I want to thank Sarvenaz Tash for being a part of the March MG Madness and for stopping by to answer a few of my questions. Be sure to check out my review to learn more about Sarevnaz's book The Mapmaker and the Ghost.
Q. What three words best describe your MG novel The Mapmaker and the Ghost?
Adventure, humor and [a touch of] fantasy
Q. In one sentence, tell readers why they should read your book…c’mon, really sell it! If you have an affinity for The Goonies or Roald Dahl, quirky humor and strong female characters – I think this might be the story for you!
Q. Now, using as many sentences as you’d like, could you tell us a bit more about The Mapmaker and the Ghost?
Adventure, humor and [a touch of] fantasy
Q. In one sentence, tell readers why they should read your book…c’mon, really sell it! If you have an affinity for The Goonies or Roald Dahl, quirky humor and strong female characters – I think this might be the story for you!
Q. Now, using as many sentences as you’d like, could you tell us a bit more about The Mapmaker and the Ghost?
The Mapmaker and the Ghost is about a girl named Goldenrod who idolizes Lewis and Clark, decides to go on an exploration and is met with quite the unexpected adventure…practically in her own backyard.
Q. Why Middle Grade Fiction…why did you choose to write MG fiction and what do you love best about reading and writing MG?
Q. Why Middle Grade Fiction…why did you choose to write MG fiction and what do you love best about reading and writing MG?
I first fell in love with books because of middle grade fiction. I was 7 when I started reading Beverly Cleary. And then, soon, devouring The Baby-Sitters Club and anything by Roald Dahl. I can’t imagine my life without reading – it has meant so much to me throughout the years. It’s what I do when I need to escape and get caught up in someone else’s life and problems for a while.
As much as I adore a wide variety of books, I have never forgotten what it felt like to fall in love with those MG books that made me a reader for life. Ultimately, it’s the thought of possibly passing that gift on to someone else that makes me love writing for kids.
Q. Why do you think MG appeals to such a wide audience, from very young readers to adults like you and I?
I think it really has to do with magic. There’s a certain age where, really, for just a little while, anything seems possible. Witches disguising themselves with gloves and wigs, a boy who finds out he’s a wizard, or even a ghost in the forest behind your house. That kind of magic, certainly, but even a kind that doesn’t necessarily have to be fantastical: the singular magic of new experiences and of discovering who you are. Of growing up and finding out what you’re made of. It’s a fascinating age, one that we all go through, and one that universally leaves its mark.
Q. What’s your current favorite MG book? Your favorite MG book of all time?
I adored KAT, INCORRIGIBLE by Stephanie Burgis. It’s set in Regency England (the era of Jane Austen) and involves magic and the most fantastic sense of humor.
My favorite MG book of all time would have to be The Witches. Though Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban would be a very close second. Not only are they both terrific, terrific stories, but I’m in awe of the brilliant craftwork in both of them.
Q. If you could switch places with any MG character who would it be?
I wouldn’t mind switching places with Goldenrod! She’s much braver and sassier than I am. And she has a much better sense of direction.
Q. Who’s your favorite MG villain…who do you just love to hate or hate to love?
I think Dolores Umbridge – though it’s debatable if Order of the Phoenix is really more YA than MG at that point in the series. In my opinion, she was far worse than Voldemort. And that is quite the feat!
Q. Your character Goldenrod (who has an awesome name by the way!) loves nothing more than a good quest...what kind of epic quest would you love to embark on? Any legends you'd love to chase?
Every time I start writing a new book, I feel like I’m going on an epic quest – trying to hack out the story from a wall of thorns! I always feel like taking a mental deep breath before I plunge in, hoping I come out the other side with a good story (I don’t always). So I would say the legends I’d most like to chase are the ones I haven’t written yet.
Q. If you were to create/bake a cupcake inspired by The Mapmaker and the Ghost, what flavor would it be, or what would it taste like, and what would you call your tasty masterpiece?
Actually, there is baking involved in The Mapmaker and the Ghost! Goldenrod’s dad is an experimental cook and baker, so there are some interesting concoctions that pop up in the story. I think one that I would like to try in particular is a choco-vanilla-oyster-cracker confection. I’m thinking the salt from the crackers might balance nicely with the rest.
Q. Why do you think MG appeals to such a wide audience, from very young readers to adults like you and I?
I think it really has to do with magic. There’s a certain age where, really, for just a little while, anything seems possible. Witches disguising themselves with gloves and wigs, a boy who finds out he’s a wizard, or even a ghost in the forest behind your house. That kind of magic, certainly, but even a kind that doesn’t necessarily have to be fantastical: the singular magic of new experiences and of discovering who you are. Of growing up and finding out what you’re made of. It’s a fascinating age, one that we all go through, and one that universally leaves its mark.
