The Red Pencil

The use of verse makes the story so visceral and immediate. I'm curious whether this approach was chosen to make the emotional impact more intense or for another reason.

While these moments added depth, I wondered if they were necessary for the narrative flow or if they were a challenge to keep engaging for middle-grade readers.

The blend of history and personal resilience feels seamless, but I wonder what was the guiding principle behind that balance during the writing process.