The Mystery of the Common Core

Say the words “Common Core” to a teacher or librarian and get ready to hear some heavy sighs. It’s exhausting hearing about one topic so much, let alone figuring out how to align curricula to it.

However, as far as I can tell, the fairly open-ended standards of the Language Arts Common Core mean that just about any novel can go along perfectly with them! What novels don’t have themes or settings or points-of-view to discuss?

I’d like to make a case that mysteries, in particular, are a great fit:

1) Mysteries reward close reading

Looking carefully at a text and citing examples for interpretations is a major focus of the Common Core. With possible clues hiding at every turn, a fast-paced mystery with substance can keep students focused and immediately understand the rewards of paying close attention. It’s much more fun to look at how lines reveal character (CCSS.ELA 8.RL.3) when figuring out which characters are trustworthy and which are suspects, isn’t it?

2) Mysteries encourage analysis, making predictions and drawing inferences

Reading mysteries are all about subtext, making logical deductions, and predicting what’s going to happen next – all bedrocks of the Common Core.

 In fact, several of the standards even seems especially designed for mysteries: “Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the reader create such effects as suspense or humor.” (RL8.6) or “Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.” (RL.6.1)

(Though I wish students good luck analyzing what makes something funny. I'm not sure anyone has ever succeeded at that.)

3) Mysteries are high-interest but also often have significant “text complexity”

The Common Core focuses on deeper comprehension of challenging texts as a way of counteracting our culture of skimming. Mysteries are by their very nature complex – they have to be to avoid being totally predictable! Plot twists, non-linear narratives, and a large cast of characters are common. Best of all? Mysteries don’t seem complex or impenetrable; kids are highly motivated to keep turning the pages to get to the resolution.

4) Mysteries inspire fun potential writing assignments (that meet the CCSS standards)!

A key part of the standards revolves around writing persuasively: how do you support an opinion with evidence? This could be an especially fun assignment when it comes to a mystery! Students can put forth their own theories about suspects as they read and present their reasoning to classmates.

Of course, narrative writing is an important part of the Common Core, as well. I may be biased, but what’s more fun than writing your own mystery?

Hope you’ll check out our books to see if any might be a good mystery choice for your class. You could even win one if you act fast - F.T. Bradley's DOUBLE VISION: CODE NAME 711 is hot off the presses and we're running a contest through the end of today.

Note: You can find a CCSS-aligned discussion guide for The Wig in the Window here. Interested in a 20 minute Skype session for your class? Let me know. They are free for any class who's reading the book (I'm all full for the fall but am currently scheduling for the winter and spring.)

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Kristen Kittscher was a child neighborhood spy but (allegedly) grew up to be an upstanding citizen, seventh grade English teacher, and writing tutor. A graduate of Brown University, she lives in Pasadena, California with her husband, Kai. The Wig in the Window is her first novel. Visit kristenkittscher.com to investigate more about her.

Spring is in the air...

The future's on my mind lately. Maybe it's because my own middle grade mystery, THE WIG IN THE WINDOW, is coming out in June? I thought I'd take a look at the marvelous, mysterious company it will be joining on the shelves --- both current and upcoming.

Has anyone got their hands on one of these titles yet? I'd be curious to hear what you think!

 Blue Balliet's a beautiful writer who manages to create layered, complex mysteries with well-developed characters that are nevertheless suspenseful. I enjoyed CHASING VERMEER and THE DANGER BOX, so I just picked up her latest at Vroman's in Pasadena the other day. This story of a girl who falls into Chicago's foster care system and must solve the mystery of her father's disappearance sounds full of heart and compelling. In stores now.

