I’m excited to share an opportunity I had to interview interview Erika Castiglione, author of The Hopper-Hill Family, a middle-grade book about a girl whose family cares for her three cousins after their parents’ unexpected deaths. If you missed my review of Erika’s heartwarming story, you can check it out here.
A Little Bit About Erika Castiglione
Erika Castiglione was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and she has lived in Tennessee, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Georgia, North Carolina, and China. She graduated from Auburn University with a degree in English. She’s an avid reader, a mother of three, a part-time English tutor, and a young adult fiction writer. (from her Goodreads Author Page)
Author Interview
A story is often inspired by a question. What question inspired you to write this novel?
Most of my adult life I have lived far from extended family (when my children were preschoolers, we lived in Asia while my parents, siblings, and in-laws lived in the U.S.) and, like many parents, I sometimes wondered what life would be like for my children if something happened to my husband and me.
I think you’re right that many people have thought about things like that. Scary thoughts, but you’ve turned them into a really heart-warming story. What made you choose to write this story from Piper’s point-of-view? (as opposed to her cousins, who are most directly adjusting to the loss and new family)
I don’t think it was a conscious choice when I began writing from Piper’s perspective, but looking back now I think I needed a character who was affected by the tragedy, but from the outside. Cora, Seth, and Sam were still too devastated to be able to piece their story together. I also tend to like stories with peripheral narrators (like Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby or Scout Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird)
That makes sense. Piper brings a unique view to the story. Also– The Great Gatsby and To Kill a Mockingbird are two of my favorite books. Who is your favorite character in The Hopper-Hill Family? Were there things about your favorite character which couldn’t be included in the novel?
That’s a really hard question to answer. Would it be a cop out to say that I love them all the same? There were definitely things about all of them that couldn’t be included–especially stories from their past and interactions with others outside of the family. I’d like to fill in some of those gaps in a sequel.
Ha! I guess it’s like asking you to choose a favorite child, so maybe it’s not a perfectly fair question. I’m excited to get to learn more. I like the idea of a sequel. What do you most hope that readers take away from The Hopper-Hill Family?
I hope that they will enjoy reading it. I love the way I feel when I read a book that I like and I would love to be able to give others that feeling. I hope it might also cause them to ponder and appreciate the gifts of life and family.
Definitely worthy goals. I think the book definitely communicates the gift and value of family. Is there an up-and-coming author you’re following with interest right now? Can you tell us about an author or novel you think deserves a greater spotlight?
A good deal of my reading time is spent on the classics and I’d love to see a new generation of readers shining a spotlight back on writers like L.M. Montgomery and Louisa May Alcott. As far as more recent books, my twelve-year-old daughter and I really enjoyed the historical fiction novel, Blue by Joyce Moyer Hostetter. I recently made a list of my favorite middle grade fiction books on my blog.
We are BIG fans of L. M. Montgomery in our house. My daughter has been reading the Anne books with me. We will definitely add Joyce Moyer Hostetter to our reading list! Thanks for sharing a link to your list of favorites!
The Hopper-Hill Family by Erika Castiglione Giveaway!
Enter to win a copy of The Hopper-Hill Family by following the instructions below. One winner will receive a paperback copy of the book. US addresses only, please.
When Jacqueline and her mother receive news that her father, a French soldier in World War II has been shot down, she refuses to give up hope that he’ll return home. She studies hard, prays to the saint in the book her father gave her, and visits the train yard where wounded prisoners arrive. As the Nazis who occupy her small French town begin to remove local Jews from the neighborhood, Jacqueline and her mother hide a boy in their home. Soon the Americans come to liberate France from German control, and Jacqueline befriends an American soldier who promises to help her find word about her father. The friendship changes both their lives.
I love World War II stories, and this tale is no exception. My daughter (in fifth grade) and I read Number the Stars this year, and I think Jacqueline would make a good companion novel to read as part of a World War II unit in the classroom as it shows a similar story about what was happening in another country during the war. The fact that this tale is based on a true story also gave it special meaning to me. I enjoyed feeling like I was sharing in a piece of history and one of those moments that humanity and generosity crosses national lines. Very cool stuff.
