Mitali's Fire Escape

Chiang Mai, Here I Come!

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:55:00 +0000

We're heading back to Chiang Mai, Thailand for a wedding (thank you, frequent flyer miles!) and to visit friends. I also plan to deliver copies of Bamboo People to those I acknowledge in the novel. Might try to vlog a bit, but we'll see. Enjoy the first half of August. I'll be back on the Fire Escape before my book launch party. Peace be with you.

Thanks, But It's Not Historical Fiction

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:46:00 +0000

One of the problems with gargantuan, impersonal booksellers is that the person who classified a novel hasn't usually read it.

Amazon.com, for example, put my novel BAMBOO PEOPLE in this category: "Books > Teens > History & Historical Fiction > Historical Fiction." Meanwhile, the product description says, "This coming-of-age novel takes place against the political and military backdrop of modern-day Burma."

It's a small but strange mistake.

And the behemoth isn't alone. I've noticed this mis-classification popping up on other sites and in some blog tags. You hate to quibble when you're grateful for the mention, but why are people describing the novel as historical fiction when it's set in contemporary times? Am I missing something?

I posed this question on Twitter yesterday, and here are some of the answers that came in response:

@Suzigurl: Maybe b/c there are so few books like Bamboo People that folks don't know what to call it.

@yoyology: My guess: exotic location + first-world blinders = "historical."

@erin_braincandy: My guess is a lot of people don't realize that child soldiers aren't just a thing of the past...

@SarahRettger: I know w/non-fiction, a lot of current events stuff gets classified (I assume by BISAC code) as history. #petpeeve

So what do you think? Honest mistake? One of the above? Or another reason?

Maybe I'll settle down if I hear about other mis-classifications. Authors, has your book been categorized oddly? If so, how?

You've Been Berry Berry Good To Bamboo People!

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:35:00 +0000

When you write a book that isn't a gothic-zombie-romantic-thriller-optioned-for-a-movie-before-pub-date kind of novel, you count on many, many advocates to spread the news so that young people can discover your story. That's why I'm eternally grateful to the bloggers and reviewers who have recommended Bamboo People (Charlesbridge, July 2010). Feel free to click like crazy on the links to read the reviews:

Aaron's Books
A Chair, A Fireplace, A Tea Cozy
A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust
A Year of Reading
Albany Times-Union
Amy Reads
Asian Review of Books
Becky's Book Reviews
Blue Bunny Bookstore
Bookbundlz
BookExpo America
Booking Mama
Book Moot
Book Page
Bookselling This Week
Boston Globe | Your Town
Brookfield Public Library
Bruce Wishart
Brown Paper
Café Saturday
Caribous Mom
Check it Out
Explore Dance
Foreword Reviews
Good Books and Good Wine
Hip Writer Mama
Kids Momo
Media Macaroni
Multiculturalism Rocks!
Murdoch's Musings
NPR's On Point Radio
PaperTigers
The Planet Esme Plan
Professor Nana
readergirlz
Reading in Color
Reading is Fundamental
She is Too Fond of Books
Shelf Awareness
Stanford Magazine
The Picnic Basket
Unintentionally Funny Books
Unshelved
YA Bookshelf

Did I miss anybody? If so, please leave a note in the comments and I will add your review to the list. With a loud shout of thanks.

Of course, I also rejoice over industry reviews from the likes of Horn Book, Kirkus, Booklist and PW (read them here), but there's a Burma Shave kind of buzz that can only be generated by bunches of bloggers. And tweets. Plus Facebook "likes" and mentions. So, thank you, thank you, thank you, to everybody who has supported the launch of this book!

A Chat with Holly Cupala, author of TELL ME A SECRET

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:00:00 +0000

It's a joy to discover a YA novel in which an author has introduced a diversity of characters thoughtfully and proactively. TELL ME A SECRET (HarperCollins)—a tenderly told bildungsroman about forgiveness in a Seattle family defined by secrets and grief—fits the bill.

Today I'm delighted to host the author of this brilliant debut novel, readergirlz diva and superb storyteller Holly Cupala, on her whirlwind blog tour.

Namaste, Holly! So glad to have you here on the Fire Escape! Let's start with the journey of getting the novel published. What was a high point? A low point?

There have been many high points along the way—just being on the shelf after a long journey is a miracle in itself, and meeting so many lovely people along the way. A low point…probably how very, very hard I was on myself through the writing process. I even created a separate document in which to pour all of the scathing thoughts I had. I wouldn’t dare open it now, like Pandora’s Box. The SCBWI Work-In-Progress Grant was a lifeline. After I finished, I could see how much power I’d been giving those thoughts. Lies, really! The second novel was so much easier.

What was one big change you made in response to your editor’s suggestion?

I cut about ten thousand words! My wonderful editor, Catherine Onder, had said from the beginning that she thought the story arc was sound and we just needed to speed up the pace. Of course, this sent me into a tailspin of terror, despite her assurances. What do they call it, when you expect the worst and reality turns out to be not-so-bad…? Her letter was quite nice, and very doable. I would get to a place where she had written, “I don’t understand what you’re saying here.” I’d read it over, and I didn’t understand, either! So I would cut, cut, cut. We also clarified some of the issues between Miranda and Kamran and honed a lot of the details.

