J. B.: I'm doing something a little unusual with this novel---using nine main characters (Count 'em! Nine!) to progress through the school year, showing how their lives intertwine as their characters grow and change. Each has his or her own story, told during a particular
month, but there's also a central mystery: Why does their bus driver stop at the same spot every day, even though no one is waiting there? Each character receives a key to the mystery, wittingly or not, and all will come together at the end. And oh yes, somebody will be famous.
Julie: How can teachers connect your book to their curriculum?
J. B.: Even as we speak, my publisher (Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky) is creating an Educator's Guide. Until that's available, though, I can tell you that Somebody on This Bus serves the purpose of the best literature: to illuminate the human experience. The number of characers and how they interact help readers compare one with the other. What do they learn about each personality from chapter to chapter? Which characer do they most identify with, and why? How does each one change, and is it a little or a lot? Who's the greatest influence in each one's life at the time? What do they want? What's their main motivation? (Motivation and desire are not always the same.) What other characters may one day be famous? Where do you see their lives taking them? And here's an interesting exercise--at the end of Chapter One ("August"), each character expresses a wish or asks a question, but they are not identified. After reading the book, how many statements can you match with the characters?
Julie: We heard you are going to be at IRA this spring! Tell us about this invitation.
J. B.: The invitation is from my publisher, who will be featuring me in their exhibit-hall booth. I'm looking forward to meeting as many teachers and librarians as is humanly possible.
Julie: When can we get this new book in our hands?
J. B.: The official publication date is early September.
Julie: Do you do school visits?
J. B.: Absolutely! I love school visits. I've spoken to groups ranging in age from third to eighth grade---sometimes all at once. At an elementary school in Terre Haute, IN, I spoke to the entire student body.....and it was a blast! The key is getting the kids involved as much as possible. I get tired of just hearing me talk.
Julie: How can schools get in touch with you to have you come to their schools to share?
J. B.: The best way is through my website, jbcheaney.com. At the moment, it badly needs updating, but I'm working on that.
Julie: Do you have any parting words to share with literacy lovers?
J. B.: Looking back, I'm so grateful that I never published any of those adult novels I was trying so hard to market. Getting into children's publishing is the best move I ever made as a writer, and dedicated teachers and librarians are a big part of the attraction----after the kids themselves, of course.
Julie: Thank you, Janie, for accepting our Invaluable Invitation! We appreciate your time!
Well, readers, I hope you can see why I wanted to share this experience with you! J. B. Cheaney is an author you and your students should know. So, when her latest and greatest book is released this fall, I hope that you will join me and secure this title for your own collections. Happy reading!
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