Can you tell us about the work you did and how the research helped you develop the idea for the book?

KL: I was an abysmal student of history so I knew nothing about homesteading in the early 20th century, nor even about WWI. I initially thought I might be doing something like a more grown-up version of the Little House books. But when I became aware of the tensions and prejudice of those part

If you're looking for thoughtful gifts to give this Hanukkah and Christmas, check out my online bookstore for ideas for booklovers. There are my favorite children's books, books written by my friends, Kindles, funky laptop carriers, reading lights and items relating to book characters.

Suggestions: The Lovely Bones is coming out in a movie. Why not give someone the book to read first? Or, if you know a dog lover, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a good one, and appeals to men as well. (My husband loved it!) Or, if you have someone who's in the armed forces, Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle by my friends, Mary Nethery and Kirby Larson, is a heart-warming war time story.(You might have seen Nubs the dog on The Today Show).

So, enjoy a leisurely browse through Cookie Monkey Books by clicking on the post title above, and take care of your shopping in a snap.