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    The Children's Book Review

    Speed Interview with Daphne Kalmar, Author of Stealing Mt. Rushmore

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze4 Mins Read Ages 4-8 Ages 9-12 Author Interviews Best Kids Stories Books with Girl Characters Novels for Kids and Teens
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    The Children’s Book Review

    Daphne Kalmar Author Stealing Mt. Rushmore

    Daphne Kalmar was an elementary and middle-school teacher for over twenty years. Exploring the natural world with kids was her passion as an educator—she owned seventy-five pairs of rubber boots so she could outfit each new class in September and lead weekly expeditions to local creeks and ponds. She has an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and is the author of A Stitch in Time, on Bookpage and NPR’s lists of Best Books of 2018. Stealing Mt. Rushmore is her second novel for young readers.

    The Children’s Book Review: Which five words best describe Stealing Mt. Rushmore?

    Daphne Kalmar: Heartbreak, Hope, Awakening, Betrayal, Family

    Can you share a highlight from the book? Or maybe your thoughts on, or an excerpt of, your favorite sentence, paragraph, or page?

    Nellie’s dad, Ron, retreats to his bed when he’s angry or upset. His depression is a heavy burden for both him and his kids throughout the story. Nellie’s mom was never very sympathetic.

    Nellie narrates:

    “When he’d walk up the stairs Mom would make some crack. “Go on, hide under the covers. Have a good sulk.” I didn’t think he was sulking. I figured he was staying away from everyone so he wouldn’t get more angry but the staying away let the sadness creep in like darkness slips under a bedroom door when the lights in the hall go out.” (page 19)

    What has been the best reaction from a reader, so far?

    Many readers tell me that they love the relationship between thirteen-year-old Nellie and her little brother Teddy. This makes me happy—Teddy and Nellie’s relationship is the solid core of love and caring in the book that allowed me to explore the sadness and hurt Nellie experiences over the course of that summer in 1974.

    What’s on your nightstand? Any books?

    Kekla Magoon’s sequel to How It Went Down, titled Light It Up; Jenn Bishop’s new middle grade novel, Things You Can’t Say; James Bird’s wonderful debut, The Brave; and the newest adult fantasy by N.K. Jemison, The City We Became. The pile is about two feet tall but those are at the top right now.

    For your writing energy: sugar or salt, tea or coffee?

    Coffee. Strong coffee. And salty beats sugary any day.

    Writing tools: computer, pen and paper, or all of the above?

    I go to pen and paper for exploring my characters—I can uncover their secrets while I’m innocently scribbling in my notebook with a pencil. I write all my drafts on the computer with a dedicated playlist of classical music humming in the background.

    Can you tell us one more thing we may not know about Stealing Mt. Rushmore, your writing and illustrating style, or yourself?

    I read all my drafts aloud. Over and over. My dog, Yoyo, is my companion in my writing shed curled up in the chair next to my desk. When I’m done reading aloud he goes outside to the muddy pond to hunt frogs.

    For more information about Daphne Kalmar, visit:
    DaphneKalmar.com | Twitter: @DaphneKalmar | Facebook: Daphne Kalmar, Author

    —

    Book Mt. RushmoreStealing Mt. Rushmore

    Written by Daphne Kalmar

    Publisher’s Synopsis: In Stealing Mt. Rushmore, Daphne Kalmar brings to life the social and political upheaval of the 1970s, revealing the heart of a family on the verge of falling apart and the courage of a young girl who does all she can to bring them together.

    She almost always made things worse. But at least she’d be standing there.
    I hated her for stealing the money. But I want her back.

    Nellie’s dad had planned on having four boys to name after the presidents on Mt. Rushmore. He got George, Nellie, Tom, and Teddy. No Abe.

    It’s the summer of 1974. Nellie’s turned thirteen. Her best friend, Maya, has a crush on a boy. President Nixon might get impeached. And her mom’s run off. The money for their family road trip to see Mt. Rushmore is missing and her dad’s crawled into bed and won’t get up.

    Nellie’s sure the trip out West will fix her family, and she’ll do almost anything to come up with the cash. But she begins to wonder why it’s always her, the girl, who’s stuck with the dishes and everything else. And how can a mom just up and leave with no note, no forwarding address, no nothing?

    Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Feiwel & Friends | August 18, 2020 | ISBN-13: 978-1250155009

    Available Here
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    What to Read Next:

    1. Speed Interview with Rebecca Stead, Author of The List of Things That Will Not Change
    2. Front Desk, by Kelly Yang | Speed Interview
    3. Lizzy and the Good Luck Girl, by Susan Lubner | Speed Interview
    4. Selfie and a Shelfie with Lindsay Lackey, Author of All the Impossible Things

    *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 the 1970s Daphne Kalmar Family Conflicts Family Relationships Feiwel & Friends Politics Speed Interview
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    Bianca Schulze
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    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.

    5 Comments

    1. Anne Marie on August 21, 2020 1:20 pm

      I would love to read this with my grandson.

      Reply
    2. Barbara Watson on September 10, 2020 1:43 pm

      My granddaughter is so excited about me entering the contest.
      She loves our story time together.

      Reply
    3. Bianca Schulze on September 21, 2020 9:58 am

      Congratulations to these three lucky winners:

      Emily H. (AL), Carl S. (AZ), and Madalyn D. (CA)!

      A copy of the book will be on the way to each of you soon. Enjoy!

      Reply
      • Carl on September 21, 2020 11:45 am

        What great news, made my day!! Thanks!

        Reply
        • Bianca Schulze on September 21, 2020 12:03 pm

          You’re very welcome!

          Reply
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