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

    My Writing And Reading Life: Jennifer L. Holm, Author of Full of Beans

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze4 Mins Read Ages 4-8 Ages 9-12 Best Kids Stories Chapter Books
    My Writing and Reading Life_ Jennifer L. Holm, Author Full of Beans
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    The Children’s Book Review | August 10, 2016

    I Write Because …

    I write because I can’t not write. It’s part of me now.

    I Read Because …

    I have always been a reader. A neighbor who knew me as a child told my mom that he wasn’t surprised when I grew up and became an author. He once saw me reading a book and holding a rake at the same time on the front lawn (I was supposed to be raking leaves!).

    Latest Published Book …

    My latest published book is Full of Beans from Random House Children’s Books. It’s a standalone prequel to Turtle in Paradise.

    You Wrote This Book Because …

    I wrote Full of Beans because my son, Will, wanted a book from the point-of-view of Turtle’s ornery cousin, Beans. It takes place in Depression-era Key West, Florida.

    Your Special Place To Write …

    I write in a nook in my bedroom. It has a large window so my cat, Augie, can sit on my desk and meow at the birds outside in vain. But the actual ideas for the books usually come when I’m away from my desk and out and about. I take notes on my iPhone.

    Necessary Writing/Creativity Tool …

    My favorite writing tool is scrap paper. I like to doodle out ideas before I start writing. I even outline my novels using doodles now.

    The Person Who Has Been My Greatest Writing Teacher Or Inspiration Is …

    My greatest inspiration is family history.

    Currently Reading …

    I’m currently reading an anthology of Prince Valiant comics. My late father was a huge Prince Valiant fan.

    Favorite Bookshop …

    My favorite bookshop is the Reading Bug in San Carlos, Ca. My daughter grew up in that store.

    All-Time Favorite Children’s Book You Didn’t Write…

    My all-time favorite book that I didn’t write is The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander. I loved it so much I considered naming my daughter Eilonwy after the headstrong sword-wielding princess in the book. (We ended up naming her Millie May instead although she does rock a suit of armor.)

    Favorite Illustrator …

    My favorite illustrator is my brother, Matt Holm. And he didn’t even pay me to say that!

    A literary character to vacation with …

    I’d kind of like to go on vacation with Babymouse.

    When You Aren’t Reading Or Writing You Are …

    When I’m not reading or writing, I’m chasing my kids. (Or hiding from them so I can read.)

    ***

    Full of Beans by Jennifer L HolmFull Of Beans

    Written by Jennifer L. Holm

    Publisher’s Synopsis: Newbery Honor Book Turtle in Paradise is beloved by readers, and now they can return to this wonderful world through the eyes of Turtle’s cousin Beans.

    Grown-ups lie. That’s one truth Beans knows for sure. He and his gang know how to spot a whopper a mile away, because they are the savviest bunch of barefoot conchs (that means “locals”) in all of Key West. Not that Beans really minds; it’s 1934, the middle of the Great Depression. With no jobs on the island, and no money anywhere, who can really blame the grown-ups for telling a few tales? Besides, Beans isn’t anyone’s fool. In fact, he has plans. Big plans. And the consequences might surprise even Beans himself.

    Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers | August 30, 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-0553510362

    Available Here: 

    Text, logoBuy on Amazon

    About Jennifer L. Holm

    Jennifer L Holm_Credit Todd Rafalovich
    Jennifer L Holm<br />Photo Credit Todd Rafalovich

    Jennifer L. Holm is a three-time Newbery Honoree. She collaborates with her brother Matthew Holm on the Babymouse series (a 2013 Eisner Award winner) and the Squish series. Her latest novel, The Fourteenth Goldfish, is a New York Times bestseller. Jennifer lives in Southern California with her husband and two children. Find out more about her by visiting jenniferholm.com and look for her on Twitter at @jenniholm.

    Discover more books like Full of Beans, written by Jennifer L. Holm, by checking out our reviews and articles tagged with Great Depression, Middle Grade Books, and Jennifer L. Holm; plus, be sure to follow along with our Writing and Reading Life series.

    What to Read Next:

    1. Best Selling Middle Grade Books | December 2014
    2. Best Selling Middle Grade Books | January 2015
    3. Best Selling Middle Grade Books | February 2015
    4. When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead | Book Spotlight

    *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.

    Books Set in Florida Great Depression Jennifer L. Holm Middle Grade Books My Writing and Reading Life
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleThey All Saw a Cat: An Interview with Brendan Wenzel
    Next Article Snowflake River, by Ben-Ami Eliahu | Dedicated Review
    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
    • Me So Akonnwa A Me So Dua | Dedicated Review
    • ABC Diario: Cada día te quiero de la A a la Z | Book Review
    • Sincerely, Antonia: A Big Note from a Tiny Guest | Book Review
    • Sunny and the Border Patrol | Book Review
    • Princess Fusspot, by Nancy Kunhardt Lodge | 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.