Alma Fullerton will be the featured guest author in the ALAN Book Chat on Wednesday, June 25, 2008.  The chat will begin at 9:00 PM (EDT) and will be moderated by librarian Barb Dean.  Everyone is invited to participate; you do not have to be a member of ALAN to visit the chat.  See you then!

Chat Transcript for Mary Pearson Author Chat
4/25/07

 

Welcome! You have entered [ALAN Book Chat] at 8:59 pm

 [] 9:03 pm: The only guideline I want to remind people of is that Mary gets to type as long as she wants and we don't interrupt until she tells we can with a GA for go ahead.

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[] 9:03 pm: does any

[Mary Pearson] 9:03 pm: Hey Tinna!

[tmills] 9:04 pm: Hi!

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[Mary Pearson] 9:04 pm: You're a great kibitzer, David. : )

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[] 9:05 pm: Mary, I know you have two other teen books, which did you write first?

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[Mary Pearson] 9:06 pm: I wrote David v. God first–well at least that is the first one that was published. Before that I wrote a long historical that is still in a drawer. GA

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[tmills] 9:06 pm: OOOH, I LOVE historical stuff. Any plans to ever publish that one?

[] 9:07 pm: What era – historical?

[Mary Pearson] 9:07 pm: Maybe, Tinna. It had a lot of problems but it has a lot of heart too, and still the favorite of some of my first readers. My problem is I am always in the middle of something else so

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[Mary Pearson] 9:08 pm: I haven't gone back to it yet. One of these days I keep telling myself I will. It is set in California during the collapse of the mission system.

[Mary Pearson] 9:08 pm: GA

[] 9:08 pm: I know you have written a whole book on Zoe, but can you tell us more about her? She is such a strong individual

[tmills] 9:09 pm: male or female protagonist?

[Mary Pearson] 9:09 pm: Oh boy, I guess I could say that Zoe is a survivor, though at times while I was writing it, I wasn't sure

[Mary Pearson] 9:10 pm: if she would actually survive. I found her to be very soft in many ways–a soft spot ofr mama for sure–but she had that steel resolve to make it too. GA

[Hubby] 9:11 pm: If you were not sure

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[Mary Pearson] 9:11 pm: (tinna, it was a female protag)

[] 9:11 pm: I new she would make it! It was intriguing following her path!

[Mary Pearson] 9:11 pm: Also, on Zoe, a lot of people have asked me

[] 9:11 pm: There is such a wide range of character types–I loved Opal but would like someione to do a comparision between here and grandma

[Mary Pearson] 9:12 pm: if I am her, but no, not exactly thought certainly at times we shared similar viewpoints.

[Hubby] 9:12 pm: Sorry–If you were not sure, does that mean you didn't outine the book first, that you let the character dictate how the book progresses?

[] 9:12 pm: I wish Opal was my grandma! I think she had a history similar to Zoe. But Grandma is a piece of work!

[Mary Pearson] 9:13 pm: I loved Opal too! Another survivor!

[Rollie] 9:13 pm: Hi everyone…..I will try to catch up here.

[Mary Pearson] 9:13 pm: I think her and Grandma both had difficult lives, but the way the approached them were entirely different

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[Mary Pearson] 9:14 pm: Opal had a rough beginning like Zoe but was willing to move past it. I think Zoe could see that, whereas Grandma kept trying to reinvent and manipulate the past.

[] 9:14 pm: Its Grandma's connection to Mama that is unique, I think.

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[Mary Pearson] 9:14 pm: If I am missing questions as we go, forgive me, I am trying to read back and see what has passed by.

[] 9:15 pm: I think grandma connection to Mama is far too common

[bluemalibu] 9:15 pm: hello

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[] 9:15 pm: hi, welcome

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[Mary Pearson] 9:16 pm: Hubby, yes that is right, no outlining. I just tried to listen to Zoe and the story as I went. It is kind of a scary way to write. I tried not to allow myself to

[Mary Pearson] 9:16 pm: even think ahead, but of course, some times I did. At one point I imagined Zoe dying, but I was so glad she didn't. She was a survivor.

[bluemalibu] 9:16 pm: Mary, did you find after you wrote it, that you went back and outlined as a proactive strategy to see if it all played out, or did you just know?

[tmills] 9:16 pm: do you write all your books that way?

[Mary Pearson] 9:17 pm: CJ, I agree with you about that connection being too common!

[] 9:17 pm: Only one rule, let the author finish her thoughts, whe will signal with GA for go ahead before you ask another question

[bluemalibu] 9:18 pm: oh sorry!

[Mary Pearson] 9:18 pm: I have seen it so many times. Parents who cannot see their children for what they are because it is too painful, or they are willing to sacrifice a whole family so save one.

[Mary Pearson] 9:18 pm: GA

[Mary Pearson] 9:18 pm: Blue Malibu, No I didn't go back

[] 9:19 pm: Blue>

[bluemalibu] 9:19 pm: ?

