Get to know Blue Balliett, January's Author of the Month. She explains the inspiration behind her book Hold Fast, what got her started in writing and reads from her book.
Where did you get your idea for this book?
Hold Fast began with a shocking truth I ran across in the news: thousands of families in Chicago—and well over a million across the U. S.—have been losing their homes each year, and the numbers seem to be rising.
I couldn't stop thinking about the children. I began spending time in Chicago’s shelters, and met some wonderful kids who I’ll never forget. I wanted to write a book that would honor and share some of their stories, dreams and great ideas. One of my Hold Fast characters, 11-year-old Early Pearl, comes up with a solution to homelessness. I hope, hope, hope that one day it will come true.
What was your favorite book when you were growing up?
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by E. L. Konigsburg, was the most thrilling book of my childhood. It took place in New York City, where I was growing up, and was filled with real ideas about a place that I’d visited—a huge art museum. Plus, it made me feel smart, and that felt good. I’ve never forgotten that book. I first read it when I was 12, and have reread this mystery many times but never been bored by it.
How old were you when you started writing?
This is an embarrassing story. I was 8 or 9 when I started my first book, handwriting it in a notebook. I had chapters, illustrations and a big dream about being the first kid ever to publish at that age. Of course, it didn't happen. However, I did cut out great reviews of this ‘book’ (taken from the paper jacket on Harriet the Spy) and pasted them neatly on the back cover of my notebook, even though I’d only written a bit of the story—I might have been horribly shy, but I was also horribly determined.
What is your favorite word?
My favorite word is inspire. I love what it means, and it has a sparkly, up-in-the-air sound.
What is your favorite book about Chicago?
My favorite book about Chicago is The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. It’s pretty frightening, but gives a real sense of what Chicago was like just before 1900. It shares lots of history, some of it dreadful and some fabulous. This novel is almost impossible to put down.
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