FeedWacky Wednesday: An Interview with Author Ronica Stromberg
February 24, 2010 in Elementary Educators, Middle School Teachers, Reading Skills, Stromberg Ronica, Wacky Wednesday, Young Adult Novels Tags: A Shadow in the Dark, inspirational books for teens, Kirsten Hart Series, Ronica Stromberg, Royal Fireworks Press
Today, I am so happy to interview Ronica Stromberg, author of A Shadow in the Dark, which I featured in yesterday’s “Tuesday Tales.” Don’t forget you can leave a comment on this blog post or yesterday’s for a chance to win this tween (which is basically younger YA) mystery book with Christian themes. For more information on the other themes and plot of the book, please see yesterday’s post. You can leave a comment on either post for a chance to win the book. The winner will be chosen on Friday, February 26 at 11:55 p.m. (CST).
So, on to the interview. . .
Margo: Ronica, thanks so much for joining us today. I found your book refreshing and full of things that tweens would love. You have three books published by Royal Fireworks Press, including A Shadow in the Dark. Please tell us a little about Royal Fireworks Press and why their books are good for the school or home school market.
Ronica: Royal Fireworks Press produces fiction that can be used in the classroom and for enrichment, as well as for pure pleasure. It targets gifted and talented children and home schoolers. Many of the publisher’s novels are “edutainment,” books that engage children in a core area of the curriculum–such as history, science, or math–through story. These books offer inquisitive children something beyond the standard fare.
Royal Fireworks Press also recognizes that many parents and home schoolers seek wholesome reads for their children. The publisher is careful about the language, situations, and values portrayed in its books.
The publisher gives discounts to teachers when they buy classroom sets of 20 or more books. Anyone can order books online from Royal Fireworks Press at http://rfwp.com and receive a 20 percent discount. For my latest books, the direct link is: http://rfwp.com/series96.htm.
Margo: I’m so glad you shared information about Royal Fireworks Press and “edutainment.” Many of my readers who are parents/teachers and are also writers can use that information–and maybe submit some of their own work to the publisher. A Shadow in the Dark is part of the Kirsten Hart series. Can you give us a glimpse into this series and how it will be useful for educators and parents?
Ronica: A Shadow in the Dark and Living It Up to Live It Down are the first two books in a series about one teen girl’s journey of faith. Readers are given a rare peek into the lives of young teens to whom faith really matters. This book and its sequel, Living It Up to Live It Down, could be used in reading groups of middle schoolers or teens interested in discussing faith and other teen issues. (Questions are posted on my site at http://ronicastromberg.wordpress.com/questions-for-book-groups/.)
The books also fits with the multicultural curriculum in public schools. Recognizing diversity and building tolerance are key goals of multicultural curricula, and religion is undeniably a part of that diversity. In our own country, Christianity has tremendously influenced our culture and still does. These books can help students understand Christianity, the main religious influence on our society, and build tolerance.
Margo: I love that there are all these parent/child book club groups popping up and that you provided questions to help them on their journeys! Tell us about your other book with Royal Firework Press.
Ronica: The Glass Inheritance is a mystery for upper-elementary readers. As a 12-year-old girl solves a mystery surrounding the Depression glass she inherits, she learns about The Great Depression, World War II, and the glassware made during those time periods. The book fits especially well with the fifth-grade curriculum in most schools.
Margo: I love historical fiction, and I think it is a brilliant way to get kids interested in history. Why did you decide to write books for kids and teens?
Ronica: I knew I wanted to write books since I was eight years old, and it was natural as a child to plan to write what I was reading, children’s books. That never changed even though I now read “grown-up” books as well as children’s books.
Margo: That is so wonderful that you are living your dream that you had since you were eight years old. I read “grown-up” books now, too; but obviously, my love for children’s books hasn’t gone away either. What are you currently working on?
Ronica: I just finished a short story for a magazine and am gathering information for a possible nonfiction children’s book, which would be my first in that genre. I still have ideas for other books in the Kirsten Hart Series and for picture books, also. I have more ideas than time, but that’s a good problem to have.
