Will They Ever Go Back Home?

 “You have to wait for good things to happen—wait and wait and work so hard—but bad things occur out of the blue, like fire alarms triggered in the dead of night, blaring randomly, a shock of sound, a chatter of current from which there is no turning back." ~Gennifer Choldenko

Siblings, Finn, India, and Mouse are devastated when they learn they must move out of their home because it's being foreclosed upon. They are moving to Colorado to live with their Uncle Red, which means they will also be far away from their mom (a teacher) until the school year ends, and she can move out there. The kids have to take a plane by themselves in order to get to their new home. Along the way, smart Mouse, socially concerned India, and rule abiding Finn, struggle to get along with each other. When their plane drops them off in a strange place they're surprised their uncle isn’t waiting for them. They take a taxi driven by a guy named Chuck, who looks way too young to be driving. None of them can figure out what is going on. Everyone around them is cheering for them, treating them like celebrities. Even stranger, they are each given a clock with a set amount of time on it, but no one will tell them what it means. They each go to a new home with a new mom or dad, and it's just like they've always imagined their perfect life would be. The homes seem tailored to their preferences, but something seems off to Finn and Mouse. They struggle through the new surroundings, fighting against time. The amount of time is different for the three siblings, and when they find out they each have to make a critical decision, they will be put to the test, and so will their family. Once they make their decision will they be able to face the challenge? Where exactly are they? Will they ever seen Uncle Red or their mom again? You have to read this far out tale to find out what happens!

No Passengers Beyond This Point is a book that I wanted to read for a long time based on the very cool cover. The book did not disappoint! Each chapter was told from a different point of view. I enjoyed this because India was such a typical teenager, Finn was so much the brother who wants to help everybody, and Mouse was a little girl who knew a ton of facts, but had some social struggles. I felt terrible for them when they lost their home and had to move. I felt even worse when they had to struggle through their new home and strange land. No one would give them any answers, and they had so much to figure out! I kept thinking about it and wondering if I had it all correct, but I wasn't really sure until the end. And even then, there is a little mystery (I don’t want to give anything away). This is a book that will make you think. It made me realize that it's our will to live and our will to survive that gets us to where we are. I recommend this book to kids in fourth grade and up, and to people who have a sense of adventure. What would you do if you were in a new place and had to decide if you should stay or go?

Has anyone else read No Passengers Beyond This Point? Or have you read another book by Gennifer Choldenko? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

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Answer to Monday's Riddle: No Place Like...

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! This week we'll be experiencing some creature comforts. Lizzy's review will bring us home, and Friday marks another meeting of the Character Book Club. The DMS is hosting Mia from 25 Roses by Stephanie Faris, so be sure to check back. See you all around the book block. ; ) ~ F



When your inner space reflects your outer place, this is where you are. A spot in time to keep your things, behind a door that tells in rings; here is where your secrets rest, in a drawer or perhaps a chest. Somewhere to close your eyes, welcome guests and wave goodbyes; relax or not, work or play, make a choice to move or stay. Kept inside by varying walls, here is where you make the calls. If designed with truth, it can be quite pleasant, and you'll feel safe when in your present. Open or crooked, tall or squat; it could be fancy, but maybe not. The scene will shift, as you know, but here is where you'll always go. 

Where am I referring to? Answer: Home!

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Monday's Riddle: Where You Go...

Hello Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week? Dorothy knew all about this, but it took a good witch to get her there. ; ) ~ F

When your inner space reflects your outer place, this is where you are. A spot in time to keep your things, behind a door that tells in rings; here is where your secrets rest, in a drawer or perhaps a chest. Somewhere to close your eyes, welcome guests and wave goodbyes; relax or not, work or play, make a choice to move or stay. Kept inside by varying walls, here is where you make the calls. If designed with truth, it can be quite pleasant, and you'll feel safe when in your present. Open or crooked, tall or squat; it could be fancy, but maybe not. The scene will shift, as you know, but here is where you'll always go. 

Where am I referring to?

I gave you a clue!

CLUE!

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Interview with Nora Raleigh Baskin

The DMS was lucky enough to interview Nora Raleigh Baskin. Lizzy reviewed her book Anything But Typical, and it was great to share our thoughts about it and hear yours! We're excited to learn a little more about her story. So, without further ado... take it away, Nora!

What inspired you to write Anything But Typical?