[bluemalibu] 9:19 pm: ok thanks

[] 9:19 pm: Hmmm… I meant unique in the difference between Opal and Grandma. Opal didn't have that – I don't believe.

[] 9:19 pm: tmills, your question

[Mary Pearson] 9:19 pm: and outline. Gawd, by then I was so exhausted I couldn't think of such a thing! ; )

[Mary Pearson] 9:20 pm: And I had also done a lot of rewriting as I went. Of course I had crits and revisions after that too–that helped shape it further. GA

[] 9:20 pm: How long did it take to write Lorelei Street?

[Mary Pearson] 9:21 pm: CJ, it took me two years to complete a first draft. During that time I had set it aside for a few months because my mother became ill, but for

[Mary Pearson] 9:21 pm: the most part it took two years, plus more if you count revisions.

[Mary Pearson] 9:21 pm: GA

[] 9:21 pm: As far as the setting, I loved the little town feeling, how much time have you spent in little towns?

[Mary Pearson] 9:22 pm: When I was growing up we spent every summer or a large part of it at my grandmother's house in Lake Isabella, which is a real small, fishing, cowboy town. That is where

[Mary Pearson] 9:23 pm: the aqueduct comes in. Scary to think about it, but we used to walk the beams.

[bluemalibu] 9:23 pm: wow!

[Mary Pearson] 9:23 pm: My grandmother was a bit like Opal–definitely on the quirky side. GA

[Hubby] 9:23 pm: Mary, where did the character of Zoe come from in the first place? How did she enter your imaginative world?

[] 9:23 pm: Did you get the rush that Zoe gets?

[Mary Pearson] 9:24 pm: Oh, no. I was scared to death. Actually, I was quite young and my cousin would CARRY me across. I don't think I breathed the whole time. It was a very dangerous thing to do. True that no

[Mary Pearson] 9:25 pm: one who falls in ever survives. That always stuck with me. GA

[tmills] 9:25 pm: Do you write all of your books w/o an outline or only Lorelei Street?

[David Gill] 9:25 pm: What are you working on now? :read:

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[Mary Pearson] 9:26 pm: Yes, I write them all without an outline. Actually with Scribble of Dreams I sort of mapped it out, but it ended up not going the way I thought so

[Mary Pearson] 9:26 pm: now I just go with the flow and listen to the character and the story.

[Mary Pearson] 9:27 pm: David, now I am working on another YA of course, very different than

[Mary Pearson] 9:27 pm: my others–sort of a quirky, larger than life type of story that deals with coincidence. And of course soon I

[Mary Pearson] 9:28 pm: will be working on copyedits for The Adoration of Jenna Fox which comes out next spring. GA

[Hubby] 9:28 pm: Mary, where did the character of Zoe come from in the first place? How did she enter your

imaginative world?

[Mary Pearson] 9:29 pm: Hubby, she came in bits and pieces. First I heard her voice and then

[Mary Pearson] 9:30 pm: I got an image of a girl looking at a house with a very tired resigned feeling about her. I let that image

[Mary Pearson] 9:30 pm: simmer for a while, because I don't just on every little idea that comes into my head.

[Mary Pearson] 9:31 pm: Since I know I will have to stick with it for a long time in order to finish the whole story, I want to make sure it

[Hubby] 9:31 pm: Do you think here's a way that English teachers can teach students how to hear voices like that?

[Mary Pearson] 9:31 pm: keeps nagging at me! A story must nag in order to make it for the long haul. Zoe did. I felt her ache and it wouldn't go away so I said,

[Mary Pearson] 9:32 pm: okay, I'll listen. Tell me your story, and she did. I am not saying that in a mystical

[Mary Pearson] 9:32 pm: sort of way. Just that I don't know exactly the whole mystery of writing and how it works–I am sure there is a scientific explanation about how ideas

[Mary Pearson] 9:33 pm: form in our heads, or maybe I was just giving my subconscious time to work, but however this whole process works, it takes time and a whole lot of faith. GA

[Hubby] 9:34 pm: I'm sorry I interrupted you before. I'll ask again: Do you think here's a way that English teachers can teach students how to hear voices like you do?

[Mary Pearson] 9:34 pm: Absolutely!

[Mary Pearson] 9:35 pm: I think one thing that we don't often give students (and I used to be a teacher) is

[Mary Pearson] 9:35 pm: time to let stories percolate. Of course in a classroom you have limited time, but one thing I would do is tell students not to think

[] 9:36 pm: lol

[] 9:36 pm: Hubby, I think kids need time to learn to listen to their imagination! They are soooo busy they forget to listen to the creative side! Mary you obviously have a gift and an imagination!

[Mary Pearson] 9:36 pm: about where a story is going, but just listen to HOW the character sounds, their unique

[Mary Pearson] 9:36 pm: voice patterns, phrases, sileneces, etc

[Mary Pearson] 9:37 pm: so that they can really get to know the character, and not be "putting words" in their mouths to fit the story that they envision. Listen. What would that character REALLY say?