I loved how you included characters like Kamran and Shelly, describing race and ethnicity with such deft writing. Can you describe some challenges you faced in creating multicultural characters in TELL ME A SECRET? How did you resolve them?

My hope was always to portray a wide range of characters in the most honest way possible in the context of the story. Sometimes that meant hinting at ugly attitudes—for instance, the mother blames the Latino boyfriend for her older daughter’s death and makes prejudiced remarks. Miranda dates Kamran, a Persian boy, partly in the hopes that they will have some of the same con leche that defined her sister’s relationship. Her greatest mentor ends up being quite the opposite of her racially and culturally, though they share key bonds.

A subtle arc in the story is the shifting of the family’s ideas. I was in the middle of revisions when the cover controversies exploded and brought race in YA to the fore—which made me all the more nervous to tackle the subject. But many fruitful discussions came out of that. I wanted so much to write these characters with love and respect, and the dialogue with you (thank you, Mitali!) and on Chasing Ray and other blogs were incredibly enlightening. It also helps that I am married to a devastatingly handsome American-born half-Parsi, half-South Indian who consulted on some of the particulars!

You're very welcome. It meant a lot to be asked for input as you were writing this novel. One last frivolous, fashion-related question: Have you ever made, seen, or worn a safety-pin dress as described in the novel?

Ahhh! I’m so happy you asked! Xanda’s safety-pin dress was inspired by this amazing razor blade dress, worn by Blondie’s Debbie Harry, that I saw in Seattle’s Experience Music Project museum years ago. There’s definitely something Blondie or Courtney Love-ish about Xanda, so the dress just popped out of the subconscious. I tried to make one (unsuccessfully)…then called upon my costume designer sister to help me. It turned out to be an even more painstaking process than I imagined—she and my niece have assembled a safety-pin cami so far. Maybe someday they will let me wear it…

Thank you so much for visiting, Holly, and for (1) including multicultural characters in your novel, (2) taking the time and thought needed to write about race and diversity, and (3) writing a sensitive coming-of-age novel that ends with hope and grace.

Get a taste of Holly's ability to create unforgettable characters by reading a two-chapter preview of the novel at Vermont College's journal Hunger Mountain.

This TELL ME A SECRET tour includes prizes awarded each week for blog comments – signed books, t-shirts, music, journals, gift cards, and more! So comment here or on any of her other stops this week, including tomorrow's destination, Green Bean Teen Queen. Here are the official tour contest entry rules:

TELL ME A SECRET Tour Contest Entry Rules

Leave comments at any official tour stop or Holly’s blog throughout the tour! Each comment counts as an entry (one comment per post*), so start right here.
Tweet about the tour (@hollycupala) and tell her what you think.
Post about the tour, then leave a comment at Holly's blog.

How Should We Write Across Cultures?

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:35:00 +0000

Here's a great mission statement:

Imagine. Envision. Write. Revise. Submit. YARN publishes outstanding original short fiction, poetry, and essays for Young Adult readers, written by the writers you know and love, as well as fresh new voices ... including teens.

That's the purpose of Young Adult Review Network, also known as YARN. The site editors recently asked me to contribute an original short story and also posed three interesting questions during a brief Q and A. Here's one of them, along with my answer:

YARN: What advice might you give young people who are considering writing across the lines of culture?

MP: If you’re an “outsider” to the culture, do your homework. Listen, do research, love someone deeply who belongs to that culture. Let it be read by people of a different class and/or culture than yours and receive their critique. Consider whether the story wouldn’t be better served if written by an “insider,” and have the grace to let it go. Or to wait on it.

The other part of the equation is power. If you’re perceived as a powerful outsider thanks to race and/or class and/or gender, your story is going to be told and heard differently. Are you going to commandeer space on the shelves and displace a story that could be told by a less powerful “insider"? Or is there room in the global library both for your version and hers?

On the other hand, I don’t believe in setting up some kind of “right-ethnic-credentials” apartheid in stories. Who gets to decide who writes for whom, anyway? We’re all essentially outsiders when we write fiction, right? Otherwise, we’d be writing memoir. Let’s represent lots of races and cultures in our stories as the setting and plot demand.

Bottom line—cross cultures boldly, but humbly.

YARN also asked two other thoughtful questions:

How do you point out the importance of quiet reflective time for young aspiring writers to whom being alone is almost a foreign concept?
How do you encourage young people to ignore the faces on the book covers and the television screen long enough to believe that the stories they have to tell are valid and important?

If you're interested, you may go there and scroll down past my short story to read my answers. And leave a comment on their site, would you? Because here's the rest of YARN's mission statement:

We also believe in feedback, which is why we encourage readers to post comments on pieces that inspire thought, emotion, laughter ... or whatever.

A Chat with Christina Gonzalez, Author of THE RED UMBRELLA

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:00:00 +0000

I love historical fiction when both words are handled excellently by an author, don't you?

I've been lounging in the garden this summer, making my way slowly but surely through a pile of books. But time didn't plod as I read Christina Gonzalez' THE RED UMBRELLA (Knopf Books for Young Readers) — it flew as I turned page after page without stopping.

