Three Questions with Ruth Behar

In each installment of "Three Questions With," we get to know a different PJ Our Way author by asking three questions about their work, their process, and interests. Today we're talking to Ruth Behar, author of Lucky Broken Girl.

What books inspired you when you were young?

When I was a young reader, I was very drawn to mysteries. Just as is true for Ruthie in Lucky Broken Girl, I read lots of Nancy Drew books. I loved Nancy Drew’s girl power and self-confidence, and how smart she was. I read Sherlock Holmes stories and later discovered the tales of Edgar Allen Poe and enjoyed the suspense they created, which compelled you to read to the end to find out what happens. When you're young, everything seems a bit mysterious; that may be why I, like many kids, found mysteries to be so engaging. I was also always daydreaming and read lots of fairy tales, biblical stories, and Greek myths that inspired me to think about all the magic in the world.

You tackle some big topics in Lucky Broken Girl. Why is it important to talk about these from the perspective of a tween or teen?

I believe that young people think about big topics all the time. Young people think about life and death, they think about suffering, justice, fairness, they think about love and friendship, good and evil, they think about the meaning of family, they think about the need for compassion, they think about God and how the world came to be. It's young people who are continually asking "Why?" which is the biggest question you can ask. I felt it was important to talk about big topics in Lucky Broken Girl, because I know, from my own experience as a child and being around young people today, that they are very much in the hearts and minds of tweens and teens. But speaking out is difficult and takes courage. When you're young, you're full of feelings and searching for the words. Writers have the responsibility to put those big topics on the page, so a young reader can see them and confront them and find the language to speak about the things they know intuitively but can't yet say.

Is there any advice you would give to your 9-11-year-old self?

Read all the books you can, listen to the stories of your elders, admire the whispering trees and the waves of the ocean, learn to sing a few songs, be grateful for your friends, and never lose hope.

Check out the Lucky Broken Girl in Story Central to watch a book trailer, see a video review by a member of the Design Team, take a poll, and much more. Lucky Broken Girl is the 2018 Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion (JDAIM) selection. Visit the JDAIM hub for more information about spreading kindness and including others.