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Interview with Maureen Straka

Published 2018-07-28.
What are you working on next?
I just finished the rough draft of a sequel to The New Kid. I hope to revise and edit it over the summer and publish it during the fall. I also have another middle grade novel called Fraidy Kat which I hope to edit and revise soon.
Who are your favorite authors?
My favorite children's authors are Jerry Spinelli, Judy Blume, Jeff Kinney, Beverly Cleary and Paula Danzinger.
My favorite adult authors are Jodi Piccoult, John Green, Liane Moriarty, Emily Griffin, Wally Lamb and Anna Quindlen.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
Kindle
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I enjoy spending time with my family. My husband and I have two boys who are growing up fast. We also have a lovable and crazy black Labrador Retriever who makes us laugh every day.

I also enjoy spending time as a Reading teacher. It's great getting to know my students and seeing them develop as more confident readers.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes! I wrote a story when I was a little girl about a stray dog that we were taking care of for a few days. The owner ended up finding the dog, but I really missed him and wrote a story about him. I think my mother still has that book, and a few other stories that I wrote as a kid. I brought the stories into school to show my students a few years ago and they enjoyed seeing how I wrote as kid.
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Books by This Author

The New Kid - Surviving Middle School Is Tough! by
Price: Free! Words: 20,300. Language: English. Published: April 20, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Social Issues / Friendship, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Humor
Middle school can be tough! Especially when Alex's best friend moves away and his dad loses his job. Then a bully starts picking on Alex's new neighbor and Alex feels caught in the middle. Will he find the courage to do the right thing and defend the new kid? And will he survive middle school on his own? He'll soon learn that friendship can be found in the most unlikely places.