Author Jess Keating
You probably know me as Mr. Schu or John, but anyone who met me between 1981 and 1994 knows me as Johnny. (My loving grandma spelled it Johnnie.) I can name the number of people who still call me Johnny on two hands: Mom, Dad, Bobby (brother), Lisa (sister-in-law), Aunt Karen, Colby Sharp, and Jess Keating. Although I've only known Jess for a short time, it feels as though I've known her my entire life. She dropped by to chat with me about zoos, Nerd Camp, school libraries, middle-grade fiction, and reading. I wrote the words in red, and she wrote the words in black. Thank you, Jess!
Here are three things you should know about Ana.
1. The first thing
you should know about Ana is that she and her family live in a zoo, and her
bedroom is right next to smelly hippos. Have you ever lived next to hippos?
It's very pungent. And it makes being normal
in seventh grade sort of difficult.
2. Ana has a twin
brother named Daz, a parrot named Darwin, and a grandfather who happens to be a
world famous reality TV naturalist. It's very hard to blend in when paparazzi follow
your every move!
3. Ana has a secret—something she is terrified people
will discover about her. What is she trying to hide? Obviously I'm going to
tell you to read the book to find out!
Look for the next
book in the series, How to Outswim a Shark Without a Snorkel on January
6, 2015. It picks up right where Ana leaves off in Book #1, and features some
very toothy characters! Savvy readers may have noticed that although things may
seem fine for Ana at the end of the
first book, there are always two sides to every story. Have I said too much?!
When I was in
middle school, I wanted to live in a zoo! My parents wouldn't let me—something
about lawsuits, I think?—but they did let me paint my room like a rainforest
exhibit and stick tiny plastic lizards and poisonous frogs to my bookshelves.
School libraries
are one of the first places we learn not only who we are, but also who we want
to become. Because of this, school librarians can change lives. When I was in
school, my librarian, Ms. Fenton, always kept a list of new books that came in
for me to read. She knew how much I loved books, and was one of the first
people who cheered me on when I started writing. Sadly, Ms. Fenton didn't get
to see my book published, but I did get to thank her by naming a very important
character after her! (I think she would like the book version of herself. She's
very hip.)
I attended Nerd
Camp. I’ll always remember the buzzy-excited-giddy feeling of being surrounded
by such passionate book people! Nerd Camp was the coolest event I've ever
attended as an author, and I can't wait to go again next year. I got to meet
Colby Sharp! And Travis Jonker! And YOU, Mr. Schu! And about a hundred other
amazing nerdies all of whom deserve to be named here along with their awesome
blogs, but I'm pretty sure your eyes will glaze over and I'll get escorted off
the stage if I yammer on for ages, just like they do at the Academy Awards when
someone talks for too long, and they start playing the music.
Middle-grade
fiction has a permanent place in my heart, and my life. I love that middle
grade books are timeless and limitless—they can fill your heart, transport you
back in time, and somehow stick with you through your entire life like portable
best friends. I count myself lucky to write it!
Mr. Schu, you
should have asked me if I've ever been chased by a crocodile! (The answer is
no, but I was bitten by one when I was thirteen! Thankfully, he was a baby. I
still have a teensy scar on my pointer finger!)
I am giving away one copy of How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied.
Rules for the Giveaway
1. It will run from 9/5 to 11:59 p.m. on 9/7.
2. You must be at least 13.
3. If you win, please pay it forward.
Borrow How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied from your school or public library. Whenever possible, please support independent bookshops.
Awesome interview! Can't wait to read How to Outswim a Shark (and how to outwhat a something after that...). :)
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