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 Being
the mother of two boys keeps me on my toes. From
bullfrogs to mud pies, there is never a dull moment.
Despite the gender difference, we’ve come
to an understanding. Dirty socks, loud music,
and sporting events are par for the course. Neat
rooms, manners, and a mutual respect for family
members are non-negotiable expectations in our
home. Together, we have created a harmonious family
life.
This month’s Jen’s Jewels
touches upon the hilarious adventures of boyhood,
a topic which my husband and I know all too well!
In her latest release, MELONHEAD, Katy Kelly chronicles
the daily mischief and mayhem of a delightful
ten-year-old boy named Adam Melon and his comical
group of friends in the Nation’s Capitol.
Laugh-out-loud funny, this book is sure to be
a big hit among young readers everywhere!
As part of this interview, Delacorte
Press has generously donated five copies for you,
my lucky readers, to win! So, don’t forget
to look for the trivia question at the end of
the column. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s
Jewels a part of your reading adventure.
Jen: Since you belong to a family of prolific
writers, I guess you could say writing is a part
of your genetic make-up! So that my readers may
have a better insight into the path that led to
your career, please tell us about your educational
and professional background.
Katy: I learned to tell stories at our family
dinner table—four kids, two parents, all
talkers—but I went to college to become
an artist. A summer internship at People magazine
showed me how much fun writing is once you get
past the term paper stage of life. A few years
later, when I was working as an illustrator, People
offered me a job. I stayed for six years before
leaving to become a feature writer for the Life
section of USA Today. Almost a decade later I
left to be a senior editor at U.S. News &
World Report.
Jen: As you mentioned, your career began
as a journalist. What then was the driving force
behind your decision to switch gears and become
a children’s author?
Katy: As a reporter I got to do incredible things,
go amazing places and meet extraordinary people.
After I’d written well over a thousand stories,
I wanted to see what I could create in my own
head. I wrote fact by day and fiction by night
until 2006. Now I write at home.
Jen: Many of my readers identify your
name as being the author of the highly popular
Lucy Rose series. To date, you have written four
Lucy Rose books. How did you arrive at the premise?
And, what makes Lucy Rose such a lovable character?
(I think she’s one in a million!)
Katy: Thank you! I grew up on Capitol Hill- a
place many people assume is made up entirely of
government buildings. I wanted to introduce readers
to the real neighborhood.
I gave Lucy Rose the characteristics that I was
raised to think were important-- being an original
thinker, a storyteller and a problem solver, having
a love of words, a curious mind and a kind heart.
She’s also outspoken, can be bossy and not
inclined to consider consequences.
Jen: Your latest endeavor is a spin-off called
MELONHEAD, a hilarious tale of a ten-year-old
boy named Adam Melon. I understand that your nephews
have provided much fodder for Melonhead’s
mischievous adventures. Isn’t it wonderful
to have such fresh material at your fingertips?
Is Melonhead an agglomeration of the group or
is he more of a product of your imagination?
Katy: Two days ago I looked up and saw one nephew
standing on the carriage house roof, about to
jump down onto the top of our neighbor’s
garden shed. ‘What are you doing?’
I yelled. “What?” he said. “Nobody
told me I couldn’t jump off the roof.”
My nephews are great people and provide fodder,
and then I stretch it as far as it will go. How
lucky can I get?
Jen: In technical terms, what was the
most challenging aspect of developing a storyline,
which would appeal to boys?
Katy: It was hard to think like a boy. I would
ask myself W.W.M.D.? What would Michael do? My
brother, Mike, was 16 months younger than me.
We spent a lot of rowdy times together. Well,
he was rowdy. I felt my job was to be the one
who said, “If you don’t get out of
that bell tower right now, I’m telling Mom
and Dad.” Today, if I’m unsure of
how Melonhead would react, it’s back to
the nephews.
Jen: The setting of the story is Washington,
DC, which is also your residence. Since the inauguration
of President Barack Obama, what changes have you
personally experienced on a day to day basis in
relation to the city’s new energy?
