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Scholastic Book Clubs • October 16, 2024 Topicsauthor interview Book Clubs Book Fairs books October

Interview with the Author of ‘Is There a Boy Like Me?’

What inspired you to write your book? / Where did the idea for your book come from?

Kern Carter: I was thinking about how I could write a story for young boys that spoke about the expectations that are placed on them and how they interpret those expectations. For me, a lot of my novels start from real life situations or real life observations and then I imagine a story around it. The story I imagined around this time was from my own childhood and how conflicted I felt with all the expectations that were being placed on me. 

What did you enjoy most about writing? What were some challenges that you faced while writing?

Kern Carter: I just love to write so I enjoy all aspects of the writing process, even the difficult parts. For Is There A Boy Like Me?, specifically, I loved forming London’s character (London is the main character in the book). It felt so natural and I had so much fun creating the viral comics that London creates. I think the biggest challenge I had was finding a way to balance the plot of this story with the messages I wanted to convey. I didn’t want this book to feel heavy in any way, but at the same time, I wanted the themes to be clear. Finding that balance wasn’t always easy. 

What do you hope your readers will take away from your book?

Kern Carter: I want readers to understand that they don’t always need to accept the expectations placed on them by other people. Yes, as children, listening to adults and their opinions is important, but it’s also important that they take the time to discover who they are, what they like to do, and what they love about themselves. 

How do you come up with the names for your characters?

Kern Carter: Honestly, I have no idea. I usually just steal from my friends 🙂 

What books have had the biggest impact on your life? / What books were your favourite to read growing up?

Kern Carter: Beloved by Toni Morrison is number one on that list. Morrison is my favourite author in the world. When I was a bit younger, the first book I actually remember reading was a story called The Orphan Boy. It’s the book that made me fall in love with storytelling. Then there are more known books that impacted my love of reading and writing, Like Charlotte’s Web and Lord Of The Flies. 

What’s your writing process look like?

Kern Carter: I wake up and write almost every single morning. Mornings are when I feel the most inspired and most creative, so I write for two or three hours a day starting at 5:00 or 6:00 a.m. 

What’s next for you?

Kern Carter: Well, there might be a companion book for Is There A Boy Like Me? Who knows LOL. I’m always writing, though. I’m working on two or three books right now at different stages of development. We’ll see how they turn out. 

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