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Today we have an interview with the fabulous Jenny Meyerhoff, author of Third Grade Baby. And at the end we get to find out the answer to that all important question... does she believe in the tooth fairy?
2k8: So, where do you do most of your writing? What's it look like?
Jenny Meyerhoff: I have a very fancy office. It’s about 1500 square feet with a choice of writing tables or upholstered club chairs by a fireplace. A chef will whip up a sandwich, salad or soup, and the coffee is always flowing. I never have to worry about making a mess—I have people there who offer to clear my things for me.
Here’s what it looks like inside.
Here’s what it looks like from the outside
When I’m not writing at the café, I’m in my office at home. Obviously no one cleans up after me at home.
2k8:Can you tell us how the book came about? How did you begin writing it?
Jenny Meyerhoff: I started writing THIRD GRADE BABY because of a title. The original was “The Top Secret Files of the Tooth Fairy.” It came to me in a flash, and I really wanted to know the story that went with it. It was a fantasy about a girl who got to help the tooth fairy. Unfortunately, that book wasn’t very good, so after a major revision (from fantasy to contemporary realistic fiction) THIRD GRADE BABY was born.
2k8: And how did it find a publisher? Where were you when you got The Call?Jenny Meyerhoff: The call didn’t come quite out of the blue. I had been told that my books were being taken to acquisitions and so was hoping to hear from my agent at any time. (Not that I was obsessively checking my email and voicemail or anything.) When the call finally came, I somehow was unable to locate my cellphone. I could hear it ringing, but ran frantically around the house trying to locate the source of the sound without success. Voicemail picked up and my agent had to deliver the news via message. (Which I saved. However, to preserve my dignity, I cannot tell you how many times I listened to it.)
2k8: Imagine you have an offer from your dream press to publish your dream book, no matter how insane or unmarketable it might be (though of course it might not be). What story do you want to write next/someday and why?Jenny Meyerhoff: I already feel like this has happened for me. Publishing my first book with FSG was everything I could have imagined and more. And right now I’m working with them on my second book, THE IMPOSSIBLE SECRETS OF ESSIE GREEN. It’s a young adult novel.
2k8: What question won't most people know to ask you? What is your answer?Jenny Meyerhoff: Well, my book really tackles the question of whether or not third graders are too old to believe in the tooth fairy. One of the characters states emphatically that they are. Another one says she will continue to believe in the tooth fairy no matter what. The main character tries to decide what she should believe; she really isn’t sure.
So far, no one has asked me if I believe in the tooth fairy.
The answer is yes, I do.
This week, join the Class of 2k8 in welcoming the talented Jenny Meyerhoff, who is celebrating the release of her book, Third Grade Baby!
Polly Peterson knows that baby teeth are for babies like her little brother Max. And yet she’s the only kid in her third grade class who hasn’t lost a single one. Her best friends, Oliver and Amelia, try to make her feel better, but it’s hard to be cheerful when Zachary, the new boy at school, starts calling her babyteeth. As if that weren’t bad enough, Polly worries about what to do when she finally does lose a tooth. Can third graders leave teeth under their pillows? Or is the tooth fairy also just for babies?
Now read an excerpt!
Polly Peterson tightened her ponytail and skipped alongside her mother on the sidewalk in front of Barker Elementary School. School hadn't even started, and already there was a problem. Everywhere Polly looked, students were running, climbing, and waiting for the bell to ring, but she didn't see any parents. Since third graders used the upper elementary playground, Polly guessed they were supposed to walk to school by themselves.
Uh-oh.
Polly turned to her mom, who was pushing Max, Polly's baby brother in a stroller. Max chewed on his fingers, and a big glob of drool dripped from his mouth. Eew!
"We can say goodbye here, Mom," Polly said.
Polly's mom looked at the school and then back at Polly, as if she wasn't sure. Then she asked, "You'll be okay?"
Polly nodded. "I'll be fine." Then she wiggled her loose front tooth. It was on the bottom, right in front.
