Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube TikTok
    • Home
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Advertise
    • Mentorship
    • Editing Services
    • About
    • Contact
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest TikTok
    The Children's Book Review
    Subscribe
    • Books by Subject
    • Books by Age
      • Ages 0-3, Infant and Toddler
      • Ages 4-8, Preschool to Elementary
      • Ages 9-12, Preteen and Tween
      • Ages 12+, Teen and Young Adult
      • Books for First Grade Readers
      • Books for Second Grade Readers
      • Books for Third Grade Readers
    • Favorites
      • Diverse and Inclusive Books
      • Books About Activism
      • Best Books for Kids
      • Star Wars Books
      • Board Books
      • Books About Mindfulness
      • Dr. Seuss Books
    • Showcase
    • Interviews
      • Growing Readers Podcast
      • Author Interviews and Q&A
      • Illustrator Interviews
    • Kids’ Book Giveaways
    • Directory
    • Podcast
    The Children's Book Review

    Laurisa White Reyes Discusses “The Rock of Ivanore”

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze7 Mins Read Ages 9-12 Author Interviews Author Showcase Fantasy: Supernatural Fiction
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
    Published: May 18, 2012

    A person standing in front of a store
    Laurisa Reyes

    Laurisa White Reyes has been writing since the age of 5 when she wrote her first poem on a scrap of poster board. After earning a degree in English at California State University at Northridge, she spent thirteen years writing for various magazines and newspapers, working as a book editor, and teaching creative writing. She gave up all that six years ago to follow her lifelong dream of writing novels. Her first book, The Rock of Ivanore, released in May 2012. She lives in Southern California with her husband, 5 children, 4 birds, 2 lizards, 2 turtles, 1 fish, 1 dog, and a partridge in a pear tree.

    Indie BookTCBR: After writing in newspapers and magazines for many years, your first novel, a middle grade fantasy called The Rock of Ivanore, has hit the shelves. Thirteen years is a long time to wait. Why the wait? And what made you choose to pursue this story first?

    Laurisa Reyes: I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. After college, I spent a decade writing for magazines and newspapers. But what I really wanted to do was write novels. So about six years ago I turned my attention to fiction. I have five children and I read to them at night before bed. One night my son asked me to make up a story instead. That story eventually became The Rock of Ivanore. I spent a year writing it, two years submitting it to publishers, and three years getting it from contract to publication. It’s been a long process, but well worth the wait.

    Described as having more twists and turns than a labyrinth, and a story in which nothing is as it seems, what do you think (or hope) children will enjoy the most about your debut novel?

    I think kids have always enjoyed fantasy stories and magic. I hope my readers will not only enjoy the fast-paced adventure, but will also relate to the characters who face the same kinds of challenges we all face—self-doubt, building friendships, making choices between right and wrong. But mostly I hope kids will want to read the entire series.

    Tony Abbott (author of popular humor, fantasy, and adventure books) said, “[The Rock of Ivanore] is a swift and compelling epic that readers of high fantasy will love!” How does it feel having such a great blurb from one of your favorite authors?

    I met Tony at a writer’s conference in Los Angeles a few years ago. He is the author of the popular chapter book fantasy series The Secrets of Droon, but he also writes contemporary fiction. My favorite is a book called Firegirl. I had left my copy at home, so he was gracious enough to mail me a new signed copy. When I later asked him if he’d look at The Rock of Ivanore, he was happy to do it even though he’s very busy. He’s a very  kind and generous man.

    What does it take for a children’s book author to be considered a favorite of yours?

    I just have to love their books! I’m a big fan of Newbery Award winning fiction. Lois Lowry, Jerry Spinelli and Linda Sue Park are some of my all time favorites. I also love YA (young adult) paranormal and dystopian. I love Neal Schusterman (Unwind), Veronica Roth (Divergent) and Megan Miranda (Fracture).

    What do you feel influences your writing style or the topics you choose to write about?

    My kids are my biggest influence. I like to write what they like to read.

    This is a question you are often asked, but I really have to know! As the mother of five children, who is busy homeschooling, how do you even possibly have the time to write? Would you consider yourself super-human? Or do you just drink a lot of coffee and stay up late?

    I have no idea how I’ve managed to write so much. In addition to ten years of magazine and newspaper articles, I’ve also written eleven complete manuscripts. I used to stay up until 1 or 2 am because I can only write in dead silence. But now that I’m older I tend to fall asleep at the computer. So finding time to write is more difficult. I try to write a little before the kids get up in the morning, and again after they go to bed. I guess it’s a good thing I got so much writing done early on. It may be a while before I can devote that much energy to a project again.

