Live Chat with Author Valerie Hobbs
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Members: 13
Latest Activity: Jul. 19, 2008
Valerie Hobbs
2005 ASPCA Henry Bergh Young Adult Award
Can you understand why eleven-year-old Toby Steiner talks back to his mom and hangs out on a farm with a spunky old lady and her cow? Toby may look like a normal boy who wants to have fun on his summer vacation, but he’s going through something a little different than most kids—he’s been fighting cancer, and the last thing he wants to do is go back to the children’s hospital where his painful treatment finally ended. When he starts enjoying his time on the nearby farm with old Pearl and her broken-down cow, Blossom, he sees all the more reason to keep the new lump on his side a secret from his parents.
Meet the Author
“We are storytellers, every one of us,” says Valerie Hobbs, who writes books about teenaged characters forced to make serious decisions about their lives. “Each of us has at least one special story to tell,” she says. “Some stories are sad, some funny, but all are as unique as our fingerprints.”
Hobbs didn’t always want to be a writer, though. Growing up, she really wanted to be an ice skater, but when she was 15 her family moved across country from New Jersey to California—and “there went the ice,” she says.
The first short story she ever wrote was based on something tragic that happened in real life: her friend lost his life in an accident. The story was so important to her that it became her very first novel, How Far Would You Have Gotten If I Hadn't Called You Back?
Since then, Hobbs has written many books for teens and now lives in Santa Barbara, CA, with her husband, Jack, a high school English teacher, and Molly, her cat.
2005 ASPCA Henry Bergh Young Adult Award
Can you understand why eleven-year-old Toby Steiner talks back to his mom and hangs out on a farm with a spunky old lady and her cow? Toby may look like a normal boy who wants to have fun on his summer vacation, but he’s going through something a little different than most kids—he’s been fighting cancer, and the last thing he wants to do is go back to the children’s hospital where his painful treatment finally ended. When he starts enjoying his time on the nearby farm with old Pearl and her broken-down cow, Blossom, he sees all the more reason to keep the new lump on his side a secret from his parents.
Meet the Author
“We are storytellers, every one of us,” says Valerie Hobbs, who writes books about teenaged characters forced to make serious decisions about their lives. “Each of us has at least one special story to tell,” she says. “Some stories are sad, some funny, but all are as unique as our fingerprints.”
Hobbs didn’t always want to be a writer, though. Growing up, she really wanted to be an ice skater, but when she was 15 her family moved across country from New Jersey to California—and “there went the ice,” she says.
The first short story she ever wrote was based on something tragic that happened in real life: her friend lost his life in an accident. The story was so important to her that it became her very first novel, How Far Would You Have Gotten If I Hadn't Called You Back?
Since then, Hobbs has written many books for teens and now lives in Santa Barbara, CA, with her husband, Jack, a high school English teacher, and Molly, her cat.
Discussion Forum
something that no one knows
Started by Devon Jul. 19, 2008.
Thanks and goodbye for now 2 Replies
Started by Valerie Hobbs. Last reply by Sheryl Jun. 25, 2008.
fact? 9 Replies
Started by Sheryl. Last reply by Jean Jun. 25, 2008.
Comment Wall
Comment
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Comment by Miriam on June 24, 2008 at 8:05pm -
Thank you all for joining us - Thanks so much for your time, Valerie! You've certainly given us food for thought!
Questions posted after today will be answered by Valerie. Good night everyone!
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Comment by Miriam on June 24, 2008 at 7:46pm
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To ask Valerie Hobbs a question, please click on the "start discussion" in the Discussion Forum box.
Use the add a comment wall to leave comments for the whole group or to add to respond to a comment already on the comment wall. Thank you!
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Comment by Joanne on June 24, 2008 at 7:30pm - These questions are not all from ME! I moved them into the correct area of the forum--Valerie will be answering them shortly!
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Comment by Megan Kane-Guers on June 24, 2008 at 7:14pm -
Hi Valerie-
I love the fact that you used a cow in your story. Is there a specific reason why you chose Blossom the cow as opposed to more traditional companion animals (dogs, catrs, rabbits, etc.) for Toby to bond with?
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Comment by Sheryl on June 24, 2008 at 7:05pm - You're first short story was based on something tragic that happened to your friend...is there some "fact" in Defiance?
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Comment by Munky on June 24, 2008 at 11:35am -
Mrs.Hobbs:
I was wondering if Defiance is based on a true story. I was also wanting to know why you chose to make Blossom sick and die? Was it to make Toby stronger?
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