This tender, intimate look at one family's separation is a superb way to learn about Operation Pedro Pan and the Castro revolution in Cuba. Between 1960 and 1962, with the help of the the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami, over 14,000 children from Cuba were sent by parents who opposed the revolutionary government. These children were placed with friends, relatives and group homes in 35 states.

The first half of the novel is set in Cuba, and provides an incredible firsthand look at how a young person's life can change drastically and quickly under a repressive government. Everything is at risk as the danger builds — friendships, romance, work, home, family.

The second half is set in Nebraska, and focuses on Lucia's efforts to become part of life on a North American farm while taking care of her brother Frankie and missing her parents intensely. Yes, I got choked up in places, especially the ending, and so will you. THE RED UMBRELLA is a perfect read for middle-schoolers and I've been recommending it right and left.

Today I'm thrilled to host Christina on the Fire Escape as she talks about her debut novel. We invite you to sit back, put on some Cuban jazz, pour a chilled glass of guarapo (sugar cane juice), and enjoy the conversation ...

So, tell us, Christina, when, why, and how did a successful lawyer decide to write a children's book?

I've always been a big reader, but when I saw my children reading some of the same books I loved as a child, my passion for writing was re-ignited. I enjoyed being an attorney, but I wasn't passionate about it. Writing for middle graders/young adults is what I love to do because I believe that is the time in your life when everything and anything is possible...your whole life lays before you and you take those first steps in choosing who you will be. What can be more exciting?

Absolutely nothing. Moving from passion to hard work, what kind of research apart from talking to relatives did you do for THE RED UMBRELLA?

I read American and Cuban newspapers of the time to see how the same historical events were being depicted in the two societies. Yet there is nothing like getting first-hand accounts and so I spoke with many people outside my family who were part of Operation Pedro Pan.

This really gave me an even deeper insight into what my parents and mother-in-law went through when they were sent out of Cuba as teenagers. Of course, this all caused me to want to learn more and so I asked more probing questions about my own family's experience and listened closely to the stories I'd probably heard since I was born...amazing what you find out when you truly listen!

I encourage everyone to pay attention to their own family stories, whether it's a story of how their family came to the U.S. or how a relative fought valiantly during wartime or how someone succeeded in the face of many obstacles...these are all unique family stories and they should be preserved for future generations.

Absolutely! I agree 100%. Have you visited Cuba? Have your parents gone back? Your mother-in-law?

I've never been to Cuba, but hope to be able to visit a "free Cuba" one day. My parents and mother-in-law have not returned since they left almost 50 years ago.

How Cuban are your kids when it comes to identity? Do you purposefully foster a bicultural identity in your home?

My kids definitely identify themselves as American first, but they are very proud of their Cuban heritage. It is a bit of a struggle to have them be bilingual, but my husband and I are trying. The bicultural identity seems to be developing naturally...it's just who we are. I also realize how very lucky we are to be living in a community such as Miami where so much of the Cuban culture surrounds them...from the food, music and friends who have similar backgrounds...it permeates the air.

Since I live in Boston, I love reading about something the Catholic church did well. Or at least tried to do well. What's your feeling about the way the church handled the whole operation?

The Catholic church really did a remarkable job...it was a huge undertaking to organize the entire exodus of children. Providing for 14,000 children who were now separated from their parents, their country and their culture was no easy task, but, thanks to the generosity of the American spirit, many families stepped forward and offered their homes to these children. It makes me proud to be an American! (Okay, did I just break out into song?)

Singing with you. But let's move to the journey of getting the novel published. What was a high point? A low point?

A definite high point was when I met my editor at an SCBWI conference and she critiqued the first ten pages of my manuscript. She told me that she loved my writing and that Random House might be interested in acquiring the novel. I couldn't believe she was saying those words to me!

I barely heard anything else she said after those magical words until she asked me one particular question...which could have easily become a low point. She asked "Are you almost done with the book?"

A perfectly normal question except I'd only written 15 pages! I swallowed the lump in my throat, smiled and answered, "I'm almost done." My editor was very happy to hear that and asked that I send her the finished manuscript by the end of the summer ... did I mention that it was already June?

I arrived home the next day, put my kids in camp, enlisted my parents to help me in the evenings by cooking dinner for the family and wrote non-stop for six weeks. By August, I was done and what had originally been written as a five-page short story (which had been rejected several times by several people) was transformed into a full novel. There's truly no better incentive than knowing that your dream in within arm's reach!

She must have been tickled when you told her the truth. What was the biggest change you made in response to an editorial suggestion?

There were no real "changes", but there were several instances of "we need more." One of the things my amazing editor wanted was a holiday scene. I chose to add a chapter about Christmas Eve and then my editor cried out, "You can't leave us hanging...show us Christmas Day, too!" I ended up loving those chapters and they are all thanks to the encouragement of my editor.

Could you describe a fear you have about this novel that can or did keep you up at night?

I feared that it would not do justice to what these children went through in leaving everything behind. It has been incredibly rewarding to receive emails from so many of the Pedro Pan children who say that they love the book and that my fictional story mirrors their own real-life experiences.

