Q: Some writers get what is called "Newberyitis." After producing a Newbery Medal or a Newbery Honor book, they have a great deal of trouble writing the next book. Did this happen to you?

I’m happy to report it did not. After my kids and my husband, writing is my biggest love. When the pressures of the world get too much for me, I hide out with my keyboard. Life is hard. Writing is always a blast.

Q: When can we expect to see your next novel?

My next novel, If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period, will be available in August 2007. If A Tree Falls at Lunch Period is a novel told in two alternating points of view. One protagonist is sweet, overweight Kirsten who suddenly finds her world is crumbling all around her. Here’s how she views herself. “I thought my jean skirt looked good at home, but now I see it makes me look like a semi—a mobile home made entirely of denim. All I need is a sign that says WIDE LOAD.”

The other main character is tall, good-looking Walker who is trying to survive as one of three African-Americans in the new private school his mom has sent him to because she thinks he’s going to screw up like his cousin. Here’s Walker’s take on this. “Don’t have to worry, Momma, before I go bad I’ll let you know, send a Hallmark card ready made for the occasion . . . On the eve your son messes up.”

I believe If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period is my funniest novel so far, and yet it also addresses race and identity: topics about which I am deadly serious. It’s an exceptionally fast read, but I’m hoping that after you finish the last page, you will continue to think about this story for a very long time.

© 2005- Gennifer Choldenko. All rights reserved. If you would like to reuse or reprint anything on this website, please ask the author's permission.