Award-Winning Author
Today, I will be interviewing Ben Mikaelsen, the award-winning author of the recently published children’s chapter book (ages 8-12), Jungle of Bones. Ben is an accomplished author who has published TEN children’s books and has written numerous magazine articles. Ben will be telling us about his life, sharing background information about his book, Jungle of Bones, and offering a few writing tips.
I received a complimentary copy of this book prior to this interview. Commenters to this blog will be eligible for a book giveaway.
Welcome Ben.
Your youth was spent in South America. Was growing up in South America any different from a childhood spent in the US? Do any of your story ideas come from your early experiences?
VERY MUCH SO. BY THE TIME I WAS TEN YEARS OLD, I HAD BEEN THROUGH THREE REVOLUTIONS AND HAD A MAN SHOT TO DEATH BESIDE ME ON A STREET CORNER. I WAS NEVER SENT TO SCHOOL OR HOME SCHOOLED UNTIL I WAS NINE YEARS OLD. AT THAT AGE I COULDN’T READ OR WRITE AND WAS BILINGUAL STRUGGLING WITH ENGLISH. MY EARLY STRUGGLES TO “FIT IN” WERE SO DIFFICULT, I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN THE STRUGGLE. I THINK THAT IS WHY I WRITE MIDDLE GRADE NOVELS. THAT WAS THE MOST IMPRESSIONABLE TIME OF MY LIFE.
Spanish is your primary language. When did you learn English and how long did it take for you to master a second language? Did you encounter any notable challenges when you were learning English?
I WAS RAISED BILINGUAL, AND BECAUSE OF MY LACK OF EDUCATION, I STRUGGLED WITH BOTH LANGUAGES. ENGLISH, HOWEVER, WAS THE ONE THAT I STRUGGLED WITH THE MOST WHEN I WAS SENT AWAY TO AN ENGLISH BOARDING SCHOOL AND WHEN MY PARENTS MOVED TO THE UNITED STATES AND I WAS ENTERING 7TH GRADE.
Relocating to a foreign country can be a stressful experience. Did your acclimation process affect your personality and the stories that you eventually wrote?
WHEN I FIRST STARTED SEVENTH GRADE HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, I WANTED SO BADLY TO FIT IN. THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL I WORE THE BEST CLOTHES I HAD WHICH WAS MY SCHOOL UNIFORM FROM BOLIVIAN BOARDING SCHOOL. THIS WAS SADDLE SHOES WITH BOBBY SOCKS WITH RED TASSLES ON THE SIDE. MY LEATHER KNICKER SHORTS WERE SO BAGGY I WORE SUSPENDERS AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF I ALSO WORE A BOW TIE. THE GAMES I PLAYED WERE DIFFERENT. I SPOKE DIFFERENTLY. BUT ALL OF THIS MADE ME FIERCELY INDEPENDENT. I LEARNED AT A YOUNG AGE TO BE PROUD OF MY DIFFERENCES. THIS IS A LESSON I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN.
Decades ago, you started publishing children’s books. What prompted this career path and why did you choose to target a children’s audience?
EVERYBODY LOVES TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES. SOME WITH PAINTING, SOME WITH MUSIC. SOME WITH DANCE. I LEARNED EARLY I HAD A GIFT FOR WRITING.
How do you select topics for your books?
I DON’T LOOK FOR TOPICS. I LOOK FOR EMOTIONS. IF I FIND SOMETHING THAT EMOTIONALLY STEAMROLLS ME, THEN I LOOK FOR A WAY TO TIE A STORY AROUND THAT EMOTION.
When people talk about their pets, they usually refer to a cat, dog or perhaps a bird. You have an unusual pet, a 700-pound black bear. Why did you choose a bear? Has this unique relationship influenced your writing?