Q. What’s your current favorite MG book? Your favorite MG book of all time?
I adored KAT, INCORRIGIBLE by Stephanie Burgis. It’s set in Regency England (the era of Jane Austen) and involves magic and the most fantastic sense of humor.
My favorite MG book of all time would have to be The Witches. Though Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban would be a very close second. Not only are they both terrific, terrific stories, but I’m in awe of the brilliant craftwork in both of them.
Q. If you could switch places with any MG character who would it be?
I wouldn’t mind switching places with Goldenrod! She’s much braver and sassier than I am. And she has a much better sense of direction.
Q. Who’s your favorite MG villain…who do you just love to hate or hate to love?
I think Dolores Umbridge – though it’s debatable if Order of the Phoenix is really more YA than MG at that point in the series. In my opinion, she was far worse than Voldemort. And that is quite the feat!
Q. Your character Goldenrod (who has an awesome name by the way!) loves nothing more than a good quest...what kind of epic quest would you love to embark on? Any legends you'd love to chase?
Every time I start writing a new book, I feel like I’m going on an epic quest – trying to hack out the story from a wall of thorns! I always feel like taking a mental deep breath before I plunge in, hoping I come out the other side with a good story (I don’t always). So I would say the legends I’d most like to chase are the ones I haven’t written yet.
Q. If you were to create/bake a cupcake inspired by The Mapmaker and the Ghost, what flavor would it be, or what would it taste like, and what would you call your tasty masterpiece?
Actually, there is baking involved in The Mapmaker and the Ghost! Goldenrod’s dad is an experimental cook and baker, so there are some interesting concoctions that pop up in the story. I think one that I would like to try in particular is a choco-vanilla-oyster-cracker confection. I’m thinking the salt from the crackers might balance nicely with the rest.
Be sure to stop by the March MG Madness home post and enter the big month long giveaway to win a box of MG books and swag! You can earn extra entries in the big giveaway by answering a question whose answer can be found in the interview above...go HERE to enter
Purchase: Amazon / B&N / Book DepositorySarvenaz Tash was born in Tehran, Iran and grew up on Long Island, NY. She received her BFA in Film and Television from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. This means she got to spend most of college running around and making movies (it was a lot of fun). She has dabbled in all sorts of writing including screenwriting, copywriting, and professional tweeting. Sarvenaz currently lives in Brooklyn, NY where all the streets are laid out in a delightfully simple grid system. THE MAPMAKER AND THE GHOST is her debut novel.
Win an ARC of The Mapmaker and the Ghost and swag!
For this giveaway I'm giving away my ARC, plus Sarvenaz Tash is giving away a signed bookplate, a signed bookmark, and swag.
Giveaway will run from 3/21 - 3/27
There will be one winner who will win the ARC and swag
US/CAN only
The ARC will come directly from me
The swag will come directly from Sarvenaz
Fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter
- Must be13+ to enter
- One main entry per person
- Winner will be emailed and must claim prize within 48 hours
- I am NOT responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged prizes in the mail
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I keep seeing this book everywhere online and it looks SO awesome! Goldenrod seems like such a cool character, I can't wait to meet her! :)
ReplyDeleteWould definitely love this for my daughter. I live on Long Island too!
ReplyDeleteLauren
My son is really looking forward to reading this! My daughter did an in-depth report on Sacajawea so our whole family will be interested to read about the Lewis and Clark connection in this book!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds fabulous and fun!! I totally agree with Umbridge!! I actually have a hard time watching that movie because I can't stand her character. I get so mad at how awful she is lol!! That cupcake sounds really tasty too.
ReplyDeleteThis book is way fun. Whoever wins is a lucky person indeed!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a great book! I also have to agree with that your favorite villain, Delores Umbridge, is terrifying!
ReplyDeleteSarv, I'm so excited for The Mapmaker and The Ghost! It sounds like everything a MG book should be.
ReplyDeleteSo excited about this book! I hope that it has a very happy book birthday next month. =)
ReplyDeleteWhat really sold me was your appreciate for Roald Dahl. The witches is one of my favorites too!
ReplyDeleteDelores Umbridge really was the creepiest. The school year following the summer in which I read The Goblet of Fire, I had a teacher who looked just like I'd imagined Umbridge. Horrifying!
ReplyDeleteThankfully, she turned out to be a really sweet, funny lady!