I’m excited to share my interview with Alda P. Dobbs whose middle grade debut BAREFOOT DREAMS OF PETRA LUNA exemplifies why I love reading middle grade books. Her writing is rich the story includes interesting details of the Mexican Revolution, and most importantly, it is a marvelous story that takes the reader on a ride that will stay with them for years to come. Alda was supposed to be in Colorado this week for an event and we had planned to meet in person, but it wasn’t meant to be. Hopefully it will happen in November.
Alda is generously offering one lucky winner a signed copy of BAREFOOT DREAMS OF PETRA LUNA and some fun book swag. Comment on the blogpost to enter the giveaway.
What were you like at the age of your target audience?
In my novel, Petra Luna is twelve years old and when I was twelve, I too was quiet and reserved. My mother was a single parent and, being the oldest of four girls, I found myself having to grow up quickly. Like Petra, I too had dreams, but instead of dreaming to learn to read and write, I dreamt of being an astronaut or a writer, or having a career that took me all over the world. I was, and still am very shy. My most favorite thing to do at that age was listening to baseball games on the radio while working on math homework in the tiny shed outside our tiny house. No matter what the weather was like, sitting on that concrete with the AM radio humming the ball game brought me so much peace, and if the Astros won – forget about it – it was pure joy. I also enjoyed listening to family stories from my mother about my grandmother and great-grandmother and the harsh poverty and prejudices they faced. I’d imagine them and wonder how their choices and actions impacted my life.
What inspires you?
Music! Music moves my heart and my spirit because I believe that every melody carries a story within. To this day, music can change my mood instantly. I’m fortunate to have grown up listening to old Mexican folk music, or what we call “polka-corridos”. I also enjoy all sorts of music, from jazz to rap to classical and rock. Nature also inspires me, probably because I feel everything in it also has its own melody and story.
What’s the one thing you hope readers take away from you book?
I hope young readers see that they too have the power and determination to be a leader like Petra. Sometimes we adults don’t give children enough credit yet they are capable of so much if given the space and confidence to grow and figure things out on their own. I also want them to realize that no matter the circumstances, adversities like the ones Petra faces are not unique to any one single group of people, time, or place. Harsh poverty, prejudice, and migrating to a new land to escape violence have happened throughout history and continue to happen in our world today. It’s these histories that connect us all and should make us realize we are all more similar than we think.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently working on Book 2, the follow-up book to BAREFOOT DREAMS OF PETRA LUNA ! Book 2, still untitled, will follow Petra and her family to a refugee camp in Eagles Pass, Texas and then to San Antonio where 30,000 refugees settled during that time. I’m also working on the Spanish translation of BAREFOOT DREAMS OF PETRA LUNA and will soon help record the Author’s Note for the audio book. I’m also kicking around the idea of a picture book and a historical YA – stay tuned! Five years from now, I hope to have learned new ways to help bring literacy to disadvantaged communities and of helping young writers hone their craft.
To learn more about Alda and her books:
Website: www.aldapdobbs.com Facebook: Alda P. Dobbs Instagram: @aldapdobbs
Laura Roettiger Books 
I love the take-away message of your book and I know my younger self would have wanted to have your book in my hands too. Music does influence my mood and is a powerful tool I use to lift my spirits or calm myself, whatever I need at the time. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of your must-read book!
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Danielle, thank you for reading and this book is must-read material, indeed! I’m with you on music, it’s a big part of every day for me, too. Good luck in the giveaway.
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This is going on my list of books to read! Thank you for writing such an important and inspiring story.
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Anna, it’s really good and I know you will appreciate the story and the craft of this book. Thanks for reading and good luck in the giveaway.
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Congratulations, Petra! Your book sounds amazing! I love the take-away message. Good luck with your next projects!
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Hi Shaunda! Your comment came through this time. Yay! Alda’s book is a compelling story and so perfectly written! Good luck in the giveaway.
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Sorry, Alda, on getting the title confused in my comment. Sometimes my brain jumps around like that. Even though I know what I mean, it doesn’t transcribe. Good luck on Book 2 about Petra. 🙂
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Shaunda, I do that all the time. Sometimes I say words in the wrong order because my brain is going too fast and I imagine they’re a puzzle that will just rearrange itself in the listener’s head. It works with people who know me well. 🤷🏼♀️
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Yaay! Alda! I’m so happy for you. I’ve read the first pages of your book using the link on your newsletter and I was hooked! I’ve asked my local library to order it. Wishing you all the success with this book and all the ones to come.
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Thank you so much for reading and sharing your kind words about PETRA LUNA. It’s really amazing and asking your library to order it helps both Alda and other readers who will enjoy her book in your community! Good luck in the giveaway.
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Yaay, Alda! Congratulations! I read the first pages of Barefoot Dreams (via the link on your newsletter) and I was hooked. I’ve asked our Windsor/Severance Library to purchase it. Wishing you all the success for this and for the books to come. Can’t wait to read them all! Hugs.
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Sounds like a wonderful novel! Hope progress on book 2 is going well. Sometimes a follow-up can be harder than the first. Good luck!
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Thanks for reading, Jilanne. This one is a MG master class. Good luck in the giveaway.
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What a wonderful and important book. I can’t wait to read it. This thought really set my human, therapist, and author mind in motion: “I’d imagine them and wonder how their choices and actions impacted my life.”
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Lauren, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Alda has such a compelling story to tell and did it beautifully. I’m so happy to share it with my readers.
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Awesome! This looks great!
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It’s amazing! I was with a friend yesterday who has also read it and she sang its praises too. Good luck in the giveaway.
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Wonderful interview and I was so excited to learn there will be a part 2. I would love to share this book with my students!
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Thanks for reading, Melissa! It’s such a beautifully written book! Good luck in the giveaway.
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I purchased this book from my local book seller and am so excited to be reading this book to my students— I would love to be able to give a signed copy to one of them after our book study is completed. Please enter me in the book giveaway!!
Thank you Alda P. Dobbs for inspiring me and our future generations with this powerful, courageous story that is so close to your heart! Thank you, Laura, for promoting it and giving us the opportunity to share its much-needed message!
Therese
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Therese, thank you for reading the blog and sharing this inspiring book with your students. I’m in awe of the story and Alda’s telling of it. Good luck in the giveaway. Look for the winners announcement tomorrow and feel free to check out some other amazing giveaways that are still available.
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