Topics and Interview Ideas
A conversation with Jody Lamb, author of Easter Ann Peters’ Operation Cool:
Q: What is the book about?
A: Easter Ann Peters’ Operation Cool is a middle-grade novel for ages 8 to 13 years. It’s about a
12-year-old girl named Easter Ann Peters who has a plan—Operation Cool—to make her
seventh grade year awesome and erase years of being known only as a quiet, straight-A student
who can’t think of a comeback to her bully. When the confident new girl, Wreni, becomes her
long-needed best friend, Easter lets her personality shine. The coolest guy in school takes a
sudden interest.
But as tough times at school fade away, so does a happy life at home. Easter’s mother is drinking
a lot, and Easter works double overtime to keep their secret in the tiny lakeside town.
Operation Cool derails, fast, and Easter must discover a solution. Told by the lovable Easter
character, it’s a witty, tender and heartwarming story of friendship, fitting in, first crushes and
coping with very common family troubles.
Q: Why did you write this book?
A: I wrote this book because it’s the story I would have enjoyed as a young girl. When I created
the Easter Ann character, I knew I just had to keep going with the story because I wanted to
know what would happen to her.
Also, because alcoholism is a major problem in my family, and I know that millions of kids are
coping with the destructive effects of alcoholism in their lives, too, I wanted to create a realistic
story that could spark a little hope.
Q: How long did it take you to write this novel?
A: This novel began as a short story homework assignment in a community college creative
writing course in the summer of 2009. At the urging of my instructor and classmates, I
continued. Over a two and a half year period, I wrote four whole drafts, completed dozens of
revisions in the form of mini-draft overhauls, participated in workshops, joined the Society of
Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and attended its conferences, joined critique groups
with other writers, networked and made friends with the most wonderfully sweet authors,
quadrupled my reading list and was a sponge to all information that would help me create a
better story.
Q: Why did you pick a middle-grade novel over another reading level?
A: The middle-grade voice just comes naturally to me because I’m super in touch with my inner
tween. Thank goodness! I remember vividly what I worried about when I was a tween and how
everything felt. Though my worries have changed, I’m pretty much the same person today as I
was at 12. Also, the tween years are a rollercoaster of joyful and tough times.
Q: What do you hope people will get out of this novel?
A: I hope that young people will enjoy getting to know the Easter character and perhaps identify
with her struggles at school and at home. I hope they’re moved by her determination and hope.
For readers who have alcoholics in their lives, I hope that they’re reminded that they are not
alone and that they’re inspired by Easter’s discovery of the solution to improve her life situation.
For readers who do not have alcoholics in their lives, I hope they’ll gain a more solid
understanding of what alcoholism is, how it affects others and sensitivity to what their
classmates, teammates and neighbors may be coping with at home.
Q: In the rapidly evolving world of publishing, what advice do you give aspiring authors?
A: Write the story that you want to read. Pay more attention to your heart than what the
publishing industry editors and agents say about what they’re looking for to be the next big hit.
The best story is going to be the one you love. And of course, don’t ever give up.
Q: In the novel, Easter Ann works hard to cope with her mother’s drinking and neglect of
motherly duties. Why did you include parental alcoholism and how important is it to the
story?
A: While Easter struggles with friendships, crushes and confidence at school as we all did, she
faces the negative effects of her mother’s drinking and she has a very common reaction—she
tries to keep it a secret, even though her well being is threatened. She later realizes this does
more harm than good, though her intentions would well meaning.
Alcoholism is more common than people realize because it remains a secret in most families.
Researchers estimate that 10 to 25 percent of American kids live with at least one parent who
abuses alcohol. The effects are extremely destructive. Many of these young people live in total
chaos with little stability or predictability. If they don’t get help, they may develop major
behavioral and emotional problems that will rob them of happy lives. They’re more likely to fail
at school, suffer from depression and increased anxiety and later develop alcohol and other drug
addictions. Of course, the most disturbing fact is that kids who live with an alcoholic parent are
much more likely to experience verbal, physical or sexual abuse and neglect and accidental
injury, due to the alcoholic’s excessive drinking.
Q: Name your favorite character of the story.
A: My favorite character is Easter’s cat Yoplait. Like Easter, I have always had furry friends to
help me get through tough times in my life. Yoplait, full of spunk, is Easter’s only really
dependable “person” in her life. It’s only when Yoplait’s well-being is a risk that Easter
recognizes that something must change at home. Plus, really, you can’t help but adore a chubby
cat that thinks she’s a dog.
Q: What’s next for you?
A: My first young adult novel is in progress. Yes, Easter is in this story, because I wondered how
she’s doing. I’m also currently writing proposals for several non-fiction books for kids related to
coping when loved ones are addicted to alcohol or other drugs.
Q: Why do you want to write so much about alcoholism?
A: At night and numerous times throughout each day, I think about how this is a massive
problem—one that’s much bigger than our society seems to acknowledge. The cycle of
alcoholism and abuse will continue, unless more effort is made to reach these kids. I picture
some kid googling “what do I do if my dad’s drunk all of the time” or “what’s an alcoholic” but
he can find nothing that doesn’t make him feel hopeless. Most info on the web is archaic or just
flat-out inaccurate. And this kid is scared and feels alone.
Though it’s the 21st century, there’s shockingly huge need for contemporary, effective books and
resource-packed websites on the subject for young people. I look forward to one day wrapping
up the corporate life and spending all day, every day, using my writing and other skills to help
make a positive difference on this front.
Interview Topic Ideas
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How does this book differ from others
Common misconceptions about alcoholism
How alcoholism impacted Jody’s life
Learning to cope with loved ones’ alcoholism
When to reach out for help
What needs to be done to help kids who have alcoholic loved ones
The power of hope
Why it’s important to be an ungrownup
Discovering one’s purpose in life
Advice for people who are tip-toeing around a big goal or dream
Easter Ann Peters’ Operation Cool by Jody Lamb
Scribe Publishing Company · Paperback • $7.99 • ISBN 978-0-9859562-0-2 • Nov. 2012
Learn more at www.JodyLamb.com
For excerpts and schedule to an interview with Jody Lamb:
Jennifer Baum, Scribe Publishing Company • (248) 259-0090
or
Jody Lamb • JodyMarieLamb@gmail.com