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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 I met Kirby at the Austin SCBWI conference, where she gave an awesome talk about her journey from unpublished writer to her current success and all the peaks and valleys in between.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 there was a theme in what the many published writers said at the Austin SCBWI conference a couple weeks ago, it was that perseverance is an important part of their success.

Three of this year’s ALA winners were there — Jacqueline Kelly (The Evolution of Capurnia Tate), Marla Frazee and Liz Garton Scanlon (All the World illustrator and author) and Chris Barton (The Day-Glo Brothers) — and they all told tales of facing many rejections before publication and of pursuing their dreams of being published for years before making them a reality.

Kirby Larson, author of the 2007 Newbery Honor book Hattie Big Sky, said she received piles of rejection letters before her publishing career began. Finally, after many years of trying and taking a 10-day course that happened over her daughter’s birthday — what a sacrifice — she sold her first picture books. A few more followed, but then she didn’t sell anything for seven years. That’s when she tried a different type of writing and Hattie Big Sky was born.

Former editor and now full-time author Lisa Graff explained that for her last book, Umbrella Summer, she wrote 18 complete drafts.

Yesterday, this theme was reinforced in an article in the Los Angeles Times about non-fiction author Rebecca Skloot, whose The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks appeared on Amazon’s bestseller list immediately after the book debuted on Feb. 2. This was all after Skloot spent 10 years working on the book and went through three publishing houses, four editors and two agents.

All these writers shared something in common: They didn’t give up.

So, the motto for today: Never give up.

Write On!

Reviewed by Carma Dutra, Picture Book Reviewer for the National Writing for Children Center

Title: The Magic Kerchief
Author: Kirby Larson
Illustrator: Rosanne Litzinger
Hard Cover: 32 pages
Ages: 4 to 8
Publisher: Holiday House - First edition (September 2000)
ISBN-10: 0823414736
ISBN-13: 978-0823414734

Kirby Larson has written a captivating original folktale with a message everyone can relate to. The story may be set in the past but is all too timely today. Everyone in the village avoided Griselda, the town “grouch”. One day Griselda reluctantly offered a stranger a place to stay after this stranger mysteriously appeared at Griselda’s door. In fact, Griselda was quite snappy with the visitor and was ready to have her sleep on the floor by the fire. However, while Griselda built a fire the visitor fell asleep in Griselda’s bed. The next morning, the kind visitor insisted on repaying for Griselda’s kindness with a magical scarf, promising it held great riches.

Crabby Griselda did not believe the stranger, but nevertheless, the scarf was charming so she tied it on and went to market. What happened at market was truly miraculous. Griselda lost the sting of her tongue when she shopped at the bakery and when she passed by the Lord Mayor. The only words she usually muttered to the Lord Mayor were “Paah, a donkey on two legs is still a donkey.” Instead, wearing the special kerchief, she greeted the Lord Mayor with “My aches and pains vanish when I greet an old friend.” No one was used to Griselda saying nice words. Everyone was surprised. Griselda learned through the kindness of a stranger that to have a friend you must be a friend.

The charming folk-art illustrations by Roseanne Litzinger are done in soothing pastels and all the characters are rounded like stuffed pillows, which lends to the entertaining flavor of Larson’s words. Two page spreads dominate the book and depict an original scene with bright background color. This book is worth owning yourself and for gift giving.

About the author: Kirby Larson is the acclaimed author of the 2007 Newberry Honor Book, Hattie Big Sky, a young adult novel she wrote inspired by her great-grandmother, Hattie Inez Brooks Wright, who homesteaded by herself in eastern Montana as a young woman. In addition, Kirby has written three books for children, including the award-winning picture book, The Magic Kerchief. A frequent speaker, Kirby has presented at more than 200 schools, workshops, and seminars.

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For more book reviews and articles and other resources for children’s writers, visit Carma’s Window.

from Carma Dutra, contributing editor for The National Writing for Children Center

Kirby Larson’s portfolio includes the 2007 Newbery Honor Award book, Hattie Big Sky (Delacorte); and Junior Library Guild and IndieBound Next List selection, Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival, (Walker), co-written with her good friend, Mary Nethery and illustrated by New Orleans resident, Jean Cassels. She is at work on a middle-grade historical novel, as well as a second nonfiction picture book with Mary.

Recently, Kirby Larson talked with me about her career as a children’s book author.

Carma: When did your professional writing career begin?

Kirby: Define professional! I sold my first piece, a personal essay about wilderness camping with my husband when we had two kids in diapers, to Signposts magazine for $12 in 1984. I began writing for children in the early 90s.

C: Can a children’s book be published without an agent?

K: Though I now have an agent, I had 6 books published without one, and I have friends who are selling successfully without agents. I think the key is to make sure you’re putting out the best work possible.

C: What is the best route to an agent?

K: See above. Do your best, be professional. And go to conferences where agents you’re interested in are presenting to suss out whether or not they might be a good match for you and for your work.

C: Do you have a favorite source of inspiration?

K: My son’s college loans, which we’re still paying off. Seriously, if I waited for inspiration, I’d be in big trouble. To paraphrase Madeleine L’Engle, the writer who waits for inspiration doesn’t get much writing done.

C: Describe what you like most about writing for children.

K: The fact that writing, reading and daydreaming are essential elements of my job, and the joy of connecting with my readers, young and old.