ONE OF THE FIRST SHOWS I EVER WATCHED ON TV WHEN I MOVED TO THE US WAS GENTLE BEN. LATER WHILE ATTENDING COLLEGE, I VOLUNTEERED TIME STUDYING BEARS. LATER, AFTER GRADUATING AND MOVING TO MONTANA, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE A LITTLE RESEARCH BEAR THAT HAD ITS FRONT CLAWS REMOVED. THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WOULD LAST ALMOST 27 YEARS AND WAS A HUGE INFLUANCE IN THE WRITING OF SEVERAL OF MY NOVELS, INCLUDING RESCUE JOSH MCGUIRE, TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR AND GHOST OF SPIRIT BEAR.
Part of Jungles of Bones is set in Papua New Guinea. Did you have a specific reason for selecting this location? Was your background information gained from first-hand visits and/or secondary sources? How long did it take for you to obtain sufficient information about Papua New Guinea?
PAPUA NEW GUINEA IS ONE OF THE LEAST DEVELOPED PLACES ON THE PLANET OUTSIDE OF THE ARTIC AND THE ANTARCTIC. AT FIRST I HAD PLANNED TO SPEND A FULL MONTH IN PNG. PNG IS A VERY DANGEROUS PLACE, ESPECIALLY THE CAPITOL PORT MORESBY. BECAUSE MY TRIP ALSO COINCIDED WITH THEIR ELECTIONS, I REALIZED I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO HIRE TWO FULL TIME GUARDS FOR THE FULL MONTH, PAYING THEIR WAY TO GO UP INTO THE SEPIK REGION OF PNG. A TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR RESEARCH TRIP WAS BECOMING A FORTY THOUSAND DOLLAR TRIP. AS A RESULT I DID ALL OF MY RESEARCH SECOND HAND. THIS WASN’T EASY, BUT WHEN I FINISHED, I HAD ONE OF THE TOP NATIVE GUIDES FROM THE SEPEK REGION READ THE MANUSCRIPT. WITH ONLY A FEW SMALL CORRECTIONS, HE WAS OVERWHELMINGLY COMPLIMENTARY, NOT BELIEVING I HAD NEVER ACTUALLY TRAVELED THERE. THIS WAS A GREAT COMPLIMENT.
One of the sub plots revolves around a missing World War II B-17 bomber. Do you have a personal connection with this part of history? What resources did you use to research World War II facts?
I AM A PILOT AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A WAR BUFF. EVERY YEAR FOR NEARLY TWENTY-FIVE YEARS, I HAVE FLOWN MY OWN PLANE OUT TO OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN FOR THE BIG EAA AIRSHOW EACH SUMMER. WAR BIRDS IS A BIG PART OF THEIR SHOW. AS SUCH, I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A FACINATION WITH THE BOMBERS AND THE BRAVE CREWS THAT FLEW THEM. BECAUSE THE CREWS WERE MOSTLY YOUNG MENT IN THEIR LATE TEENS AND EARLY TWENTYS BACK IN THE EARLY 1940S, THOSE CREW MEMBERS ARE NOW IN THEIR EARLY TO MID NINETYS. I REALIZED WHEN I WAS CONDUCTING ALL OF MY MANY INTERVIEWS THAT EVEN FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, LIVE INTERVIEWS WOULD NEVER AGAIN BE POSSIBLE.
Characters either make or break a story. Your main character, Dylan, has numerous personality flaws. What steps did you take to ensure that readers could connect with his behavior and not be turned off by his reckless disregard for others?
I BELIEVE THAT EVERY YOUNGSTER CARRIES ANGER AND RESENTMENT TO AUTHORITY. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT EVERY CHILD FEELS THAT NOBODY ON THE PLANET HAS EVER BEEN AS MISUNDERSTOOD AND MALIGNED AS THEM. THESE ARE UNIVERSAL FEELINGS. EVERY CHILD AT SOME TIME HAS INTERTAINED THE THOUGHT OF RUNNING AWAY AND STANDING UP TO AUTHORITY. MY STORIES LET THE READER EXPERIENCE THESE EXPERIENCES AND EXPERIENCE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THESE ACTIONS WITHOUT ACTUALLY COMMITTING THE ACTS. I ALSO WANT READERS TO SEE HOW AN ANGRY AND REBELLIOUS CHARACTER CAN ACTUALLY BE A VERY GOOD PERSON IN THE END. IT LEAVES ALL OF US WITH HOPE.