Those are the best kind of fan letters. Okay, here's my last question: What's next for Christina Gonzalez in the realm of children's books? Are you sticking with historical fiction, or do you have other interests to pursue?

For now, I'm sticking with historical fiction as I just sold my next book to Knopf/Random House (working again with my amazing editor) and it deals with two teens who survive Hitler's bombing of the Basque city of Guernica. This new book (tentatively titled A THUNDEROUS WHISPER) is about friendship, war, family and finding one's own importance in the world.

That sounds wonderful! I, for one, am grateful that you decided to follow your bliss. Congratulations on all your successes. I have a premonition this book will garner many awards. Thank you for spending time with us on the Fire Escape.

Bonus! Leave a comment with email address to enter a contest for a personalized book sent from Miami with love to the recipient of your choice. Giveaway contest ends Wednesday, July 28, 2010!

What Should Mitali Write Next?

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:59:00 +0000

For the first time in years, I'm not writing under contract. It's an exciting, creative space. I'm planning my writing time for the coming year, and I need your help. I've got four unwritten projects on my mind. Which one should I tackle first?

YA Bollywood-esque action novel with a funny guy hero. Theme: international adoption and power.
Short novel for elementary-aged readers set in Nepal about wells, water, and arsenic. Theme: do good well (no pun intended.)
Picture book fairy tale featuring a South Asian boy prince and his love for Bengal Tigers. Theme: overconsumption versus conservation.
YA novel sequel to SECRET KEEPER set in the 1990s featuring Reet's daughter. Theme: following your bliss and battling college pressure.

You're Invited: Boston Book Launch Party

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:14:00 +0000

Taking a two-week break from blogging to visit my parents, so I'll leave you with this invitation to come to my book launch party for Bamboo People on August 19, 2010 at 7:00 p.m., Porter Square Books, Cambridge, Ma. Bring friends to enjoy the Burmese appetizers; everybody's welcome! RSVP here or by email.

Bon Voyage, BAMBOO PEOPLE!

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:58:00 +0000

It started as a picture book, and after 10+ years of revisions and rejections, my novel Bamboo People launches today. Thanks to everybody who had a hand in it. I pray it sheds light on the young people forced to fight in Burma as well as on the Karenni refugees forced to flee that country. Many now live along the Thai-Burma border in camps and are beginning to come to the United States. In honor of them and those who advocate for them, I'll be tweeting links from great organizations all day. Check out #bamboopeople to track them.

And if you're in the Boston area, join us for an 8/19 Launch Party at Porter Square Books!

"A graceful exploration of the redemptive power of love, family, and friendship." —★ Publishers Weekly Starred Review

Junior Library Guild Selection

Summer 2010 Indie Next Pick
Nominated for ALA's Best Fiction for Young Adults

Published by Charlesbridge

Chiko isn’t a fighter by nature. He’s a book-loving Burmese boy whose father, a doctor, is in prison for resisting the government. Tu Reh, on the other hand, wants to fight for freedom after watching Burmese soldiers destroy his Karenni family's home and bamboo fields.

Timidity becomes courage and anger becomes compassion as each boy is changed by unlikely friendships formed under extreme circumstances.

This coming-of-age novel takes place against the political and military backdrop of modern-day Burma. Narrated by two fifteen-year-old boys on opposing sides of the conflict between the Burmese government and the Karenni, one of the many ethnic minorities in Burma, Bamboo People explores the nature of violence, power, and prejudice.

Get it at your local Indie Bookseller!

Send it lovingly gift-wrapped to anywhere in the United States for $14.18 from Indiepride — including tax and shipping.

This cake by a middle school baker extraordinaire
was devoured at our writer's group last night. Thank you, Miss Emma!

A Chat with N. H. Senzai, Author of SHOOTING KABUL

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:32:00 +0000

Our windows and mirrors mantra here on the Fire Escape certainly holds true when it comes to SHOOTING KABUL (Simon and Schuster / Paula Wiseman Books, June 22, 2010).

N.H. Senzai's middle-grade novel beautifully illuminates life in war-torn Afghanistan and evokes empathy for those who flee to our country for sanctuary. It's also a quick page-turner for kids who will connect with Fadi's efforts to help his family, handle a complicated older sister, win a dream prize, make friends, and deal with bullies.

The hero of SHOOTING KABUL starts life in the United States as a foreigner, but by the end of the book, young readers will be cheering for Fadi as a good friend.

Today I'm thrilled to host author Naheed Senzai, and invite you to sit back, pour yourself a cup of tea, and enjoy the conversation.

So, tell us, Naheed, where is "home" for you?

I know this will sound a little “cheesy,” but home really is where the heart is! I grew up traveling quite a bit—when I was two months old I got on a plane for the first time and traveled from Chicago to the San Francisco Bay Area. By four I was on my way to Saudi Arabia and I learned at a young age to travel light—my dad had a rule, if you pack it, you have to carry it!

I soon learned to make a “home” wherever we landed, navigate through a new school, make friends and learn the secrets of my neighborhood. But the true place where I have roots is the Bay Area, which is where I’ve always returned, kind of like a homing pigeon. I love it here—the cultural diversity, my family and friends, the Pacific Ocean, the intellectual curiosity, the cutting edge innovation, the weather, and of course the food!

