A Gathering of Characters : )

We are excited for the chance to chat with Pete and Weasel from the middle grade adventure Alligators Overhead by C. Lee McKenzie. From what we've read about this duo, we're in for a real adventure. So, let the meeting commence! ~ DMS

Roundtable Feature: Alligators Overhead by C. Lee Mckenzie 

Lizzy:  Pete and Weasel, it's so cool to have you here today. We have lots of questions ready for you guys. Pete- Aunt Lizzie has more to her than meets the eye. What is the best part about living with her?

Pete: That's easy. She's a darned good cook. Her pot roast is the best in the world and when she's not giving the mayor what she says is "a piece of her mind" she even bakes pies. Apple's my favorite, but strawberry's a close second. Then there's her pancakes. I'm making myself hungry here.

Fairday: You two seem to get into quite a bit of trouble together. Weasel, what was the best thing you guys ever got away with? Was there anything that you got in trouble for that was worth it?

Weasel: I have to give this some thought because right now I'm thinking we never got away with anything. Aunt Lizzie says she has eyes in the back of her head, and I kind of think she might. But I guess we did sneak into the swamp a few times and she didn't find out, well not until later. Then it was too late to ground us because we were about to get killed or arrested anyway. As to being worth it, I guess we did a lot to help out Cenozo and the other alligators, so maybe going into the swamp was worthwhile. Oh, and just so you know, going into the swamp was not my idea. Not ever. But Pete can't stay away from that place. He can't stay out of trouble even if you tie him in a chair.

Marcus: For a while when you were thinking something, Pete, it came true or happened in one way or another. Are you still able to do that, and what is the best thing you ever made happen?

Pete: Harriet Hadley's teaching me about how to handle that kind of stuff. I'm getting better. Like, last time I thought about ice cream I didn't get ten gallons all at once. I only got a cone for me and one for Weasel. Pretty cool, huh? But the best thing I ever made happen is still the Hadley Mansion. I mean who do you know who can call up a great big house out of nowhere?

Lizzy: Pete, I know you can communicate with others using your thoughts. How does it feel to have other voices floating around in your thoughts?

Pete: It takes some getting used to I can tell you that. I mean, sometimes I'm having this "conversation" with Harriet, and then I'll blurt out something to her, and Weasel will go all "What did you say?" And I'll have to explain I wasn't talking to him, then he rolls his eyes and buries his nose in a book, like, I'm bothering him. It's hard. But being with Harriet and Weasel is hard anyway. One is bossy. One is stubborn.

Fairday: Most wizards and warlocks have cats or other animals as their familiar. Pete, you have an alligator. How is Fanon doing, and do you like having a unique familiar?

Pete: Fanon's the coolest. Me and him--He and I--are buds now. His Uncle Cenozo's giving him some tips on being my familiar, so we get together once in a while and practice. I think Weasel's kind of jealous sometimes, but he doesn't have any warlock in him, so I can't get him a familiar. No sense in that.  

Marcus: Weasel, the adventure at the swamp sounded scary, but exciting. What was the scariest part for you?

Weasel: Have you ever been up to your neck in swamp water? I mean, there are serious snakes in that water, and snorkeling with alligators takes some getting used to. Of course, being arrested wasn't the best time of my life either, but the sheriff's not as scary as snakes and alligators.

Marcus: I know you two try to shake up your town a little bit and make things more interesting.  Do you have some new adventures coming up?

Weasel: Adventures are Pete's department. I'm just looking for another interesting book to read. I've almost finished the one I couldn't get to while Pete was free all the time. But he's always scheming about how to stir up things in Hadleyville, so once he's done with that special school at Harriet Hadley's place, I know I'm going to be busy figuring out how to get out of trouble.

Lizzy: If you guys could transform into something else, what would you want to be?

Pete: I'd be a G-normas guy with x-ray vision who could fly.

Weasel: Shaking head. I guess I'd just be me, only with the power to hide from the G-normas flying guy with x-ray vision. Fairday, you see what kind of situation I'm in all the time, right?

Fairday:  Definitely! If you were each granted 3 wishes, what would you wish for?

Pete: Jumps to feet. I'd want a MegaPlex movie theater in downtown Hadleyville. And a pizza parlor that delivers. And then one of those great big swimming pools with a high dive. And—

Weasel: Hold it. Fairday said 3 wishes. It's my turn. I'd want a bigger library for one thing.

Pete groans and Weasel ignores him. Then I'd ask for more of Aunt Lizzie's pot roast and a lock on my front door that Pete can't unlock.

Pete: You'd miss the fun. I know it.

Weasel: Not likely. 

DMS: Okay guys! Thanks so much for hanging out with us today. We can't wait to hear about your next cool adventure. : ) 

The next CBC meeting will be hosted by our friend Millie, and she'll be chatting with the colorful characters from the story A Pirate, a Blockade Runner, and a Cat by Beverly Stowe McClure. 

To find out when the next Character Book Club will be, sign up for our monthly newsletter.

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Next Roundtable Feature:
 A Pirate, A Blockade Runner, and a Cat

FAN ART CHALLENGE

Do you love to draw? Are there times when you find yourself holding a pencil, not realizing that you had picked it up? Is there a scene in your head you just have to see on paper? 

If so, why not enter the fan art challenge? Send us an original illustration of a scene from Alligators Overhead, and you will be entered to win a signed copy of this new middle grade book. 

Enter to win:

Scan and email your picture to: haightjess@gmail.com

Snail mail your picture to:

DMS

6 Butternut Lane

New Fairfield, CT 06812

Fan art contest ends: Sunday, August 18th

Looking for a little bookish mischief? Stop by Pete and Weasel's corner of the book block at The Write Game. 

Psst. Just heard this through the Hadleyville whisper circle. Pete's in trouble again. Even Weasel's worried about him. Harriet Hadley and Aunt Lizzie have gone to ask Cenozo for help. Do you have any idea what kind of trouble Pete's in this time? Post your idea in the comments. The best idea will show up her next book. . .with credit to the writer of that idea.