We were lucky enough to nab New York Times best-selling and Edgar-winning author Peter Abrahams for an Interrogation Room interview last year when his first book in this series, Robbie Forester and The Outlaws of Sherwood Street came out. Sounds like Abrahams has followed up that action-packed tale with an equally thrilling mystery with a social message: this time Robbie is on the tail of a murderer who knocked off one of her friend's fathers just to build an apartment complex... Out May 16th from Philomel

The cover of this debut from Candlewick mesmerized me -- isn't it something else? Zebra Forest's description sounds dark for middle grade, but I'm intrigued by what sounds like an intricate, well-written tale about an eleven year old who uncovers family secrets when she's held hostage by a fugitive. Its flap copy says it's "driven by suspense and psychological intrigue"; Jen Robinson called it "dark and brooding" book that will nonetheless appeal to young suspense fans. Coming April 9 from Candlewick.

Colby Sharp and other fellow Nerdy Book Club members have been singing the praises of this wacky illustrated tale of two detectives, a missing teacher, and a duffle bag full of fish -- it looks like such an adorable, funny, high-interest read. Jarrett Krosoczka's Lunch Lady series is already such a hit, and I'm sure this won't disappoint. Out May 7 from Walden Pond Press.

 One of my favorite middle grade mysteries of 2012 was Kate Messner's CAPTURE THE FLAG, which introduced us to the junior members of "the Silver Jaguar Society," a group charged with protecting the world's most important artifacts. It offered a wonderful mix of fun, great characters, tight plotting -- not to mention a great educational angle and spot-on middle grade voice. I'm looking forward to the next installment, HIDE AND SEEK, which will be out in just a few short weeks!

What titles are you looking forward to?

In The Interrogation Room: Kirsten Miller

Back in August we were lucky enough to haul Kirsten Miller into The Interrogation Room. Now that The Darkness Dwellers (KIKI STRIKE #3) (Bloomsbury, 1/22/13) has hit shelves and How to Lead a Life of Crime (Penguin, 2/21/13) is just around the corner, we thought we'd replay the interview tapes...

I might be investigated by internal affairs after hauling in today’s suspect into The Interrogation Room. I have no just cause for questioning Kirsten Miller -- other than being a big fan!

Kirsten Miller is the bestselling author of the middle grade Kiki Strike series as well as the The Eternal Ones and All You Desire. A native of North Carolina, she left her home in the Smoky Mountains at seventeen and moved to New York City, where she's lived ever since.

A brief peek at both:

The Darkness Dwellers (from Bloomsbury Winter catalog)

In the third installment of bestselling author Kirsten Miller’s Kiki Strike series, this delightful group of delinquent geniuses jump feet first into a fast-paced international pursuit, going underground in Paris to pursue a pair of treacherous royals who have killed Kiki’s parents.

With a dash of romance, a fresh take on good manners, and loads of butt-kicking bravery, Kiki, Betty, Ananka and the other Irregulars sharpen their amazing skills in this highly anticipated new adventure.

How to Lead a Life of Crime (from Penguin Winter catalog):

A Meth dealer. A Prostitute. A serial killer.Anywhere else, they'd be vermin. At the Mandel Academy, they're called prodigies. The most exclusive school in New York City has been training young criminals for over a century. Only the most ruthless students are allowed to graduate. The rest disappear. Flick, a teenage pickpocket, has risen to the top of his class. But then Mandel recruits a fierce new competitor who also happens to be Flick's old flame. They've been told only one of them will make it out of the Mandel Academy. Will they find a way to save each other--or will the school destroy them both?

Kristen Kittscher:  I've read that you were a fan of Sherlock Holmes as a kid. Kiki Strike’s all-girl Bank Street Irregulars are a great twist on the “Baker Street Regulars." Were there other authors or books you liked when you were growing up? 

Kirsten Miller: I read a lot of Nancy Drew. (And when I finished those, I moved on to the Hardy Boys.) I haven’t read any of the modern Nancy Drew books, but the older ones (The Hidden Staircase, The Secret in the Old Clock) are amazing. It’s hard to believe they were written in the 1930s. Nancy was always a very cool, butt-kicking chick. I give her a hard time in the Kiki Strike books, but she was (and continues to be) one of my heroes. 

But I gotta admit, my Nancy Drew stage was pretty short lived. Around the age of 10 or 11, I became a devotee of Stephen King. Which should give you a good sense of my personality (ha).