You're making me miss the Bay Area! I grew up there, too. I'd like to add great indie bookstores and hiking to your list. Okay, next question: Do you think young people want and/or need to read stories set in other places?

The simple answer is YES. Young people today are exposed food, fashion, technology and cultures from around the globe, and I think they’ve developed an appetite for new things. What better way to investigate a new world than to open the pages of a book, slip into the skin of someone “foreign,” and experience their story?

In reading about other places I truly believe that young people learn to see how similar we truly are. At the end of the day what the reader is looking for is an emotional connection with the story, to see something of themselves in characters they’re reading about.

As someone who has had the opportunity to live and travel around the world, I’ve learned firsthand that although people may look, speak or even act differently, their core values are the same—we all want security, access to education and healthcare, employment and a hope for a positive future.

Could you sum up for us the dream response of a reader who knows little or nothing about Afghanistan's history and culture?

For thousands of years, Afghanistan has been a battleground for outsiders. Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan came with their armies, as did the British and the Soviets. All attempted to conquer and occupy, yet failed. There are lessons to be learned as the United States currently contemplates its role in this war-torn country. It is a land still ravaged by war and ethnic tensions, but despite these facts, Afghans remain a strong and proud people. It is my hope that the reader, having walked in Fadi’s shoes, learns that Fadi and his family are similar to their own; that their hopes, dreams and desires mirror theirs.

Now let's move to the journey of getting the novel published. What was a high point? A low point?

Truly, my path to publication was filled with many highs and very little lows! I wrote SHOOTING KABUL in short period of time—about six months. The next high was a great attention the book received when my agent, Michael Bourret at Dystel and Goderich, sent it out. We had a mini auction and I had the amazing opportunity to talk to two editors who had fallen in love with my protagonist, Fadi. In the end, after a tough decision, we went with Alexandra Penfold at Simon and Schuster. The editorial journey was wonderful, and fingers crossed, the reviews (even from Kirkus) have been very positive!

That's great news about positive reviews for the book, but not surprising. I loved it. What was the biggest change you made in response to an editorial suggestion?

The editorial process was a truly collaborative one and I really appreciated how Alexandra pulled the best out of me, while allowing space to maintain my voice and keep the book’s integrity. I like to joke that as an undergrad at Cal I was an accounting major and so still don’t know what a dangling participle or a preposition is, so I knelt at Alexandra’s feet and absorbed all the grammatical and language suggestions she suggested.

Alexandra and I had discussed her vision for the book when I had the chance to talk her during the mini auction, so I knew she didn’t have *too* many changes planned. So, little of SHOOTING KABUL was re-written, but much was massaged and exfoliated!

One area that was developed and strengthened was the role of Mariam, Fadi’s little sister who is accidentally left behind in Afghanistan, during their escape. Alexandra felt that the reader would feel much more strongly about her loss if she was a rich, three-dimensional character in her own right. I agreed wholeheartedly to her insight and thus reworked Mariam and her role within the family, and her special relationship with her brother. I wanted her find a place in the reader’s heart so they could empathize with Fadi as he frantically searches for her through the book.

I certainly did. My heart broke with Fadi's. Could you describe a fear you have about this novel that can or did keep you up at night?

I wrote in my author’s note that I didn’t want to write SHOOTING KABUL, really, I didn’t. I resisted it for many years because it deals with many sensitive and personal issues—9-11, the war on terror, Islam, Afghan culture and politics, coupled with my husband’s family history and escape from Kabul, Afghanistan.

Plus, I’m not an Afghan, so I tread carefully and made sure I researched the right answers before folding it into the story, such as the concept of Pukhtunwali, the code of honor that the Pukhtuns live by. So as I began to write it, my biggest fear was to talk about these subjects with as much accuracy as I could. As you can imagine, there is tremendous complexity in explaining things like terrorism, Afghan culture, Islamic practices etc. and I wanted to do it in a nuanced, truthful way that could be understood by young and old alike. I still wake up sometimes thinking I know I’ve offended someone, but hopefully not too much!

I feel the same way about crossing borders to write. It's scary and you feel immensely privileged to tell the story. Okay, here's my last question: What's next for Naheed Senzai in the realm of children's books?

I am working on another book idea that involves politics, a mystery and pakoras, but unfortunately for now, my lips are zipped!

And that's the way it should be. Can't wait to read that one. Thanks so much for chatting with us on the Fire Escape, and congratulations on writing a superb story. May it be devoured by many young readers!

ALA 2010 Twitpic Gala Gallery

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 19:59:00 +0000

I invited people attending the American Library Association's Annual Convention in D.C. to stop by Charlesbridge's booth and be photographed with their own or any book they were excited about. These lovelies took me up on it:

Thanks, everybody! It was fun to meet old and new friends. If you spot yourself, could you leave a comment sharing the book's title and author? Track all my photos from ALA on twitter by searching for hashtag #ala10pic.

Summer Fun: New Harry Potter Trailer

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:48:00 +0000

You're Invited: ALA 2010 Twitpic Gala!