As far as the writing, the characters were entertaining. I especially liked the banter between Jacqueline and David and the way their relationship develops, particularly in the way they share the experience of grief.
Language Content
None.
Sexual Content None.
Spiritual Content None.
Violence None.
Drug Content
None.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Interview with Author Jackie Minniti
Hi Jackie! Thanks for taking time to answer a few questions about your book. Can you tell me a little bit about the story of the real WWII veteran who inspired you to write Jacqueline?
Jacqueline is based on an experience my dad (a WWII vet, age 99) had while stationed in Rennes, France with the 127th General Hospital shortly after D-Day. Rennes had just been liberated after a brutal period of Nazi occupation, and the citizens were desperately poor. A little girl named Jacqueline began following my father to and from the military hospital where he worked as a pharmacist. Dad said she was like a little lost puppy. Since he spoke very little French, and she spoke no English, they learned to communicate by teaching each other words and phrases and using hand gestures. Their friendship blossomed, and when the 127th was transferred to another city, Jacqueline came to the hospital carrying a loaf of bread and a book as goodbye gifts. This was a huge sacrifice since she had so little. It was New Year’s Day, and sleet was falling. Jacqueline was wearing a sweater and was shivering with cold, so my dad wrapped her in his coat. He was so touched that he promised her if he ever had a daughter, he would name her Jacqueline. This was the only war story Dad was willing to share, and it became part of our family lore.
That gives me chills. How awesome to be able to take that cherished family memory and share it with th world in your book. What was it about this real life event that inspired you to write a novel for middle readers?
After I retired from teaching and began writing, my father started “hinting” that I should write a book about Jacqueline. I explained that while there might be enough material for a short story, there wasn’t enough for an entire novel, and though our family loved the story, there wasn’t an audience for it. But this didn’t deter my dad, and the hints continued. Several years later, at my son’s wedding reception, one of the guests approached me. “Your father’s been telling me the most amazing story,” he said. “He tells me you’re a writer. You should write a book about it.” I started to explain why it couldn’t be done, but he stopped me. “I have a daughter in 6th grade. She doesn’t know anything about WWII, and she’d love to read a book like this. It could help her learn history.” That was the “Eureka!” moment for me. I can’t explain why it never occurred to me to write the book for younger readers, especially since I’d spent so many years teaching reading in middle school. And the real Jacqueline was the same age as my students, so she’d make a perfect protagonist for a middle grade novel. Once I started thinking of the story in those terms, the plot began to take shape, and I couldn’t wait to start writing.
Haha! That’s awesome. It’s funny how sometimes all it takes is that pivotal change in our expectations that really kicks inspiration into high gear. Were there things about your favorite character which couldn’t be included in the novel?
Jacqueline was definitely my favorite character since I feel like I’ve known her all my life. I would have liked to include more detail about her life before she lost her father, but I didn’t have any information to base it on. And I felt that the day she received the news about him being shot down was a natural place for the story to begin.
I can see how you’d feel that pressure to stay faithful to the real story and yet also have that curiosity about her larger life. That definitely resonates with me as a reader of the story. But I think you made the right choice for the point at which to begin. What do you most hope that readers take away from Jacqueline?
We are losing our WWII veterans at over 600 per day, and their stories are disappearing with them. I think it’s essential to preserve these stories for future generations. I want kids to understand and appreciate the sacrifices that the Greatest Generation made to secure the freedoms they now enjoy and how blessed they are to live in this country. I don’t think today’s students have a thorough understanding of American history, and I see that as a problem. I’m a firm believer that if we don’t learn from history, we’re doomed to repeat it, and I hope that Jacqueline will help keep that from happening.
Wow. I didn’t realize we were losing so many veterans so quickly. My grandfather was a navigator during World War II and was shot down. He survived and returned home to us, but passed away several years ago. Reading stories about servicemen always makes me think of him. I agree with you about how important it is for us to remember our history. What are you most looking forward to reading next?