[Mary Pearson] 9:38 pm: Teachers may not like this ; ) but an ipod and music could be a very useful writing aid. Truly. GA

[Rollie] 9:38 pm: It is a great book to booktalk to older teens, 10th grade and above. Zoe's voice when read aloud hits home.

[Mary Pearson] 9:39 pm: Thanks, Rollie. I agree about the 10th grade and above too.

[Mary Pearson] 9:39 pm: GA

[] 9:39 pm: anyone sitting on a question?

[Mary Pearson] 9:40 pm: I know I missed a few that wer racing by. Sorry. GA

[] 9:40 pm: I really liked reid. I taught 10th grade and he fits right in.

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[] 9:40 pm: I was hoping that the Carlos connection would work.

[] 9:41 pm: I didn't think Zoe needed another person to take care of her just yet.

[Mary Pearson] 9:41 pm: Poor Reid. He had a crush on Zoe. I like him too. And Shelah, maybe Carlos will show up in Brownsville. who knows.

[] 9:42 pm: Boy, I hope so, But can he forgive her?

[Hubby] 9:42 pm: Mary, have you received any criticism for including the prostitution scene in the book?

[Mary Pearson] 9:42 pm: I agree, CJ. Her life was so full of complicated relationships, she needed some time on her own to sort everything out.

[] 9:43 pm: Her teacher, who refused to say her name correctly> seemed like another grandmother type. tell us about her?

[Mary Pearson] 9:43 pm: No, Hubby, not one word of criticism. Funny, even though I know teachincally it was

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[Mary Pearson] 9:44 pm: prostitution, I never thought of it that way. This was just blind survival in Zoe's eyes. And maybe because the scene fit, it didn't raise the ire of anyone.

[David Gill] 9:45 pm: Oops, looks like the server hiccuped.

[Mary Pearson] 9:45 pm: Oh boy, CJ, now Mrs. Garrett was one of those people with her own agenda.

[] 9:45 pm: Did everyone just leave for a parrty?

[Hubby] 9:45 pm: There's no doubt that it fits. But you know how censors are–logic is irrelevant.

[Rollie] 9:46 pm: I think an underlying theme is "control" Teacher, creepy diner guy, grandma….

[Mary Pearson] 9:46 pm: She was so focused on control of her classroom, she couldn't see the fabric of students who were part of it.

[] 9:46 pm: well said

[Mary Pearson] 9:47 pm: I think we have all met "Mrs Garretts" who have forgotten what teaching is all about. GA

[Rollie] 9:47 pm: But Zoe is struggling to control her own life.

[David Gill] 9:47 pm: Mary, what effect, if any, has having a blog and a website had on your career?

[] 9:47 pm: I think everyone can relate to the control issue… I can remember a time of rebelling only her's was for survival.

[Mary Pearson] 9:47 pm: Ha, CJ, I think American Idol is on–maybe they have bounced someone ; )

[] 9:47 pm: What about mama? Did her husband's death break her?

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[Mary Pearson] 9:49 pm: Absolutely, Rollie. So Zoe and Mrs. Garrett were at complete odds. But I give the teen a little more slack than a grownup who should know better.

[Mary Pearson] 9:49 pm: David, I am not sure how a blog has affected my writing career, although recently when I was strugging over whether

[Mary Pearson] 9:50 pm: to include a prologue in JENNA FOX, it sure came in handy when I polled people on their thoughts. Blogs are like a water cooler too, a place to chat because writing can be very lonely.

[Mary Pearson] 9:51 pm: CJ, that is how I felt. That Mama already had a drinking problem, but when her husband died, it put her over the edge. And who knows what demons she was living with since she threw him out on the night of his death. Lots of guilt at least. GA

[Hubby] 9:52 pm: Boy, I want to read Mary's blog tomorrow to see what she says about all the strange questions she was asked from all us weird people tonight!!!

[Hubby] 9:52 pm: :cat:

[] 9:52 pm: Mary, we only have a few minutes left. Anything you want to say or plug/

[Mary Pearson] 9:53 pm: ha! No strange questions! ; ) But a warning, it you come to my blog I may put you to work with questions of my own!

[Hubby] 9:53 pm: Oh-oh.

[Nadean] 9:54 pm: thanks for sharing and allowing us to send so many questions at once

[David Gill] 9:54 pm: Want to post a link to your blog, Mary?

[Mary Pearson] 9:54 pm: Yes, I hope you will all watch for my next book THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX. We have already had some early excitment about this book–some film interest–and I personally

[Mary Pearson] 9:54 pm: love this story a lot.

[Mary Pearson] 9:54 pm: And thank you all for taking the time to read

[tmills] 9:55 pm: it was our pleasure

[Mary Pearson] 9:55 pm: AROLS. I don't take it lightly when someone parts with three or four hours of

[] 9:55 pm: I can't wait to book talk it!