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 19:07:00 +0000

I'm going on a bit of a hiatus from the Fire Escape to write. Meanwhile, in a valiant effort to prevent loneliness—been there, done that—during my signing at the American Annual Library Association Convention in DC, I'm hosting an...

••••• ala 2010 twitpic gala! •••••

You're invited! Stop by and I'll post a photo of you on twitter holding *your* favorite ALA book (with hashtag #alatwitpic and your twitter handle). It could be your own hot-off-the-presses release or an oldie but a goodie. If you don't like photos of you, we'll snag a stranger to clutch it. And you don't even have to get a copy of Bamboo People, I promise.

So stop by, be twitpic-ed, schmooze, and say hello at Charlesbridge's Booth #2710 in the Exhibit Halls from 1-3 pm Sunday, June 27. RSVP below or just show up, hold up a book, and ask for the paparazzi.

Blog of Note: Bamboo People in the Blogger Limelight

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:10:00 +0000

Nineteen hours ago, I tweeted this:

Didn't I make my book website pretty with @blogger's new template design tools? http://bamboopeople.org

About an hour later, blogger (a Google affiliate which I use as a platform for this blog), obviously on twitter, graciously featured my book site as yesterday's "Blog of Note."

What is a blog of note, anyway? Here's the official description:

Blogs of Note ... waited for its moment, which finally came when an attempt to put a Blog Search box on the Blogger homepage went awry and ended up as Explore Blogs, an ~~overly~~ delightfully-animated look into the most interesting, most recent, and most random blogs on Blogger (plus a search box). Finally, Blogs of Note was given back its spotlight and — so as not to look stale and lame — we kicked it up a notch and started updating it more often, showing off a new noteworthy blog every day. In the past five years, over seven hundred blogs have appeared on Blogs of Note (at least one of them twice!)

What this means is that two weeks before pub date, I'm getting hundreds of visitors from all over the world to the book's website. Check out my site stats for the last 24 hours:

Does this mean I'm selling books? Probably not. But we're shining a bit more light on the children of Burma, right?

Ms. Porter's Second Grade Library Class versus Barnes and Noble Bookstores

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:33:00 +0000

Eight-year-olds can be fierce Davidic champions. For example, second-graders in Concord were mad because they couldn't find my books in most of the chain stores in Massachusetts. I was cc'ed as this letter went out to Barnes and Noble last week, and reprint it here with permission. Thanks, Ms. Porter's class!

June 2nd, 2010

Barnes and Noble Inc
122 Fifth Ave
New York, NY 10011

Dear Madam or Sir,

Mitali Perkins is a very good author. We think other customers would like to read her books. We think many of your customers would like her style of writing. We highly recommend them because her writing is very good. Her books can teach life lessons.

For example, we read one of her books called Rickshaw Girl and we loved it. In Rickshaw Girl, Naima, who is the main character, lives in a time when girls are not allowed to work and she feels that that is not fair. Naima lives in a small poor village in Bangladesh and she can’t afford to go to school at the same time as her sister.

We think it’s a book from which you can learn. It is a “Windows” book about someone else’s experience or a life different for various people. I hope you buy and sell these books so people can learn about India and Bangladesh. This book is a “mirror” for Indian-Americans and we think they should have a chance to read books about their heritage.

So we were surprised when we figured out that most of your bookstores in Massachusetts don’t carry her books. Why do you not carry Mitali Perkins’ books in your bookstore?!

Is it because you don’t know who Mitali Perkins is? Do you not carry her books because your customers have not asked if you have them? Is it because you don’t know about her books? Or is it because Barnes and Noble doesn’t carry Indian-American books? Do you not carry her books because they are not well-known? Or do you think it is because the customers won’t like them? Is it because your bookstore likes to carry series titles because you will make more money with repeat customers?

You are a big bookstore. Therefore, we would expect you to carry her books because you have room for different kinds of books. Do you want to carry her books and if you don’t why not?

Will you please get her books in all your stores sooner rather than later? Please reply and tell us why you don’t have her books in your bookstore.

Yours Sincerely,

Dictated by Ms. Porter’s Second Grade Library class

Nashoba Brooks School
200 Strawberry Hill Road
Concord, MA 01742

A PW Star for BAMBOO PEOPLE!

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:04:00 +0000

Quite a bit of Bollywood-esque celebratory jiggling going on in my study this morning, thanks to a starred review from Publishers Weekly for my forthcoming novel, Bamboo People. Here's a excerpt of the review:

"... Perkins seamlessly blends cultural, political, religious, and philosophical context into her story, which is distinguished by humor, astute insights into human nature, and memorable characters ... As Chiko and Tu Reh wrestle with prejudices of culture and class, Perkins delivers a graceful exploration of the redemptive power of love, family, and friendship under untenable circumstances."

Faces on Covers: Tanita vs. Me at Hunger Mountain

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:57:00 +0000

The new issue of Vermont College's journal, Hunger Mountain, features flipside pieces from author Tanita S. Davis and myself.

Tanita's essay, Reflected Faces, is eloquent and extremely convincing.

I'm not so sure about mine, Teens Do Judge A Book By The Cover, but our shared goal was to get people talking and thinking about the issue. Weigh in with your comments and responses — some good ones are there already.