KK: What are some middle grade mysteries you enjoy now?

KM: Believe it or not, I’ve actually been reading adult books lately! (I thought I’d forgotten how.) So my full list may be quite out of date. My all time favorite is The Westing Game, which will always be a classic. I also read The Mysterious Benedict Society recently (if that counts as a mystery), which was awesome.

KK: You have a real range as a writer, taking on a reincarnation-themed romance for older teens and adults with The Eternal Ones series as well your action-packed middle grade Kiki Strike series. Can you talk a little bit about the different challenges involved in writing each?

KM: Well, The Eternal Ones (as well as my latest novel, How to Lead a Life of Crime) were labors of love. I can’t even describe how much fun I had writing the third Kiki Strike novel, The Darkness Dwellers. It’s not that I don’t like the Eternal Ones books. They’re actually really darn good (in my not so humble opinion). But I never felt that same LOVE when I was working on them. And without that love, writing is a million times more difficult.

KK: You've talked in previous interviews about the importance of writers "filling their brains."Any advice you can give aspiring (and current) mystery writers on that front?

KM: My biggest piece of advice is “embrace randomness.” Take a new route to school every day. Go to a section of the library that you’ve never visited before and check out the first book that catches your eye. Learn a skill you don’t really need. (Lock picking, silk screening, taxidermy, etc.) Never, ever let yourself fall into a rut. (Advice I still struggle to follow, I’m afraid!)

As for nonfiction books, check out the works of Mary Roach. (Spooked, Stiffed, etc.) If you like ghosts, cadavers, and all things disgusting you won’t be disappointed.

KK: Do you have any special methods of organizing your research? 

KM: I usually write about subjects on which I’m already well-versed. Over the years, I’ve read a lot about New York history, reincarnation, butt-kicking techniques, etc, so I really didn’t need to do any additional research when I sat down to write my novels. I guess you could say that “research” is my primary form of entertainment. So I never really stop. 

KK: Given The Eternal Ones’ focus on reincarnation, I have to ask: what do you think your future selves would say upon glimpsing your current life?

They would be very frustrated by my reluctance to tackle unpleasant tasks. “Just get it over with, already!” I can hear them shouting. “Just clean the darn toilet already!” (That’s just a segue way to the next question. I’m pretty good about scrubbing the toilet on a regular basis.)

KK: I hear that, inspired by the many questions you receive from out-of-towners looking for mysteries in New York, you’re developing The Irregular Guide to New York City that highlights its “hidden houses, secret cemeteries, abandoned subway stations, subterranean tunnels, and ghosts.” Are you willing to offer our readers one sneak peek secret New York City tip? 

KM: Sure! Here’s a special entry about outhouses and privies from the chapter entitled “Poop.” 

KK: My students and I are really excited about the third Kiki book. What can you reveal about it?

For starters, it’s my favorite of the three Kiki books. At the beginning of The Darkness Dwellers, Kiki sets off to claim the throne of Pokrovia. But as you might have guessed, things don’t go quite as planned, and Betty Bent must travel all the way to Paris to save Kiki’s rump. That’s all I can tell you without giving too much away, but I can promise bone-filled tunnels, evil etiquette experts, and a revolution—along with appearances by Molly Donovan (NY City’s most famous delinquent), Kaspar (the squirrel-training graffiti artist), and my personal favorite, Iris McLeod. 

Thank you so much, Kirsten! This is an exciting time for fans.

Interested in keeping up with Kirsten's latest? Check out her blog, follow her on Twitter (@bankstirregular), or stop by Kiki Strike's official website. 

Interrogation Room Suspect #16: Middle Grade Debut Author Nikki Loftin

This week's Interrogation Room suspect is Nikki Loftin, author of middle grade debut The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy. It's getting rave reviews already! Kirkus calls it an "irresistible contemporary fairy tale," and Publishers Weekly praised it as "smart, fresh, and thoroughly modern." Though most people will have to wait until August 21 to enjoy it, one lucky winner in our ARC giveaway contest will get a sneak peek.