The bell rang, and the third graders lined up. Oliver Wu and Amelia Sanchez, Polly's two best friends, stood at the front of the line. Their parents were already on their way to work. Polly hoped no one could see that her mom had walked her to school.
Polly's mom leaned down. "Can I at least have a hug?"
Polly guessed a hug would be okay. She squeezed her mom goodbye. Then Polly's mom gave her a big kiss on the cheek. "Oops!" she said when she stood up. "I got lipstick on you. Just a second."
Polly's mom reached into Max's diaper bad and pulled out a baby wipe. A baby wipe! She grabbed Polly's chin. "Hold still."
Polly squirmed but she couldn't escape. Her mom cleaned her cheek with the wipe. Disgusting! Polly thought having a baby brother would make her parents treat her like a bigger kid, not like a toddler. She hoped no one had seen. She looked back at the playground. A tall, blond boy was staring at her, a fifth grader probably. Polly bet he thought she was a baby because her mom was wiping her face.
Huge Congrats, Jenny! What an accomplishment!
Tomorrow, we meet Jenny up close and personal as we continue to celebrate her debut week!
Today is all about yesterday. Well, not yesterday, exactly, but some blog posts from the past that need updating, or that I'm still thinking about:
- First, my two posts about questions, "Why is a Bicycle?" and "P.S. Let Me Expand on That...,"dovetail nicely with the 7-Imps 7 Kicks post featuring Trudy White and her new book, Could You? Would You? I posted my answer to one of Trudy's evocative questions over at 7-Imps in the comments, but I'm re-posting here because it's so much fun. Go over to 7-Imps if you want to play along:
Question: How would someone find you in a crowd? My answer: 1) The super-secret-draw-no- attention-to-either-of-us way: Look at each person’s right hand. When you find the one that always has a ruby ring that’s the color of love on the fourth finger, stop and introduce yourself. 2) The I-don’t-care-who-sees-us method: Hire Paul Simon to play “Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes.” I’ll find you on the dance floor.
- Next, Jacquelynn Buck, the photographer I wrote about and who took my author picture, has a new photo blog, A Journey. She and her camera will be blogging their way through North and South Carolina for seven weeks. Ride along if you want.
- Remember the poem I posted a few Poetry Fridays back: "On turning a t-shirt right side out"? Well, I'm dreaming of having it put on the back of a t-shirt. Is that crazy? I'm a fan of poetry being out there in the world on buses and on the backs of cereal boxes and yes, on clothes. In fact, I would even like to design a line of clothing in which poems are printed on the inside of garments, so only you know they're there, like secret armor. But anyway, back to my more doable t-shirt idea: how would I have this made so it looks really chic? Downright arty, in fact? Most do-it-yourself shirt places only do big slogans in ALL CAPS. And I really need it to fit me, so no men's shirts. And I like white, but it can't be that see-through stuff. (Stacy and Clinton: look the other way. I know how you feel about message shirts.)
- I'm loving Poetry Friday so much that I put a button in the sidebar, with links to 1) Chicken Spaghetti's handy-dandy explanation for the phenomenon, 2) the creator of the Poetry Friday button, and 3) a quick link to all of my poetry posts in one place.
- I also took my post, "Enter" and made it my Mission Statement: This is why I write (you can see it there under my blog archive.)
- Remember my post about last lines? Well, I changed the last lines of my second book, again. Actually, my husband (and then, my agent) told me I had ended the story, like four different ways. Hmmm. Tweak, tweak.
That's it! Back to the present. Unless I decide to watch Spock fall in love with Zarabeth in
All Our Yesterdays. (Sorry, Shakespeare, I know you had the original: "
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools/The way to dusty death.")
I keep six honest serving-men:
(They taught me all I knew)
Their names are What and Where and When
And How and Why and Who.
