Today we are very excited to share an interview with Author Jennifer Chambliss Bertman (Sisterhood of Sleuths)!
Read on to learn more about her, her book, and a giveaway!
Meet the Author: Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
Jennifer Chambliss Bertman is the author of the New York Times bestselling Book Scavenger series as well as Sisterhood of Sleuths. She holds an MFA in creative writing and has worked in a variety of roles with children and in publishing. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Jennifer now lives in Colorado with her family. She invites you to visit her at jenniferchamblissbertman.com.
Website * Instagram * Facebook * Twitter
About the Book: Sisterhood of Sleuths
A clever and thought-provoking mystery that pays homage to classic Nancy Drew stories, perfect for fans of Wendy Mass and Trenton Lee Stewart.
Maizy always assumed she knew everything about her grandmother, Jacuzzi. So when a box full of vintage Nancy Drew books gets left at her mom’s thrift store, Maizy is surprised to find an old photo of her grandmother and two other women tucked beneath the collection. Stranger still, when Maizy shows the photo to Jacuzzi she feigns ignorance, insisting the woman is someone else. Determined to learn the truth — and inspired by the legacy of Nancy Drew — Maizy launches her own investigation with the help of new friends, Nell and Cam. What they discover not only points to the origins of the iconic series, but uncovers a truth from the past that will lead to self-discovery in the present, connecting three generations of women.
This intergenerational mystery filled with literary history, friendship, and family secrets delivers a captivating tribute to the world’s most famous girl detective.
~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
My inspiration was a blend of my childhood love for Nancy Drew books, my adult fascination with the publishing history behind the series, my respect for a female icon who has endured for generations, and a desire to write a funny mystery that my kid self would have seen herself in and enjoyed.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
This changes daily. Today it’s Jacuzzi.
YABC: Which came first, the title or the novel?
The novel. It was given the title Sisterhood of Sleuths pretty late in the game. We were definitely in copyedits, maybe even the proofreading stage? The previous title was something like The Case of the Nancy Drews, which I felt lukewarm about but couldn’t think of anything better. My publisher also felt lukewarm about it, and so we brainstormed new ideas. I submitted a dozen fairly terrible title suggestions, and then Jessica Anderson, an editor at my imprint, suggested Sisterhood of Sleuths and I was like, THAT’S IT! I thought it was absolutely perfect—it encapsulates the spirit of my novel as well as the generations of Nancy Drew fans.
YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
There are many. The first three that come to mind are the lobster bicycle scene, when Nell comes over to Maizy’s house again for the first time in many years, and when Maizy and friends become accidental babysitters. I love the characters and humor in this book, and I think the writing is my best so far.
YABC: What do you like most about the cover of the book?
I love the colors, the row of buildings in the background, and the bikes on the ground. Actually, my favorite detail is the flying books—it works for this story, but it’s also a nod to my Book Scavenger series, and I love that connection.
YABC: What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2022?
One that hasn’t already come out? I was eagerly awaiting Those Kids From Fawn Creek by Erin Entrada Kelly and Jennifer Chan is Not Alone by Tae Keller, and both were fantastic. I’ve also heard such great things about Lolo’s Light by Liz Garton Scanlon and look forward to reading that.
YABC: What’s a book you’ve recently read and loved?
The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat. It’s fantastic!
YABC: What would you say is your superpower?
My imagination.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
A picture book! My debut picture book will be published in early 2023. It’s called A Good Deed Can Grow, illustrated by Holly Hatam, and forthcoming from Christy Ottaviano Books/Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Title: Sisterhood of Sleuths
Author: Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
Release Date: 10/4/22
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers / Christy Ottaviano Books
ISBN-10: 0316331074
ISBN-13: 9780316331074
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Age Range: 8-12
~ Giveaway Details ~
Two (2) winners will receive a copy of Sisterhood of Sleuths (Jennifer Chambliss Bertman) ~US ONLY
*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*
Sounds like an awesome story, and I love the cover!
this looks like a good mystery
Such a cool mystery
The cover is really cool and I love to read mysteries.
I listened to the audio book version of the book and loved it. Can’t wait to share it with readers at my school!
This is a really cool cover and I think my daughter would find this to be a really exciting read!