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Thursday, November 24, 2011

"FUN" Interview with Author Karen Pokras Toz


Product Description

Ten-year-old Nathan Rockledge cannot catch a break. After all, life as a fourth-grader can be hazardous what with science projects to deal with and recess football games to avoid. Everyone, including his best friend Tommy, seems to have bad luck when hanging around Nathan. Throw in an older sister who is a royal pain, a dad who is stuck in the past, and a mom who keeps trying to poison him with her awful cooking, and poor Nathan’s life as a fourth grader appears to be completely doomed.

Armed only with his sketchpad, his imagination, and his wits, Nathan Rockledge navigates the perils of the fourth grade in style, to emerge heroic, as Nate Rocks, proving that even a ten-year-old can accomplish great things.


Not all is lost however. Give Nathan a sketchpad and a pencil and watch as his drawings transform his otherwise hopeless life into heroic adventures as Nate Rocks. Time and again, Nate saves the day – winning The World Series, fighting evil forces to keep the world from darkness and even saving Christmas. When his sister nearly drowns while swimming in the ocean, Nate Rocks the World one more time, proving that even a ten year old can accomplish great things.

Follow the quirky and imaginative adventures of ten-year-old Nathan Rockledge as his cartoons come to life.


                                                  Here's the book trailer!



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   ...writcountant, writing in numbers. She recently discovered a passion for writing with words. Karen enjoys gardening, cooking, and spending time with her husband and three children.



Hello Karen! Welcome to The Purple Brick Road. Please tell me about your book.


Quote from my website:

Nate Rocks:
Part Super-Hero, Part All-Star Athlete, Part Rock-Star… Part Fourth-Grader?
Ten-year-old Nathan Rockledge cannot catch a break. After all, life as a fourth-grader can be hazardous - what with science projects to deal with and recess football games to avoid. Everyone, including his best friend Tommy, seems to have bad luck when hanging around Nathan. Throw in an older sister who is a royal pain, a dad who is stuck in the past, and a mom who keeps trying to poison him with her awful cooking, and poor Nathan’s life as a fourth-grader appears to be completely doomed.

 Armed only with his sketchpad, his imagination, and his wits, Nathan Rockledge navigates the perils of the fourth grade in style, to emerge heroic, as Nate Rocks, proving that even a ten-year-old can accomplish great things.

Follow the adventures of ten-year-old Nathan Rockledge as his cartoons and adventures come to life.

That sounds like an awesome book! What's your next project?

I’m currently working on the 2nd book in the Nate Rocks series, to be called Nate Rocks the Boat. In this book, Nathan goes off to overnight camp. There are a whole slew of new and fun characters to meet. I’m having a great time writing more adventures for Nate.


You've just been hired to a promotions position at Kellogg’s Co. What would you put in a new breakfast cereal box as a gimmick?


Coffee – in fact, every food you consume before 11:00am should have some form of coffee in it.



What's your favorite material object that you already own?


Definitely my laptop – If I could profess my love to it, I would (In fact, I think my husband believes I already have.) It is my connection to my books, my readers, my family, my friends, everything. Laptop... you are my everything. There – I said it.

LOL. I agree! I saw on Facebook that this adorable fan sent you this pic! It's so fantastic that I had to show it off!




Meet Gavin, age 11 - he drew this awesome picture after reading Nate Rocks the World & had his grandmother send it to me. You can meet more great kids who have enjoyed Nate on my website: http://www.karentoz.com/meet-the-kids.html . If your child would like to have their picture posted, please contact me. Seeing your children love to read makes my day!
 
If you were to create a slogan for your life, what would it be? (Example: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow, we all die.)

“Dream big & rock on!” It is how I sign all of my books.

 
That rocks! Favorite place to eat? 

Do you want to hear a sad story? My favorite restaurant was this Mexican place near me called “Tortilla’s.” With three kids and a crazy life, my husband and I don’t get many date nights, but my birthday was coming up and my mother in law offered to babysit – so of course I said I wanted to go there. I was so excited (like I said – we don’t get out much!) We drove all the way there, and they were out of business!  I totally had Mexican food on the brain, and we wound up going to Baja Fresh – which is an up(ish) scale fast food place (if that makes sense). Oh well...


 
Mmmm. I would've been bummed, too, because I LOVE authentic Mexican food! Of course, Taco Bell rocks too! Name 5 favorite movies. Why?


In no particular order:
1. Fried Green Tomatoes
2. Steel Magnolias
3. The Big Chill–because they are great sappy stories with amazing casts.

4. Office Space - who doesn't love Office Space?


5. Serendipity – I may have a thing for John Cusack. My husband is aware and okay with it.

Tell us something you hate doing. Why?


Laundry – there is never any closure. It seems as if the hampers fill up even before I have a chance to fold and put everything away. Five people in one house who play sports, work, workout, and are messy equals a whole lot of laundry.
Yes I HATE laundry! Do you have any pets?


Yes! I think I am now officially the crazy cat lady. We have three – a seventeen-year-old Himalayan named Vaughn and two kittens that we’ve had for about a month. Their names were originally Wolverine and Storm, but we’ve since renamed them Chubby and Trouble.





What a "FUN" interview! Thanks, Karen, for visiting "FUN" Interviews on The Purple Brick Road. It was a pleasure to have you. And a big thank you to everyone who tuned in.

Connect with Karen online!