From "The Elephant's Child" by Rudyard Kipling
What is the purpose of “Becky’s Book Reviews”
To promote the love of reading by providing teens, tweens, parents, teachers, librarians, fellow bloggers, and booklovers of all ages, with reviews of current books published for children and/or young adults. The site also will review past titles if they are a particular favorite of mine, or if I feel that they are still relevant and would benefit from more exposure.
Do I post only book reviews? No. Sometimes I also post my opinions on things happening in the blog world, and in the world in general. I also make a point of noting recent book lists and awards. I do participate in the occasional meme. I’ve been known to post YouTube videos as well. But those ‘fun’ posts aren’t part of the real purpose. They’re just extras.
Where can you find Becky’s reviews?
My reviews can be found on this website (http://blbooks.blogspot.com/). Reviews of my ‘clean reads’ can be found on Deliciously Clean Reads (http://www.cleanreads.blogspot.com/).
Links to my reviews can be found at the Childrens Book Review Index wiki page. (http://childrensbookreviews.pbwiki.com/).
I have participated (and plan to do so) in reviewing books for The Edge of The Forest (http://www.theedgeoftheforest.com/).
I also participate in the Carnival of Children’s Literature. This is hosted at a different site each month.
I also participate in the Librarians’ Choices project at Texas Woman’s University. It has been edited, in the past, by Dr. Sylvia Vardell. This year, Dr. Janet Hilbun will be the editor. The two professors teach the class (or non-class) together and will take turns editing it in the future. Each participant reviews a certain number of books (8-10 generally). I have participated in this project since 2004. The goal of the book LIBRARIANS CHOICES (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, etc.) is to choose the top 100 books for children and young adults from books published that year. It covers fiction, nonfiction, poetry, picture books, etc. We try to have diverse titles that would appeal to a wide range of readers (boys, girls, teens, tweens, early readers, etc.)
You can also find some of my reviews on Amazon. The only reason I stopped reviewing there, is their change in policy. (Not that I’m still bitter or anything.)
When is the site updated? The site “Becky’s Book Reviews” is updated every day. I post at least 7 times a week. For holidays, I might post in advance. But there will be at least one post each day. Recently, I’ve been posting more than that. Sometimes two or three times a day. But I will always keep the site current. There will always be something new to read.
How do I choose what to review? It is my goal--a very lofty goal--to read anything and everything I can get my hands on that is new. How do I define new? Books published within the past year or two. I’m still grabbing 2006 titles from my library shelves. But I am eagerly waiting to start reviewing 2007 titles. I would love to receive ARCs and books from publishers, authors, etc. Anything to help me in my goal of reading *as many* 2007 titles as I can. Of course, when 2008 rolls around, I’ll be in quest of those books. But I think you can grasp the concept! How do I see my role as a reviewer? Professional reviews mainly target school librarians and public librarians. Their goal is to help individual librarians decide which books to add to their collection to best serve their communities needs. Therefore they tend to be a little more analytical. A little more judgemental. A little more...this is a book every library needs...or this is a book most libraries can live without...or whatever. They tend to word things in such a way that librarians can *know* whether to spend their money on that item or somewhere else. All that is valid. But a blogger who reviews is serving a wider audience. We have the luxury of being more personal, of being more verbose, of saying whatever we want in whatever style we want. While I may be harsh in some of my reviews, in others I may let the reader judge the value of a book for themselves. I see my role as not trying to say definitely “what is good” or “what is bad” or “what is average” but instead this is what this book has to offer. I describe a book. I try to give the reader a feel, a taste of the book.
Why did I create Becky’s Book Reviews? Why do I feel compelled to blog?
I love to read. I love to write. I love to discuss. I love helping readers connect with books. I want to help promote reading. I want to introduce books and authors to readers. The site helps me do this. It is also immensely satisfying to do this. It helps me keep track of what I read. It helps me connect with a community of readers.
Who is Becky of Becky’s Book Reviews? I am a reader, first and foremost. I am a reader who happens to have a background in English literature and library science. I have a BA and MA in English literature from Texas Woman’s University. I have a MLS degree from Texas Woman’s University. My specialization is children’s and young adult literature. This is my calling in life to promote the love of reading, the love of books, to connect books with readers, to encourage lifelong reading habits.
