S. Terrell French
This week, we’re celebrating S. Terrell’s debut! As a child, Susannah Terrell French loved to read and write and once won $100 in a Harvard fiction competition. After graduating from college, however, she switched gears, moving to California and working for an environmental organization. She went on to Berkeley Law, spent a summer as a Forest Service volunteer in Alaska, then took a job at a public interest law firm. She also spent hours reading to her three children. Eventually, she decided to bring together her interest in children’s books, writing, and the environment by writing OPERATION REDWOOD.
Here’s a little bit about OPERATION REDWOOD (Amulet Books).
OPERATION REDWOOD follows the adventures and misadventures of a twelve-year-old San Francisco boy, Julian Carter-Li, who accidentally uncovers an angry e-mail meant for his high-powered uncle. When the e-mail reveals that his uncle’s company plans to log an ancient redwood grove, Julian, his best friend, Danny Lopez, and the girl who sent the e-mail — a home-schooled ranch girl named Robin Elder – join forces to try to save the trees. Filled with humor and surprising plot twists, Operation Redwood is an environmental page-turner that introduces readers to a memorable crew of smart kids who care about the world around them. Elizabeth Bird, in her School Library Journal blog, A Fuse # 8 Production, calls it “one of the finest children’s novels of the year . . . . [A] true emotional journey full of adventure, friendship, complex morality, trust, lies, and discovery.”
OPERATION REDWOOD by S. Terrell French
If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?
This book is rated G. While the main characters are sixth-graders, it has characters from 8 to 80 (well, maybe close to 80). It’s a great read-aloud.
What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?
The book touches on the unique history of California’s redwood forest and the complexities of civil disobedience. It’s about friendship, family, and standing up for what you believe. It’s also multicultural, reflecting the diverse city of San Francisco.
Name three examples of readers who would identify or like your book.
Any kid (boy or girl) between the ages of 9 and 12 who is interested in the environment, who likes adventure stories, or who thinks it would be fun to live in a tree house.
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.
“Dear Goat Girl,
Lose your sympathy for Mr. CEO! I’m sure he doesn’t care 2 cents for your redwoods. He actually banned me from his mansion because I didn’t get my feet off his couch fast enough to justify his evil mate. I kid you not, I was wearing socks!!!”
—
“But here, the brilliant stars shone out of the black night like the glittering eyes of some watchful spirit. Julian had never seen stars like this. He hadn’t known this was how stars were supposed to be.”
How can your book be used in the classroom?
An extensive teaching guide – with activities, discussion questions, and vocabulary lists — is available on my website: www.operationredwood.com. School Library Journal writes: “Teachers will be able to use this novel for Earth Day discussions and can foster conversations on environmental activism of all types. The resolution reminds readers that everyone, no matter how large or small, can take action on issues that are important to them.”
Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.
- HOOT, by Carl Hiaasen
- MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN, Jean Craighead George
Now whet our appetites with a teaser.
The computer beeped. Julian glanced at the screen, and saw a message so astonishing that he sprayed ginger ale out his nose and all across his uncle’s computer screen.
The subject line of the newest e-mail read: “SIBLEY CARTER IS A MORON AND A WORLD-CLASS JERK!!!”
After Julian had grabbed some tissues and wiped away every drop of ginger ale, he stared at the computer suspiciously. Did it have a hidden sensor that could somehow read his mind? Surely, he thought, even his uncle’s computer couldn’t translate his inner thoughts directly onto the screen. It was just an ordinary e-mail. An ordinary e-mail calling his uncle a moron and a jerk. Julian tried to imagine Sibley sitting down at his imposing desk and finding this message. It would be as if he came in and found his computer sticking its tongue out at him.
What kind of person, he wondered, would be sticking his tongue out at Sibley? Obviously, someone smarter than Julian was. Someone who wasn’t fooled by his uncle’s smooth manners and slick facade. Not another businessman, Julian figured. In fact, it sounded like a kid. But why would a kid write his uncle an e-mail? He checked the name of the sender: Robin Elder.
Julian reached for the mouse, then hesitated. He’d already opened one of his uncle’s e-mails. But that one had his name on it. It had practically invited him to open it. This one certainly had nothing to do with him.
Then again, what did he have to lose? And what did he owe an uncle who made up lies about him and slandered his parents and was plotting to send him to math camp? Just peeking at one e-mail wasn’t such a crime. Especially when the e-mail couldn’t possibly be about any important business matter, when it was from some tongue sticker-outer.