Creating credible adult characters in youth fiction can be equally as challenging. What methods did you use to create believable interactions between Dylan and the adults in his life?
I THOUGHT QUITE A BIT ON THIS BEFORE ANSWERING. I DIDN’T HAVE TO GO FAR. ALL I HAD TO DO WAS HARKEN BACK TO MY OWN MEMORIES AND CHILDHOOD AND THE IMPRESSIONS AND MISCONCEPTIONS I HAD OF ADULTS. TO THIS DAY, I AM STILL A BIT OF A LONER AND A NON-CONFORMEST. I DON’T HAVE TO GO VERY FAR TO FIND THE FEAR, THE ANGST, THE TRUE GRIT AND SUBSTANCE IN MY CHARACTERS.
Do you have any special message(s) that you are trying to convey to your audience of upper elementary and middle school readers?
I TRY NOT TO SEND MESSAGES. WHAT I DO LIKE DOING IS DEALING WITH VERY REAL AND TOUCHY SUBJECTS, LEAVING THE READER NOT WITH ANSWERS BUT WITH A MULTITUDE OF QUESTIONS. I FEEL THAT IS THE GREATEST GIFT I CAN GIVE A YOUNG READER IS TO MAKE THEM THINK.
Many consider writing a labor of love. How long does it usually take for you to write your first draft? Do you have any recommendations for the rewrite/editing process?
I WOULD LOVE TO SAY EACH BOOK TAKES ME A YEAR, BUT THAT IS WISHFUL THINKING. WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE WITH RESEARCH, ROUGH DRAFTING, A DOZEN THUROUGH REWRITES, AND THEN EDITING WITH THE PUBLISHER, MY BOOKS ALWAYS TAKE CLOSER TO TWO YEARS. MY ADVICE TO A YOUNG WRITER IS TO THINK OF YOURSELF AS A ONE OF A KIND TEN MILLION DOLLAR COMPUTER. YOUR PROGRAMING IS BETTER THAN ANYTHING DEVELOPED BY MICROSOFT IN TOP SECRET FOR ANOTHER TEN MILLION. YOUR SOFTWARE IS YOUR UNIQUE EXPERIENCES IN LIFE, YOUR ONE OF A KIND IMAGINATION, AND YOUR ABILITY TO GATHER INFORMATION IN UNIQUE WAYS–YOUR RESEARCH. I ALSO WANT YOUNG WRITERS TO REALIZE WE ARE THE COOLEST PEOPLE ON THE PLANET. WE ABSOLUTLY DON’T MAKE MISTAKES. ALL WE DO IS MAKE THINGS BETTER. WHEN WE REALIZE HOW SPECIAL EACH OF US CAN BE. AND THEN GET RID OF THE NEGATIVITY THAT IS SO PERVASIVE IN OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, WE ARE OFF TO THE RACES CREATING OUR OWN UNIQUE AND SPECIAL STORIES. I WANT SUDENTS TO ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT WRITING IS STORY TELLING. YOU LOVE A GOOD HUNGER GAMES OR HARRY POTTER NOVEL, NOT BECAUSE EVERY WORD WAS SPELLED CORRECTLY, BUT BECAUSE IT HAD A GREAT STORY.
Maintaining children’s attention is an art. Can you share 3 tips on how you keep young readers engaged?
I WANT WHAT I WRITE TO RELATE TO THE READER. I WANT IT TO EMOTIONALLY ENGAGE THE READER ON EVERY PAGE. LAST I WANT THE ACTIONS OF MY MAIN CHARACTERS TO ENCOURAGE THE READER TO FOLLOW THEIR OWN DREAMS AND DESIRES.
Jungle of Bones includes a strong intergenerational component. Can you explain why you opted to include this aspect? Did you use actual relationships as a model?
MANY CHILDREN’S BOOKS TRY TO GET THE CHILD ALONE FOR THE STORY. THIS FOR ME IS NOT REALISTIC. THE BIGGEST STRUGGLES ANY OF US GO THROUGH GROWING UP IS DEALING WITH THE ADULTS IN OUR LIVES. I LOVE EXPLORING THESE RELATIONSHIPS AND PERHAPS HAVING THE READER COME OUT AT THE END OF THE BOOK WITH SOME GOOD AMUNITION ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THE ADULTS IN THEIR LIVES.