To read even more see To Blog or Not To Blog
Email me
There is quite a lot of discussion going on this week about so-called 'amateur' reviewers who blog about children's books and the 'professional' reviewers who appear in print (and/or are paid for their reviews). I was already planning on posting a mission statement/review policy of sorts. So this does provide an interesting reason to do it now instead of putting it off yet another day or week.
To get caught up on the arguments/debates:
A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy: Leave the Reviewing to the Professionals
Fuse #8's Sillies and Give 'em the Old Razzle-Dazzle
Jess: Lit Blog Wars
Read Roger's: Why I Don't Have A Blogroll or Friends
Jen Robinson's Book Page: Professional Reviews vs. Blog Reviews
Finding Wonderland: The Writing YA Weblog: My Two Cents...Well, More Like Five Bucks
Interactive Reader: I Just Hate it When Hopes Are Dashed
MotherReader's Coziness (Added 4/19/07)
(I have not read the comments below each blog post. There were too many. But I did read most, and scan the rest of the above links.) I am not trying to engage in the above dialogues so much as I am trying to state MY beliefs on what the role of a reviewer/blogger is.
WHY BLOG?
Someone--a snooty someone it sounds like--posted that "Obviously, it benefits the publisher to cozy up under the guise of friendship, to tell the bloggers how interesting and brilliant and important they are. (Bloggers must already be preconditioned to believe this -- why else would they have a blog in the first place?)" I find that insulting and rude. But is it true? Is anyone in the kidlit community really trying to blog their way into fame and fortune and the good life? Is that even possible? People blog because they have something to share. Something important, yes. But it's not "me, me, me." Instead it is read this book. Read that book. Listen to what this author has to say. It's not "I'm such a wonderful person. Look at me. I'm fabulous." If literature blogs were like that--who would read them??? Seriously. And no one begins off a review, "I'm so brilliant. Listen to what I have to say. Don't bother reading anyone else's review. I'm the best. My opinion is the only one that matters. If you disagree with me, you're rubbish." I've never really read a blog whose author had a huge ego and an insatiable thirst for praise and glory. So to say bloggers are egocentric, and attention-seekers is just misguided. They are no more egocentric than anyone else.
WHY I BLOG?
I blog because I can. I have the time and energy to post reviews and ramblings daily. I read books. Tons of books. I find it personally satisfying to write about and discuss the books I read. Therefore I blog. That is not to say I blog for myself alone. I'm always thinking of a potential audience. It could be teens or tweens. It could be parents. It could be teachers or librarians. It could be other bloggers. It might be authors or publishers. But my audience is anyone and everyone who likes to (or loves to) read. My site offers options.
UNDER WHOSE AUTHORITY???
I cannot remember where I read this--but it was something I read this morning--but it was something to the effect that every reader has a right to have an opinion about a book and share it. Whether they share it via a blog or an Amazon review or just among friends. You don't have to be one of the select few 'professional' reviewers in a major publication to have a point of view. All that being said, the more you read...the more informed you are and able to distinguish and discern quality. The more you read, the more you know. So experience adds to your credibility as a blogger. But everyone has a right to an opinion. Same goes with education. I have an MLS degree. My specialization was children's literature. I have numerous course credits in the field. My other degrees include a BA and MA in Literature. So I know reading. I know how to read "big people" books and "little people" books. I can analyze and dissect great works of literature. I can write thesis statements and have a well-organized research paper. Does any of that matter when it comes to blogging? It's debatable.
