Sydney Salter is Here!

Hi Everyone!

Today I have Sydney Salter on the blog! Sydney is celebrating the release of her MG novel: JUNGLE CROSSING. I was one of the lucky firsts to read the ARC, and it was fabulous!

You know the routine:

About Jungle Crossing

Thirteen-year-old Kat can think of dozens of good reasons not to go on a boring family vacation to hot, grungy Mexico. Number one: missing her friend Fiona's minicamp. If she's not there, she'll begin eighth grade as a social reject. And it looks like she's the odd girl out on vacation, too. When Kat's parents arrange for her and her younger sister, Barb, to go on a teen adventure tour, Barb makes more friends than she does. The only person who will talk to Kat is Nando, a young Mayan guide (who happens to be quite a cutie). Each day as they travel to different Mayan ruins, Nando tells Kat and Barb another installment in the original legend of Muluc, a girl who lived in the time of the Ancient Maya. The dangerous, dramatic world in which Muluc lives is as full of rivalry, betrayal, jealousy, and sacrifice as Kat's world at school. And as she makes new friends and discovers new treasures in Mexico, Kat begins to wonder: Is she willing to keep sacrificing her self in exchange for popularity?

About Sydney Salter

Sydney Salter's fascination with Mayan culture started when she was six years old and climbed down a steep, dimly lit stone staircase to the elaborately carved tomb of King Pacal who had once ruled Palenque. Visiting Mayan ruins, walking through fragrant Mexican market places, watching women wash clothes in a river, and chasing lizards in the jungle ignited the spark in Sydney's imagination that led to writing Jungle Crossing. Sydney now lives in Utah with her husband, two daughters, two cats, and two dogs. She loves reading, writing, cooking, and traveling—especially to Mexico where she can explore ancient Mayan ruins and swim in underground rivers.

(I’m so jealous of Sydney’s travels!)

On to the Interview!

Me: Without giving away too many spoilers, what is your favorite part of the novel/what was the part you had the most fun writing?

Sydney: I loved writing the ancient Mayan story that weaves throughout the novel. I had so much fun researching Mayan culture and traveling to Mexico that I couldn't wait to create Muluc's adventure.

Me: Me too! The two stories fused together beautifully. What kind of writing projects are you currently working on? Or, if you aren't working on anything new, is there a different demographic/genre you wouldn't mind tackling in the future?

Sydney: I'm working on a new YA project right now. I also have a YA called SWOON AT YOUR OWN RISK coming out in April 2010 so I'm pretty excited about that.

Me: Awesome! Who is your writing hero and why?

Sydney: Madeleine L'Engle. Not only did she show impressive persistence in her writing career, she had a wonderful marriage and family life. I'm trying to figure out that balance right now.

Me: Aren’t we all!

Readers . . . You can visit Sydney at her home on the web: http://sydneysalter.com/

And . . . JUNGLE CROSSING is officially on sale. You can buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/Jungle-Crossing-Sydney-Salter/dp/0152064346/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237326676&sr=1-2

Sydney will be chatting with Neesha tomorrow at: http://neeshameminger.blogspot.com

Thank you so much for stopping by, Sydney!