Character Interview - Isabel from Through Her Eyes + A Giveaway

Today Isabel from Through Her Eyes by Jennifer Archer is joining us at The Serpentine Library.

Thanks for joining us today Isabel. When did you know that you liked Henry as more than a friend? 

Henry and I grew up together, and before I turned sixteen, he treated Daniel and me the same – like annoying younger siblings. That all changed one day soon after my last birthday. We were hiking to the bridge with Daniel and I caught Henry watching me. He smiled, and I blushed; I didn’t know why. Now, I think of him almost every second of every day, and dream of him at night. When we are apart, I’m desperate to be with him again! My heart flutters like the wings of a trapped bird whenever I see Henry crossing the field between our houses to meet me.   

What 5 words would you use to describe your relationship with Henry?

1.      Thrilling

2.      Confusing

3.      Frightening

4.      Romantic

5.      Doomed

How do you feel about being nicknamed “Bell?”  

I am flattered that a Henry gave me such a lovely nickname. There is a passage in a poem called The Rose of Battle by W.B. Yeats that reads:

You, too, have come where the dim tides are hurled
Upon the wharves of sorrow, and heard ring
The bell that calls us on; the sweet far thing.

I hope that during Henry’s darkest moments – when he stands “upon the wharves of sorrow” – I am the “sweet far thing” across the field that calls out to him, giving him hope that life can be brighter.

What’s one of your favorite memories from spending time with Henry and Daniel?

I love the carefree times when Henry and Daniel are not at odds. A favorite memory that always makes me smile is of a sunny day when Henry sat on a rock and played a lively tune on his violin. Daniel and I held hands and twirled to the music until we were both so dizzy we couldn’t stand up! 

Can you share with us something about Daniel that only one of his best friends would know?  

Even as a very young boy, Daniel could identify many types of birds simply by hearing their call.

At the Winter Dance, you sang along to “Jeepers Creepers,” what are some other songs or musicians you like listening to?

The Glenn Miller Orchestra is all the rage, and I’m especially fond of a snappy little tune they play called “Little Brown Jug.” I also adore Judy Garland’s new song “Over the Rainbow,” which is so lovely and sad. She sings it in the movie The Wizard of Oz, which premiered this year. (1939).

Daniel mentions that you are at the top of your class, what do you want to do after graduating high school? 

My intentions have always been to attend college and study to become a teacher. I think education is vitally important, and I would like to take part in helping young people achieve their dreams. However, because I live in the Texas Panhandle where almost constant drought and wind have created dust storms that have brought so much devastation since 1934, I have started to consider nursing as a career. A few people in Cedar Canyon, as well as many others in communities in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and other places caught in the grip of the droughts, have suffered from a malady known as “dust pneumonia.” Their lungs have actually filled with dust, causing high fever, coughing, difficulty breathing, chest pain . . . even death. This happened to the baby sister of one of my classmates, and my heart broke when I heard of her suffering.  

Don't forget to enter Jennifer's GARGANTUAN GIVEAWAY (today, April 4, is the last day to enter!)

See the new Through Her Eyes book trailer:

Jennifer Archer’s website:  http://www.jenniferarcher.net 

(Links to her Facebook & Twitter pages found here)

Jennifer’s blog: www.jenniferarcher.blogspot.com

Thanks to Teen {Book} Scene and Jennifer Archer, I have a signed ARC to giveaway!!

**This Giveaway is US only
**Winner will be chosen by a Random Number Generator

**You must be 13 years of age or older

**All information collected will be deleted after the giveaway is over

Fill out the form by Midnight EDT on APRIL 17, 2011