Tracing Stars Blog Tour: Interview and Giveaway

I'm excited to have the Tracing Stars Blog Tour stopping by today with an interview with Erin Moulton and a signed book giveaway!!!

Be sure to check out my review of this funny MG book.

WS: What three words best describe Tracing Stars?
EM- Unique, Quirky and Comfortable. 

WS: In one sentence tell readers why they should read your book.
EM- You should read it because it celebrates individuality.

WS: Now using as many sentences as you’d like, can you tell us a bit more about Tracing Stars?
EM- Sure thing. Indie Lee Chickory knows she's not as cool as her older sister Bebe. Bebe has more friends, for one. And no one tells Bebe she's a fish freak, for two. So when Indie accidentally brings her pet lobster to school, makes a scene, loses him in the ocean and embarrasses Bebe worse than usual, she makes a wish on a star to become a better Chickory. She tries to do this by joining the stage crew of the community's theater production, The Sound of Music. (Bebe has a starring role.) But Bebe is worried that Indie will embarrass her again, so she gives her a makeover and tells her who she should be friends with. That means Owen is out. But he's fun and smart, so Indie keeps her friendship with him a secret. At night, Indie and Owen rebuild a tree house into a ship in the sky to catch Indie's pet lobster. But during the day, Indie has to hide her friendship with Owen.
Eventually her two worlds cannot help but collide in a cataclysmic mess. 

WS: What do you hope readers will learn from this book? How do you hope this book will inspire readers?
EM- Well, my main goal in writing any book is to give the character an arc, a starting point from which they can grow. In this case, Indie basically learns that embracing her version of weird is going to make her happy, is going to make her a “better Chickory.” And that is what I hope everyone does, whether they read my book or not, I hope kids can accept themselves for who they are, and the sooner the better. That is what I hope they get from the story: that individuality is worth fighting for.

WS: Grab a copy of Tracing Stars and answer the following:
·     Favorite chapter? The last one, because it tied together ok, finally. Also, every time I reached it, I could take a deep breath and a break.  
·     Favorite page? 14. That’s the one where Monty appears to be an alien in Indie’s shirt.
·     Favorite character? Sloth. Sloth is sure of herself, her identity, and she isn’t afraid to take Indie or Owen under her wing. She’s different and celebrates it. 

WS: Your character Indie has a pet lobster named The Lobster Monty Cola, which is an awesome name. If you had a lobster, what would you name him/her?
EM- Well, of course I would have to see the lobster in order to give him or her a proper name. But in general, I would probably choose a historical or literary reference like Calamity Jane or Socrates or Sherlock Holmes. If my husband had anything to do with it, it would have a gun name like Rueger or Remington or Winchester.  

WS: Indie’s sister Bebe loves the theater and musicals…what are some of your favorite musicals?
EM- I LOVE Avenue Q. I also love Newsies and always have. My favorite one we did in high school was Cabaret. Oh and I really want to see The Book of Mormon!

WS: In a hundred years how do you hope people will fill in the blanks: Erin Moulton was such a ________. I’ll always remember when/how she_______. 
EM- I have always been terrible at these.
I hope it’s like this: Erin Moulton was such a great character developer. I’ll always remember when/how she created characters that we understood and loved.
Then again, why would anyone be having that conversation?
It would more likely go like this: Erin Moulton was so oblivious and awkward. I’ll always remember when/how she tripped over her own feet and face planted in Harvard Square.
Yeah, that’s more like it. 

WS: What’s the one book you think everyone should read at least once?
EM- Macbeth. I love Macbeth. The imagery, the metaphors, the pentameter. When kids at the library tell me they don’t understand Macbeth, I hand it to them and tell them to read it anyway. You don’t have to dissect every line to get what’s happening. The good the bad, the sentiments, they’re all in the flow of the words. You’ll feel what is happening. Don’t over think it. Just enjoy it!

WS: If you were to bake a Tracing Stars inspired cupcake what would it look/taste like and what would you call it?
EM- I would make the inside yellow, in homage to Monty. Then I would frost it with blue and make it frothy looking, like waves. Then I would put a little chocolate lobster on top. The lobster would be dark chocolate with sea salt. A really high quality chocolate that’s nice and bittery sweet with that pop of salt. Yum!
Why not include any of the main characters in this? Well, because they can’t fit, and also because the whole story is about the golden lobster; it’s about individuality, being one of a kind. So in a sense, they’re already there.

Thanks for answering my questions Erin!

Connect with Erin: Site / Twitter / Facebook

Erin E. Moulton graduated with an MFA in Writing for Children from the Vermont College of Fine Arts in 2007. She is the author of Flutter: The Story of Four Sisters and One Incredible Journey(Philomel/Penguin 2011), and Tracing Stars(Philomel/Penguin 2012). Erin is co-founder of the Kinship Writers Association and is currently the YA librarian at the Derry Public Library.  Erin lives in Southern New Hampshire with her husband and puppy where she writes, reads, drinks tea and dreams.  You can visit her online at www.erinemoulton.com or on Facebook as Erin E. Moulton (Author), or find her on twitter @erinemoulton.

Tracing Stars

Indie Lee Chickory knows she's not as cool as her older sister Bebe. Bebe has more friends, for one. And no one tells Bebe she's a fish freak, for two. So when Indie accidentally brings her pet lobster to school, makes a scene, loses him in the ocean and embarrasses Bebe worse than usual, she makes a wish on a star to become a better Chickory. She tries to do this by joining the stage crew of the community's theater production, The Sound of Music. (Bebe has a starring role.) But Bebe is worried that Indie will embarrass her again, so she gives her a makeover and tells her who she should be friends with. That means Owen is out. But he's fun and smart, so Indie keeps her friendship with him a secret. At night, Indie and Owen rebuild a tree house into a ship in the sky to catch Indie's pet lobster. But during the day, Indie has to hide her friendship with Owen.
When things come to a head, Indie realizes that being true to yourself is more important than being cool. But what's even more surprising is that Bebe realizes it, too.

Purchase: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Win a signed hardcover copy of 

Tracing Stars!!!

Erin Moulton has generously offered a signed hc copy of her book to one lucky cupcake

Details

-One winner will win a signed hc copy

-Will run from 7/13 - 7/20

-Open to US and CAN only

Fill out Rafflecopter form to enter

• One main entry per person
• Must be 13+ to enter
• Winner will be emailed and must claim prize within 48 hours
• Word Spelunking is NOT responsible for lost, damaged or stolen prizes

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