I’ve been wanting to read The Book Thief because a lot of people have compared it to Jacqueline. I didn’t read it while I was writing Jacqueline because I didn’t want it to bleed into my story, but I plan to read it soon.
That’s a GREAT choice. It’s my number one favorite book. I can see why people compare it to Jacqueline because of Liesl’s character, the loss of her family, and the friendship between her and Rudy. The style and voice are very different. I hope you enjoy it! Thanks again for your time.
For more information on Jacqueline by Jackie Minniti or to visit other stops on the blog tour, click here.
Several months ago a friend recommended two fantastic novels for my reading and reviewing pleasure: Glass Girl and its sequel Perfect Glass. These novels follow Meg’s journey through the terrible grief of losing a sibling and the discovery of a healing love in the wild, heart-of-gold cowboy Henry. As I read, I devoured not only the marvelous tale but the emotional trek of each character through the sorrows and joys of loss and love. Today, Laura Anderson Kurk answers my burning questions about her creative process, reading recommendations and more!
A story is often inspired by a question. What question inspired you to write Glass Girl and Perfect Glass?
This is a great way to look at story genesis! In 2010, when I first began working on Glass Girl, our country was seeing a rash of school shootings—in middle schools, high schools, and on college campuses. The questions that occupied a lot of my thinking at the time were – What did the siblings of school shooting victims feel like as the surviving child? What did this kind of loss do to their place in the family and the formation of their personhood?
I read an interview of Craig Scott years ago that stuck with me. Craig’s sister, Rachel, was the first victim in the Columbine shooting. Craig, who was in the library at the time the shots began, was in agony because he and Rachel were separated and he didn’t know if she was safe. I saw how the media surrounded the Scott family, but naturally focused the most on Rachel’s parents. I worried about Craig, although the Scott family is tremendous and he had plenty of support. It did make me wonder about survivor guilt in this new, horrible phenomenon of school violence. This was, to some degree, an unprecedented psychological turn that this country faced. Children were dealing with the violent deaths of their friends and siblings in the halls of the places they had felt most safe. Children faced their own post-traumatic stress disorders because they’d had to cower under desks and in bathroom stalls to survive. These were issues faced by families in war torn countries, not here. These were not skills we taught kids; although now, unfortunately, my own children know exactly what to do in the event of gunfire on their campuses. This … I feel this deeply in my bones as a loss we’ve all suffered.
In the sequel, Perfect Glass, I had some clear questions in mind, too – What happens to “perfect” all-American kids when they suddenly face adversity in an international setting? What happens when we are stripped of all the crutches we’d leaned on? How does calamity sharpen and focus us more than anything else? What does loving the “unlovable” look like?
You create the most amazing and realistic characters. Jo Russell, the artist Meg cares for in Perfect Glass really struck a chord with me. What inspired you to include her in the story?
My favorite people on the planet are fine artists. My dearest friend, Mara Schasteen, is a critically-acclaimed painter. Mara’s uncanny ability to see the world clearly has always pulled on me like the moon draws the tides. Jo’s vocabulary and sense of wonder came from Mara and other artists in my life. Her cantankerous nature, though, came from a collection of older people I’ve known and loved through the years.
I wanted Meg to meet someone who was hard to love, but who would offer the greatest reward if her shell could be softened and opened. Meg needed to meet someone who could show what a life deeply lived would look like. Meg and her mom both lived deep, subterranean lives and sometimes couldn’t see the forest for the trees. Jo revealed the forest and taught Meg so much about the power found in letting go and seeing profound connections in redeeming relationships. She was Meg’s perfect glass (or mirror) in the way the Nicaraguan orphans were Henry’s.
Can you tell us about an author or novel you think deserves a greater spotlight?
One fairly recent YA that stole my breath was John Corey Whaley’s Where Things Come Back. It had great critical success in 2012, winning the Printz Award, but I think it deserves a far larger audience. The protagonist, Cullen, is one of my all-time favorite characters. Whaley has a great sense of what makes a teenager tick and I bow to his genius in that. I just bought Whaley’s second novel, Noggin.