BALANCING BEING "OBJECTIVE" WITH BEING "SUBJECTIVE"
The great thing about reading is everyone is different. Everybody reads a book differently. One person could love it. One person could like it. One person could hate it. Which person is right? None of them. All of them. Only the reader can decide what is "good" in their opinion. You can't force anyone to like a book. You can't enforce your tastes and opinions on anyone else. Everyone can have their own opinion on a book. That's the only way to view it. If I disagree with your taste in books, fine. If you disagree with my taste in books, fine. There is no right or wrong here. All this is obvious. More than obvious. But here is the bottom line: how does a reviewer balance their personal response from a book with an objective view of the book? Can any book be read objectively? How can the reader divorce themselves from the reading process? Should they even try?
Reviews are opinions. They reflect the opinion of one person--the reviewer. They cannot reflect every opinion. To some extent, you can weed out about 10% of books objectively. There are a few books that you can read and examine and come to the conclusion...I don't know anyone, anywhere who could possibly like this book. But most books aren't like that. Most books have a potential audience. Every book is potentially someone's "favorite" book waiting to be discovered. The world would be a very boring place if everyone had the same favorite book or author. Variety is a good thing. So no review--whether appearing in a journal or a blog--is free from personal opinion. They may try to disguise it. But you can almost always read between the lines and discern whether or not they liked it. They may try to be "professional" and "objective" and try to convince you that they're free from bias. But no one can be completely free. They may have logical arguments. Proof to say these are the reasons why. But there are always other reasons why that may not be quite as logical. Sometimes you dislike a book and you just can't put your finger on it as to why. You just know. Same goes with a good review. You like it and you really don't know why. You just know you love it. Do you have to justify it? It is always better to try to explain it than to just shrug your shoulders and say in your review: "I love this book. I think everyone should read this book. It is great. I love the author." I think we've all seen book reviews like that on Amazon. So somewhere in the middle is the best place to write your review. I think bloggers can share more of their personality in book reviews. But essentially, you should never forget that reviews = opinions. Whether the reviewer is educated or uneducated. Whether the reviewer is young or old. My opinions about a book are just as valid as any review source. And so are yours.
SO WHAT RESPONSIBILITY DOES THE REVIEWER HAVE?
Some people only review books they love. Some review books they love and like. Some review books they love, like, and dislike. Do you have to love a book (or like a book) to review it? No. Does that enthusiasm help the review? Sometimes. I actually find it easier to write reviews of books I am indifferent to or dislike. Sometimes the words come easier. I can always think of reasons why I didn't like something. But if I really, truly love a book. Sometimes the words don't come. Sometimes I'm too emotionally caught up in the book to explain why it was a great book. Sometimes it takes more effort to get the review "just right" to do justice to that new, great book. What I strive for with each review is authenticity.
IS THE ROLE OF REVIEWER DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF A LIBRARIAN?
Many (but not all) bloggers have been trained in the tradition of librarianship. Whether they're currently employed at a library or not. They're familiar with the philosophy that you don't have to personally love the book (or like the book) to recommend it to a patron. When a patron comes to you looking for a new book to read. When they share what they've read in the past. When you know what genres they like. What authors they like, etc. You don't have to personally love (or like) any of the books you recommend. You can even actively hate the books that you hand over to them. That is because you recognize that everyone is different. Readers advisory isn't about recommending YOUR favorite books to every person you meet. It's about actively listening and making recommendations and such based on them...not you. Do reviewers play by the same rules? Should every review be seen as a personal endorsement of a particular book? Every reviewer has to answer that question themselves. I can only say that I have reviewed books that I didn't necessarily like or enjoy. These reviews were not necessarily written any differently than the reviews of books I liked. With one exception. If I say I really loved a book. Or if I go on for paragraphs about how wonderful a book is, you can obviously conclude that I personally liked it. That's a given. But there are some books (and some reviews) that I've written where I didn't personally care for the book, BUT I saw the potential for readers. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that this book would appeal to someone. It's a slightly different story where you notice a lack in quality. But judging content is another matter. So is it dishonest to try to be neutral? I don't think so. It's a mood thing I suppose. Some days I review a book I didn't personally care for and I do it in a very neutral way. I never come right out and say that it wasn't my cup of tea. That it wasn't for me. Some days I review a book I didn't like, and I let everyone know I didn't like it. Every book is different. Every review is different.
