Today we are chatting with Victoria J. Coe, author of FENWAY AND THE BONE THIEVES/FENWAY AND THE FRISBEE TRICK
Read on for more about her, the books, and a giveaway of both books in the series!
Meet Victoria J. Coe:
: Victoria J. Coe grew up in the seaside community of Duxbury, Massachusetts, and went on to live in New York and San Francisco, as well as large and small towns on both U.S. coasts. During her family’s most recent move, she noticed her dog’s confusion and started to wonder what was going through his mind. As they walked in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, his reactions to the sights, sounds, and smells of the city took hold of her imagination. While she has written for many publications and nonprofit causes, authoring her first novel for children is the realization of a lifelong dream. Victoria now lives with her family on the outskirts of Boston where she and her dog are always on the lookout for delivery trucks. And squirrels.
About The Book: Fenway and the Bone Thieves
The little dog with a GIANT personality from Fenway and Hattie is starring in his own chapter book series!
There’s nothing better than a brand-new bone!
And nothing worse than sneaky squirrels trying to steal it! But Fenway is smarter than those squirrels, and he finds the perfect place to hide his bone.
The only problem is the hiding place might be too hard for Fenway to find, too!
About The Book: Fenway and the Frisbee Trick
Fenway is ready to learn a new trick!
When Fenway sees a dog leap into the air and catch a Frisbee, he wants to do it, too. But catching a Frisbee is harder than it looks.
Good thing Fenway is willing to keep trying, and he impresses everyone with a special trick of his own!
~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
When my middle grade novel, FENWAY AND HATTIE, was chosen for Texas Reads One Book in 2020-21, I wanted to create a series that would bring my character Fenway – a rambunctious Jack Russell terrier – to a younger audience.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the books?
I have to say Fenway, because in my imagination, I am HIM!
YABC: Which came first, the title or the books?
Oh, the story definitely came first. With a series, it’s important for the titles to follow a pattern.
YABC: What scene in the books are you most proud of, and why?
I’m especially proud of every scene where something goes wrong. It’s extra fun to make the reader cheer for Fenway’s misbehaving, because he always has a Very Good Reason. There are quite a few – Fenway’s digging up the whole backyard looking for his bone, and playing Frisbee in the house come to mind…
YABC: Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?
The most important thing I’ve learned as a writer (to date) is that a book is never really finished until it goes to print!
YABC: What do you like most about the covers of the book?
Can I say everything? Joanne Lew-Vriethoff really hit these out of the park (see what I did there?). I love Fenway’s exuberance, I love the energy, I love the colors.
YABC: What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2022?
Mighty Red Riding Hood by Wallace West. It’s the perfect read-aloud to promote discussion.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
The next Make Way for Fenway! book, FENWAY AND THE LOUDMOUTH BIRD (which we are still working on), will be out on April 4th.
YABC: What is the main message or lesson you would like your reader to remember from this book?
I hope that readers’ biggest take-aways from this series is that reality depends on your point of view. Kids think it’s funny, and it is, but honestly, it’s a life lesson.
YABC: What would you say is your superpower?
My imagination is definitely my superpower. I dive so deeply into my characters that I sometimes forget that I am a human being. (Seriously!)
YABC: What advice do you have for new writers?
My best advice for any writer is to read. Read, read, read, read, read. Read anything and everything – especially books that were published by debut authors in the past few years. The more a writer reads, the more the subconscious mind learns what it takes to create memorable characters, an enticing story, and a satisfying resolution.
YABC: Is there anything that you would like to add?
I really am obsessed with perspective. I think if everybody realized that our own perspective isn’t the only one out there, we could change the world.
*GIVEAWAY DETAILS*
Five winners will receive a copy of the 2 book set: FENWAY AND THE BONE THIEVES/ FENWAY AND THE FRISBEE TRICK (Victoria J. Coe) ~US ONLY
*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*
I love the Fenway series, so I am so excited to read this new version and add it to my classroom library!
This looks like a great series for my early readers who are animal fans! I think it would be a big hit in my school’s library.
The covers are cute and these books will be fun to read.
cool books