Michelle Houts
This week, we’re celebrating Michelle Houts’s debut! Michelle Houts lives and plays on a family farm in West Central Ohio. She shares her days with her three children, the famer of her dreams, some cattle, a whole lot of barn cats, a golden retriever, and a goat who believes he’s a golden retriever. She enjoys reading, cooking and hiking anyplace that has hills because West Central Ohio is very flat. An eternal student, Michelle has degrees in special education, early childhood education, and will soon graduate for the last time with a degree in speech-language pathology. Writing for children is something Michelle has dreamed of doing since she was young child.
Here’s a little bit about THE BEEF PRINCESS OF PRACTICAL COUNTY (Delacorte Press).
After years of waiting, it’s finally Libby Ryan’s turn to shine at the Practical County Fair. Libby is filled with excitement as she raises two calves in hopes of winning the annual steer competition. Against her father’s advice, Libby gives the calves names, even though both steers will eventually be sold. What’s the big deal? She’s lived her whole life on a cattle farm. After a few months of preparing for the Practical County Fair, Libby finds that she is growing closer to her steers with each passing day, and the pressure to win Grand Champion is mounting. When her mother convinces her to enter the county’s Beef Princess Pageant, Libby realizes she’ll have to face off against the dreaded Darling sisters. Suddenly, everything related to the Practical County Fair seems like a big deal.
THE BEEF PRINCESS OF PRACTICAL COUNTY by Michelle Houts
If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?
G – THE BEEF PRINCESS OF PRACTICAL COUNTY is a very clean book. That was one of aspects of the book that my editor said made the manuscript appealing to the acquisitions team at Random House. They really felt that the book had high entertainment value without the use of questionable language or overly mature themes for the middle grade audience.
What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?
The book is about raising a beloved animal, family tradition, friendship, and losing a beloved animal. I was inspired to write about showing livestock after watching youngsters auction their animals at a county fair. I realized the level of maturity and wisdom they develop at a very tender age. As far as the Beef Princess pageant goes, the Darling sisters were just obnoxious characters that popped into my head and begged me to write about them. Of course. They would be so vain!
Name three examples of readers who would identify or like your book.
- Girls ages 9 and up who like to prove they can do what guys can do, only better.
- Anyone who has ever loved an animal, but knew they couldn’t keep it.
- Farm kids, those who want to be farm kids, or city kids who don’t mind reading about manure.
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.
- When Mr. and Mrs. Jim Darling named their first daughter Precious, the whole town wanted to puke.
- For my family, the Practical County Fair was all about beef.
- Yes, they were the perennial princesses of beef. No doubt, when it came to representing roast, the Darling daughters had reigned.
How can your book be used in the classroom?
THE BEEF PRINCESS OF PRACTICAL COUNTY is a good classroom read-aloud. As an animal story, boys and girls alike will relate to falling in love with a pet. As a story of friendship and loyalty, students of all ages will relate. As a farm story, rural kids will find it familiar while urban children will learn a lot about a way of life very different from their own. And, the story has just enough humor to be entertaining as well as educational.
Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.
- BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE by Kate DiCamillo.
- HEART OF A SHEPHERD by Roseanne Parry.
Now whet our appetites with a teaser.
The arena glowed in the summer night. The stands filled up quickly with a chattery buzz as spectators carrying elephant ears and lemon shake-ups took their seats. From inside the barn, I caught a glimpse of Carol Ann on the bleachers with her parents. Ronnie was out there too, with Frannie. And Mom and Grandad. Dad stood at the end of the arena.
Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?
Yes. See website for details and contact information.
Are you willing to speak nationally?
Sure!
List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.
- Lessons Learned Along the Way – for teachers, parents, librarians and other who nurture young readers and writers.
- Windows to Imagination – School visit presentation about writing, editing, and the evolution of THE BEEF PRINCESS OF PRACTICAL COUNTY, best for grades 3 – 7.
- Windows to Imagination – Family program for parents/children together, using experiences to create a memory in words and pictures.
This concludes our interview with our latest author, MICHELLE HOUTS. We wish her much success with her debut novel THE BEEF PRINCESS OF PRACTICAL COUNTY. To see what Michelle is up to these days, visit her website at www.michellehouts.com.
*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Michelle is giving away two signed copies of THE BEEF PRINCESS OF PRACTICAL COUNTY to two winners. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by April 22th, 2009 11:59 PM CST.
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.
Comments
1 MJ // Apr 15, 2009 at 8:13 am
I love stories with animals. This sounds great!!
2 Jacqueline Houtman // Apr 15, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Hi Michelle,
It looks like a great book. When mine is published next year, our books will be next to each other on the shelf!!
