‘I wrote the book that I needed to read when I was a kid’
Sausalito author Gennifer Choldenko, who writes for the 8-and-up crowd, is best known for her “Tales from Alcatraz” series, which has sold 2 million copies since its 2004 launch and earned the coveted Newbery Honor. The first book, “Al Capone Does My Shirts,” follows middle schooler Moose and his autistic sister Natalie as they acclimate to life on the infamous island where their father works as a prison guard. Choldenko’s new book, “Orphan Eleven,” follows the adventures of four orphans who find work and new friends in a traveling circus. It debuts May 26.
Q
How did you research Alcatraz? A
When I would drive my kids to school in the 1990s, I would always spot Alcatraz in the distance. One day, I saw an article about something called Alcatraz Alumni Day, and knew my next book would be set there. I volunteered for a year on the island, from 1998 to 1999. I would give tours and study in the hole-inwall library that had unpublished notes from people who had lived on the island, including guards and their families.
Q
There are many fictional characters on the autism spectrum now, but not 16 years ago. How did you create Natalie? A I used some real-life experiences from growing up with my sister, but I also did a lot of research. I kind of wrote the book that I needed to read when I was a kid, because I was trying to grapple with the love I had for my sister and also my resentment towards her. That’s not always the easiest thing to express as a kid. Q What do you like best about writing for this age group? A When you’re around that age, everything is changing. Your body, teeth, opinions. Anything can happen. To me, that makes it a really exciting time to capture in a book.
Q “Orphan Eleven” is set in a circus. What about it captured your imagination?
A I think the circus in 1939 was a place for different types of people. There weren’t a ton of creative outlets, so if you were a creative, that’s where you’d probably be. Lucy (the main character) wants to work with elephants. So I traveled to Thailand to spend time with elephants at four different elephant sanctuaries. It was pretty amazing. They are such intelligent animals, and it’s also a female society, which I love.
Q How are you getting your literary fix these days?
A I love audio books. They are such a treat. There is something about being read to that touches a different part of me. It’s also very useful. I can listen to a book while walking the dog, driving in the car and just about anywhere.