Margo: (smiles) No doubt! We wish you the best of luck, and I have to admit–I hope there are more Kirsten Hart books in the works. It’s great to have an inspirational series with a strong female teen character like Kirsten out in the world!
**Remember to leave a comment or question for Ronica on either today’s post or yesterday’s for a chance to win A Shadow in the Dark.
February 24th, 2010 at 9:09 am
These books sound like they’d be very interesting and educational–especially the one that deals with the Depression. I only wish they had books like that when I was in grade school!
February 24th, 2010 at 9:49 am
Hi Margo and Ronica,
The idea of weaving history along with mystery is a wonderful concept. Like Krysten, I love the idea of a 12-year-old solving a mystery relating to Depression-era Glass. My parents lived through the Great Depression and my dad served in World War II, and I wish I would’ve asked them more about it when they were alive. I think it is wonderful that a new generation will be learning about the Great Depression and World War II.
Donna Volkenannt
February 24th, 2010 at 9:54 am
I enjoyed the interview. I also am glad to see Christian books being published.
It is always good to see what other people are working on. These books sound
wonderful.
June Sengpiehl
February 24th, 2010 at 9:57 am
I was very happy to learn about your series and about the publisher, Royal Fireworks Press. As a reader and writer of historical fiction, it is great to learn of a house that sees the educational value of this kind of writing. Thanks for sharing.
February 24th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Hi Margo,
Wondering if you or Ronica could elaborate on the “younger YA market.” Are these books marketed to 12-13-14 years old? Or younger than that?
I often see 6th or 7th graders reading YA that seems too mature, but middle grade fiction can be too childish for this age group. So, I’m definitely happy to see a market for these kids. But I’m still a bit confused about where the lines are drawn, age-wise!
February 24th, 2010 at 11:14 am
Hi Cathy:
I am not sure if tween or younger YA is actually a recognized category, although I went to the MWG conference last year, and that’s where I first heard people talking about it. And the people talking about it was an author/editor pair who were publishing books where the main character was 13 (I think). I wish I could remember the name of the series (old age). Anyway, The Pricker Boy is another book that I recently heard about at an SCBWI conference, and the editor called it “on the younger side of YA.” Sometimes I see these types of books that have an age listed on the back cover of 12 and up, whereas older YA has the age of 14 and up. I would say these “tween” books are marketed to 11 through 14 year olds–some 10 year olds could read and some 15 year olds. You know these categories are never cut and dry. Okay, Cath, are you now totally confused?
Margo
February 24th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
Here is a Wonderful & Inspiring Multicultural Children’s book called “The Many Colors of Friendship”. Realizing how important it is to give our children tools and the right education about Diversity, Multiculturalism and Racism, I wanted to write something meaningful that children come away with a positive message. A great way for us to give children ‘wings’ for the future, and encouraging our children to make new and diverse friendships.
Rita Kaye Vetsch
http://www.eloquentbooks.com/TheManyColorsOfFriendship.html
February 24th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Thanks, Margo! On the contrary
From what I can tell, that market is more fluid than others. But I hadn’t seen “younger YA” used as a marker. (Though I think it’s aptly named!)
February 26th, 2010 at 1:33 am
Ronica, I’m glad that the books that you write are what you’ve dreamed of doing and that you’ve accomplished that dream. I enjoy reading/writing historical fiction myself, but find it to be extremely difficult. Perhaps some day… Keep up the good work. God Bless,
—Tami
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:23 am
Cath, Margo is right about the market for these books. “The Glass Inheritance” is aimed at a bit younger audience than “A Shadow in the Dark” and “Living It Up to Live It Down.” Since “The Glass Inheritance” fits with the fifth-grade history curriculum (it addresses WWII, the Holocaust, and the Great Depression), I generally say ages 10 to 14 for it although the publisher and some sites list it for ages 8 to 12.
I intended “A Shadow in the Dark” and “Living It Up to Live It Down” for readers just a little younger than “Twilight” readers–probably 11 to 15 as Margo said–but I’ve been conducting author visits at schools and keep seeing the “Twilight” books on the desks of elementary-school-aged girls. This surprised me and impressed upon me that age ranges are more fluid than I thought. While an author might think she’s writing for a young adult or middle school audience, younger children and even adults may be her true readership.