Ask the Author: Rebecca Upjohn
Answered Questions (6)
Rebecca Upjohn
I'd go first to Narnia, but a new wilder Narnia where the Old Magic didn't stem from human religious values. I'd ask to learn from the wisdom of the Earth and to work alongside Nature to create a safe world for all living beings.
Rebecca Upjohn
Thank you for your kind words about Lily and the Paper Man! Each of my books is quite different from the others but I do seem to be drawn to the theme of wanting to help and finding the courage to do so.
The Secret of the Village Fool is about an illiterate and marginalized man who saved the lives of 6 people in Poland during WWII. It is based on a true story.
Patrick's Wish is the story of a boy with hemophilia who contracted HIV in the 80s and subsequently died of AIDS in his early 20s. As a teen, in spite of the stigma, he shared his story publicly to educate other teens, to dispel the fear around AIDS and encourage making healthy choices. It is a true story.
The Last Loon is novel for young readers about a city boy who reluctantly spends time in the "wilderness" and is drawn into the fate of a trapped loon.
http://www.rebeccaupjohn.com/books
The Secret of the Village Fool is about an illiterate and marginalized man who saved the lives of 6 people in Poland during WWII. It is based on a true story.
Patrick's Wish is the story of a boy with hemophilia who contracted HIV in the 80s and subsequently died of AIDS in his early 20s. As a teen, in spite of the stigma, he shared his story publicly to educate other teens, to dispel the fear around AIDS and encourage making healthy choices. It is a true story.
The Last Loon is novel for young readers about a city boy who reluctantly spends time in the "wilderness" and is drawn into the fate of a trapped loon.
http://www.rebeccaupjohn.com/books
Rebecca Upjohn
Hi Karen, I'm glad you enjoyed the book! There is a very good Q & A with the author here: http://www.amortowles.com/gentleman-m...
Rebecca Upjohn
When Mandy called, I was delighted to hear from her. And then I remembered that she was dead.
Rebecca Upjohn
Thank you for your question, Karen.
Lily and the Paper Man was inspired by my son at the age of 4 and our encounter with a homeless man asleep on the sidewalk of Toronto. Once he understood why someone might be sleeping on the sidewalk my son wanted to help. I thought about what a young child could do that would make a difference, while recognizing that a four-year-old couldn't solve every challenge faced by someone on the street. I also heard a story about a blanket that had been a wedding gift and was later donated to the homeless. The family who had owned the blanket would see it around town passed from person to person with whomever needed it at the time. Those two ideas came together in the book.
The Secret of the Village Fool is a story about courage and facing impossible odds in a real life situation that is a terrible part of our history. Anton was an extraordinary man and his actions made me wonder what I might do in his situation. Would I have his courage? Heroes come in so many surprising forms. I wanted to write about that.
Lily and the Paper Man was inspired by my son at the age of 4 and our encounter with a homeless man asleep on the sidewalk of Toronto. Once he understood why someone might be sleeping on the sidewalk my son wanted to help. I thought about what a young child could do that would make a difference, while recognizing that a four-year-old couldn't solve every challenge faced by someone on the street. I also heard a story about a blanket that had been a wedding gift and was later donated to the homeless. The family who had owned the blanket would see it around town passed from person to person with whomever needed it at the time. Those two ideas came together in the book.
The Secret of the Village Fool is a story about courage and facing impossible odds in a real life situation that is a terrible part of our history. Anton was an extraordinary man and his actions made me wonder what I might do in his situation. Would I have his courage? Heroes come in so many surprising forms. I wanted to write about that.
Rebecca Upjohn
Where to begin? I've started with a re-reading of The Strange gift of Gwendolyn Golden by Philippa Dowding, and following that with Everton Miles is Stranger than Me (by the same author). Also on my list are The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater, Rituals by Kelley Armstrong, Maud by Melanie Fishbane, In This Grave Hour by Jacqueline Winspear, Dropped Threads (ed. Carol Shields + others) and the poetry of George Herbert and Wendell Berry.
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