Friday, September 17 is Constitution Day. Carmen T. Bernier-Grand has just published a book on Sonia Soto Mayor: Supreme Court Justice. It’s a great tie-in to talking with K5 students about the Constitution and one branch of government. She has other biographies for kids; Cesar:Si se puede!, Yes, We Can, Frida:!Viva La vida! Long Live Life!, and Diego Bigger Than Life After I stopped by her house to pick up her latest book, I sent here questions to answer for this interview.
JRM: Sonia Sotomayor, Supreme Court Justice was just published. When did you decide that you wanted to do a book on Sonia Sotomayor?
CTG: When the media began to talk about Sotomayor as a possible justice, author Eric Kimmel told me to write about her. As soon as the rumors became reality, I approached my editor.
JRM: How did you go about researching for the book?
CTG: All I had was Internet and newspapers.
JRM: Were you able to interview Justice Sotomayor? What was that like?
CTG: By the time I’d learned enough to know what to ask, the government had closed all doors to reach her or reach her family. But I interviewed her cousin in Puerto Rico, and Justice Sotomayor read the manuscript.
JRM: There is so much about Sotomayor’s life. How did you determine what to use?
CTG: I always look for story arc. Justice Sotomayor’s life has had enough ups and downs with a main goal: To succeed.
JRM: Was there an aspect in her life you wished that you could have put in but didn’t?
CTG: She put her ex-husband through college, and then they divorced. They remained friends, so I didn’t say anything about her sacrificing for him.
JRM: What unexpected outcomes did you have writing this biography?
CTG: I was going to be in Washington DC, so I tried to meet her. They finally said no because the end of the Supreme Court term is busy time. But the CIA investigated me!
JRM: You write in free verse (which I love). Is the first draft in free verse or does that come with revision?
CTG: Let’s get the record straight. I don’t consider myself a poet. The biographies are coming to me that way. It’s hard to control the brain of a writer.
JRM: You were a math major. How did a math major end up as a writer?
CTG: I was always a writer but didn’t know it. I stared (still do) at strangers to find out their point-of-view. I was always making up stories. I looked at the pictures in the comics and made up my own stories and dialogue before reading the bubbles.
JRM: What was your favorite book as a child? As a teen? As an adult? Any particular genre stand out?
CTG: I grew up without a library or bookstore. The first story I remember reading was Caps for Sale. It was in a school anthology, in English or Spanish? I grew up among storytellers. It’s part of the TVless culture. As a teen, I read classics in Spanish such as Don Quijote. As an adult, I read mostly children and young adult books. Realistic and historical fiction stand out.
JRM: What books are on your nightstand?
CTG: You saw my house. We have books everywhere! Right now I am reading Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins.
JRM: Oh, I loved Bamboo People. I read it in one sitting. Where do you find inspiration?
CTG: Everywhere! I have too many stories to tell and too little time to write them. Reading poetry always inspires me.
JRM: Writing the first draft or revising? Which is your favorite?
CTG: Revising. Putting down the story down is painful.
JRM: Favorite time of the day to work?
CTG: All day, every day.
JRM: Chocolate: white, dark, or milk?
CTG: Dark. I am lactose intolerant.
JRM: Dance: funky chicken or the tango?
CTG: Funky chicken. I am a Puerto Rican who doesn’t know how to dance salsa.
JRM: When you aren’t writing, what might we find you doing?
CTG: Reading. I also give presentations in schools, and work for Writers in the Schools and the Whidbey Island MFA program.
JRM: What is up next for you?
CTG: Raúl Colón is illustrating Alicia Alonso: Prima Ballerina (Fall 2011) and Tonya Entrin is illustrating Virgen de Guadalupe (2012).Thanks to a fellowship from Portland Literary Arts, I’ll be going to France and Spain to research Picasso.
JRM: Lucky you to be traveling for research in France and Spain. Thank you, Carmen.
Carmen has a terrific website HERE. She is very active in the local Portland area SCBWI happenings. Last spring, I participated in her workshop at the annual SCBWI-Oregon conference. Next week I will review her book on Sonia Sotomayor.
Carol from Reading is Fundamental (RIF) is hosting Nonfiction Monday. Thanks, Carol.
Happy Reading.
MsMac
Check It Out 
Congratulations on the new book, Carmen!
My girls were so impressed by Sonia Sotomayor, when she was in the news. I’m thrilled to see a book that will be an inspiration to kids for decades to come. I love the idea of a kid reading your book and thinking well if Sonia can do it, so can I, and then dreaming big and making it to college and beyond.
Pingback: Rasco From RIF » NONFICTION MONDAY, yes, right here!
Thank you for this interview, what a bonus on Nonfiction Monday! I look forward to your review of the book and I also look forward to reading CTG’s books!
Pingback: Non-Fiction Monday: Sonia Sotomayor; Supreme Court Justice « Check It Out