20 Responses

Chelsea Patterson Mar 22, 6:29 pm

Was the tragedy of Annie’s brothers death inspired by something you experienced in your own life?

Alina Kozakova Mar 22, 7:22 pm

I’d like to know to what motivated you to write this story?

Aly Mar 22, 7:40 pm

Lisa Graff,

Thank you for Annie. She was lovable, genuine and so vulnerable. How was it like writing/creating her? As a reader, I felt so attached to her so I am sure she was even more special for you.

I definitely had tears in my eyes as I got to the end. What was the inspiration for this heart-tugging read?

-Aly

Rachel Leibowitz Mar 22, 8:07 pm

I loved Annie’s voice—it was so unique and genuine. Was it difficult writing from a ten-year-old’s perspective and creating that certain voice?

Yevgeniy Levitskiy Mar 22, 9:22 pm

Is there any significance behind the nickname Annie’s father gave her, “Moonbeam”?

Sherley Blaise Mar 23, 6:33 am

Hi Lisa,
I enjoyed Umbrella Summer a lot! What I’d like to know is what inspired you to make the main character a female? Do you relate to Annie in any way?

Aliza Mar 23, 7:25 am

Hi Ms. Graff,

I was wondering if the character of Annie was based on someone you know.

Thanks,

Aliza

Saadia Beg Mar 23, 10:30 am

Annie is a wonderful character and I really like the title of the book. I was just curious, what age group would you target this book for?

Lauren Zaccaro Mar 23, 11:48 am

Lisa,

Umbrella Summer was a great read so I thank you for that! I love it when a book can grab your attention and take hold of your emotions. I was wondering if you had a particular routine for writing your novels. Do you go to a certain place to write?

– Lauren

Christine Rivas Mar 23, 12:10 pm

This might be a weird question, and I’m not exactly sure how to word it. Did you know from the beginning how the story was going to go and what the characters were going to do, or did the characters themselves control where the story was going?

Nadia Lyakhnovich Mar 23, 12:25 pm

Since writers often use their life experience as inspiration for their work, did you find yourself drawing more from your childhood or adult-life when writing Umbrella Summer?

Jessica Panettieri Mar 23, 12:52 pm

I liked how you made Annie reluctant to read “Charlotte’s Web” initially, but by the end she really liked it. Was this a favorite book of yours as a kid, and did it influence your writing of “Umbrella Summer”?

Meghan Mar 23, 1:05 pm

Hi Ms. Graff,
Umbrella Summer was such a wonderful book.I really enjoyed the character of Annie, I was wondering were you got your inspiration for her?

Thanks,
Meg

Marie Collet Mar 23, 1:25 pm

I really loved Umbrella Summer and throughout the story had tears in my eyes. I was wondering what was your biggest challenge writing this book?

Chereene Ligno Mar 23, 2:08 pm

Were the fear Annie had inspired by your own childhood fears in anyway?

Carisa P. Mar 23, 2:17 pm

When people in class said that it made them cry, I didn’t believe them, but when I finished reading it, I have to admit that my eyes prickled a bit. I guess my question would be: how do you do that? How can you evoke emotion in the reader so strongly? Do you write while thinking, “I want this to be really sad and make people bawl buckets?” Or is emotional tone something that just comes naturally to you and something you don’t have to work too hard at?

Leah Shaul Mar 23, 9:15 pm

How were you able to bring so much emotion and discuss issues as serious as the death of a sibling into such a light children’s novel in such a well executed way?

frankie leone Mar 24, 5:34 am

annie was a beautiful, sincere character.

as you were writing “umbrella summer” were you conscious of your target audience. (young adults.)

if you were- how did you keep it from dominating your thoughts/take away from the strength of the work?

Jonathan Martinez Mar 24, 11:11 am

Umbrella Summer has a really great message about letting go of fear (or the fears of being to careful) and i was wondering if you intended this story to be inspirational and does it have a reflection to your life, something you’ve encountered or found.

I also think killing off a character in a young adult book is a very bold move, what was the intention behind jared dying.

Lastly, what did you find the most difficult when writing this story?

Fae Pax Jun 29, 2:03 pm

I loved the Book it was very strong ‘cause if that happened to my brother i would done the same thing but the book tells me you dont need to do that. i also like the book the thing about georgie.

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