WHAT KIND OF REVIEW IS BEST?
Every reviewer has their own style. Their own spin on what makes a good review. Some people like to include lots of summary. Some like to analyze style and approach it critically. Some like to point out strengths and weaknesses. Some like to compare and contrast it with other books with similar subjects or themes. Some like to include spoilers. Some like to treat a book review as a commercial. Tease the reader into picking up the book for themselves. To create or generate interest. All reviews share the fact that they are calling attention to a book. Some try to tell you what to think exactly. Some like to leave that up to the reader. There is no *right* way to review a book. One way isn't better than another.
DOES RECEIVING A FREE BOOK NOW AND THEN MAKE US BIASED?
I really want someone to logically explain to me why a professional book reviewer who receives ARCs and review copies of books (not to mention bookmarks and other little trinkets) would have a different (more ethical) response than a blogger receiving the same kind of courtesy from the publishers. If they both receive books from publishers...wouldn't they equally be at risk of writing biased reviews? Who deducted this...and based on what exactly? What logic are they using? Seriously. If both receive free books. If both write reviews. What is separating them? Money. The fact that they're in a printed journal or newspaper? The fact that they've got prestige? I think that is a slightly uppity opinion to assert that bloggers are so unethical and untrustworthy and therefore they must be more susceptible to such practices as bribery and flattery. If free books = bribery, then "professional" reviewers must be scrutnized just as closely as bloggers. Does a free book = a guaranteed 'good' review? I don't think so. I think authors and publishers know this going into it. They know that every book they send out isn't going to be necessarily loved and praised. They know that not everyone is going to proclaim it "the best book of the year." What they're hoping for is that it will find a few people who appreciate it. Who understand what the author was trying to do. That liked it. That will recommend it. That will give it a good review. I think they're smart enough to know that not every review will be glowing. I think all they're looking for is a chance.
And on a more personal (and therefore less interesting) note:
Where do most of MY books come from?
I would say a good 40 to 50% of my books come from my local library. I check out books regularly and read them.
As a participant of Librarians Choices, I have access to Texas Woman's University SLIS Review center five to six times a year. That might equal about 100 to 125 books per year. Sometimes more. Sometimes less. I buy a small percentage of my books. I do not have enough money to buy every book I want. But I buy about five or six books per year. That is I have bought that many new. I frequently go to Half-Priced books and buy books--typically the variety that are under $4 or $5. So my used books would make up a small percentage as well. I have also, on occasion, been sent books by authors and publishers. Not enough to really speak of. Not as many as I would like. But I would never turn down a free book.
Am I open to receiving free books from authors and publishers?
Of course. I would love to review every book I can get my hands on. I love reading new books. I would happily read every 2007 title that I came across. I think it's important to keep up to date. And I would love to receive more books so that I can provide readers with greater variety. The truth? My local library does the best it can. But it doesn't get that many new books. Oh, they might get in 2007 books, but it will be late in the year--or into the spring and summer of 2008. There are very few *new* titles that they've ordered that are even close to being available to check out. And I would love to review books in a more timely manner. Books are always a good thing. The more the merrier!
Email me
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Jenny, i love your office :-) and your book is on its way to me- i can't wait to read it!
You think that's a messy office?
*looks around own office.*
*despairs.*
Yay, Jenny! I hope you have an excellent week -- I'm looking forward to reading this one!
Get this: I have a third grader. With a loose tooth. So, how much is the tooth fairy leaving these days?
Great post, Jenny!
I love your office pic!
I believe in the tooth fairy too! Are we supposed to clap our hands now or laugh or something so she keeps her wings? Oops, wrong story! But yours sounds wonderful! Congratulations, Jenny!
I believe in the tooth fairy too!
Teri
Jenny! You and I work in the same office! :-) And I can't wait to read more of Polly. Happy launching!
I just believe in fairies. :)