3 TinaN. // Apr 15, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Michelle,
I can’t wait to read this book. After working in a middle school this year, it will be refreshing to read a good, clean book!
4 Stephanie T // Apr 15, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Congratulations, Michelle. It sounds like an entertaining story- on my list of books to read (after the grad classes’ materials, of course!)
5 Marianne // Apr 15, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Michelle, It seems odd to say this, given the nature of our relationship, but I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! I am very excited to read about Libby, who may or may not resemble some children I have come to love, and her quest to be beef princess of practical county. Can you say Lake Festival Queen? Looking forward to seeing you at the release here in Westerville!
6 Michelle Houts // Apr 15, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Hi Jacqueline! So cool to know another HOU author! I used to go into the library and covet the space next to James Howe’s Bunnicula! Move over, HOWs, the HOUs have arrived! Best of luck with your new book, too!!
7 Jeannie // Apr 15, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Congratulations, Michelle. Sounds like a great book. I’m a former fourth grade teacher, and I would have been happy to read a book like that to them. They were city kids, but I think they’d love to learn about country kids, especially with animals involved.
8 Lesley // Apr 15, 2009 at 10:03 pm
The book sounds so intriguing! Congrats, Michelle!
Lesley
9 Sharon // Apr 15, 2009 at 10:12 pm
I love the book!! It is just so real ~ it is so YOU and Home and all that is involved. Great Job!
10 Rosanne Parry // Apr 15, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Congratulations Michelle! I’ve been sharing your ARC with all my favorite librarians. I’ll be at the Boise Book Festival this weekend with Suzanne Morgan Williams (Bull Rider) and I brought some post cards of your book along to share.
You and Jacqueline crack me up! The first thing I did when I got “the call” was go to the library and look up my shelf neighbors. For me it’s Linda Sue Park and Katherine Patterson–nice neighborhood!
11 Timothy Mason // Apr 16, 2009 at 1:00 am
I very much enjoyed The Beef Princess of Practical County, starting with its title! Getting to know young Libby, whose heart is conflicted as good hearts often can be, was a pleasure. For a city person, this sweet novel offered a wonderful glimpse into the world (and the world of work!) of farm kids and their families. Congratulations!
12 Paula Bryan // Apr 16, 2009 at 6:54 am
I also loved this book and heard your voice in the book as I read! I also heard or at least thought of your family as I read some parts! I am so thrilled for you and hope to read a sequel and many more of your books in the future! YOu are my new favorite author!
13 Jacqueline Houtman // Apr 16, 2009 at 7:39 am
Too Funny! I’ve been looking at the spot on the shelf next to BUNNICULA, too. I guess you’ll be coming between us. Imagine a science geek, a beef princess, and a vampire rabbit together on the shelf. Gotta love MG fiction!
14 Ben, Michelle & Josiah Neff // Apr 16, 2009 at 7:43 am
Michelle,
It was fun reading your responses to the questions above and reading the little “teaser”…definitely looking forward to reading the whole book!
We are so excited about the release of your first book! Congrats!
Blessings to you!
15 Marilyn Taylor McDowell // Apr 16, 2009 at 7:59 am
Congratulations Michelle!! and happy launching of this wonderful first book. I’m looking forward to sharing it with all the farming kids and fair goers in this great state of Vermont.
Enjoy your moment in the sun!
Marilyn
16 Liane M // Apr 16, 2009 at 8:09 am
Michelle,
I can’t wait to get my hands on this book!!! I am looking forward to the book launch on April 30th!
17 Debbie // Apr 16, 2009 at 8:47 am
Michelle, I am so happy for you! It sounds like a fun read for a true city girl like me. Can’t wait to get started! I wish you much success so you can soon answer “yes” and “yes” to those most asked questions. Congratulations!!
18 Judy Brewer // Apr 16, 2009 at 9:30 am
Michelle,
You know I love the book, and that it brought back tons and tons of memories for me! We are all excited to know you – our own celebrity. Thanks for all you do for our Lake Campus Reading Center! See you soon.
Judy
19 Kaelyn Porter // Apr 16, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I’d love to have a copy. Sounds like something that not only I’d love, but my girls too. I’ll post a link on my LJ.
20 Jaime // Apr 16, 2009 at 5:07 pm
I’ve been excited about reading this book ever since I read the excerpt on Amazon.com! I’m looking forward to finding out about Libby’s daily routine with her steers, the duties of a Beef Princess compared to a Beef Queen, and fair life in Practical County.
Congrats Michelle from a former Beef Queen and former showman of many years including a Grand Champion Steer.
