This week, we’re celebrating Jacqueline’s debut! Jacqueline spent way too many years learning to be a scientist (27, if you count kindergarten). The best part of all that school is that some people, especially her parents, now call her Dr. Houtman. In the rare moments she did not spend in the lab, she did theater to feed the rest of her brain. Then she came to her senses and started over as a freelance science writer and editor. She has written for physicians, scientists, and the guy down the street. She is equally comfortable writing for students in Medical School and Middle School, because the writing isn’t really that different. Med students just use bigger words. The writing she enjoys most is “sciency fiction” for kids, where science is integral to the theme and plot but, unlike science fiction, it’s all real. Jacqueline lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with her engineer husband and two sciency kids.

Here’s a little bit about THE REINVENTION OF EDISON THOMAS (Front Street).

Eddy Thomas can read a college physics book, but he can’t read the emotions on the faces of his classmates at Drayton Middle School. He can spend hours tinkering with an invention, but he can’t stand more than a few minutes in a noisy crowd. With his prodigious science knowledge, Eddy invents a traffic-calming device to solve a safety problem, but he can’t invent a solution to his bully problem. Or can he? By trusting his new friends and accepting their help, Eddy learns that even the mechanics of friendship can be learned.

If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?

I would give it a G. There are no swear words (unless you count “snap”). There is some mild violence in the form of bullying, but it’s tamer than most Saturday morning fare. No blood is spilled, only ketchup.

What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?

Science
I’m a scientist by training and I’ve been a freelance science writer for about ten years. I wanted to write a book that truly incorporates science into its plot and themes. I wanted my main character to think like a scientist, because science is a process, not just a collection of facts (although there are plenty of science facts in the book).

Asperger’s syndrome
Although I never state it in the book, Eddy has Asperger’s syndrome, which is part of the autism spectrum. I didn’t label Eddy because I wanted readers to get to know him as a character first, not a diagnosis. His autism is only part of who he is. There are a lot of great books coming out lately with autistic/Aspergian characters, which I applaud, because people on the autism spectrum need to be fully represented in literature as a diverse population, not as stereotypes.

Bullies and Friends
Bullying is a huge problem in our schools, and there are all kinds of bullies. Kids on the autism spectrum are frequent targets of bullies. They can also be great friends.

Name a few examples of readers who would identify or like your book.

• A 12-year-old boy who likes nonfiction, but doesn’t usually care for fiction.
• An 11-year-old girl who loves science.
• A teacher who wants a better idea of what life is like for her students on the autism spectrum.

List a few statistically improbable phrases or sentences one might find in your book. These are phrases or sentences you might never find anywhere else.

• woolly mammoths in the biography section
• the nutritive value of paper
• a tiny little walrus
• aunt Aquinas Thomas is no saint
• Terry’s hair reminded Eddy of lapis lazuli

How can your book be used in the classroom?

Students can discuss the subjects of bullying and friendship, and why it might be a good idea to befriend someone who’s a little different. There are also ample opportunities for cross-curricular tie-ins, especially with science. I have written a reader guide, which is available on my website and includes ideas for tie-ins with science, art, math, social studies, language arts, and music. (http://www.jhoutman.com/pages/ReaderGuide)

Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.

• Science fans will like THE GREEN GLASS SEA by Ellen Klages and THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE by Jacqueline Kelly.
• Those interested in seeing life through Aspergian eyes will like MOCKINGBIRD by Kathryn Erskine.

Now whet our appetites with a teaser.

Eddy sat on the steps outside Drayton Middle School, where the noise from the science fair in the gym still roared in his head. Tiffany always told him to picture a calm place when he felt stressed. He thought of the rocky beach. He tried to remember the rhythmic lapping sound of the waves and the feel of the rocks pushing up against the soles of his feet.

Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?

Yes.

Are you willing to speak nationally?

Yes.

List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.

I can talk about science, autism awareness, the writing and publishing process, or a combination of these subjects. Titles include:

• How to Write (Revise, Revise, Revise) and Publish a Book
• The Spectrum: More than Roy G. Biv
• Not in So Many Words: How to Make your Manuscript Lean and Mean
• Elements of Good Science Children’s Writing

This concludes our interview with our latest author, JACQUELINE HOUTMAN. We wish her much success with her debut novel THE REINVENTION OF EDISON THOMAS. To see what Jacqueline is up to these days, visit her website at http://www.jhoutman.com or her blog at http://jjhoutman.livejournal.com.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Jacqueline is giving away a signed copy of THE REINVENTION OF EDISON THOMAS. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by September 7th, 2010 11:59 PM CST. (U.S. and Canadian residents only, please.)

Your email address will not be displayed publicly and will only be used to contact you if you win! And don’t forget to participate in our other AuthorsNow! giveaways.

About The Author

Jacqueline spent way too many years learning to be a scientist (27, if you count kindergarten). The best part of all that school is that some people, especially her parents, now call her Dr. Houtman. In the rare moments she did not spend in the lab, she did theater to feed the rest of her brain. Then she came to her senses and started over as a freelance science writer and editor. She has written for physicians, scientists, and the guy down the street. She is equally comfortable writing for students in Medical School and Middle School, because the writing isn’t really that different. Med students just use bigger words. The writing she enjoys most is “sciency fiction” for kids, where science is integral to the theme and plot but, unlike science fiction, it’s all real. Jacqueline lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her engineer husband and two sciency kids.  Read more about Jacqueline Houtman.

Related posts:

1. THE REINVENTION OF EDISON THOMAS by Jacqueline Houtman
2. AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Megan Crewe, GIVE UP THE GHOST (GIVEAWAY ALERT NOW – 12/15/09)
3. Author Spotlight: Donna St. Cyr, THE SECRETS OF THE CHEESE SYNDICATE (Giveaway Alert Now – 10/27/09)
4. Author Spotlight: Susan Fine, INITIATION (Giveaway Alert Now – 11/03/09)
5. AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Pam Bachorz, CANDOR (GIVEAWAY ALERT NOW – 12/22/09)