Author Interview: Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Red Girl, Blue Boy comes out tomorrow. I LOVED this book and was happy to host Lauren talking about the book and of course politics. Red Girl, Blue Boy is part of the If Only line from Bloomsbury.  Check out my review plus my If You Like Pin for more book suggestions after reading this one!

What's one piece of advice you have for teens regarding politics?

Try to keep an open mind and, if you already have a particular party affiliation, try not to fall into the habit of demonizing the other side. Recognize that politicians are people too, and don't seek to get rid of people over a single mistake (of course, depending on just how big that mistake is), because if we keep doing that, who will be left? Don't let the perfect become the enemy of the good, meaning if we expect politicians to be perfect and hold only those positions that align exactly with our own, we're just going to be miserable because that's impossible. If you can find politicians whose positions align with the issues that are most important to you, those are people worth getting behind.  

Would you ever consider going into politics - either in the background or running for office?

Whenever I'm asked the question, "If you weren't a writer, what would you like to be?" my answer is always the same: Mayor of Danbury.

If you were in politics, what's one thing you would change?

Candidates always talk about reaching across the aisle, but we see far too little of that in practice once people are elected. So I'd try to do more of that: find the common ground with people who hold opposing viewpoints and then try to build from there. I'd also do my best to make Election Day a national holiday. We have days off for so many things; why not have one that would make it easier for everyone who is registered to vote?  

Katie and Drew seem opposites - why do you think opposites attract?

When you think about it, it's kind of like with novels: if you have a novel in which everyone is in agreement, where's the excitement and conflict and tension? That doesn't have to translate into arguing all the time. And hopefully over time, characters and people in real life come to say: "OK, I wouldn't do that the way you just did that, but I get why you being you would and I'm OK with that." I also think that in a healthy relationship, you grow both individually and as a couple by working through the ways you're different.

Would you rather be more like Katie or Drew?

Unfair! Like asking a mother which kid she loves more or a cat owner to pick her favorite cat! In the instance of Katie and Drew, since I created them both, there are things about them that sometimes frustrate me - as I'm sure they will readers! - and things I admire. Katie can come across as naive about modern life - and she is, her constant campaigning for her father having kept her out of mainstream life and pop culture - but there's also something resilient and hopelessly optimistic about her. As for Drew, I just find him to be insanely kind. 

What's your next book?

My next book, due out in February, is an adult novel called FALLING FOR PRINCE CHARLES, an alternate-universe romantic comedy in which a cleaning lady from Danbury meets and falls in love with the heir to the British throne. Beyond that, I have a Middle Grade novel coming out with Farrar Straus and Giroux in 2017 that I'm super-excited about. It's called I LOVE YOU, MICHAEL COLLINS and is about a 10-year-old girl who, in 1969 and as her own family is falling apart, finds comfort in conducting a one-sided correspondence with the least famous astronaut heading toward the moon on Apollo 11.  

 Is there something I didn't ask that you wanted to talk about?

"What do you hope teens will get out of reading RED GIRL, BLUE BOY?" It's a comedic romance, so I don't expect them to read it with a super-political eye toward trying to learn: "Ohhh, so that's how a bill becomes a law," because it's not that book. It's fiction. It's meant to be entertaining fiction. So, first and above all, I hope they're entertained and have a good time. Beyond that, if it makes anyone more interested and/or excited about the political process than they were before, I'd be ecstatic. We're in the midst of a marathon to decide, as a country, who the next president of the United States will be. We should all care about that.

Upcoming Review: Red Girl, Blue Boy

Katie's dreamed of being in the limelight again. Now that her father's running for President, she's about to get her wish.

Unfortunately, it doesn't go well. Her blog causes her father trouble. Then she called out the son of her father's opponent on . TV after he declines to show up for their interview together.

Now Drew wants revenge. They agree to go back on the show the next day. When Katie's ambushed on the show, Drew jumps in to protect her. Afterwards, Katie and Drew play hooky from school.

Underneath the snark and banter, they find a connection. As they spend more time together, the more that connection grows. Can they become something more than friends with their parent's competing against each other?

My Thoughts: I loved this book (and this series). I really liked the political aspect of the book and the family drama. I felt bad as both teens had their lives changed by their parents. They had to act perfectly, especially in public - which also led to social media outlets.

I really liked Katie - she was sheltered, bossy, and a know-it-all. I loved watching her experience things and break out of her shell. She bought new clothes to hang out in, but wanted to pretend they weren't new. She learned about life from movies. I loved the moments where Drew and Katie hung out while he worked on his car. Plus the time they spent working on their costumes for the dance was fantastic. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: ARC sent for Review
Release Date: October 20th

If You Like:

Final Thoughts: A charming romance with a political spin with great banter. Make sure you grab this one come October.

Review: Little Women and Me

When Emily's assigned to change one thing about a classic novel, she decides upon Little Women. Except she can't think of just one thing to change.

She'd save Beth (who wouldn't?). She'd make sure that Jo and Laurie end up together (that's where they belong). Before Emily can decide which major change to make, she's sucked into the novel.

She appears in the attic with the March sisters. Emily's the 5th March sister, and of course, still the middle sister. At first she's desperately unhappy, but she realizes that she can change the book from the inside.

She wouldn't mind kissing Laurie. She wants to keep Beth away from the Hummel family. She begins to desperately want to fit into the march family. Will Emily change the outcome too much? And how will she return to her own time?

My Thoughts: Loved the idea of this book. I'm a huge fan of Little Women and those two parts to the story always bugged me too. I like how closely it followed the book, but how things slightly changed with Emily's appearance. I LOVED the twist at the end. While I liked the book, there were times when I didn't like Emily. I think I just didn't connect with her. While I don't think you have to have read Little Women, it's much more enjoyable with knowledge of the story.

Cover Thoughts: I like how she's breaking out of the book.

Source: My Library

Review: The Education of Bet

Bet lives with family, but she's not quite family but not quite a servant either. She's in between and for the most part she's happy. However, she longs for a chance to become educated.

While Will comes home disgraced from yet another school, Bet attempts to understand why he doesn't like formal education. When she asks him, he confesses that he'd like to join the army. Immediately, Bet recognizes a golden opportunity for both of them to achieve their dreams.

As Will must attend a new school after summer, she volunteers to go in his place leaving him free to join the army. Bet and Will spend the summer turning into a boy. Then they go their separate ways.

Will forgot to mention a few nuggets of information such as roommates, and bullies. Bet must figure out how to fool her roommate, not let the bullies intimidate her, and study without drawing attention to herself and giving away her secret identity. Can she pull off the biggest scam, especially when she falls for her roommate?

My Thoughts: This reminds of Amanda Bynes' movie She's the Man -but without the soccer. I loved this book - Bet was clever, funny, and willing to take her life into her own hands. I found myself laughing at her snarky remarks and rooting for her all the way. I also really loved the nurse.

The Cover: LOVE it! I'm a sucker for period dresses.

Source: My Library