And don't miss these two articles:

Is my Character “Black Enough”? by editor Stacy L. Whitman of Tu Publishing at Lee and Low.
The Elephant in the Room by bookseller Elizabeth Bluemle at Publisher's Weekly.

My Speech and Slideshow at BookExpo America Children's Breakfast 2010

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:31:00 +0000

If you weren't there, BookExpo Cast has the 2010 Children's Breakfast at Book Expo America in entirety, including the other two speakers, Cory Doctorow and Richard Peck, and the Master of Ceremonies, Sarah Ferguson, but here's just my speech in two parts:

One note — they cut my white doves! Right after describing how angry I felt when I saw the grandson of the man who commandeered our ancestral property, I shared about how two white doves landed on the house. It was a clear symbol of forgiveness and peace that changed my heart, but somehow the video crew blipped through that redemptive moment. Oh, well. Here's the slideshow I showed:

Mitali Perkins' BEA Slide Show

First Reviews of BAMBOO PEOPLE

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:19:00 +0000

Here's a roundup of reviews of my forthcoming novel, Bamboo People, including this nice quote from Kirkus Reviews:

While Perkins doesn’t sugarcoat her subject—coming of age in a brutal, fascistic society—this is a gentle story with a lot of heart, suitable for younger readers than the subject matter might suggest. It answers the question, “What is it like to be a child soldier?” clearly, but with hope.

For new visitors to the Fire Escape, the book releases July 1, and is a Junior Library Guild selection as well as a Summer 2010 Indie Next Pick. Hooray!

Save Five Lives For Burma

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:04:00 +0000

In Burma, $50 can save five lives — providing rice, a cooking pot, a machete, a lighter, and a plastic tarp to boys like Tu Reh, Chiko, and their families.

After reading Bamboo People, if a classroom, scout troop, or book group wants to help, why not raise $50 through a bake sale, car wash, or other brilliant idea and send it to Partners World? After you raise the money and send it, write me (mitaliperk@yahoo.com) and I'll list you here along with other groups who participate.

Children's and YA Books about Refugees and Resettlement Camps

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:53:00 +0000

Children around the world seek refuge because of war, famine, persecution, and other horrors. Others are waiting in or forced to move to resettlement camps. Thanks to librarian Analine Johnson of Rodolfo Centeno Elementary School in Laredo, Texas and the child_lit listserv, here's a list of books illuminating their experiences, past and present, categorized by grade levels:

Lower Elementary

How Many Days To America? by Eve Bunting
So Far From The Sea by Eve Bunting
Rebekkah's Journey by Ann Burg
Dia's Story Cloth by Dia Cha
The Lotus Seed by Sherry Garland
The Roses In My Carpets by Rukhsana Khan
Chachaji's Cup by Uma Krishnaswami
The Place Where Sunflowers Grow by Amy Lee-Tai
Ziba Came On A Boat by Liz Lofthouse
Home and Away by John Marsden
Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki
Passage To Freedom: The Sugihara Story by Ken Mochizuki
The Silence Seeker by Ben Morley
Hamzat's Journey by Anthony Robinson
Angel Child, Dragon Child by Michele Maria Surat
The Bracelet by Yoshiko Uchida
Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams
Naming Liberty by Jane Yolen

Upper Elementary

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr
Christophe's Story by Nikki Cornwell
Boy Overboard by Morris Gleitzman
Girl Underground by Morris Gleitzman
Lucky Baseball: My Story In A Japanese-American Internment Camp by Suzanne Lieurance
A Song for Cambodia by Michelle Lord
Lost For Words by Elizabeth Lutzeier
Half Spoon of Rice by Icy Smith
Brothers In Hope: The Story Of The Lost Boys Of Sudan by Mary Williams

Grades 5-9

All The Broken Pieces by Ann Burg
Give Me Shelter by Nikki Cornwell
The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis
Mud City by Deborah Ellis
Parvana's Journey by Deborah Ellis
Zlata's Diary by Zlata Filipović
Warriors In The Crossfire by Nancy Bo Flood
The Red Umbrella by Christina Gonzalez
Aleutian Sparrow by Karen Hesse
The Clay Marble by Minfong Ho
A Million Shades of Gray by Cynthia Kadohata
Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata
The Storyteller's Beads by Jane Kurtz
The Return by Sonia Levitin
Goodnight, Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian
Escaping the Tiger by Laura Manivong
Good Night, Maman by Norma Fox Mazer
The Day of the Pelican by Katherine Paterson
Journey of Dreams by Marge Pellegrino
Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins
The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier
Tangled Threads by Peggy Deitz Shea
Whispering Cloth by Peggy Deitz Shea
Anna is Still Here by Ida Vos
Hide and Seek by Ida Vos
The Kingdom by the Sea by Robert Westall
One Day We Had to Run by Sybella Wilkes

High School

Under the Domim Tree by Gila Almagor
Two Suns in the Sky by Miriam Bat-Ami
Children of the River by Linda Crew
Suitcase Sefton and the American Dream by Jay Feldman
Libertad by Alma Fullerton
No Pretty Pictures: A Child of War by Anita Lobel
Gringolandia by Lyn Miller-Lachmann
Finikin of the Rock by Marlina Marchetta
Guantanamo Boy by Anna Perera
A Pocket Full of Seeds by Marilyn Sachs
Abe in Arms by Pegi Deitz Shea
Outcasts United: A Refugee Team, An American Town by Warren St. John
Faraway Home by Marilyn Taylor
Briar Rose by Jane Yolen
Refugee Boy by Benjamin Zephaniah

Suggestions? Additions? Corrections? Kindly leave them in the comments and I'll make the changes.

