Q: Why did you decide to write for children?

A: This is the most common question people ask me, and I am happy to answer it. I write for children for several reasons. The first reason is because I remember what it's like. I remember how it feels thinking big thoughts and trying to learn how to communicate them to adults. I remember what it's like to have to depend on others for the necessary things of life. I remember what it's like to be misunderstood, or have your heart broken, and your best friend move away.

The things I write spontaneously tend to be appropriate and interesting to children and young adults, so another aspect is that it was less of a choice and more of a discovery of where I belong as an author.

The biggest reason why I write for children though, is because my own life as a child was touched tremendously through books. If I can be that voice that tells one child that she is not alone in this universe, then I have fulfilled a most important calling.

Q: Why aren’t the Northern Lights or the Aurora Borealis ever mentioned in the text of Under the Night Sky?

A: Good question! This was an intentional omission on my part. Humans seem to enjoy naming and classifying everything we see. I have noticed, though, that once a thing or an experience is named and classified, we tend to immediately move on to something else rather than fully participating in the natural experience that is available to us. That is why I focused on writing a meaningful encounter with the northern lights rather than naming them.
That said, reading Under the Night Sky with your child opens an opportunity for you to share your own knowledge of the Aurora Borealis including any special memories of your experiences with them. Tilbury House has also created a teacher’s guide if you would like to further explore the ideas in this story with your child.

Q: I finished reading Under the Night Sky. What happens next for the characters? ~from Sanya Hoel, Age 10, Blaine MN

A: Hello Sanya! Part of the joy of reading fiction is spending time thinking about what might happen next. I’ll give you some hints to get you started.

• First, look for all the clues that may tell you what the characters lives were like before the story. Hint: How does Mama feel when she comes home from work most days?
• Once you think you have a pretty good idea about that, then look for clues that show any type of change happening in the characters during the story. Hint: Compare Mama from the first page of the story to Mama on the last page. What has changed? Why do you think there is a change?
• Finally, think about how the changes that happened during the story might change the characters’ lives. Hint: How do you think the change in Mama that you discovered in the last step will affect the future for both the mother and son?

Now try the same steps with the main character and see what you come up with. You can apply this method to any story if you are wondering what happens next.

Q: When can I see the Northern Lights in my area?

A: I found a great website called Skynews that has a page called Aurora Watch. If the red oval is over or near your geographical area, it may be a good night to head outside and look up at the sky. This map is created by measuring geomagnetic activity, and is updated frequently. The page also contains advice about photographing the auroras.

Q: Why haven't I seen the Northern Lights lately?

A: Here is a good article discussing the lull in sun activity.  This is the reason we haven’t seen the Northern Lights lately.

Q: Why does the layout of your website look messed up?

A: I would recommend switching to a W3C compliant internet browser such as Firefox , Safari , or Opera.