    A group of people posing for the camera
    Reyes and her five children

    How do you incorporate the reading of books into your children’s home-school curriculum?

    I believe that kids should be free to read what they love. I rarely assign books to read. That takes the fun out of it for me. Instead, I keep an extensive home library including picture books, middle grade and YA fiction, historical non-fiction, biographies, and adult fiction. And the collection is always rotating. My kids are free to read anything they choose. All of them are avid readers and usually have stacks of books by their beds.

    A person reading by a book shelf
    Reyes reading with her son

    When you’re not busy parenting, teaching, writing, eating, sleeping, or tending to your four birds, three lizards, two fish and one dog … which book would we find you reading?

    (I forgot to mention that we also have two Desert Tortoises, Marie Curie & Albert Einstein – and one of my fish died recently.) What book I’m reading depends where I am at the moment. I usually have three or four titles lying around. At the moment, X-ilse by Steve Augard is in my bathroom, Slide by Jill Hathaway is in my car, and The Fox Inheritance is on my Nook beside my bed. I read a lot of YA paranormal and dystopian novels, but I also love historical fiction. I am anxiously awaiting the release of Citadel by Kate Mosse this September.

    Aside from your obsession with books, you also love musical theater and fantasize about singing on Broadway. Is there a particular musical you imagine yourself being a part of?

    I love this question! I am a huge fan of Patti LuPone, who won Tony Awards for Evita and Gypsy. She also was the first Fantine in London’s production of Les Miserables and Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. I would love to sing any of songs she made famous, but it is just a dream at this point. I’m content belting out “Everything’s Comin’ Up Roses!” in my car.

    The Last Enchanter is the follow-up novel to The Rock of Ivanore. Could you tell us about this sequel and any upcoming books or projects that you’re working on?

    The Last Enchanter picks up where The Rock of Ivanore leaves off. A new character is introduced, Lael, a girl about Marcus’s age. She becomes integral to the rest of the series. Lael’s mother was taken by slave traders years earlier and now she wants to find her. When Marcus and Zyll head to Dokur to protect the new king, Lael tags along. Many of the characters in the first book return including Bryn, Jayson and Xerxes. There are even more surprises waiting in book two. I think readers will really enjoy it.

    For more information on Laurisa Reyes and The Rock of Ivanore, visit these links:

    Author Website:  http://www.laurisawhitereyes.com

    Tanglewood Press:  http://www.tanglewoodbooks.com

    Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Ivanore-Celestine-Chronicles/dp/1933718609/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328595780&sr=8-1

    Barnes & Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rock-of-ivanore-laurisa-white-reyes/1106587884

    Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5244611.Laurisa_White_Reyes

    The Author Showcase is a place for authors and illustrators to gain visibility for their works. This article was paid for by the author. Learn more …

    What to Read Next:

    1. The Rock of Ivanore by Laurisa White Reyes
    2. Learn About “The Cynja” with Chase Cunningham and Heather C. Dahl
    3. Sarah S. Reida Discusses Monsterville: A Lissa Black Production
    4. Alane Adams Discusses the Witches of Orkney

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Laurisa White Reyes
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleThe Rock of Ivanore by Laurisa White Reyes
    Next Article The “First Look” Series of Board Books
    Bianca Schulze
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • LinkedIn

    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    TCBR Supporter
    Recent Articles
    • Drawing Cute Animals Shape by Shape: Learn to Draw Over 100 Adorable Animals Step by Step | Dedicated Review
    • Tiny Bird, by Sabrina Edralin | Dedicated Review
    • I Don’t Think So!, by K. Joyner | Book Review
    • Pedal Pusher: How One Woman’s Bicycle Adventure Helped Change the World | Book Review
    • Bull & Bear Build a Bright Future with Bonds | Dedicated Review
    TCBR Supporters
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today

    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    Discover Kids Books by Age
    Best Books For Kids
    Media Kit: The Children's Book Review
    Author and Illustrator Showcase
    SEARCH
    BOOKS BY SUBJECT
    Archives
    Professional Resources

    Book Marketing Campaigns

    Writing Coaches and Editing Services

    Mentorship

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Policies
    • Advertise
    • TCBR Buzzworthy Mentions
    • About TCBR
    © 2025 The Children’s Book Review. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.