[Mary Pearson] 9:55 pm: their precious time. And thank you for caring about Zoe.

[David Gill] 9:55 pm: :beer::clap::beer::clap::beer::clap::beer::clap::beer::clap::beer::clap::beer::clap::beer::clap::beer::clap::beer::clap::beer::clap::beer::clap::beer::clap::beer::clap::beer::clap::beer::clap:

[] 9:55 pm: Mary, your blog link?

[David Gill] 9:56 pm: http://mary-ohhh.livejournal.com/

[Mary Pearson] 9:56 pm: http://www.livejournal.com/users/mary_ohhh/

[David Gill] 9:56 pm: beat ya!

[Mary Pearson] 9:56 pm: thanks David : )

[] 9:56 pm: Thank you Mary for the interview and your books

Continue reading →

cj	:	It's 9:00 Welcome all
Cindy	:	I was at the chat with David Lubar and I keep checking the site and David's and Professornana's lj's.
mdease	:	I'm also on the reference desk. I'm hoping it stays quiet tonight.
jenni	:	wow, that's great!
clautenb	:	Hi Lynne. Glad I'm not the only one new at this!
cj	:	Tonight we chat Ellen Wittlinger's SANDPIPER
cj	:	I am the moderator and David is our web wizard. and we are thrilled to have you here
cj	:	so anyone want to start?
lynne d	:	I have to admit when I started reading the book I thought "I don't know about this!" but aftedr the first chapter I was hooked.
jenni	:	gosh, it reminded me of a student i had last year!
clautenb	:	ANyone wonder if he attitude caused her actions or did her actions cause the attitudes?
jenni	:	hi jazz
cj	:	I thought it was interesting that this book and Rainbow Party came out at about the same time.
Jranelli	:	I liked the Walker right away. I was glad that's where the book started–with seeing the Walker "3 weeks before the wedding." (beacuse the wedding was such an important part of the story)
jenni	:	i was thinking about rainbow party while i was reading this one
jenni	:	hi gary
cj	:	Her attitudes–explain more
Jranelli	:	I had heard of Rainbow Party. Was there censorship discussion about this one also? I noticed the library where I live had it shelved in adult fiction (not YA).
clautenb	:	She was so bitter and down on everything.
clautenb	:	Excuse the pun
cj	:	Whoa, adult fiction? There was a lot of censorship around Rainbow party (even though the Party never happened) but not nearly as much around SANDPIPER
jenni	:	i don't know that she was really bitter. i think she just wanted to have fun and not be judged. sex gave her the control she liked to have (although she didn't think of it as sex)
Jranelli	:	Really? Wow, i missed the buzz about Sandpiper. Yeah, I don't think this fits in adult fiction…
cj	:	I think she wanted a boyfriend to start with
cj	:	I also think her attitude came laterr
jenni	:	well, she thought she wanted a boyfriend. she liked having something new to play with, it seemed like.
cj	:	I really like your ? though, now that I am starting to think about all the things she has attitude about.
clautenb	:	Maybe not bitter. But unhappy. Unsettled. Restless. Uncertain. Her attitude was revealed later but maybe influenced her earlier.
Cindy	:	sort of the why she behaved the way she did?
jenni	:	hhmm…
ProfessorNana	:	While we do see an attitude, there is much to the story that has already transpired to create this attitude, a defense mechanism IMHO
jenni	:	yeah, she was uncertain. i like that. didn't really know what she wanted, but she liked the "newness" of a relationship
ProfessorNana	:	absolutely glad to be here
Jranelli	:	Defense mechanism in response to the emotional distance between her and her dad as her body matured?
cj	:	Look at a<br>ll the things she was unhappy with Mom, friends or lack of, dad,
jenni	:	that whole dad thing really bothered her. how he coldn't be comfortable around her once she had breasts
cj	:	Yes, a lot of stuff with the dad. Did anyone think her perception about her dad's awkwardness was right?
ProfessorNana	:	But mostly unhappy with herself. She is angry with Dad's almost sexualization of her.
jenni	:	yes! she was pretty bothered by the way he'd look at her
ProfessorNana	:	I think she sees more than is there, but she has been made hyper aware of her sexuality because of her "past"
David Gill	:	Our family knows a teen girl in a similar situation. She cuts herself as a way of control, rather than engaging in sexual behavior, but it's a way of dealing with her parents.
Jranelli	:	Do you remember one part–I think they were in the cemetery (Piper and Walker), maybe it was when she asked him to the wedding, and he said, "I know what you want from me" but that he couldn't give it. What do you think he thought she wanted from him? Something like acceptance/emotional intimacy came to my mind. But did anyone read that another way?
lynne d	:	regarding the relationship with Walker she liked the challenge/interest in someone who was not that eager to get involved with her
ProfessorNana	:	And I think she recognized a kindred spirit of sorts
cj	:	I think what she wanted most was a friend she could trust
Jranelli	:	Yes, I think that's how it started–a challenged. But then she did see him as someone trustworthy.
clautenb	:	I was surprised that the boys turned so evil and dark. Seemed extreme.
Jranelli	:	So he was saying that she couldn't trust him? that makes sense, since he couldn't trust himself and blamed himself for the car accident (and other things)
