By Erin Allen
Rowan Public Library
E. Lockhart is one busy writer. The author of several young adult novels, her latest book was a finalist for a National Book Award, young adult division.
“The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks” is the story of a prep school sophomore who bucks the system with surprising results. Lockhart writes in a refreshingly young voice, informed by an adult sensibility. She recently gave me the following interview.
Q. Do you prefer indie rock or Verdi’s operas?
A. Showtunes. But I like silence best.
Q. If you are moved by paintings, whose paintings make your heart ache?
A. I have a small collection of illustrated late 19th and early 20th century books. Paintings by Arthur Rackham, wood engravings by Harry Clarke and Aubrey Beardsley ó I love those.
Q. Have you ever wanted curly hair, or have you always loved your straight hair?
A. I had a bad perm in high school. And I loved it. What was I thinking? I have wavy hair, actually. It was just kinda straight that day I had my picture taken. I have no control over it.
Q. Not a cat or dog person: are you a ferret or newt person? (They each have a mix of good and bad qualities)
A. Oh, I’m most certainly a cat person. I have two elderly cats and I’m devoted to them. But my new book (“The Treasure Map of Boys,” coming out August 2009) features a very amusing harlequin Great Dane called Polka Dot. I love writing about dogs because they have so much personality and can get into so much mischief.But to answer you: newts. I don’t even know what a newt is ó but they make me think of P.G. Wodehouse, one of my very favorite writers, because he is always writing about Gussie Fink-Nottle, who is a newt fancier.
Q. Would you rather be in love with a rock star or the captain of a tugboat?
A. Hee hee. I’d hate to be in love with a rock star. I don’t like being on the road. I don’t like staying up late. I don’t like loud music! It would be endlessly frustrating, even assuming he loved me back. Now: would I be in love with captain of the tugboat or would I myself BE the captain of the tug boat? The grammarian in me is unsure from your question, but either one is preferable to the rock star. Bring on the hunky tug boat captain!Q. If you could choose the colors of our national flag, would you stick with red, white and blue or would you go for something different, even in a plaid?
A. Oh, goodness. I think I’m not the sort of person who thinks about the flag too much. But silver is a nice color.
Q. I am thinking you went to prep school. What is the primary disadvantage of prep school?
A. I went to prep school for two of my high school years, but not to boarding school like in “The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks.” More like the school Roo goes to in “The Boyfriend List” books. The primary disadvantage is the lack of exposure to a diverse community of people ó economically, racially, culturally. But I did enjoy many, many advantages in the education I had.
At Rowan Public Library, check out E. Lockhart’s “The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks” and “How to Be Bad,” cowritten with Sarah Mlynowski and Lauren Myracle.
Computer classes: South ó Monday, 7 p.m., Digital Photography: Part Two.
Classes are free. Sessions are about 90 minutes long. Class size is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tuesday Night at the Movies: Tuesday, “On the Waterfront.” All movies are rated G, PG or PG 13; some movies are inappropriate for younger audiences. Children should be accompanied by an adult. Free popcorn and lemonade.
Displays: Headquarters ó holiday baskets by Friends of the Rowan Public Library; South ó holiday Beleek and Fenton Glass by Kathy Murphy; East ó Jr. Poppy Education by AL Unit 112.Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.
Web site: For a listing of all library programs at all library locations, www.rowanpubliclibrary.org.