Mundie Moms

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

OUTRUN THE MOON by Stacey Lee / Blog Tour: Author Interview


Hello and welcome to today's OUTRUN THE MOON blog tour stop, hosted by Penguin Teen! I'm so thrilled to have author Stacey Lee, on Mundie Moms today. Before I share my interview with her, here's a little bit about her new release.

ABOUT THE BOOK


By: Stacey Lee
Published by: Putnam
Released on: May 24th, 2016
Purchase from: Penguin | Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads

San Francisco, 1906: Fifteen-year-old Mercy Wong is determined to break from the poverty in Chinatown, and an education at St. Clare’s School for Girls is her best hope. Although St. Clare’s is off-limits to all but the wealthiest white girls, Mercy gains admittance through a mix of cunning and a little bribery, only to discover that getting in was the easiest part. Not to be undone by a bunch of spoiled heiresses, Mercy stands strong—until disaster strikes.

On April 18, a historic earthquake rocks San Francisco, destroying Mercy’s home and school. With martial law in effect, she is forced to wait with her classmates for their families in a temporary park encampment. Though fires might rage, and the city may be in shambles, Mercy can’t sit by while they wait for the army to bring help—she still has the “bossy” cheeks that mark her as someone who gets things done. But what can one teenage girl do to heal so many suffering in her broken city?

AUTHOR INTERVIEW


Hi Stacey! Thank you for stopping by Mundie Moms today. Congratulations on the release of OUTRUN The MOON. How would you describe your book in 3 words or less?  

Thank you!  Fall down, rise.

I really admire Mercy's strength. What's one thing you came to really admire about your character? 

What drew me to writing this character was Mercy’s strength for sure, but it was really her frailty that gave meaning to that resiliency. Her fear of loss, her self-consciousness over her humble origins, her pride, all these qualities helped me highlight her strength even more.

I love the historical references in Mercy's story. How often did you picture yourself in her shoes, and would you have made the same choices she did? 

All the time! I think we have to do that as authors, ‘experience’ what our characters experience for the sake of authenticity. I definitely would not have been as bold or brave, which is the beauty of writing. You get to be something you’re not and you can do it in your pajamas.

I love the way your book incorporates history and diversity. Was there anything that you found while researching for this book, that surprised or shocked you? 

I didn’t know that Chinese weren’t counted in the death toll of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. That pretty much sums up the attitude towards Chinese people in America at the time: they just didn’t matter.

Diversity is really important in YA books, and I love that it's become more prevalent that it's previously been. Have you read any diverse books lately that you'd recommend to our readers or what's a diverse book you're looking forward to reading? 

I loved MILLICENT MIN, GIRL GENIUS by Lisa Yee, THE MISADVENTURES OF THE FAMILY FLETCHER, by Dana Alison Levy, and THE STAR-TOUCHED QUEEN, by Roshani Chokshi. I’m looking forward to Mike Jung’s UNIDENTIFIED SUBURBAN OBJECT, and Audrey Coulthurst’s OF FIRE AND STARS.

Can we talk about your cover for moment? It's STUNNING! What was your first thought when you saw it?

Stunning! I was in line for a burrito, and I almost dropped my phone. It was a glamorous moment for me.

If you could choose any favorite fictional character to write into Mercy's story, who would you pick and why? 

Bloody Jack of L.A. Meyer’s eponymous title. Mercy wants to sail the seven seas, Jackie sails the seven seas. They’re the same age, and both fearless. I bet they would’ve been the best of friends.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stacey Lee is a fourth generation Chinese-American whose people came to California during the heydays of the cowboys. She believes she still has a bit of cowboy dust in her soul. A native of southern California, she graduated from UCLA then got her law degree at UC Davis King Hall. After practicing law in the Silicon Valley for several years, she finally took up the pen because she wanted the perks of being able to nap during the day, and it was easier than moving to Spain. She plays classical piano, raises children, and writes YA fiction.

Visit Stacey online via: Website | Twitter | FacebookGoodreads

FOLLOW THE TOUR

THE FOREST OF WORDS & PAGES–Guest Post–05/17/16
WINTERHAVEN BOOKS–Character playlist–05/18/16
ADDICTED READERS–25 Random Things About Me–05/19/16
ONCE UPON A TWILIGHT–Review & Giveaway–05/20/16
Rainy Days Coffee and Books–Video Review–05/23/16
Clear Eyes, Full Shelves–Guest post 3–05/24/16
Twinning for Books–Book Soundtrack–05/25/16
IT STARTS AT MIDNIGHT–Guest post 2–05/26/16
BOOKIEMOJI–Review & Giveaway–05/27/16
The Social Potato–Would You Rather?–05/30/16
MUNDIE MOMS–Interview–05/31/16
THE EXTRAORDINARY WORLDS–Interview–06/01/16
Read Write Love 28–Interview–06/02/16

Out Today! - New YA Releases for Tuesday May 31st

Happy Book Birthday to today's new YA releases! 

Which new releases are you looking forward to reading? 

Don't see a new YA release listed that you know is out today? Please leave a comment letting me know the title and the author, and I'll add it to the list. Thank you! Happy Reading! 

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