Gary	:	I'm happy we've gotten to Walker because he's one of the really interesting characters in story. I like Wittlinger's portrayal of him, What did you all think of Walker?
jenni	:	with walker, she saw someone who didn't want to only use her for sex, but also someone who seemed to be struggling like she was
lynne d	:	he really needed a friend too but was afraid of it
ProfessorNana	:	And is it not interesting that the person she turns to is someone she knew next to nothing about. She is clueless about how to really find trust after some of her problems. And Walker is such an unknown at first even to the reader
Marge Ford	:	I almost liked him better at the begining for that reason – mysterious
jenni	:	me too
cj	:	Walker was so very real, I wanted a book about where he grows next
Marge Ford	:	Walker reminded me, in spirit, of Stargirl
Jranelli	:	But I'm glad that she found out about him. Because that meant we got to know also. He made the book for me.
ProfessorNana	:	I liked him once I knew more of the reason I should feel empathy for him and his behavior
clautenb	:	Me too
lynne d	:	me too
Gary	:	That's one of the reasons why Walker is interesting–he's unknown. I agree that he loses a bit of energy as a character as we find out more about him, but by then I was connected enough to him to want to stay connected with his struggles
Jranelli	:	I trusted him as a character right away. As soon as he helped her with Andrew by just going along. I can see why she would trust him also, even though she really knew little about him.
ProfessorNana	:	Is the same thing not true for Piper as well? She is a bit of a mystery at the outset as well. Even her friends do not know her anymore.
cj	:	I can't imagine living with all of his pain and no family support, infact they were the pain
Jranelli	:	Nor her mother
ProfessorNana	:	Think of how many of our kids connect because they see themselves in Piper and/or Walker.
cj	:	Both Piper and Walker seemed to be in a transitioning period
Gary	:	Both outsiders.
Jranelli	:	(which maybe isn't unusual in a teen book, but somehow it seemed unusual for that particular family…seemed like each family member was striving for love but didn't quite know how)
jenni	:	both trying to stay away from the past
ProfessorNana	:	and it would be easy for both of them to lose hope and be destroyed by their lives
Marge Ford	:	I think there are several characters and plot threads that deal with definition of character/self. Piper doesn't even know who she is and even reinvents herself with her name
cj	:	Name a character who is sure of himself.her self
clautenb	:	Do you think kids whose lives are like this but without the happy ending would still want to read it? Should it be recommended when that's the case? What do you librarians think?
Jranelli	:	And the poetry–she finds herself in some ways through writing. ANd I noticed when she changed the way she signed her poems.
Nancy	:	i think she knows who she is, changing the name was a new beginning
cj	:	And Walker gave her the name
ProfessorNana	:	I do not think any of the YA characters are sure of themselves. Perhaps that is part of the appeal to me. No one is a Yoda.
Anne Gables	:	Thanks. Glad to be here.
Gary	:	Nana, I thought you were Yoda
cj	:	I think SANDPIPER should be rec to all middle and high schoolgirls, boys too, but girls seem to think oral sex doesn't cost them anythign
Marge Ford	:	I'm still not convinced she knows who she is but she is searching
Jranelli	:	I'm not sure this has a totally happy ending. They still have to go to trial and through counseling. I would recommend it because the end didn't feel all neatly resolved to me, but it felt hopeful–that people can improve their relationships.
Cindy	:	and their views of themselves
clautenb	:	Goop point
clautenb	:	Good point
ProfessorNana	:	I echo CJ's sentiment. After reading RAINBOW PARTY and STORY OF A GIRL I think YA authors have picked up on this as well. I have 2 teens here reading it now
jenni	:	most girls don't consider oral sex as sex. heck, my friends didn't either, when we were teens
Gary	:	OK, I'm jumping to new territory again, but what did everyone think of the poems in the book?
Nancy	:	the support they gathered from the "families" once their secrets were out was amazing, but I thought a bit unreal
bob	:	They exressed the way she was perceiving what had happened
cj	:	They did give me more insight, but I was tempted to skip them
lynne d	:	I would recommend it to kids who's lives are the same without the happy ending. There is always hope. Let them decide if they want to read it once they have had an opportunity to start. I liked the poems. I felt it showed kids how they can do that as a way of expressing themselves
David Gill	:	I enjoyed the poems. It was an interesting technique for revelaing character.
mdease	:	I loved the poems. I'm not a "poetry kinda person" and I thought they were great.
Marge Ford	:	At first, I expected them as "device" to be hokey, but they were pretty perceptive
Nancy	:	i liked the poems. I thought they captured her feelings well
jenni	:	i loved the poems…..heck, i can't write them, but i have some students who write like she does
