Each Friday, Amanda Zieba, the Word Nerd, shares the first chapter of a favorite book for middle schoolers. In this episode she reads aloud the first chapter of Shadow on the Mountain by Margi Preus. Stick around afterward to listen in on an interview with Margi as Amanda asks her the below questions:
1. Many WWII books take place in Germany. How and why did you decide to set this story in Norway?
2. Cross Country Skiing plays a large role in this story. Do you ski? Is there a connection in your life that made you want to include this topic in the story?
3. I know that you did a lot of research for this book. Many times people assume "research" means books and the internet and the library, but did you use any unique research strategies for this book like interviewing or a research trip (or others)?
4. Kids in this book are not bystanders. They step up and take action. Even though WWII happened along time ago, this message is still very relevant today. What would you like modern readers to learn and take away from this story that they can apply to their own lives?
5. Would you say Historical Fiction is your favorite genre? Why do you feel pulled to write stories in this genre and tell these stories?