Katy: It’s amazing. The city feels fresh
and exciting. There is a sense that the Obamas
are accessible. Mrs. Obama is all over the place,
dropping into public schools, dropping Sasha and
her friends (and the Secret Service) off at the
movie theater near our house. My Louisiana cousins
recently took a White House tour. The First Lady
was on the lawn, training their puppy, Bo. The
girls take turns walking the dog on the grounds.
Jen: Let’s talk about the book’s
secondary characters. First of all, Lucy Rose
does make an appearance (for all her fans!), but
the book really centers on the escapades of Melonhead
and his best friend, Sam. At times, I felt as
if these two were like Zack and Cody from The
Suite Life. What makes them such a comical yet
compatible pair?
Katy: Lucy Rose’s best friend, Jonique,
is, loosely speaking, the voice of reason. Sam
and Melonhead are both go-go-go boys, full of
ideas and quick to try them out. There is no voice
of reason. I love that about them.
Jen: Without giving too much away, the
snake episode is my favorite part of the book
for a couple of reasons. First of all, Melonhead’s
scheme is brought to fruition due to the collaborative
efforts of his friends. Quite simply, it shows
kids the importance of teamwork even if its outcome
is not so favorable. Secondly, it demonstrates
for us parents how easy it is to miss what’s
happening right under our noses. Is our society
creating a family environment similar to two ships
passing in the night? Why or why not?
Katy: I think we should all be doing less. Families
need hanging out time more than the kids need
another activity. You can strengthen family connections
fairly easily. Eat the same meal at the same table.
Don’t make kids’ bedrooms more fun
than the common areas. If they have a computer
or TV in their room, that is where they will spend
their time.
Jen: I have to admit, after reading MELONHEAD;
I went to the grocery store and bought a box of
Cap’n Crunch! Your mentioning of it brought
back fond childhood memories. I thought it was
interesting how Melonhead always kept his pocket
full of it. Would you say that he used it as a
sort of security blanket? Why or why not?
Katy: Like many boys Melonhead is rarely full.
Cereal is his snack between snacks. Having a pocketful
is a comfort. Allowing sugar-laden, marshmallow
filled, magically delicious cereal is one of the
few areas in which Mrs. Melon is more relaxed
than Sam’s parents.
Jen: What has been the most rewarding
part of embarking on this new series? What has
surprised you the most?
Katy: The first time I read Melonhead to a roomful
of fourth graders, a boy sitting on the floor
at my feet looked up and, in an awed voice, whispered,
“I am a Melonhead.” I have been delighted
at how many boys—and some girls—claim
the honor. Today’s kids live in a structured,
monitored world. I think they like picturing themselves
as brave independent and funny. Teachers tell
me that their most reluctant-to-read boys have
tuned into Melonhead. That thrills me.
Jen: What does the future hold for Melonhead?
And, when can we expect to read about his next
adventures?
Katy: I just finished Melonhead and the Big Stink.
It comes out in May 2010.
Jen: Please tell us about your website.
Do you have e-mail notification of upcoming releases?
Do you participate in author phone chats? And
if so, how would my readers go about arranging
it?
Katy: I am in the throes
of creating a new website. You’ll be the
first to know when it’s up. For now I can
be found at www.randomhouse.com/kids/lucyrose/author.html
.
I send out Breaking Book News when I have a book
on the way. Readers who would like a heads up,
can message me at AskKatyKelly@gmail.com.
That’s also the place to send questions
and to request an author phone chat for your book
club or class.
Jen: Thank you so much for stopping by
to chat with my readers. This fabulous new series
is a must-read for all boys and girls! I wish
you only the best.
Katy: Thanks!
I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Katy.
Please stop by your favorite bookstore or local
library branch and pick up a copy of MELONHEAD
today!
Better yet, would you like to win one? Be one
of the first five readers to e-mail me at
jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer
to the following trivia question and it’s
yours!
Name the title of the sequel to MELONHEAD.
In June, I will be bringing to you some fabulous
interviews including Bethenny Frankel
of The Real Housewives of New York City!
You won’t want to miss it!
Until next month…Jen
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Meet
the Author: featuring Jen's Jewels