The Author: K.A. Barson
I've been writing professionally for about nine years, and I earned my MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. This is my first novel. I live in Jackson, Michigan (USA), have four kids, four dogs, but only one husband. I love shoes and purple, and I really love purple shoes.
Writing
I've always liked to write, but it wasn't until 2004 when a friend told me about SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) and the Highlights Foundation workshops that I started taking it seriously. Before that, I dabbled. I wrote poetry, short stories, and even a novel. None of that is published, but it was good practice and lots of fun.
The book: 45 pounds (more or less) by K.A Barson
Blurb:
Here are the numbers of Ann Galardi’s life:
She is 16.
And a size 17.
Her perfect mother is a size 6.
Her Aunt Jackie is getting married in 10 weeks, and wants Ann to be her bridesmaid.
So Ann makes up her mind: Time to lose 45 pounds (more or less) in 2 1/2 months.
Welcome to the world of infomercial diet plans, wedding dance lessons, embarrassing run-ins with the cutest guy Ann’s ever seen—-and some surprises about her NOT-so-perfect mother.
And there’s one more thing. It’s all about feeling comfortable in your own skin-—no matter how you add it up
She is 16.
And a size 17.
Her perfect mother is a size 6.
Her Aunt Jackie is getting married in 10 weeks, and wants Ann to be her bridesmaid.
So Ann makes up her mind: Time to lose 45 pounds (more or less) in 2 1/2 months.
Welcome to the world of infomercial diet plans, wedding dance lessons, embarrassing run-ins with the cutest guy Ann’s ever seen—-and some surprises about her NOT-so-perfect mother.
And there’s one more thing. It’s all about feeling comfortable in your own skin-—no matter how you add it up
I wanted to write a story about a girl who was overweight, but her struggle was more internal than external. She knows how to diet, but she doesn't know how to battle emotional eating. She has a problem with self-esteem, but it's more in her own head than actually being an outcast. I wrote and re-wrote the story several times over a five-year period.
Why should we pick up 45 pounds (more or less) ?
It's a fun, easy read with serious undertones. Anyone who's ever felt like he or she didn't fit in will relate to the main character. It's funny and there's also a bit of romance.
Bookie questions:
Fave
2013 read so far?
I've read a lot of 2013 releases, since I'm part of two debut groups. The Class of 2k13 http://classof2k13.com/ and The Lucky 13s http://thelucky13s.blogspot.com/
Some that really have stood out are: ACID by Emma Pass (UK); NOT A DROP TO DRINK by Mindy McGinnis (US); THE COLOR OF RAIN by Cori McCarthy (US); IN THE AFTER by Demitria Lunetta (US)
Fave YA author?
John Green and Chris Lynch and Tim Wynne-Jones and Martine Leavitt and M.T. Anderson (Sorry. I have lots of faves.)
YA book series?
I usually stand-alone novels, but the last series I read and loved was THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins.
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