Several times you mention the adage, “Freedom is never free.” Does this saying have any personal or historical significance?
BECAUSE I GREW UP AMONG REVOLUTIONS, AND I ALSO RAN A SCHOOL IN GUATEMALA FOR THREE YEARS, WHERE DEATH SQUADS CAME DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHTS AND KILLED MANY OF THE VILLAGERS DURING THE EARLY 1980S, THE ADAGE “FREEDOM IS NEVER FREE,” WAS A VERY PERSONAL THING FOR ME.
Is there anything else that you would like to share with my readers?
I WANT TO SAY WHAT AN HONOR IT IS TO HAVE SOMEONE READ ONE OF MY BOOKS AFTER IT IS PUBLISHED. I SPEND A LOT OF TIME TALKING TO STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS. THAT IS OFTEN WHERE MY NEXT IDEA COMES FROM. I ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO E-MAIL ME AND LET ME KNOW HOW THEY LIKED ONE OF MY NOVELS. I TRY TO ANSWER EVERY E-MAIL.
Thank you Ben for taking the time to answer my questions.
Check out Ben’s Impressive List of Book Awards:
Rescue Josh McGuire 1991
- International Reading Association Award
- North Dakota Flicker Tale Book Award
- Western Writers Golden Spur Award
- Nebraska Golden Sower Award
- California Young Reader Medal
- Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Book Award
Sparrow Hawk Red 1993
- California Young Reader Medal
Stranded 1995
- Maryland Children’s Book Award
Petey 1998
- Western Writers Golden Spur Award
- ALA Notable Book
Touching Spirit Bear 2001
- North Dakota Flicker Tale Book Award
- Nautilus Award For Young Adult Literature
- California Young Reader Medal
- Nevada Young Reader Medal
- Wisconsin Golden Archer Award
- Florida Sunshine State Award
- Nebraska Golden Sower Award
- Minnesota Maude Hart Lovelace Award
- Wyoming Soaring Eagle Award
RED MIDNIGHT 2002
- Nevada Young Reader Medal
- IRA Notable Book for a Global Society
TREE GIRL 2004
- IRA Teacher Choice List
I did not have space to include the lengthy list of nominated awards.
Books Can Be Purchased On These Sites:
Book Giveaway
Anyone who leaves a comment on this blog by Sunday, April 6 will be eligible for a book giveaway. The randomly selected winner will be sent an autographed copy of Jungle of Bones by the author
Related Blogs:
Q & A With Laura DeBruce, Author of The Riddle of Prague
Q & A With Frank Nappi, Mickey Tussler Series
Multicultural Picture Book- Benjamin of Tudela
Time Traveling Back to the Dreyfus Affair
Can’t wait to see Ben Mikaelsen at the Children’s Literature Festival in Frostburg, MD in April. His books are among my favorites. Need to get the new one for my library.
Ann, Thanks for stopping by to read the interview. By leaving a comment, you will be eligible for the giveaway.
I wanted to be a writer, but sadly, my organizational writing skills are not nearly good enough to become a skilled writer. For this reason, I became an ESL/EFL teacher in my later life- after I raised my three children alone. I made this choice because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others, and I wanted to live and assimilate into another culture unlike what I had previously known. I wanted to boldly step out and just do it without allowing others to influence my decisions for once. To really wanted to go where I had not previously been and to do so without fear, regret, or hesitation. That is how it came to be that I am now teaching English in rural South Korea, where I knew absolutely no one, while everyone I have ever known is still in the US. All of life is an adventure yet to be explored if we will just make the decision, and then really do it. Writing children’s literature is an awesome responsibility, because you are daily molding, shaping, and influencing young minds as you encourage them to let their imaginations soar. I really liked what you had to say about encouraging your readers to dream, because to dream is to envision their self in their future life as being in a much better place. Once the seed of that conceived dream takes root, their human potential can expand exponentially. A child’s dream for the future can sustain and fuel them through some very challenging and difficult times. Having a dream for the future can foster intrinsic motivation, and this motivation can bring about a positive life altering vision for their future. Reading interesting stories can sustain those who are discouraged, enliven those who are curious as they ascertain the potential results of the plethora of choices to be had in a given situation. As the story transports the reader to another time and another place, they literally feel like they too experience a brighter tomorrow as they vicariously live out their pseudo fantasy within the safe realm where they feel and experience a small taste of what their favorite characters are living throughout the pages, and within their own sub consciousness. I wish you even greater success in all your pursuits.