About The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy (Razorbill, $16.99, Ages 8 - 12)

When Lorelei's old school mysteriously burns down, a new one appears practically overnight: Splendid Academy. Rock-climbing walls on the playground and golden bowls of candy on every desk? Gourmet meals in the cafeteria, served by waiters? Optional homework and two recess periods a day? It's every kids's dream. But Lorelei and her new friend Andrew are pretty sure it's too good to be true. Together they uncover a sinister mystery, one with their teacher, the beautiful Ms. Morrigan, at the very center. Then Andrew disappears. Lorelei has to save him, even if that means facing a past she'd like to forget – and taking on a teacher who's a real witch. What Lorelei and Andrew discover chills their bones – and might even pick them clean!

Nikki seems far too sweet to be very sinister -- so we decided to go easy on this suspect, especially since she's giving away an ARC of her debut...but she might not be so lucky next time!

Kristen Kittscher: Creepy teachers. A school where homework is optional and candy bowls are at every desk. A mysterious fire, and one girl racing to find a friend who has disappeared. I can't wait to read The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy. Can you tell us a little about why you wanted to write this story and how you came up with the idea?

Nikki Loftin: I’d love to say that I jogged over to Ideas R Us and picked up a whole case of Great Story Ideas on special… but the truth is, the idea came to me the way most of mine do: with an interesting “what if?”

I was talking to my husband at lunch one day, and I started going off on how much I’d loved scary stories when I was a kid. We both bemoaned the way fairy tales have been cleaned up for modern picture books. I mean, come on, at evening story times for our sons, I’d had to ad lib the death of the first two of the Three Little Pigs AND the demise of the Gingerbread Man, since those parts of the stories had obviously been too harsh for the current crop of kids to stomach. Whatever. I started riffing on how kids needed stories like Hansel and Gretel, but brought up to date… and then I left my husband rather abruptly at the restaurant and raced home to start writing.

Kristen: The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy is part fantasy, part mystery, and part fairytale. What a wonderful combination! Since our focus here on the blog is mysteries, we're curious: what did you find the most challenging about constructing your mystery plot and how did you overcome those challenges?

Nikki: I have to admit, I had no idea I was writing a mystery. And my first draft showed it! My first readers, my agent, and even my editor had me go back in and layer the mysterious aspects in. I’ll be the first to admit, those elements of (very frightening) surprise are my favorite parts of the book!

I found it difficult to allow the mysteries to be as dark as they needed to be, but one particular friend helped me see that I needed to trust the story – and myself – and go farther, darker. And my editor, who is a genius, was able to show me where and when to deepen those mysterious elements. Without her, this would just be a fun adventure story! But I think it’s a lot more now.  

Kristen: Did you have any favorite mysteries (or books with mystery elements) as a kid?  If not, what are some of your favorite middle-grade reads that you think might appeal to mystery lovers?

Nikki: Ha! I was in LOVE with Trixie Belden (a series of books written like Nancy Drew, but with a slightly more modern and relatable main character, in my opinion). I’m not sure if she’d hold up today – I lost my entire set of the books in a move, so I can’t go re-read them to check!

But some of the most interesting mysteries I’ve read recently are Michael Buckley’s super fun The Sisters Grimm series and Lizzie Foley’s Remarkable (the title undersells this book – it’s THAT good!). My sons (both middle-grade-aged readers) recommend Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage (at the TP of my TBR pile!), the 39 Clues series, and (a classic) Alvin Schwartz’s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.

 Kristen: As a fellow first-time author, I know the journey to publication can be a long one -- and that it often takes a veritable army of supporters. What (and who) helped you along the way? Any regrets or mistakes you'd like to share to help out aspiring writers?

Nikki: What helped me most are my gray hairs. No, seriously! A few years ago, I was working at a good job, but one that took every bit of spare time and ounce of energy I had. I was raising two sons, married to an incredible man, and had a great life. But I kept thinking about what I had wanted twenty years before, what I had dreamed of -- being a writer. One day, I looked in the mirror, and saw something that shocked me. There I was, closing in on forty, but still the same girl inside, with the same dream… only now I had gray hair. I could see myself twenty years down the road, with white hair and the same dream, if I didn’t act.

