Tracy Trivas

Cynthia Leitich Smith interviews me on her popular blog CYNSATIONS. There is also a Wish Steaelers book giveaway:

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-voice-tracy-trivas-on-wish-stealers.html

A huge thank you to all the schools I visited on my Chicago/Naperville book tour.  I spoke with 2000 students about The Wish Stealers and met so many wonderful students, teachers, and librarians.   

I was just asked to speak at an IWOSC conference–Independent Writers of Southern California–the panel included a playwright, memoir writer, self-help book writer, and me…we spoke about the different types of writing and what we learned from the process…

At the SCBWI conference in Century City this past weekend, I heard one of the funniest stories about The Wish Stealers.  Jessica L. came up to me during the conference.  She had a big smile on her face when she  said, “I have got to tell you something!”  When Jessica and her friend Temeka went to Vegas, they were meeting some strangers.  In case they wanted to leave–they chose a code word. They both recently read The Wish Stealers and loved the protagonist’s name…so If GRIFFIN PENSHINE called on the cellphone–they had to leave!  I was thrilled that Griffin was on call…:)

Met some fabulous people during my Jackson Hole book signing at Valley Books…(go Plano, TX!) loved Jackson Hole–saw a Moose and her babies eat and take a three hour nap right outside our window the first day we arrived!   Visited Yellowstone…saw Old Faithful…the hot springs….one of my friends from 3rd grade (!) lives in JH and took us on a spectacular hike…(thanks, Whitney!)…a beautiful place…

This past week I had the great honor to work with Alex Uhl of A Whale of Tale Children’s Bookshoppe in Irvine, CA.  Alex has passionately created, helmed, and guided this beloved, deeply respected children’s bookstore for more than 20 years.  She called my publicist at Simon & Schuster to ask if I would speak at a conference of 200 young writers about the writing process and about The Wish Stealers. This audience ranged in age from 9-14 years old. The children asked great questions and shared some of their wishes.   I heard many wishes for the oil spill to be contained, for world peace, for all diseases to be eradicated, and for puppies.  One of the quirkiest wishes I heard that day was “a wish for toaster strudel not to come out frozen after being put in the toaster!” I will be back July 28th to meet with another group of a few hundred young writers….looking forward to my next visit…!

Carrie Seiden of RJ Julia BookSellers helps set up the event...

Future author, Charlotte, asked great questions about The Wish Stealers, and shared an idea for her next story about magic, midnight, and flowers...

On Thursday, June 24th, I visited R J Julia BookSellers for a casual book signing in their enchanted, independent book store.  In a cozy light filled room brimming with books, I sat with a group of children around an old wooden table and shared stories with them about wishing customs around the world and why I wrote the book.  The kids asked questions like, “Why do I think Simon & Schuster wanted to publish this book?”  and “How do I think wishes come true?”  I had the very special pleasure of meeting a lovely, bright, and amazing young girl named Charlotte who loves to write and wants to be an author.  Charlotte shared one of her ideas for a magical story and it sounds incredible.  I can’t wait to read her story!

Carrie Seiden helped coordinate the event at RJ Julia and made everything go so smoothly.  As a school librarian as well, Carrie is a big advocate of The Wish Stealers and I deeply appreciate her enthusiasm.

I just received the sweetest email from Laura, a 4th grader in Indiana, who decided to read all the Newbery Medal winners before going to middle school in 5th grade.  She accomplished her goal “with time to spare.”  Amazing and huge congratulations!!  Laura also posted this review of The Wish Stealers…

Griffin Penshine’s story is the kind that you just CAN’T put down; I read it in less than two days.  Who knew that 11 stolen wishes could make up such an extraordinary story?  This soon to be middle schooler made seven good wishes, and then became a wish stealer.  I found her journey to return the stolen wishes and no longer be a wish stealer exciting and adventurous.  This Newbery contender definitely grabs your attention!  The judges will have to decide if it holds up to multiple readings, but in the mean time I recommend it to both boys and girls who like books with magic in them.

Rating:  *****

http://lauramitolife.blogspot.com/2010/06/wish-stealers.html

This week I visited the elementary school I attended as a child.  I spoke with 200 students (the 4th and 5th grade) and met the principal, librarian, and some incredibly cool, fun, curious, and enthusiastic teachers…when I arrived they had made a welcome sign and we took pictures by the school mascot, Duff the dragon…the same dragon I helped paper mache in art class over 2o years ago!  I loved this charming, sweet school where we wrote in journals every morning, played on the giant green field behind the school, and were exposed to art, singing,and  the poetry of Henry David Thoreau.  I made life-long friends at Duffy, many of whom I’ve known since first grade and still keep in touch with today.  Two of my favorite teaches of all time, Mrs. Burns and Mr. Anderson taught at Duffy…Mrs. Burns read our journals every morning and wrote comments.  She always signed the journal BBBB– Big Bad Betty Burns….she is in her 80s and came to the book signing later that week.   Mr.Anderson taught 4th grade and made each and every student feel deeply respected.

Mr. Anderson, my 4th grade teacher came to the signing…

Mrs. Burns, my 5th grade teacher came to the signing too!

Mrs. Burns aka BBBB (Big Bad Betty Burns) talks to the crowd…

My favorite 9th grade English teacher, Mrs. Skripol, came to the signing…