I applaud your willingness to make a difference in children’s lives. Stepping outside your comfort zone and traveling to Asia is an added bonus. Too many people are conditioned to maintain the status quo. Change is challenging. It can cause fears, anxieties, and frustrations. But at the same time, it enables one to learn more about themselves as well as the rest of the world. Being able to share that information with others, especially children is an amazing process. Likewise, I learned so much from my Indian students. Every day they introduced me to something that I previously did not know.
For those who cannot travel, reading can become a passive vehicle for adventure. Authors like Ben Mikaelsen offer incredible journeys for anyone willing to crack the cover. Unfortunately too many reluctant readers and others choose not to partake. I’d be interested in hearing more about your teaching adventures in South Korea.
Life is filled with dreams. It is important to pursue as many as possible. I would not give up on your dream to be a writer. Try to write a little each day. Read often and observe other people’s style. Over time your skills will improve and ultimately your dream will come true if you persevere.
I work with children facing difficulty at school. Children at my center come to develop specific skills required to help them get engaged in school. The goal of working in this area is to bridge the gap between school and home to help children build their self-esteem, confidence and love for learning in order to become life long learners.
I would love to read this book with my students to stimulate value of emotions in order to respect themselves and others and to understand that it is important to have emotions and express them too- Value your self in order to value others.
My first plan is to share the interview Q&A and work around it to approach the book Jungle of Bones – and later a reflection analysis writing and emotion journal to classify positive and negative emotions, ways we express them and how can we deal with it differently.
As a teacher and a parent, I can understand how challenging it can be to find the key to a child’s learning problem. A lack of self-esteem and confidence usually goes hand-in-hand with poor school performance. Breaking that cycle is difficult. I agree that books can help children overcome some of their weaknesses. By reading and listening to stories, children can connect with others. Vicariously, they can learn the pros and cons of different choices and how people can change.
Please let me know if Jungle of Bones helps your students in any way. I’m sure Ben Mikelsen would appreciate your feedback as well. I know that Ben spends a considerable amount of time visiting schools. I’m not sure if your school’s budget allows for author visits or not. If so, please don’t hesitate to contact him.
Dear Ben,
You probably do not remember me, VJ Richey, and my husband, Jim Richey, but we remember you from our visit to your cabin in Montana in the late 80s. At that time, I was writing children’s stories in NJ, and you were kind enough to welcome us to visit with you and Buffy. We had a great time that day, and have photos of you and Buffy with us at your cabin. I fed Buffy grapes and we became instant friends.
Yesterday, while reviewing a book my grandson, Isaac, had just finished, I realized that YOU might be the author of the book. While reading about the author online, I recognized Buffy in the photos…and immediately identified you and Buffy from the photos we had taken the day we met at your cabin.
I was thrilled to tell Isaac about all our time together, and he was just as thrilled to hear all about it. He said that you are now his favorite author, and wants to read the sequel to TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR….and anything else you have written.
Ben, can you think of anything special we could do for Isaac. He is eleven years old, attending University School, Hunting Valley, OH? His whole rising 6th grade class (~50 boys) is reading TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR this summer for discussions in the fall. They must write reports on the book this summer. By any chance, do you have plans to be in the Cleveland, OH area in the near future?
Your achievements in children’s book writing are exemplary, Ben! I am very, very happy for you! The themes you select to write about are at the heart of every human being. You writing has a depth of riches, taking the reader back to a natural state in a natural setting, a place of resolution and redemption of all things. Love it!
Best regards, – VJ Richey, Hendersonville, NC