21 Vicky Boackle // Apr 16, 2009 at 6:15 pm
This book sounds interesting and the author sounds like a nice gal.
22 Linda Peters // Apr 16, 2009 at 6:55 pm
sounds like a great book for my niece
23 Robert A. Piacquad // Apr 17, 2009 at 5:28 am
I hope I win The Book.
24 Melinda R. Cordell // Apr 17, 2009 at 7:27 am
I’m a proofreader at the Angus Journal, which is part of the American Angus Association. So send that book on down, I’m ready to win!
25 desiree kelley // Apr 17, 2009 at 8:22 am
love to read about animals
26 beth shepherd // Apr 17, 2009 at 10:05 am
Thank you for a great giveaway! I would love to win. Thank you
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
27 Linda // Apr 17, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I would love to win this book.
28 Michelle Houts // Apr 17, 2009 at 3:38 pm
WOW!! Thanks everyone for your interest in THE BEEF PRINCESS OF PRACTICAL COUNTY! Former Beef Queens are coming out of the woodwork for this one. I even heard from the 1984 National Maine-Anjou Queen! (That’s a beef breed for those who may not be as well-versed on cattle as those queens are!)
Jaime, as far as the differences between Beef Princesses and Beef Queens, I think they are pretty much the same. I sure like the words “Princess” and “Practical” in the same sentence, though!
It’s so fun to hear from all of you!! Keep the comments coming! Who knows who will win the two books!!
29 Michelle Houts // Apr 17, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Melinda,
What a cool job ~ reading, writing, and talking cattle all day! How fun!
30 Pamela S // Apr 17, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I love wholesome books for children. It’s getting so hard to find things I like for them to read. This sounds perfect!!
31 TL Hamilton // Apr 17, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Michelle – It seems weeks ago I read Amazon.com and had to patiently wait 5-months for release… Here we are, how exciting! Really enjoyed reading your interview answers! It was no surprise the book embodies “wholesome humor”, a cherished characteristic of your core personality. Well, I’ve already made my Christmas request for a copy (hope I get it early). Promise to tell you how village children in a 3rd World country (English-medium schools) respond to Libby’s life story If I win a signed copy, I’ll leave it here at the orphanage for generations to enjoy! You are an inspiration and a beautiful Agricultural Ambassador!
32 Djp // Apr 17, 2009 at 9:34 pm
sign me up
33 Renee C. // Apr 18, 2009 at 3:59 pm
This book looks like one I my daughter would love and it has a GREAT message.
34 Michelle Houts // Apr 19, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Kaelyn Porter,
Thanks for the mention on your live journal. I just stopped by to see what that was all about, admire your new curls, and see what else you are reading. I left a post for your 4th grade book reviewer ~ every author’s dream: the approval of a 10 year old!
All the best!
35 Bev // Apr 19, 2009 at 4:58 pm
This sounds like a great book to read–especially since it is a “clean” book that I can share with my daughters and kids at school.
36 Denise // Apr 19, 2009 at 5:30 pm
This books sounds pretty fun and I’d love to read it!
37 Janelle // Apr 20, 2009 at 10:39 am
Sending best wishes on your book publication from America’s Dairyland where plenty of beef cattle also reside and county fairs showcase the best of the beasts.
38 mindy // Apr 20, 2009 at 10:55 am
looks like a grea read thanks for the giveaway
39 cheryl kellery // Apr 20, 2009 at 11:32 am
What a great title! Looks like a wonderful book – please count me in
msboatgal at aol.com
40 shar // Apr 20, 2009 at 12:12 pm
looks like a fun one, thanks for the chance
41 Dora // Apr 20, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Loved the book, Michelle. I just finished it yesterday and the auction brought a tear to my eye. Fun thing is Steve is reading it too and is having a great time imagining you inspiration for the Darling sisters! We are both soooo proud of your accomplishment.
42 Valerie // Apr 20, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Great themes involved
I’d like to read it
43 Christina // Apr 20, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I loved Winn Dixie and I believe in books that show children and adults the need to connect to animals in a compassionate manner.
44 Christina Brunetti // Apr 20, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I would love to read this.
Thanks.
darkfyre1(at)gmail(dot)com
45 Sharon A // Apr 20, 2009 at 5:05 pm
This sounds like a good read and a great addition to our local library when I am finished.
