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27
Feb

Thrice Interview + Giveaway: WHAT THE MOON SAID

Hi! Today we’re celebrating Gayle Rosengren’s debut, WHAT THE MOON SAID, which came out last week!

Before we start — why are they called Thrice interviews? The original titles for the Cahill Witch Chronicles were THRICE BLESSED, THRICE CURSED, and THRICE FATED. I have a tattoo with the word thrice, which is partly to remind me how joyful writing that first book was, back when it was just mine, and partly because I like threes. Cate Cahill is the oldest of three sisters, as am I. My birthday is May 3; my anniversary is Sept 30. So there’s a natural theme to these interview questions…

what the moon saidThey say: Thanks to her superstitious mother, Esther knows some tricks for avoiding bad luck: toss salt over your left shoulder, never button your shirt crooked, and avoid black cats. But even luck can’t keep her family safe from the Great Depression. When Pa loses his job, Esther’s family leaves their comfy Chicago life behind for a farm in Wisconsin.

Living on a farm comes with lots of hard work, but that means there are plenty of opportunities for Esther to show her mother how helpful she can be. She loves all of the farm animals (except the mean geese) and even better makes a fast friend in lively Bethany. But then Ma sees a sign that Esther just knows is wrong. If believing a superstition makes you miserable, how can that be good luck?

Debut author Gayle Rosengren brings the past to life in this extraordinary, hopeful story.

I say: Ooh, this sounds so sweet! I think I would have LOVED it as a middle-grade reader!

Now for our interview with Gayle:

1. Describe your main character in 3 adjectives + a noun.

Esther is a sweet, stubborn, optimistic dreamer.

2. Describe your book in 3 adjectives + a noun.

My book is a timeless, mother-daughter coming of age story.

3. Describe yourself in 3 adjectives + a noun.

I’m a kind, funny, impulsive “giver”

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

Italy, England, and France

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

Art, quilting, and horseback riding

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

Painter (as in canvases, not houses), actor, or interior decorator

7. What are your 3 favorite flowers?

Tulips, roses, and hydrangeas – one for spring, summer, and fall

8. What are your 3 favorite foods?

Popcorn, steak, and chocolate (yum!)

9. What are your 3 favorite books?

BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE, THE ONE & ONLY IVAN, and SPEAK

Thanks for stopping by, Gayle!

You can find out more about Gayle and WHAT THE MOON SAID at her website, or by following her on twitter or Facebook.

Gayle is offering up ONE signed copy of her book – and SIX packs of bookmarks + luggage tags, pictured below – so there will be SEVEN winners! Just leave a comment below to enter telling us – are you superstitious? What superstitions do you follow? Contest is open until  Thursday, March 6 at midnight. International readers welcome!

WHAT THE MOON SAID prizes

19 Responses

  1. lovingrob

    Omg. I love this post. And that book looks ADORABLE. I love MG books and I would love to read this one. <3 The cover is so so gorgeous. Sigh. And I love the interview as well 🙂 Thank you both so much for sharing! And for the amazing giveaway 😀 *Fingers crossed.* <3 Ah. Superstitious. I don't think I am. Not at all, to be honest 🙂
    Love, Carina Olsen

    1. Congrats – you won a swag pack! I've emailed you for your address.

      I'm only a little superstitious myself, but I'm v curious about others' superstitions and where they arise from!

  2. This book sounds cute. Not my typical read but it looks good 🙂
    As for the superstition part, I AM superstitious ! I never walk under a ladder for example, I always avoid them. I also believe my favorite color – purple – always brings me good luck. I guess my classmates understood when they saw me wearing purple on exam days haaha.

  3. Caitlin

    I am only superstitious when it comes to Friday the 13th. I have had things happen to me in the past, nothing too crazy but I do try to be extra good and careful on that day.

  4. Candice

    Love the idea of the book, I think I may just have to read it, I'm a little older than Middle-grade but who cares! A good book is timeless and ageless!
    My grandmother was very superstitious and I took on a lot from her. Throw spilled salt over your shoulder, never walk under an open ladder, don't cross the path of a black cat, never open an umbrella indoors, don't rock a chair that no one is sitting in… I'm sure she had more but these are the ones I have followed.

  5. Gaby

    I am a just a tiny bit superstitious, I avoid to walk under ladders and I take care of not breaking any mirrors, lol.
    The book sounds pretty cool! 🙂

  6. This sounds a wonderful book. I love Morher/daughter. I always touch wood if I say something that tempts fate. I don’t really believe it works, but I can’t break the habit.

    Great interview. I love the 3 answers format.

    1. I knock on wood too! And I'm so glad you like the interviews. There are lots more with giveaways right now & coming up soon!

      And congrats – you won one of the swag packs! I've emailed you for your address!

  7. quizzlerslammer

    What the Moon Said is an absolutely terrific Middle Grade historical fiction book, with one of the best main characters, vibrant & lovable Esther, in recent Middle Grade literature. And so skillfully written, with just the right voice for someone of Esther's age, a perfect structure (flows seamlessly from scene to scene, chapter to chapter), and truly beautiful use of language. A great mother-daughter relationship book. Also, because it is written so well and at an age-appropriate level for Middle Grade minds, would be an excellent read-aloud book as well. Just wonderful!

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