Julian got up, crossed the room to the open office door, and looked up and down the hallway. Nothing but darkened cubicles. He felt like a cat burglar about to steal some precious jewel. Stealthily, he sat back down in his uncle’s chair, grabbed the mouse, and clicked:
May 4
Dear Mr. Carter,
Maybe I shouldn’t call you names, but that’s how I feel. I’ve lived next to Big Tree Grove my whole life and you just come in and buy the Greeley land and think you can cut down all the trees and you don’t even care. Maybe you’re not really a moron, but it is OBVIOUSLY pretty stupid to take a redwood tree that has been growing for hundreds and hundreds of years and DESTROY it just to make decks for fancy houses or to make more money, especially when you are already probably a lot richer than almost everybody else on the planet! How would you like it if I went to your backyard and started destroying everything with a chainsaw? My parents say there’s nothing we can do but at least I can tell you that if you do this there’s going to be a lot of people who hate you forever, like me!
Yours truly,
Robin Elder
Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?
Yes, I’ve done numerous school visits in D.C. and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Are you willing to speak nationally?
Yes.
List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.
- The history and ecology of the redwood forest (power point covering early logging history, the movement to save the Headwaters Forest redwoods, flora and fauna and the redwood forest, and canopy research)
- The writing and publication of Operation Redwood
This concludes our interview with our latest author, S. Terrell French. We wish her much success with her debut novel OPERATION REDWOOD. To see what S. Terrell is up to these days, visit her website at http://operationredwood.com.
*GIVEAWAY ALERT* S. Terrell is giving away a signed copy of OPERATION REDWOOD. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by November 24th, 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 otherAuthorsNow! giveaways.
Related posts:
- OPERATION REDWOOD by S. Terrell French
- Author Spotlight: Samantha R. Vamos, BEFORE YOU WERE HERE, MI AMOR (Giveaway Alert: Now – 05/22/09)
- Author Spotlight: Leigh Brescia, ONE WISH (Giveaway Alert: Now – 06/03/09)
- Author Spotlight: Deva Fagan, FORTUNE’S FOLLY (Giveaway Alert Now – 04/23/09)
- Author Spotlight: J.A. Yang, EXCLUSIVELY CHLOE (Giveaway Alert Now – 11/17/09)
Comments
1 Jessica Kennedy // Nov 17, 2009 at 9:05 am
This sounds like a great book that I would love to share with my 5 yo daughter!
She likes learning about nature.
2 Donna St. Cyr // Nov 17, 2009 at 10:47 am
Great interview, Suzanne!
3 Cheryl F. (The Lucky Ladybug) // Nov 17, 2009 at 11:09 am
I’d love to read this
*Thanks* for the giveaway!
4 Rosanne Parry // Nov 17, 2009 at 12:00 pm
My kids liked this one. It’s a good fit for classroooms and a wonderful Earth Day tie in. Congratulations Suzanne!
5 George Ferris // Nov 17, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Thanks for the giveaway.
6 Llehn // Nov 17, 2009 at 6:41 pm
I’d love to play please!
7 bunnyb // Nov 18, 2009 at 12:18 am
Great interview. Sounds like a really good read for kids!
Thanks for the chance.
8 Wendy M // Nov 20, 2009 at 3:38 pm
This sound like a wonderful book for my son. Would love it for him for Christmas.
9 JakeLsewhere // Nov 20, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Looks like a good book, I bet my nephew would love it.
Thanks for hosting this interview and giveaway.
10 Ladytink_534 // Nov 20, 2009 at 10:27 pm
My little brother has never liked to read and is only now showing an interest. I honestly think he’d enjoy this!
11 Girl Scout Troop 748 // Nov 21, 2009 at 9:23 am
Sounds like a great book. My girl scout troop is collecting books for our Nature Cabin at camp and this would be a great addition.
12 DeeAnn S // Nov 21, 2009 at 11:19 am
A “G” rated book the whole family could enjoy! Thanks.
13 Gayle Morgan // Nov 21, 2009 at 2:47 pm
a great book for my niece.
14 Renee C // Nov 21, 2009 at 2:58 pm
I think my son would enjoy this book!
15 Linda Peters // Nov 21, 2009 at 4:02 pm
great interview, my grandson would this, thanks
16 Anne Taylor // Nov 21, 2009 at 4:02 pm
This book sounds like a beautiful one to share with the family!
Thanks
17 Benita G. // Nov 21, 2009 at 9:20 pm
This sounds like a book my friend’s 5 year old would love.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
18 Janelle @ Brimful Curiosities // Nov 21, 2009 at 9:58 pm
I’ve read several positive reviews of “Operation Redwood” and would love the chance to read it. We watched the PBS Ken Burn’s National Parks series. Nature is always worth fighting for. Someday our family hopes to visit the Redwoods.