46 kim v // Apr 20, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Sounds great!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
47 wendy wallach // Apr 20, 2009 at 6:48 pm
I like that this is rated “G”..nice for a change.
madamerkf at aol dot com
48 Cherie R. // Apr 20, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Michelle,
This sounds like a book I would greatly enjoy reading. I am an animal lover and I love that the book is a good clean one!
luckofdraw777(at)gmail(dot)com
49 prplrush // Apr 20, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Thanks for this great giveaway! This book sounds absolutely great and it’s spiked my interest! There is nothing better then getting to know a new author.
50 Hesper F // Apr 20, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Sounds like a fantastic read!
51 Sharon Fairclough // Apr 21, 2009 at 12:56 am
Wow a sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway
sharr1226 at yahoo dot com
52 christopher h // Apr 21, 2009 at 1:29 am
this sounds just great
53 Jason // Apr 21, 2009 at 9:27 am
This looks like a really greta book. Thanks for the chance
54 Marie // Apr 21, 2009 at 11:39 am
This sounds like a wonderful book, I’d love to read it! Thanks for the great author interview also!
55 shawna // Apr 21, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Sounds like a good read!
56 Susan Ledet // Apr 21, 2009 at 1:03 pm
This sounds like an interesting book to read. I’m always looking for a new good book.
57 Phyllis Bouic // Apr 21, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Sounds like a great book. My grandkids are now showing dairy feeders in 4-H and can relate.
58 Ann // Apr 21, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I think this would be a nice one to read aloud together.
59 Suzie Lockhart // Apr 21, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the opportunity.
susan dot lockhart at gmail dot com
60 Ed Nemmers // Apr 21, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Love the title and cover photo!
61 Gabriel J. // Apr 21, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Great read, great contest, make me a winner!
62 vicky // Apr 21, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Michelle, This sounds like a wonderful book filled with lots of life and humor. I cant wait to read it.
63 Chrysa // Apr 21, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!
64 Cheryl F. (The Lucky Ladybug) // Apr 21, 2009 at 10:56 pm
I’d love to read this
*Thanks* for the giveaway!
65 Susan Smith // Apr 22, 2009 at 7:31 am
Sounds like a good book
66 Angie P // Apr 22, 2009 at 9:51 am
This sounds like a good read for my daughter. Thank you
67 Veronica Garrett // Apr 22, 2009 at 9:55 am
This sounds like a great book. I would love to win it.
68 K. Cleaver // Apr 22, 2009 at 12:51 pm
My daughter would enjoy this one.
69 Gianna // Apr 22, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Please enter me
70 Collin // Apr 22, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Looks like a cool contest, thanks for the chance.
i`ll keep my fingers crossed!! (:
71 Candie L // Apr 22, 2009 at 7:31 pm
I think this sounds very interesting. I like reading something different. Thanks
72 Donna K // Apr 22, 2009 at 10:14 pm
It sounds good.
73 Lily Kwan // Apr 22, 2009 at 10:39 pm
This book sounds very interesting! Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
74 Janet // Apr 22, 2009 at 10:55 pm
ty 4 the awesome giveaway and the entry:)
75 Michelle Houts // Apr 23, 2009 at 7:09 am
Hi everyone!
THANK YOU all for your excitement and enthusiasm about THE BEEF PRINCESS OF PRACTICAL COUNTY! I loved hearing from all corners of the US and even Bangladesh!
CONGRATULATIONS to Jeannie and Pamela, posts #7 and #30, who were randomly chosen as the two book winners!
Keep on encouraging kids to be grand champion readers!
All the best ~
Michelle
76 Maggie Houts // Apr 28, 2009 at 1:41 pm
I love you mom!!!! You are the best mom/writer ever!!!!(((((((HUG)))))))))))
Thank you for the personal signed copy of the book ! I love being frannie! Ta-Ta For Now !!!!
77 noah pinales // Feb 8, 2010 at 8:27 pm
hi michelle
Ilove the book
noah
78 Judy Kittle // Nov 23, 2010 at 3:15 pm
I bawled my eyes out through the book. I personallyshouted by intentions never to eat another hambuger in the middle of the Red Dot Cafe in Chillicothe, Mo. after leaving my show steer in the St. Joseph Stockyards. But I was back the next year. 23 years later when my son sold his first steer I went behind the sale barn and had the dry heaves. I think this is a pretty good simplification for non- rural people and close enough to the truth for steer jocks –where was the ahesive,blowers and grooming chutes?
79 Torri Lovett // Jan 30, 2011 at 1:59 pm
LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!
I think a movie should be made out of it.
Us country girls need books like this that relate to US ! it reminds me so much of my county and us steer and swine showers. Again love the book!-torri
80 Elizabeth Cheatham // Aug 7, 2011 at 1:19 pm
Hi i was wondering if there was a sequel to this book
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