C: Did you have an “Aha moment” when you knew you were going to write for children or did the realization happen gradually?

K: Most of the short fiction I was writing — the stuff I cared about — featured kid characters. Then, one day, I read the picture book MING LO MOVES THE MOUNTAIN (written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel) to my then-young children and I knew what it was I wanted to do for the rest of my life: write books for children and young adults.

C: At the recent SCBWI event in Davis, California, you mentioned five years passed before Hattie Big Sky was written and published. Did you write any novels or stories during that time and if you did do you plan to publish them?

K: Hattie was a time-consuming labor of love. I did some revising of old manuscripts and note-taking on new ones on off days during that period, but that book was my primary focus. After I sold it, in the two year gap before it came out, I co-wrote TWO BOBBIES: A TRUE STORY OF HURRICANE KATRINA, FRIENDSHIP AND SURVIVAL with my dear friend, Mary Nethery. That nonfiction picture book, illustrated by Jean Cassels (a New Orleans resident), was published by Walker in August.

C: Have you ever experienced writer’s block? If so how did you break it?

K: I have definitely experienced writer’s block this past year — thanks to the Newbery Honor. I broke it by running away from home to Mexico for 2 weeks in March with another good friend. She had a book due on April 1 and so we wrote like maniacs after our morning Spanish classes every single day for each of those 2 weeks. She finished her book and I nearly finished a draft of a middle grade historical novel. Since my return home, I have finished it. Now it’s time to revise.

C: Have revisions ever changed the original intent of your story? In what way?

K: This is an intriguing question but I’m not sure how to answer it. I think revisions have changed the shape of a story and maybe individual story elements but I can’t think of a time where the intent was changed because my intent is always to tell a given story the best way I can.

C: Do you visit schools outside of Washington State? How often?

K: I’ve been on the road a lot this past year, visiting schools all around the country. I’ve even been invited to speak to an international school in Qatar in April! I do love to visit schools, but am working on slowing down the pace of my travel.

C: What projects are you working on now?

K: I am working on the revision of the middle grade historical referred to above and Mary and I are writing another narrative nonfiction picture book which will be coming out from Little Brown in Fall 09.

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NOTE: Last week, Kirby Larson and Bonny Becker were guests on Book Bites for Kids. Listen to a recording of that interview here.

Author: Kirby Larson Publisher: Delacorte Press Pages: 283 Kirby Larson’s Newbery Honor Book Hattie Big Sky was released in paperback last week. I received a copy from the publisher right before I left to visit family over the holidays, and I was just able to pick up over the weekend to read it. I know, I know…I must be the last person in the world to read this book, but I’ve just started

I must be the last person to review Hattie Big Sky, but I have an excuse, I swear. I spent November and December reading Middle Grade fiction almost exclusively for The Cybils and Hattie Big Sky was nominated in the Young Adult category. In fact, Hattie Big Sky was selected as a shortlisted title in the Young Adult category. That being said, I'd recommend Hattie Big Sky to children as young as 10.

Hattie Brooks has moved from relative to ever-more-distant relative most of her young life. When she is sixteen years old, she reaches the end of her line with Aunt Ivy and Uncle Holt (he's a distant cousin). Or so she thinks. Just as Aunt Ivy is about to send her off to work as a maid, Hattie Brooks receives a letter informing her that her mother's brother left her a land claim in Montana. She has one year to work the land, make it profitable, fence it off, pay her taxes and it will be hers. Hattie takes her chances and the train out West.

Hattie arrives to Wolf Point, Montana where she is met by Perilee and Karl Mueller, her homesteading neighbors, and their three children, Chase, Mattie, and Fern. They help her settle in her Uncle's "house," and show her how to survive the winter and care for the horse and cantankerous cow. Even the children know more than Hattie: Chase has to detach Hattie from the well pump on her very first day. Though life is hard, Hattie is up to the challenge and works to survive on her own.

Kirby Lawson has created a wonderful character in Hattie. She's a tough girl, willing to work to make it on her own. But, Hattie is more than just determination--she's also kind and compassionate without being silly or sentimental. In 1917 Montana, anti-German sentiment is strong, yet Hattie stands up to her wild Montana neighbors and supports her friend Karl Mueller when he's attacked, both physically and verbally, for being German-born. Even Hattie's feelings for her school friend, Charlie, who is away at the front, are true to character:

• "So maybe I did spend a night now and then dreaming silly girl dreams about him, even though everyone knew he was sweet on Mildred. My bounce-around life had taught me dreams were dangerous things--they look solid in your mind, but you just try to reach for them. It's like gathering clouds."

Hattie Big Sky, just as its narrator, is a brilliant, straightforward novel. Author Kirby Larson pulls no punches: death is ever present in the novel, as it was in 1917, and friends are essential to survival. I appreciated Hattie Big Sky for its complex ending as well. Hattie, in some ways, fails in her endeavor. (I won't spoil the book for you by mentioning how.) In other ways, Hattie finds family, love, and self-sufficiency.

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A related note: MotherReader recently read Hattie Big Sky and invited readers to discuss the use of religion in the book. It's a fascinating discussion, so read through if you get a chance. I have to admit, that I was one of the readers who didn't notice it much--it seemed appropriate for the era.

(I say this as a person who was really irritated by the Narnia books as a child because I found them too evangelical.)

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I received Hattie Big Sky from the author.