I resolved not to put off my dream any longer. Now I finish about three or four novel-length manuscripts a year. Hey! I’m not getting any younger, and I have a lot of stories to tell.

Of course, my husband makes it possible by keeping the light bill paid, and not minding when I burn dinner a dozen times a month when the muse comes calling. And my sons are my first and best listeners/readers. They jump off the school bus and pester me to read them my work-in-progress. Great motivation!

Also, writer friends I’ve made in real life, like the awe-inspiring and deeply lovely Cynthia Leitich Smith, critique partners/lifelines like Shelli Cornelison and Lindsey Schiebe, and groups like the Apocalypsies, Austin SCBWI, and Verla Kay’s Blueboarders, all make up a small part of my own army of writer friends. I would be lost without them!

My advice to writers starting out is to read, surround yourself with people who love to read and write, and write as much as you can, as well as you can.

Kristen: What's next for you?

Nikki: I’m expecting an editorial letter any day now for the book my editor and I just decided will be my next, and probably will be released in early 2014. It’s the book of my heart, if you know what that means, so I’m thrilled. Nightingale’s Nest will be another fairy tale re-imagining, this time of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Nightingale,” one of the lesser-known major fairy tales. (There’s no princess for Disney to feature.) This book deals with some disturbing themes, and is more magical realism than straight-up fantasy. But who knows? It could be a mystery by the time edits are complete! 

Kristen: What writing secret will you reveal only under the harsh lights of The Interrogation Room?

Nikki: Um… that Lindt Extra Dark Orange chocolate bars are the secret to writing three or four manuscripts a year? Yeah, it’s true. 

We'll stock up! Thanks so much for coming in for questioning, Nikki. We're all looking forward to August 21, when The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy comes out. In the meantime, thanks for giving away an ARC to one lucky winner!

About Nikki

Nikki lives with her Scottish photographer husband just outside Austin, Texas, surrounded by dogs, chickens, and, small, loud boys. You can visit her online at www.nikkiloftin.com and find out more about her debut at www.SplendidAcademy.com. 

This interrogation was conducted by Sleuths, Spies, and Alibis "Detective" Kristen Kittscher, author of upcoming middle grade mystery debut THE WIG IN THE WINDOW (Harper Children's, Summer 2013)

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Mystery Monday #32

While it’s the daring sleuths that we usually remember from mysteries we read, an intriguing villain and criminal motive are essential to create a compelling plot. Today’s prompt is designed to help you develop one!

Characters spring from ourselves, of course— and that includes our villains. The potentially dangerous school counselor at the center of my middle grade mystery, THE WIG IN THE WINDOW, is a hypocrite with a smothering, controlling personality — and a fondness for garish sweaters and jewelry. I’d certainly hope I bear no resemblance to her.  On the other hand, aren’t plenty of us hypocrites in one way or another? When I was an English teacher, on more than one occasion I assigned a paper I would have hated to write myself.  Then there’s Dr. Agford’s relentless desire to control outcomes of situations. Many of us— especially writers— have that, don’t we? Agford also likes being right — and guess what? So do I!

To create my potential villain, I took these minor impulses and pushed them to ridiculous extremes. You can do the same.

1) List at least three actions that have irritated or upset you lately, either your own or someone else’s. Has someone promised to get back to you, but forgot? Has someone brought up an embarrassing story from the past in a public situation? Did you cut someone off in traffic because you were impatient?

2) Now push those traits or actions to their extremes.  The neglectful friend can become a megalomaniac who cares about nothing but how he can get ahead. The person who brought up the embarrassing story? A vengeful  friend who was once slighted is now determined to destroy your main character’s reputation.

3) Ask yourself: how would a person with that extreme trait react when facing an obstacle? What crime might they be willing to commit and why?

Hopefully this brief exercise will you start to sketch out your villain -- and their intriguing crime!