Thanks for having me on your blog today. I’m happy to say the MuseItUp Publishing young adult and middle grade authors are getting lots of exposure on each other’s blogs this month.
My novel, Wounds, falls into the middle grade category. I think this book will be of interest to youngsters who have ever done anything they have felt guilty about and didn’t know how to go about rectifying things. And doesn’t that cover just about all of us?
My main character, Craig, tries to cut down an old oak tree that is venerated by the greater community. And this is where other readers might find this book of interest. The harm done to the tree brings the community together. Various people who become involved are the newspaper, the police, the school principal, teachers, a Juvenile Court Judge, a state officer of the Department of Children and Families, a doctor, a kid’s club, and the city arborist.
It makes Craig realize how connected everything and everyone are, but he has a hard time seeing this fact apply to himself.
I personally like the arborist who comes to take care of the wounded tree. Craig is ordered by the judge to assist in the care of the tree. We get to see some natural science that pertains to trees in general and to grafting in particular as it applies to this tree. I kept the details to a minimum so as not to get bogged down. But teachers could use this as a starting point to teach students some science out in the field. My arborist is described as “a big man with a big love of big trees.” He is enthusiastic, optimistic, and a hard worker.
I would not presume to compare my book to anything by Eve Bunting. But her book, Blackwater, also deals with guilt and influenced me.
If my book were turned into a movie, I think the boy on the cover would be good to play the part. He has a brooding expression that seems to hide the hurt inside. Don’t know who he is, though.
I have many, many favorite fiction books. (Don’t know if that’s possible, but it’s hard to pick just one). But one in particular that stands out for me is Who Really Killed Cock Robin? by Jean Craighead George. And another, non-fiction, is Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. They share a common theme of pesticides. I guess that shows you where my greatest concern is.
I recall that my favorite book in the third grade was Pegeen by Hilda van Stockum. I think I identified with Pegeen because she was a country girl who loved storytelling and she was an orphan. I wasn’t an orphan but I had lost my dad in the War and I was a country girl. Now I’m a storyteller.
Shellie, it’s been fun for me to share some info about Wounds. You have an interesting bunch of questions—sorry I couldn’t get to all of them.
Thanks for inviting me to talk about Wounds, my upcoming Muse middle grade e-novel. It is going to be available starting September 16 on these sites:
http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/
And this is my buy page: 11 Comments on A Visit with Barbara Bockman, last added: 9/8/2011
Congrats, Barbara, on your book birthday! It sounds like Wounds deals with a lot of universal issues that affect people of all ages. I love the use of the old tree to represent tradition and what’s valued in the community.
Oh, and I think it’s not only possible but completely normal to have more than one favorite fiction book. If my very life depended on choosing just one, I’m still not sure I could do it!
I’m happy to be in the same MuseIt Young author group with Barbara. As soon as I get all my posts ready for my own book’s release, I’ll take a breath and get to read some terrific books like Wounds.
I’m so glad you could visit with us, Barbara. Wounds is definitely on my TBR list. And I agree Anne, I cannot choose just one favorite fiction book:).
Hi Barbara. Our authors are getting a lot of blog time, aren’t we. Pretty exciting. The book sounds wonderful. I just know it’s going to do great!
C.K. Volnek
Hi Grandma! Great interview! We are all so proud of you!!
Hi Mrs. Bockman,
I really enjoyed your interview. I particularly enjoyed reading about your influences and your favorite stories.
I do wonder was there deeper meaning behind the image of the tree being harmed? Does this event represent more than simple act of vandalism? Perhaps I’ll just wait to read the book.
Hi Anne,
The date is getting closer every day. I’m so excited.
Hi Marva,
As I told Kat on her blog talk radio show, I have a “stack” of Muse books to read.
Shellie, it’s been wonderful visiting with you today and talking about our books. You might notice that my granddaughter and her boyfriend clicked on the link that I left on my blog and left comments.
Hi Charlie,
Thanks for the wonderful encouragement. This is very exciting, and looks like we’ll have another busy month in October with Lea’s Online Conference. We Musers get around!
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for stopping by. I’m sure Shellie appreciates it as much as I do.