ProfessorNana	:	I also think the poems, more than Piper's narrative, showed us how she was changing and growing and trying new things
clautenb	:	Give me prose anyday….
Jranelli	:	I liked how the poems showed a depth to Piper's thoughts that her peers would not have been seeing. She could be perceived as shallow, but we as readers know she is not because we have access to her writing.
jenni	:	and, as someone mentioned before, she started signing the poems differently later on
cj	:	I loved the way her perceptions came through
Gary	:	I asked about the poems because, to be honest, for me they weren't the strongest part of the book. The voice sounded more like Ellen Wittlinger than Piper. She's modelling poems after all these great poets. Piper's smart, but. . .
mdease	:	As a teenager who wrote in a journal rather than talked about her feelings to someone else, I really liked the use of the poems as her coping device.
Nancy	:	they were therapy for her
ProfessorNana	:	but kids do just that, mirror the writing of others in their nascent attempts at poetry
Marge Ford	:	I agree – mayebe most teens would not have chosen classic poets, but they do like to model
Gary	:	I agree with the points about how the poems were useful. Yes, Piper needed them. I just didnt think they always sounded like Piper.
Jranelli	:	Gary, you're right. It might have been more believable if we'd has some knowledge that she enjoyedreading poetry also. Maybe we get some sense of that in her affection for her English teacher/class?
David Gill	:	I've read a lot of short stories that sound like O. Henry…
cj	:	at 15??
Marge Ford	:	I did get that feeling of connection to English – and the fact that she tried to dummy down in English class, refusing suggestions to take Honors.
ProfessorNana	:	i've written a lot of derivative poetry myself–it is safer to follow the form and format at first and then to step out without a net
jenni	:	lol….i loved the scarlet letter at 15, so i thought the poetry connections for her character were believable
Cindy	:	a lot of kids write poetry that they never show to anyone–especially not their English teachers
cj	:	Anothr reason she wasn't excited about Honors is that he kids in that class would not have accepted her
Marge Ford	:	What did you think of the stability? of the adults – including Mom's friend?
jenni	:	mom's poor fat friend, adrienne? she needed some counseling, poor girl
Gary	:	Interesting comments about Piper's English class. Here again school isn't always the solution–as it many times isn't for young adults. But there are teachers who do make a difference.
bob	:	Amen
cj	:	Acceptance from teachers is not the same as acceptance from peers
jenni	:	good point
Gary	:	I'm class you mentioned Adrienne, Jenni. Poor girl is right, but she's another authentic character to me. I liked her place in the book.
ProfessorNana	:	come back to mom for a minute and explain to me how she does not come right home when she learns about what has happened to Piper
Marge Ford	:	I thought, with all their flaws, the adults were believeable
bob	:	She seemed to have it together when it counted
Jranelli	:	The adults may have been a bit of "stock" characters–hippy growing up (Mom), philandering dad, overweight and self-conscious Adrienne–but they do show that even adults don't have everything all figured out.
jenni	:	oh, don't get me wrong….i liked adrienne, but she really needed some self-esteem. i was glad that the friend liked her
cj	:	I agree Prof, who would stay that far away from a daughter who had been beaten and nearly raped? Bye-bye hubby
jenni	:	mom's caught up in her honeymoon/wedding stuff. even though piper was attacked, she doesn't come home because she's selfish
jenni	:	bridezilla.
lynne d	:	but caring, receptive teachers mean a lot, deep down, to kids; I thought the adults were believable
clautenb	:	for sure!
clautenb	:	That was for bridezilla!
ProfessorNana	:	i do not think mom is that selfish (gosh I hope not). I think it was so that Piper would have to do more on her own
Marge Ford	:	I did find that pretty awful! – I would have been on the next plane home
jenni	:	i was mad at mom for not coming home and leaving the honeymoon after piper was beaten
Jranelli	:	or she trusts that there are people there caring for piper. i didn't read it as selfish, i don't think… i don't think piper really wanted for her to come home, and i think mom knew that. her presence wasn't what piper needed.
Matthew	:	Thank you, glad to be here!
jenni	:	TRUE
jenni	:	i just kept thinking, "Why isn't mom on the next plane home? geez!"
cj	:	What did piper need
Gary	:	Piper needed a father
jenni	:	time alone to think…..ONE really GOOD friend
cj	:	Mom not coming home gave Dad a chance to step in
ProfessorNana	:	I just am not sure about that. It gave Piper's dad a chance to step up to the plate. But heck, this is her mother here. Her plance is with Piper at a time like this. Piper needed both parents and all her friends.
jenni	:	and her dad in her life. yeah, she needed that too
Jranelli	:	I liked that her mom overnighted a bear and note to Piper.
lynne d	:	me too
jenni	:	oh, that made me mad. like, "gosh, ALL she did was overnight a bear instead of herself?"
