Author Interview: Erin Soderberg Downing

 

About the Book (book 2)

Much to their surprise, the Peaches had a great summer running their food truck business, but they’re happy to be back home in Duluth, Minnesota, where they can settle into a routine just in time for the new school year. That is, until Great Aunt Lucinda drops a big surprise on them: She wants to gift them her historic mansion. But there are conditions: they’re to turn it into a cozy and welcoming bed-and-breakfast, something the Peach kids’ mom always dreamed of before she passed away. And they only have until Thanksgiving to do the renovations and prove they can make the business work. It looks like it’s a new chapter of The Great Peach Experiment!

But as the Peaches roll up their sleeves, they quickly realize the house is more of a pit than a welcoming escape. And as the family juggles builders, possible hauntings, doggie obedience training, a treasure hunt, and the demands and worries of work and school, they soon realize that there are wonderful secrets hidden within the house’s walls, if only they can take the time to see them...

My Thoughts: I loved book 2! I loved the family trying to renovate the house to make it a B&B. I loved hearing about the different room decorations. I loved Lucy's secret room, Freddy's art project, Herb's job, the treasure hunt, and the baking. I felt bad that everyone was stressed and for Herb when Freddy messed with him. There's so much family, togetherness, and friendship in this book. I didn't want to put this book down! I can't wait to spend more time with the Peaches.

* ARC sent for review

About Erin:

Erin Soderberg Downing has written more than fifty books for kids, tweens, teens, and adults. Some of her most popular titles include the middle-grade novel Moon Shadow and four fun chapter book series: The Great Peach Experiment, Disney’s Daring Dreamers Club, Puppy Pirates, and The Quirks.

Erin loves creating stories that are accessible and help inspire a lifelong love of reading for fun. Before becoming an author, Erin was a children’s book editor, a cookie inventor, and also worked for Nickelodeon. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband, three hilarious kids, Wally the cuddly goldendoodle (star of Puppy Pirates!), and a tiny, mischievous Aussiedoodle named Nutmeg.

I'm so excited to chat with Erin. 

What themed room would you create?

 I would absolutely create a cozy reading nook in my dream treehouse or in my B&B! I'd fill it with smooshy beanbags and Squishmallows (so much soft stuff to flop into that you couldn't even see or feel the floor!), lots of books, plenty of twinkly fairy lights, and a bunch of candy in colorful bowls around the room (gummi bears and M&Ms are my favorite!)

That sounds amazing!

Are you more a creative or scientific person?

 I'm definitely more of a creative person, but I do approach my writing in a pretty scientific way. I like to plot out my stories fairly carefully before I start writing, breaking the whole book out into scene-by-scene events so I have a map to follow while I'm writing. Then I even go so far as to create plot maps and charts that help me keep track of what's going on with each character and storyline at any given point in the book. So even though my brain is definitely happiest when it's making stuff up, my imagination *works* best when I've set myself up for success. 

Wow, that's awesome! And definitely scientific! 

What's your favorite breakfast food?

Depends on the day and my mood! But you really can't go wrong with a good muffin or pancake or waffle. In fact, I'm usually pretty satisfied with a just-ok muffin, to tell you the truth. Fun fact: my daughter, Milla, created the recipe for "Cousin Millie's" muffins in THE PEACH PIT book! She did a lot of testing and experimenting, and we all enjoyed eating each of her yummy attempts. I also really like cereal (Lucky Charms!), bagels and cream cheese, fried eggs, and breakfast burritos - breakfast is *definitely* my favorite meal of the day!

 Breakfast foods are so good!

What's the most mischievous thing your dog(s) have done?

My favorite mischief was the time my older dog, Wally, stole a whole package of English muffins off the kitchen counter. He ripped into the plastic around the package, ate one muffin, then carefully put the other individual English muffins in various spots throughout the house for safekeeping so he could eat them later. We found one in his bed, one in my bed, and one on the couch. 

Lol. That's great and terrible at the same time. I have a little puppy right now and he's always up to something!

Do you believe in ghosts?

 Not the scary kind. I do believe that there is all kinds of history surrounding us, and that the "ghosts" of our past live on in the walls of a house and in the heart of a family (which is something I wrote into THE PEACH PIT, for Herb to figure out!). Ghosts aren't something I really *worry* about in my daily life, but I certainly wouldn't ever choose to stay in a B&B or hotel or house that is rumored to be haunted - which I guess tells you something about what I do and don't believe in!

I feel the same, I wouldn't choose to stay in a place that's supposed to be haunted with the hopes of seeing a ghost. 

Thanks so much for chatting with me! I hope everyone enjoys the 2nd book just as much as I did!

Review: When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie

 

When their mother died four years ago, everything changed. Now Lucy's ready for summer, but at the last minute her father changes all the plans. When the family inherits a chunk of money, he purchases a food truck. He's made plans to spend the summer on the road.

Lucy, Freddy, and Herb aren't sure about this plan - but they have no choice. They all have different ideas on how the money could have been spent. But together they try to make the best of it. 

Lucy, who has become the primary caretaker, can't believe that her father's going to spend the whole summer with them. He's usually buried in his work.  

They start creating pies - including their family's famous peach pie. After several bumps, they start getting the hang of it. But will it be smooth sailing?

My Thoughts: I heard about this book at a Renegades of Middle Grade event and I knew I had to read it. It sounded amazingly good and it didn't disappoint. I'm eagerly waiting for the next two books in the trilogy. I love pie, so I was all about this food truck. Although, I did love the other ideas on how to spend a million dollars; they were inventive. I felt badly for the kids as their lives changed once again and they weren't sure of their roles. But I loved how they helped each other out and took care of each other. While it's clearly a modern story, it has that same nostalgic feel from the Penderwicks or the Vanderbeekers. This delicious book will make your mouth water. 

Cover Thoughts: Great

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public libraries