19 Katherine C. // Nov 21, 2009 at 11:05 pm
I enjoyed the interview. This book sounds like a book I would have really enjoyed as a kid, and I would love to share it with my kids.
20 angie // Nov 22, 2009 at 1:26 am
This would be great for my sister’s classroom.
21 Judith // Nov 22, 2009 at 7:20 am
I love books with plot twists. Enter my name into the contest if it’s open to international readers.
22 Diane Baum // Nov 22, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Sounds like an interesting book-
Thank you
23 JAMES LYNAM // Nov 22, 2009 at 4:04 pm
SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT READ.
MY TURN TO WIN????
24 Karen Gonyea // Nov 22, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Sounds wonderful
25 Diane Westerbeek // Nov 23, 2009 at 7:09 am
Waiting to win- sounds interesting!
26 Christina // Nov 23, 2009 at 9:23 am
My niece would love this book – she is already very “green” aware, and would love reading about the environment!
27 Erma H // Nov 23, 2009 at 10:47 am
This looks like a great book.
28 Ed Nemmers // Nov 23, 2009 at 5:37 pm
I like the book’s cover design!
29 Jay French // Nov 23, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Looks like an interesting book for both my 5th grade and 7th grade daughters. I also like to show them authors that share the same last name!
30 Angela Winesburg // Nov 23, 2009 at 9:25 pm
I’d love to read this, thanks for the chance!
31 Winning Readings // Nov 23, 2009 at 11:02 pm
We just made a trip to the California redwoods in October when my in-laws were visiting – they are so majestic! Would love to read this book and share it with family…
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
32 Julie L // Nov 23, 2009 at 11:09 pm
This book sounds like a winner-thanks
33 Patti Bright // Nov 24, 2009 at 5:56 am
I have always wanted to see redwoods. I think all my kids would enjoy this book regardless of age
plb8156@aol.com
34 dorothy l // Nov 24, 2009 at 11:40 am
sounds like a very good book
please enter me in the giveaway
35 Beth // Nov 24, 2009 at 12:13 pm
This looks fun! Please enter me!
BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com
36 Tim Hughes // Nov 24, 2009 at 12:24 pm
I think this is awesome that an author is writing about the environment and gearing it to the younger crowd. I have an 8 1/2 year old that always learns new “green things” as he calls them at school and teaches Mom & Dad every chance he gets. What a great book that I am sure someones lucky child will be happy to win.
37 Wanda // Nov 24, 2009 at 12:44 pm
This book sounds great! I know a wonderful young boy who would love for me to gift this to him!
38 Susan Smith // Nov 24, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Sounds like a good book
39 Betty Curran // Nov 24, 2009 at 2:18 pm
This sounds like a great book to share with my grandson.
40 Katie // Nov 24, 2009 at 6:29 pm
This looks wonderful! I’d love to pair it with my copy of Jason Chin’s Redwoods that I received earlier this year!
41 Sherri B. // Nov 24, 2009 at 6:48 pm
I would love to gift this to my nephew. He is an avid reader and I am always looking for new books to fill his bookcase. Thanks!
sherri419 at gmail dot com
42 Gloria // Nov 24, 2009 at 7:38 pm
I’d love to give this to my niece. I think the younger generation needs to learn more about being “green”.
43 Melanie // Nov 24, 2009 at 11:22 pm
This sounds like a great kids book.
My cousin is a science teacher, and she’s been trying to encorporate being more eco friendly into her classroom..but on a level that 3rd graders can understand!
44 Renee G // Nov 24, 2009 at 11:35 pm
This sounds great. I’d love to share it with my boys.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com
45 Heather C // Nov 24, 2009 at 11:43 pm
I think my daughter would love this! Thanks so much!
46 Gianna // Nov 24, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Sounds like an interesting read
47 Lily Kwan // Nov 25, 2009 at 12:05 am
This book sounds very interesting. I’ll definitely check it out!
48 Pothi - Admin Assist - AuthorsNow! // Nov 25, 2009 at 10:51 am
Congratulations Diane Baum! You’ve won this Spotlight!
49 S. Terrell French // Nov 25, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Thanks everybody for entering and for your encouraging comments! Glad to hear there are so many kids, nieces, nephews and grandchildren out there who love to read. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
50 Jennifer Barr // Dec 6, 2009 at 9:48 am
This looks like a great book that my 10 year old daughter would enjoy reading.
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