An Interview with Kirby Larson

Welcome to the first in a series of Friday Morning Author Interviews! We kick off with the formidable Kirby Larson, whose debut novel, Hattie Big Sky, received a Newbery Honor for 2007. Her newest book, co-written with Mary Nethery and illustrated by Jean Cassels, is called Two Bobbies: A True story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival.

Lori: Welcome Kirby! Where are you from originally?

Kirby: While I'm tempted to give a smart aleck answer (like Mars), I am from Seattle. I was born in an army hospital that's now a park; does that count as interesting?

Lori: Very. And certainly better than being born in a park that used to be an army hospital. Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on now? What about the story behind Two Bobbies?


Kirby: Since the current novel is giving me such fits, I'll opt not to talk about it except to say it's an historical novel. Of sorts. And the story behind the Two Bobbies is best described on our website, http://www.twobobbies.com/. Let me just say that it is a tremendous joy to be able to write a book with a very dear friend.

Lori: Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what inspires you?

Kirby: I don't listen to music because if I hear any words, I get totally distracted. Jennifer Holm, however, said she couldn't have written Our Only May Amelia without the Dixie Chicks -- so to each our own!

Lori: What about your own reading pile? Have you read anything lately that you’d recommend?

Kirby: I've posted some recent reviews at my blog, http://www.kirbyslane.blogspot.com/, about The Humming of Numbers, by Joni Sensel and Unwind, by Neal Shusterman. After those two fabulous but extremely intense books, I needed something lighter so I just picked up Confessions of a Serial Kisser, by Wendelin Van Draanen and so far have laughed my way to page 17. Not a kids' book, but I heartily recommend The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. It's a heart-warming and heart-breaking epistolary novel which any writer should study for voice.

Lori: And of course, we’d like to know if you are doing any author appearances. Where can people meet you?

Kirby: I am doing my best to turn down appearances right now to stay home and work! Mary and I will be making a rare joint appearance at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, Washington on February 2, at 7 pm. I will be at a Young Author's Conference in Idaho, Feb. 16-21; then, March 14-17, I'll be at the Children's Literature Festival in Warrensburg, Missouri, and in April, I have the amazing opportunity to speak at international schools in Doha, Qatar and Beirut, Lebanon.


Lori: That sure sounds adventurous. How would you feel about your book(s) being made into movies? Is anything like this in the works?

Kirby: There have been nibbles now and then about Hattie Big Sky. If that happens, fun. If not, no big deal. Books are my passion and I've got lots more to write!


Lori: Where do you keep your Newbery Honor Medal?

Kirby: Uh, I hate to break it to you but there is only one medal, which went to the lovely Susan Patron the year HBS won. I do have a lovely plaque from the ALA, however, to acknowledge the Newbery Honor award, which is on the wall next to my desk. I know-- I'll take a photo of my award wall and post it on my blog!

Lori: Clearly my ignorance has no limits. Although the shiny silver medal stickers on the books themselves may have fed into this “Medal Myth” I apparently created. I’m glad we could clear that up! On a completely unrelated, but equally important topic, do you prefer desserts or hors d'oevres? Please elaborate. . . :o)

Kirby: Life is too short to choose!!! I can never say no to brie and never say no to homemade pie -- if they are both served at the same meal, well, I just walk a little longer on the treadmill the next day.

Lori: Aside from a meal of brie and pie, describe your idea of a wonderful day in the life of Kirby Larson.

Kirby: I'd start off with long phone calls from (notice I say from and not to) both my adult children, then I'd watch the hummingbirds outside my window, go for a walk with my husband around Green Lake, return to my office, tall, nonfat, extra hot latte in hand, where I'd produce many pages of work. At day's end, I'd find myself at a dinner party where I'd actually get to talk, face-to-face, with writers I admire.

Lori: Thanks so much for hanging out in my tiny corner of the blogosphere today. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, Kirby!