I get asked that question quite a bit and I’ve handled it many different ways. Basically it grew out of a conversation with my editor and my initial rejection of that idea, thinking that I knew nothing about it and couldn’t possibly ever write an autistic character authentically.  However after doing a little research and then a lot of research I grew to understand how little difference there actually is between me and Jason. There were external difference but more internal similarities and that intrigued me. I knew I wanted to write in first person and I knew I wanted to write about acceptance. And that was all I started with. I learned so much along the way, about my self and about what it means to be “dis-abled” and labeled. I can relate to both.

How long did it take you to write Anything But Typical?

As always, it takes me four to six months to write my first draft and another half a year or so with my editor on revisions. We went back and forth quite a bit on this one. There were scenes taken out and then added back in. The entire series of “false endings” which are experienced by Jason were possible endings in my mind, which I simply transferred to Jason’s mind. Or maybe it was the other way around, who knows?

What was your inspiration for the characters Jason and Rebecca (PhoneixBird)?

My inspiration is myself. Both of those characters (and most all of my characters) come from deep, honest, thoughtful looks into my self, my emotions, my experiences, and my psyche. Whether I am writing a protagonist or antagonist, it doesn’t matter..it is always a matter of “What would I do if I were living this life.”

What are some of your favorite books from childhood? Were there any specific authors who inspired you?

Well, there weren’t nearly as many writers for children as there are now of course. The first real literature I recognized and fell in love with was the works of E. B White. I will never forget reading Charlotte’s Web out loud to my family (we were hippies with no TV) and seeing first hand the power of story. Everyone was crying, of course. The Trumpet of the Swan was the best present I got in 1972. And yes, I used to ride to the library and seek out Nancy Drew. I couldn’t get enough of her, or any historical non-fiction about famous people when they were kids. I can’t say I cared much who the author was. I doubt I even paid attention. I just ate up the stories. I especially loved stories about kids overcoming hardship and growing up to do important things.

If you could live anyplace real or fictional, where would it be? Why?

Yikes..maybe back in New Paltz, but it’s changed so much since I was a kid. I’d love to live on a ranch or a farm if someone else did all the work. But actually, I really love my house now in Weston, CT because it is wooded, and rural, and quiet but close enough to get into NYC in an hour or so. I am completely a homebody though. If there’s food in the house, I can stay home for days. 

If you could befriend a character from one of your books, who would you befriend? Why?

Oh, dear..I can’t answer that question and it’s really upsetting me. It stirs up some unwelcome thoughts.  I’ll have to get back to you on this one.

Jason has obstacles that he has to overcome. What advice do you have for kids or adults who feel that they can’t overcome the obstacles in front of them?

Well, Jason has obstacles but he doesn’t see them that way. I wanted to show Jason as someone who is comfortable with who he is. It is the rest of the world that has a problem with him and there is nothing he can do about that. So that would be my advice: Be comfortable with who you are. Accept yourself and understand that not everyone else will be able to but do your best to figure out who can and who can’t. Stay away from the ones who can’t. Did that make any sense?

 

You write books about a variety of different topics. How do you decide what you are going to write next?

I seem never to at a lose for things that interest me. Or stories that have been brewing in my mind and heart for many many years. Sometimes I hash ideas out with my editor but sometimes I have to just take a leap of faith and try something new, write it all and see if anyone is interested. That’s scary. I have to say, lately I’ve been very interested in structure and experimental story telling, more so than the autobiographical history that once drove all my writing.

The path to publication varies from author to author. Every author has a unique story and one that other authors can learn from. Can you tell us a little bit about your path to publication or do you have any advice for new authors?

Oy, that’s a long story (the one you guys heard at my CT book festival presentation) so instead I’ll give you my parting advice. Keep writing, keep getting better. Don’t send out the same thing for twenty years and hope your turn will come up. Read, meet people, read, go to conferences, take courses, and give your work to a trusted (and very kind) reader-friend. Listen when they tell you what works and what doesn’t. You will never please everyone. There are too many different tastes and opinions. So don’t jump through every hoop until someone is ready to buy or represent you. And write from your heart.

Are you currently working on a book? If so, can you tell us a little bit about it?

I have a book coming out this June, 2015 Ruby on the Outside about a girl whose mother is incarcerated at Bedford Women’s Correctional Facility. And another MG novel called Nine/Ten scheduled for August 2016 about the twenty-four hours before 9/11 all across the United States. And right now I am working on a YA novel about depression, love, and suicide. How’s that for a variety of topics? hmmm....

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