This interview was originally posted on The Elevensies March 2010
THE END OF THE LINE, Holiday House, Spring 2011
Synopsis
Robbie is convinced his life is over. He is sent to Great Oaks, a school for troubled youth that is run like a prison. To get home he must follow the rules, face the past, and tell the truth. Otherwise, Great Oaks School will really be the end of the line.
Website: www.angelacerrito.com
Blog: http://www.angelacerrito.com/jumping-off-cliffs
Twitter: http://twitter.com/angelacerrito
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/angelacerrito
What made you decide to be a writer?
I wrote my first poem when I was seven and never stopped writing.
Favorite books/authors?
Markus Zusak came to Munich and did a one-day writers’ workshop for the SCBWI chapter there. In addition to being an amazing writer, he is a talented speaker and a gifted teacher. I learned a lot about writing that day!!
I have so many favorite authors! I hesitate to make a list because I’m afraid I’ll leave someone off.
I think KIRA-KIRA by Cynthia Kadohata is a perfect book for so many reasons – voice, story, truth, the way every character in the family has changed by the end of the book and most of all because I want to jump into the pages and play with Katie and Lynn during happy times and comfort them during sad times.
The last book of Pullman’s HIS DARK MATERIALS trilogy always makes me cry when Will and Lyra have to part.
My girls and I are totally into THE HUNGER GAMES right now and can’t wait for book 3. I think I’ve lost a little clout with them. They know I’ll be at the Bologna Book Fair and seem to think I will be able to return with MOCKINGJAY. I’ve told them there’s no way. I even read them the PW article that bookstores and reviewers aren’t even getting ARCs. If that’s the case, I know I won’t rate an early copy!
Morning person or a night owl?
I’m writing this at 4:07 in the morning and haven’t been to bed yet! I’m a night owl. But I do wake early in the morning when needed and I tell myself “It’s still night” or “this is the other side of night” just to trick myself. (It works!)
PC or mac? PC
What did you have for dinner today? Pizza
Quick! Share 11 random things about yourself.
1. I work with kids every day as a physical therapist – I see children under 3 in their homes and travel to schools in the area to work with older students, age 3 to 21. I love it!
2. I was born in Dearborn Michigan and lived there until I graduated high school. Since then I’ve lived in Oregon, Wisconsin and Georgia in the US. Outside of the US, I’ve lived in China, Germany and Italy.
3. When I first started writing for children I sent more than 20 entries into the Highlights Fiction Contest. (I didn’t win!)
4. In graduate school, I dissected a human cadaver.
5. On a dare, I once spent the night in a haunted house with some friends (there was no paranormal activity that night.)
6. I still remember the first time I visited Powell’s Book Store in Portland, Oregon. I didn’t want to leave!!
7. I wish I were able to sing in tune.
8. I am able to burp very loudly – really, I mean win-a-trophy-for-your-belch kind of loud –but not on command.
9. My middle school English teacher required us to memorize the Prologue to The Canterbury Tales
10. I can stand on my head for an extended period of time.
11. Is it number 11 already? Some of my favorite things: music, driving fast, visiting new places, reconnecting with friends I haven’t seen in a long time, the view from the top of a tall building, taking photos, making my kids laugh, dancing, trying new foods and just being silly!
THE END OF THE LINE, Holiday House, Spring 2011
Synopsis
Robbie is convinced his life is over. He is sent to Great Oaks, a school for troubled youth that is run like a prison. To get home he must follow the rules, face the past, and tell the truth. Otherwise, Great Oaks School will really be the end of the line.
Website: www.angelacerrito.com
Blog: http://www.angelacerrito.com/jumping-off-cliffs
Twitter: http://twitter.com/angelacerrito
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/angelacerrito
What made you decide to be a writer?
I wrote my first poem when I was seven and never stopped writing.
Favorite books/authors?
Markus Zusak came to Munich and did a one-day writers’ workshop for the SCBWI chapter there. In addition to being an amazing writer, he is a talented speaker and a gifted teacher. I learned a lot about writing that day!!
I have so many favorite authors! I hesitate to make a list because I’m afraid I’ll leave someone off.
I think KIRA-KIRA by Cynthia Kadohata is a perfect book for so many reasons – voice, story, truth, the way every character in the family has changed by the end of the book and most of all because I want to jump into the pages and play with Katie and Lynn during happy times and comfort them during sad times.
The last book of Pullman’s HIS DARK MATERIALS trilogy always makes me cry when Will and Lyra have to part.
My girls and I are totally into THE HUNGER GAMES right now and can’t wait for book 3. I think I’ve lost a little clout with them. They know I’ll be at the Bologna Book Fair and seem to think I will be able to return with MOCKINGJAY. I’ve told them there’s no way. I even read them the PW article that bookstores and reviewers aren’t even getting ARCs. If that’s the case, I know I won’t rate an early copy!
Morning person or a night owl?
I’m writing this at 4:07 in the morning and haven’t been to bed yet! I’m a night owl. But I do wake early in the morning when needed and I tell myself “It’s still night” or “this is the other side of night” just to trick myself. (It works!)
PC or mac? PC
What did you have for dinner today? Pizza
Quick! Share 11 random things about yourself.
1. I work with kids every day as a physical therapist – I see children under 3 in their homes and travel to schools in the area to work with older students, age 3 to 21. I love it!
2. I was born in Dearborn Michigan and lived there until I graduated high school. Since then I’ve lived in Oregon, Wisconsin and Georgia in the US. Outside of the US, I’ve lived in China, Germany and Italy.
3. When I first started writing for children I sent more than 20 entries into the Highlights Fiction Contest. (I didn’t win!)
4. In graduate school, I dissected a human cadaver.
5. On a dare, I once spent the night in a haunted house with some friends (there was no paranormal activity that night.)
6. I still remember the first time I visited Powell’s Book Store in Portland, Oregon. I didn’t want to leave!!
7. I wish I were able to sing in tune.
8. I am able to burp very loudly – really, I mean win-a-trophy-for-your-belch kind of loud –but not on command.
9. My middle school English teacher required us to memorize the Prologue to The Canterbury Tales
10. I can stand on my head for an extended period of time.
11. Is it number 11 already? Some of my favorite things: music, driving fast, visiting new places, reconnecting with friends I haven’t seen in a long time, the view from the top of a tall building, taking photos, making my kids laugh, dancing, trying new foods and just being silly!