cj	:	What about Piper's sisters Daisy and Rachae;
jenni	:	(I am mean that way)
ProfessorNana	:	that's phoning it in, though. bandaid in a beating?
Jranelli	:	page 200–Piper says, :can we talk about it when you get back" — I think she needs space. Like lots of teens, she needs to know she has support, but she needs space to explore and be herself. She definitely isn't one who needs to be smothered.
Gary	:	The sisters worked for me
ProfessorNana	:	Daisy was adorably a pain in the butt. I like the idea that Rachel is dealing with some of the same insecurities as her "sisters"
Nancy	:	i thought daisy was portrayed well.
bob	:	I liked that Rachael was able to fit in and help the other two
cj	:	I also liked that Rachael wasn't asperfecxt as Piper thought she was
Jranelli	:	and rachael was helped by her ne wsisters also.
jenni	:	i liked that Rachael was WILLING to come in and try to be a part of the family
Nancy	:	R is at first so eager to fit in by being perfect. It was a great reality check to see for herself, her dad was the ogre her mom made out, and that she really missed him growing up
jenni	:	a lot of teens get that whole, "he's MY dad" resentment
cj	:	Again the father daughter relationship building
cj	:	A got a question earlier about the main theme in the book Anyone?
cgetrost	:	hi, sorry to be late. What are we discussing at the moment? I loved the book!
cgetrost	:	Main theme? Wanting acceptance, maybe?
jenni	:	you can't change your past, but you can do something aboutyour future….?
Jranelli	:	What do you think will happen with Melissa? Will she stay friendly with Piper when school starts back and there's gossip swirling? Even though she has told Piper that she's her oldest friend.
jenni	:	that was big in this book
Jranelli	:	Identity (theme)
cj	:	both, wanting acceptance and identity would fit several characters
jenni	:	oh gosh, i don't think melissa would back piper up
lynne d	:	I would hope Melisaa has learned something about real friends and would stick by her
cgetrost	:	I think there's a chance that Melissa will be more friendly with her now
Jranelli	:	it's hard to know because melissa was only on the periphery, but i agree with you , cgetrost, that there's a chance
cj	:	Piper is just starting to earn here way back. It is tuff to beat an old reputation
cgetrost	:	Right, Cj. She has work to do
David Gill	:	I;m not sure she can, until she moves on to a different place.
Nancy	:	maybe melissa will stay this time.
David Gill	:	What's important is that she sees herself differently now
Jranelli	:	agreed–and that will transfer to a change in her behaviors
David Gill	:	no problem
mdease	:	When you were in high school, how would you have reacted to Piper? I hate to admit it, but I'd probably be one of her harshest critics. I was way judgemental.
cj	:	And piper has tons more support now and maturity
ProfessorNana	:	theme depends so much on the reader and his or her experience, at least in terms of labeling something as main. I see it as a journey from the identity Piper has at the outset that is not necessarily of her making to an indentity she designs and creates
jenni	:	oh, i would have been one of piper's best friendds.
jenni	:	(we were somewhat alike)
cj	:	Sunds like me in the 60"s
Matthew	:	To be Piper's friend runs the risk of adopting her reputation.
cgetrost	:	I don't know that I'd have been her friend if I met her after her reputation was spread about.
cgetrost	:	but if I"d known her before, like Melissa, sure, would have been friends I think
lynne d	:	I would probably have been like mdease too judgmental. That's why kids need to read these books
cj	:	AND teachers
cgetrost	:	right.
ProfessorNana	:	i would have been a friend I think. i hung out with outcasts. probably whi i like Piper so much
jenni	:	oh lord, we were all doing that in high school. so yeah, she would have been my friend
cj	:	Taking the book as a whole, I was really impressed with the fullness of it.
David Gill	:	I would've been afraid of Piper in high school
cgetrost	:	Good phrase.
cgetrost	:	I've never thought of a book as "full"
ProfessorNana	:	Yes, how do we get teachers to pick this up and get it into kids' hands?
cgetrost	:	but it had a lot to it
jenni	:	i liked piper though, because she reminded me of a student i had last year. i had to call her dad and try to explain to him what i knew about her "experiences" after school each day,after i heard her talking about it in the hallway and restroom. yikes
cgetrost	:	wow, tough task, Jenni
cj	:	I reread it for this chat and I was very impressed with allthe characters and plot lines
jenni	:	and that was a hard conversation to have. i couldn't just pick up the phone and say, "You know, dad, your daughter is blowing most of the senior class"
cgetrost	:	sheesh. how did he react?
jenni	:	but this was my 2nd time through the book and i liked walker earlier the 2nd time thru than the 1st
cj	:	Let's not tell war stories but stick to the book
cgetrost	:	sorry.
Matthew	:	Yes CJ, most of the characters move beyond the stereotypes of "the outcast", "the dad", "the sister".
cgetrost	:	It took me a while to like Walker, guess I was suspicious that he would be a bad guy for piper
