Thrice Interview: THE MAPMAKER AND THE GHOST

I’m a little late posting this, but I want to celebrate the release (last Tuesday) of Sarvenaz Tash’s middle-grade debut, THE MAPMAKER AND THE GHOST!

The synopsis: Goldenrod Moram loves nothing better than a good quest. Intrepid, curious, and full of a well-honed sense of adventure, she decides to start her own exploring team fashioned after her idols, the explorers Lewis and Clark, and to map the forest right behind her home. This task is complicated, however, by a series of unique events—a chance encounter with a mysterious old lady has her searching for a legendary blue rose. Another encounter lands her in the middle of a ragtag gang of brilliant troublemakers. And when she stumbles upon none other than the ghost of Meriwether Lewis himself, Goldenrod knows this will be anything but an ordinary summer . . . or an ordinary quest. Debut author Sarvenaz Tash combines an edge-of-your-seat adventure, a uniquely clever voice, and an unforgettable cast of characters to prove that sometimes the best adventures of all are waiting right in your own backyard.

I haven’t had a chance to read this yet, but it sounds wonderful, and I’ve heard glowing reviews!

Describe your main character in 3 adjectives + a noun.

Goldenrod is a smart, spunky, determined explorer.

Describe your book in 3 adjectives + a noun.

THE MAPMAKER AND THE GHOST is a funny, fantastical, outrageous adventure.

Describe yourself in 3 adjectives + a noun.

I am a geeky, grateful, and oft-silly writer.

If you could travel to any 3 countries, what would they be?

Greece is my favorite country I’ve ever been to, so I would definitely want to go back. I also really want to go to Peru (and hike the Inca trail) and South Africa. (note from Jess: Greece is #1 on my list!)

If you could take any 3 non-writing-related classes, what would they be?

Knitting (I really like crafts and I’ve been wanting to learn how to do this for years. One of these days!), Drums, and Dance (even though I have no head for choreography…as anyone who was ever in a play in high school with me can attest to.)

If you could have 3 alternate careers, what would they be?

Teacher, film editor, rock star (honestly, who doesn’t want to do that?)

What are 3 of your favorite flowers?

Orchids, irises and jasmine. 

What are 3 of your favorite foods?

Bread, spaghetti, this Persian dish that’s made out of spinach and plum stew over rice.

What are 3 of your favorite books?

Oh, this question is hard. As long as I know this list won’t come back to haunt me if I’m ever stuck on a deserted island, I’ll go with PRIDE & PREJUDICE, the HARRY POTTER series (possibly cheating) and Salman Rushie’s MIDNIGHT’S CHILDREN.

Thanks for stopping by, Sarvenaz! I hope you’ve had a wonderful week!