Targeted Facebook Ads For Book Launches

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:24:00 +0000

With the release date of my forthcoming novel Bamboo People (Charlesbridge) only one month away, I've been tinkering with a Facebook ad that's showing some nice preliminary results. Here are a few steps in my virtual book launch using a combination of Facebook and Blogger:

Set up a site via blogger exclusively for the book and registered a domain name (bamboopeople.org). At the site, I provide an educator's guide generated by Charlesbridge, links to more about the situation in Burma, reviews, and options to purchase using Indiebound (gateway to independent bookstores) and GetGlue ("an innovative social recommendation network for movies, books, and music.")

Installed a free hidden statcounter code to track hits to the site.

Set up a page for Bamboo People on Facebook.

Currently playing with an ad on Facebook with a $2/day limit, targeting people who live in the UK and the USA who "like" Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma, Burma Campaign UK, Daw Aung Aan Suu Kyi, Myanmar, Refugee, Refugees, or US Campaign for Burma. I set my pay per click (vs. view) at $.65, within the parameters suggested by Facebook, and linked the ad to my bamboopeople.org website. My click-through rate has been outstanding, and the ad has shown up over 500,000 times in April and May, even with me putting it on pause for days to save money. The week before and after launch, I plan to increase the daily spending limit, add more keywords, and keep an eye on my click-throughs.

I plan to spend $100-$150 total for this venture, including the registration of the domain name. Anyone else tried a book-related ad on Facebook? What's your experience or advice?

BAMBOO PEOPLE at Reading is Fundamental

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:57:00 +0000

Carol H. Rasco, the CEO of Reading is Fundamental, graciously hosted me and my novel Bamboo People (Charlesbridge | July 1, 2010) on her blog for Memorial Day.

"I was transported to Burma and experienced the lives of two child soldiers and their families who are on opposite sides of the conflict there," Carol writes in her introduction to my post. "What an excellent book for all of us adults to read ourselves and then to discuss with children in the upper elementary grades, the target audience for the book."

Read my RIF guest post here.

Children's Author Breakfast 2010 at BookExpo America

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Thu, 27 May 2010 14:08:00 +0000

This morning I cleaned up dog poop in the yard, but 24 hours ago it was all glam and glitz at BEA's annual children's author breakfast. I was immensely nervous in the green room beforehand, so I clutched Richard Peck's hand for comfort. It worked:

Cory Doctorow (For The Win), Richard Peck (Three Quarters Dead), and I had a chance to chat while waiting for Sarah, Duchess of York, to arrive:

The Duchess has been in the headlines this week (google it) and was hounded by paparazzi. It was wild seeing them snapping photos and feeling the glare of the flash every time I stood near:

As the event drew nearer, she gathered poise and charm. Notice how intently Donna Spurlock of Charlesbridge (who spoiled me thoroughly throughout the day — thank you!) watched the Duchess pick up my book:

The Duchess was warm and gracious as the Master of Ceremonies, pouring us cups of water, pronouncing my name correctly, and pitching our books with savoir faire. She even asked for copies of our speeches afterwards and gave us her email address. Photo courtesy of Alvina Ling:

Publisher's Weekly summed up our speeches quite well. I talked about windows and mirrors, a frequent theme here on the Fire Escape, and gave some insight into why I wrote Bamboo People. I promise I didn't read my notes the whole time (photo courtesy of Jennifer Laughran):

While Mr. Peck was speaking, Cory Doctorow turned his page of notes into tiny origami birds, which I coveted. Kindly, he gave them to me:

All in all, it was an unforgettable day, and the support from the audience of booksellers, librarians, educators, and publishing people was amazing. Thanks, BookExpo!

My BookExpo America Interview about BAMBOO PEOPLE

mitaliperk@yahoo.com (Mitali Perkins) — Mon, 24 May 2010 02:50:00 +0000

Perkins Shines Light on Burmese Conflict in Bamboo People

In this podcast episode, Mitali tells us about her new book, Bamboo People. Bamboo People is a coming-of-age novel that takes place against the political and military backdrop of modern-day Burma. Narrated by two teenagers on opposing sides of the conflict between the Burmese government and the Karenni, one of the many ethnic minorities in Burma, Bamboo People explores the nature of violence, power, and prejudice.

Perkins will speak at the BEA 2010 Children’s Author Breakfast, Wednesday, May 26 at 8:00 AM. She will be joined by Cory Doctorow, author of For the Win; and Richard Peck, author of Three Quarters Dead. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, and author of Helping Hand Books: Emily’s First Day at School will be the Master of Ceremonies.