Guest Post: Erica Perl (Author of

I adored Erica Perl's YA debut, VINTAGE VERONICA, so when I was excited to discover she had an upcoming childrens' release: DOTTY. Erica is a phenomenal writer whose writing tackles important topics and I'm thrilled to have her back at The Hiding Spot! Even if DOTTY doesn't appeal to you, I urge you to read Erica's post - she imparts an important message that, I think, applies to everyone, no matter what your age!

___________________________

The Importance of Holding on to Childhood Things

I hold onto a lot from my childhood - books, photos, toys, and especially books - but something happened over the weekend that made me realize that the thing I hold onto most is my ability to play. I think adults should play a lot more, and should bring a sense of playfulness into their everyday lives. I feel very lucky to get to hang out with my kids, who keep me playing and who force me to play even when I am tired and acting too much like a grown up. What happened this weekend was: we were taking a hike, and the kids started to complain that it was taking too long, so I picked up a stick and announced that it would be the story stick and we would make up a story. Immediately, the longness and uphillness and are-we-there-yet-ness was forgotten. I kicked it off with "Once upon a time there was a toad who wanted to be a frog..." and then I handed off the stick and my younger daughter started spinning the most excellent yarn. Before we were through, there was a unicorn (of course), a blue Yeti, two giants, an enchantress and a very bad cat. We also created elaborate rules as we went, which was fun, too. The point is, so often I am tempted to say to my kids "go play!" but the fact is, I need play as much as they do. Which is one of the things I was trying to say with Dotty: adults should hold onto their essential childishness as long as possible AND not keep it a secret. One of the greatest gifts you can give to a child is to show that, inside, you're a kid, too. Not all the time, of course, because kids get comfort from reliability and rules and firmness and all that adult stuff. But every so often, just like Ms. Raymond, you have to take them aside and show them that you still have a string. And if that last line makes no sense, please read my new book, Dotty. Because then it will.

All the best,
Your friend Erica
and her friend, Dotty

_________________________

Be sure to check out all the blogs Erica has visited on the Connect with Dotty tour!

8/30 The Happy Nappy Bookseller
http://thehappynappybookseller.blogspot.com/
9/1 Alison’s Book Marks
http://www.alisonsbookmarks.com/
9/2 A Patchwork of Books
http://www.apatchworkofbooks.blogspot.com/
9/3 Jean Little Library
http://jeanlittlelibrary.blogspot.com/
9/4 Pragmatic Mom
http://www.pragmaticmom.com/
9/7 Links to Literacy
www.literacytoolbox.wordpress.com
9/8 The Book Bag Blog
http://www.theeducationcenter.com/tec/afc/bookbagdotcom/go.do
9/9 The Hiding Spot
http://thehidingspot.blogspot.com/
9/10 Bookmark, The First Book Blog
http://blog.firstbook.org/

Interview & Contest: Erica S. Perl (Author of Vintage Veronica!)

I'm thrilled to have Erica Perl, author of the newly released YA novel Vintage Veronica, here at The Hiding Spot today! Erica has kindly answered some questions about VV, a novel that swept me off my feet and left me anxious for her future novels!

The Interview:

Give a short description or statement about VINTAGE VERONICA that will lure in readers.

Veronica Walsh’s summer job at a vintage clothing store is a dream come true because she can spend her days separating the one-of-a-kind gem garments from the Dollar-a-Pound duds without having to deal with people. But when two outrageous salesgirls urge her to spy on a mysterious and awkward stock boy, Veronica’s summer takes a turn for the weird. She may have to come out of hiding and follow something even riskier for the first time: her heart.

What inspired Veronica’s story?
A vintage clothing store called The Garment District was my inspiration, and some of the details of The Clothing Bonanza, where Veronica works, definitely came from that. The story I wanted to tell, about feeling insecure and vulnerable and trying to hide from having to deal with other people, seemed particularly compelling in an unusual setting like this. I like the juxtaposition of trash-and-treasures clothing with the story of Veronica trying to figure out who and what to value, including herself.

Veronica is not a trusting person and, at the beginning of the novel, she has a difficult time letting people in. It is almost as if she doesn’t want to be noticed. At the same time, she has an outrageous fashion sense that most definitely turns heads. What do these opposing actions reveal about Veronica?
Ooo, good question! I think Veronica has this desire to reject people before they have a chance to reject her. So she dresses kind of in-your-face for two reasons: 1) she loves what she wears, so she stubbornly wears it even though she knows some people may laugh at her; and 2) being laughed at gives her an excuse to put up her guard and avoid real relationships. I applaud the first reason, but feel sad for the second one.

