“Highly accessible for developing readers at a middle school interest level.” —School Library Journal
Ann Malaspina is an award-winning author of books for young readers, with a passion for exploring themes of social justice and civil rights. She holds an M.F.A. in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. When she’s not writing, Ann enjoys hiking, listening to spoken word poetry, spending time at the Jersey Shore during the off-season, and traveling.
We were lucky enough to sit down with Ann to talk about her upcoming middle grade mystery, Liam and the Giant Eels, set to hit shelves on December 1st!
Q: Describe your upcoming title in your own words.
A: Giant eels have invaded the Jersey Shore town where 12-year-old Liam is spending the summer at Gramp’s cottage. The eels crawl on the shelves at the grocery store, chew up postcards in mailboxes, and cause traffic accidents. No one knows why the eels are so enormous, or how to stop them from crawling everywhere. Some answers could lie in the journals Gramps left behind before he died last fall. Liam and the Giant Eels is a middle-grade environmental mystery that’s also about the power of friendship to tackle problems from climate change to losing a beloved grandfather.
Q: What inspired the idea for Liam and the Giant Eels?
A: I got the idea for the story from visits to my brother’s house in a salt marsh on the Jersey Shore. The setting is beautiful, but fragile, and is being affected by climate change and human development. When I read about a coastal nuclear power plant that had safety problems in the past, I wondered what dangers the plant could pose to wildlife in a saltmarsh. I was also very curious about eels (they are such strange creatures!) and wanted to learn more about them. So I decided to put eels and an aging power plant in my story, and then see where they took me!
Q: What themes do you explore in your novel, and why are they important to you?
A: One of the themes I explore is loss. A close relative of mine died while I was writing this book. Sometimes it feels like she’s gone, and other times, I’m sure she’s still here. Listening to his grandfather’s voice in his head and reading his old journal, Liam keeps learning new things from his grandfather. He even turns to him in times of crisis. But Liam also must figure out how to move on. I’ve found the same is true in my experience.
Q: What do you hope that readers take away from your book?
A: Sometimes climate change and environmental problems seem so scary, I’ll stop reading a newspaper article or turn off the TV so that I can sleep at night! I don’t think I’m the only one who feels helpless sometimes. I hope my readers realize there are things we can do, from turning down the A/C or joining a green team at school to becoming politically active or choosing a profession that battles climate change. In fact, we really aren’t so helpless after all.
Q: Who are some of your favorite authors or books that influenced your writing?
Some of my favorite books about wildlife and the environment include Me and Marvin Garden by A.S. King, A Wolf Called Wander by Roseanne Parry, Pax by Sarah Pennypacker, and Little Monarchs by Jonathan Chase.
Q: What advice would you give to young writers hoping to publish their work?
A: When I’m really stuck with a character or a plot line, it helps me talk to other people, rather than stew about it alone. This helps me to get new ideas, and fresh perspectives. Writing professionally is not a private activity. It’s very public and often collaborative. So, don’t be afraid to share even your outlines and drafts with people whom you trust. Be open to their feedback. Ask them questions. Brainstorm! Also, read a lot of books, especially in the genre you want to write in. Find authors you admire and books you love. They will inspire you to write even better.
Q: What are you currently working on, and what can readers expect next?
A: I’m working on a nonfiction book about living with wild animals, specifically bears. I like to hike in state parks in New Jersey. But there’s a lot of fear among hikers about encountering black bears. I think it’s possible to live with bears and other wild predators, but only if we’re knowledgeable and careful. We also need to figure out how to save more wild lands for wildlife, especially in a crowded state like New Jersey.
Check out Ann’s website here to learn more, you can find her on instagram here!
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