Sweep is my favorite middle-grade book of all time. Part of it reminds me of David Copperfield, and I’m wondering if you read that book around the same time you wrote it?
Are Sophie Quiere and Peter Nimble still teamed up and does Peter still wear his blindfold or does he just put it on when he needs to activate his senses.
My son Caleb noticed that most of your books are broken into sections (ie, "Innocence" and "Experience" in Sweep), and he was wondering: why did you choose to structure your novels that way? and how did you decide where to break up the sections?
What made you want to dabble in a horror mystery with 'The Night Gardener'. It had some good morals but it got creepy weird after a few chapters. The first few chapters felt a little like the boxcar children or maybe more accurately, the first page of 'A Series of Unfortunate Events'. After that it get weird real fast. I think that everyone should go read 'The Night Gardener' but go read it on a sunny day under a tree and not in your bed under the covers in the wee hours of the morning like I did.
I (a parent of two listeners) loved the Night Gardener, but yes it was creepy, so definitely not a "night" read if that kind of thing bothers you. An awesome book, but maybe not for everyone. Haven't yet given it to my voracious 10 yr old reader (who has read Peter Nimble and Sophie Quire like 5 times each) because I think he would have nightmares. I'm a big fan of Tim Burton...maybe that explains it! ;)
Yes it was creepy. So creepy in fact that even though I had planned to go to bed at 11:00 I had to stay up til 2:00 to finished it so I knew what had happened and had small comfort that he was defeated.
How did you come up with the idea of a blind thief as a main character? There's gotta be a good story.
Sweep is my favorite middle-grade book of all time. Part of it reminds me of David Copperfield, and I’m wondering if you read that book around the same time you wrote it?
Fish in a tank, or fish on a plate?
👀
Are Sophie Quiere and Peter Nimble still teamed up and does Peter still wear his blindfold or does he just put it on when he needs to activate his senses.
My son Caleb noticed that most of your books are broken into sections (ie, "Innocence" and "Experience" in Sweep), and he was wondering: why did you choose to structure your novels that way? and how did you decide where to break up the sections?
Favorite part of living in Pittsburgh? (From a former Yinzer who will always be a Steelers fan!)
Is the monster from Sweep friends with Garglehouser? Does David or Graeme seem more like a YA hero from one of your books?
How many boards would mongols hoard if mongol hordes got bored?
Did the last time you were on (Withywindle) influence or give you an idea for your new book? (Or any other books.)
What authors and/or books inspired your writing? Specifically for the Vanished Kingdom series, but also your other kids books.
Favorite ice cream flavor?
From Adelaide
Jonathan, please recommend a good beginner yo-yo for a 10 year old, and for a 13 year old (in case they are different recommendations). Thanks!
I would like to hear this one asked.
Who is an author that you look up to? You may list a few if you can't pick one.
What made you want to dabble in a horror mystery with 'The Night Gardener'. It had some good morals but it got creepy weird after a few chapters. The first few chapters felt a little like the boxcar children or maybe more accurately, the first page of 'A Series of Unfortunate Events'. After that it get weird real fast. I think that everyone should go read 'The Night Gardener' but go read it on a sunny day under a tree and not in your bed under the covers in the wee hours of the morning like I did.
I (a parent of two listeners) loved the Night Gardener, but yes it was creepy, so definitely not a "night" read if that kind of thing bothers you. An awesome book, but maybe not for everyone. Haven't yet given it to my voracious 10 yr old reader (who has read Peter Nimble and Sophie Quire like 5 times each) because I think he would have nightmares. I'm a big fan of Tim Burton...maybe that explains it! ;)
Yes it was creepy. So creepy in fact that even though I had planned to go to bed at 11:00 I had to stay up til 2:00 to finished it so I knew what had happened and had small comfort that he was defeated.
Any tips for young writers?
What’s the most difficult part of your writing process?
Did you get the idea of Peter Nimble putting different eyes in his sockets from Pirates of the Caribbean? If not, where did you get that idea from?
-B.A.M.
That's funny, one of my friend's initials spells BAM.