lynne d	:	I could not put the book down and gave it to our 8th grade English teacher the day I finished it.
cj	:	Speaking of the bad guys I was glad that Andrew came up to piper and told her he no longer supported Derek
cgetrost	:	yes! that was good. It made him stand out from the generic triumvirate of the teasing boys.
Jranelli	:	Right–and I liked that she didn't quite knowhow to respond. She wonders, was she supposed to thank him, etc.
jenni	:	oh, gosh, were'nt you proud of Andrew? i was
Nancy	:	How would you handle suggesting this books to teens. Ah, I can see you're a bit in the promiscuous side, maybe you better ride this…(Just kidding)
Matthew	:	And that his involvement with Derek came because his feelings were hurt.
Jranelli	:	and by having a friend warn piper, we know derek is really out of control, even in his friends' estimation.
cj	:	i particularly did not like the cat attack
cgetrost	:	I was wondering that too, recommending it. You really have to know the student, I think
Nancy	:	would you booktalk it?
cgetrost	:	NO! I didn't like waht they did to Danny Boy either!
jenni	:	oh, that was awful. i didn't like that they attacked the cat
cgetrost	:	Well…not sure I would feel confident enough to booktalk it to a class. TO teachers, definitely
cj	:	I think it is abook that would work with any student, there are so many things in the book that they are living through
Cindy	:	i wouldn't booktalk it in middle school, just give it to students who could handle the subject matter
jenni	:	and i kept wondering when piper would start linking it all together and classify it as STALKING
ProfessorNana	:	i hope when we recomend the book to kids we are honest about the book and not trying for bibliotherapy applications.
cgetrost	:	I agree, Nana. AGood point
cj	:	No offense, but if we are teachers who are afraid to talk about this book, what does that say about us?
Cindy	:	definitely not recommending it for bibliotherapy!
Nancy	:	what do you mean honest about the book?
Jranelli	:	and even if they aren't like piper, chances are very good that they know someone who has similarities– and there are just so many good things to think about in the book. sometimes we need to read things that are _not_ our experience so we can better understand what's out there and why and how to respond
lynne d	:	this is what I try to explain to parents all the time
cj	:	How about, we are responsible for our actions
ProfessorNana	:	I mean we have to make kids aware of the contents of the book. I knew some of the story of the book before i picked it up. When I passed it along to my two teens here I did a booktalk. I probably would not booktalk it when I visit a middle school. But if I were still the classroom teacher, I might.
cj	:	Ellen has a new book coming out this summer, PARROTFISH
cgetrost	:	That's great!
ProfessorNana	:	always something to look forward to- a new book by her. Loved BLIND FAITH
Cindy	:	Parrotfish is excellent
Jranelli	:	I had never read anything by her. I'll watch for the new book.
cj	:	Before too many more leave I want to say we will be interview Ellen next Wednesday at the same time slot
David Gill	:	First Sandpipers, now Parrots
David Gill	:	kidding
cgetrost	:	LOL david. Animal theme eh?
jenni	:	hhmmm…bird theme
cj	:	If you haven't read anything by her, start with HARDLOVE
cgetrost	:	Thanks CJ. I will set my alarm clock next week and not be late.
Jranelli	:	thanks!
cj	:	PARROTFISH
David Gill	:	CJ–do you want us to send questions for Ellen in advance?
Nancy	:	great. thaks for the chat
lynne d	:	this has been enlightening. I look forward to next week/
cj	:	Next month, third Wednesday we will discuss FIRESTORM by David Klass and interview him the fourth Wednesday
ProfessorNana	:	it was fun if not a bit frenetic
cgetrost	:	is a transcript of these chats ever posted somewhere?
cgetrost	:	Ooh! cool! Loved Firestorm!!
cj	:	Feel free to send questions for Ellen to get us started
cgetrost	:	and other Klass books
Jranelli	:	Feels like I'm back in grad school–did my MLS online through FSU
David Gill	:	In theory, the transcripts will be posted
David Gill	:
Cindy	:	thanks, David!
jenni	:	hasn't read firestorm yet
cgetrost	:	Ah. then I will keep an eye out for when theory becomes reality.
cj	:	Any other parting thoughts?
lynne d	:	do we have a date for firestorm
Jranelli	:	me either, jenni. not yet. but i will. this was a great chat experience! thanks, all!
cgetrost	:	{still kicking myself for missing most of this}
cj	:	FIRESTORM IS THE third wednesday
cgetrost	:	Nice to "meet" all of you! Great chat software, fast and readable.
David Gill	:	will there be brownies?
lynne d	:	thanks. good noght!
jenni	:	I put in my request with the library for firestorm.
cgetrost	:	I definitely want to catch up on Ellen's other books.
Matthew	:	Thanks, goodnight!
cj	:	Bye cgetrost
jenni	:	david–girl scout cookies next time
cgetrost	:	Goodnight.
David Gill	:	hot dog!
ProfessorNana	:	Time to hit the sack, folks
jenni	:	lol
cj	:	sound good David
jenni	:	night!
cj	:	good night all
David Gill	:	good night!
Cindy	:	night! Thanks!
Jranelli	:	good night! Thanks!

 

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