I also really like what Cath Crowley does. She’s writing YA in Australia and I’m a big fan of her spare style. She tries to write about those tender, quiet moments in a girl’s life, and I think more readers of contemporary YA should grab her books. Grafitti Moon is my favorite of hers. A Little Wanting Song is fantastic, as well.
I was surprised, too, about the lackluster sales of Sara Zarr’s latest The Lucy Variations. I loved this book! I love all of Zarr’s but that one was really special. I hated that it sort of got shelved and wasn’t read by a large audience.
Both novels take place in Wyoming, and PerfectGlass adds a small town in Nicaragua as a setting. What made you choose these particular settings for the backdrop of Meg and Henry’s stories?
I first set Glass Girl in Colorado. I realized, as I read through the first draft, that I wanted a place where independence, “toughness,” and self-reliance were even MORE celebrated. I pushed it north into Wyoming and am so glad I did that. I have since grown to love that state for its quirkiness and unique understanding of how to make one’s own way in life. Moving Henry to an orphanage in Nicaragua happened when I heard the very true and heartbreaking story of Programa Amor. This government closure of privately run orphanages really happened, and it affected some dear friends of mine who were directors of a home for children there. They watched as their children were taken from them and then they spent months trying to locate them again. I felt like this was a story that needed telling, and that Henry’s character (which had been so perfect when seen through Meg’s eyes in the first book) needed to taste a bit hardship so we could see what he was made of. Turns out, Henry struggles like the rest of us to overcome failings, but what makes him great is that he sees things through and is loyal to the end. Things didn’t work out like he wanted them to, but he surprised himself with his acceptance of that.
What do you most hope that readers take away from your novel?
I want readers to see that there’s good even in the darkest, most difficult moments of life. That those valleys make the mountaintops more special. I want them to know – really know – that we all struggle with the ugly parts of our lives but that help is all around. I want them to see the beauty in the people who’ve been placed in their lives—even those deemed unlovable by the world. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from those who’ve walked before. Or from those who are marginalized by a shallow society. Always hope. Don’t be afraid of the dark. Speak up when you need help. Make friends everywhere.
What’s next for you? Is there another novel in the works? Do Meg and Henry have another adventure, or are you moving on to something new? Can you tell us a little about it?
I think Meg and Henry are fully launched into their life together. I really hadn’t even planned on writing a sequel to Glass Girl, but I had so many questions about what came next that I became consumed with it myself and before long, I had another book written. As it turned out, Perfect Glass became my favorite of the two books, so I’m awfully glad I stuck with the story.
My next project will be a standalone YA contemporary. I can’t say too much because I’m always afraid I’ll jinx my own creative processes, but it deals with a subculture that hasn’t seen a great deal of discussion in recent years. The tagline is something like – A daughter who believes she’s finer than her origins learns that living on the surface is impossible when the boy who holds her heart is underground. Going back to your first question – in this book, I’m asking myself this—Do “place” and “belonging” shape identity, and who are we if we hate the place and never belonged?
Thanks so much for inviting me to chat! I’m honored that you read and enjoyed my books and I’m grateful for all you do for YA readers!
Laura Anderson Kurk writes unconventional, bittersweet stories for young adults. Her first novel, Glass Girl, is Meg Kavanagh’s story of coming back from the precipice after losing her brother, and it begins the love story of Henry and Meg. Perfect Glass, the sequel to Glass Girl, is an emotional story about the antagonistic effect of long-distance on a relationship, and how Henry and Meg find each other again.
Laura lives in College Station, Texas with her family. For more information about Laura or her books, visit her at laurakurk.com or connect with her on Twitter (@laurakurk).
Get Your Copy of Glass Girl and Perfect Glass
Both Glass Girl and Perfect Glass are available right now on Amazon.com for $2.99. Also check out this free ebook containing sample chapters of several YA novels from great indie authors, including Laura Anderson Kurk.