Veronica refers to the “awkward stock boy” where she works as “the Nail,” which was inspired by a song. How did you come to decide on this nickname for Len?
It was actually inspired by a song, just like Veronica says. But in my mind, “the nail” became the term for a person who lets other people walk all over them. So it fit Len really well. Although I think the reason Veronica hates to see Len act this way is because she knows she’s actually a lot like him.

Can you tell us anything about your next YA novels/projects?
I’m currently working on another novel, and I’m very excited about it, but I should probably leave it at that.

The Hiding Spot is dedicated to my personal hiding spot, books. What place, person, or activity is your personal hiding spot?
Definitely books. I think they are the best places to lose oneself! !

Go HERE to read my review of VINTAGE VERONICA.

And, if VV sounds like you're kind of novel, be sure to go HERE and enter for a chance to win your very own copy! The contest will run until April 15th and is only open to those will US and Canada mailing addresses.

Thank you, Erica, for taking the time to answer my questions and for donating a copy of the novel for one lucky winner! :)

Review: Vintage Veronica by Erica S. Perl

Title: Vintage Veronica
Author: Erica S. Perl
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pub. Date: 3/9/2010
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Vintage shops, Weight issues, First impressions, Second Chances
Pages: 272
Plot (from GoodReads):
Veronica Walsh is 15, fashion-minded, fat, and friendless. Her summer job in the Consignment Corner section (Employees Only!) of a vintage clothing store is a dream come true. There Veronica can spend her days separating the one-of-a-kind gem garments from the Dollar-a-Pound duds, without having to deal with people. But when two outrageous yet charismatic salesgirls befriend her and urge her to spy on and follow the mysterious and awkward stock boy Veronica has nicknamed the Nail, Veronica’s summer takes a turn for the weird. Suddenly, what began as a prank turns into something else entirely. Which means Veronica may have to come out of hiding and follow something even riskier for the first time: her heart.

When I first read the plot summary for VINTAGE VERONICA, I classified it as a cute and didn't really expect it to have any depth, but that first impression was entirely off! Erica Perl has written a novel full of quirky characters that captured my heart and has managed to tell a story that the Veronica in all of us can relate to.

The setting and characters of VV were colorful and utterly unforgettable. The only way that I can really describe the feel of the book as is off beat. The easiest way I can describe the novel is by referencing Ellen Page films, like JUNO and WHIP IT. The characters in those films are quirky and seem to stick in your mind as if  held there by superglue.  Veronica is the star of the novel, but I was most drawn to Len, the mysterious and awkward stock boy. He is so much more than what he seems when the reader is briefly introduced to him at the beginning of the novel. I loved discovering the magic of Len as Veronica spends more time with him. I really liked that he isn't the normal heartthrob character or the tortured bad boy; he's just Len - and that's all he needs to be.

Given that I adore Len, it is understandable that I'm a fan of the romance between him and Veronica. However, it wasn't simply my feelings about Len's character that pulled me into their love story, it was the truthfulness. Len and Veronica's relationship is not perfect, but it is awkward, painful, and so, so tender. There are some romances that take you by storm and you are so totally enraptured in one another that there really isn't very much awkwardness. This is not the case in VV, partly because Veronica tries so hard to keep a cool head about the whole situation and doesn't allow herself to be overwhelmed by her feelings, in the beginning at least. And when one overanalyzes as much as Veronica, there is always going to be some uncomfortable moments. I think that in real life, people generally fit into that second category, so I found this love story particularly touching.

Ratings (out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 50/50 (A!)

Cover Comments: I do think that the cover of VINTAGE VERONICA is cute, but I'm not sure how eye-catching it is. It caught my eye, obviously, but I like scrapbooking, which the cover is reminscent of. I don't think I can make a totally informed opinion about this one, since I haven't seen it in bookstore yet. I'm curious to see if the cover will eventually change though, as they sometimes do.

Book Trailer: Vintage Veronica

Today VINTAGE VERONICA by Erica S. Perl hits shelves everywhere! I've already read this amazing YA debut and can say with confidence that VINTAGE VERONICA should be on your to-be-read list! You can look forward to my review and some other fun stuff later this week, but for now, check out this cute teaser trailer!