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ENTRY TYPE: new
WORK TITLE: The Dreamweavers
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://gzwrites.com/
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COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
LAST VOLUME:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born in Beijing, China; immigrated to United States; married.
EDUCATION:Wellesley College, B.A.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
G.Z. Schmidt is an American writer who grew up in the Midwest and the South. Born in Beijing, China, she migrated when she was six years old. Schmidt went on to publish several middle grade fantasy novels, including No Ordinary Thing and The Dreamweavers.
Schmidt talked with Christyne Morrell on her personal website about writing fantasy but also the emotionally draining aspects that come from such a creative pursuit. To help alleviate some of this stress, Schmidt suggested that writers should also “have a hobby outside your writing. This applies to a lot of things. If your world only revolves around one thing, you’re going to get sucked into all its gruesome details, and every problem seems magnified tenfold, every rejection seems personal. Realizing there’s a whole world out there gives you perspective on things. Take a break now and then, and have goals outside of writing.”
Schmidt published the middle grade novel No Ordinary Thing in 2020. Set in New York City in 1999, the story centers on twelve-year-old Chinese American Adam Lee Tripp, who lives with his uncle, a bakery owner. Adam eventually comes across a snow globe that his parents had and finds out that it is a device capable of time travel. Going back in time, Adam discovers that the past, present, and future dictate the flow of time. He meets people who were involved in a candle factory fire and wonders if he can go back in time to help them out or even prevent his own parents’ deaths. The more he learns about the history of the three artefacts that control time travel and the magician they were connected to, the more complex his situation becomes.
In an interview in Krisha’s Cosy Corner, Schmidt talked about the origins for the book idea. She stated: “No Ordinary Thing was inspired partly from Louis Sachar’s book Holes, which I loved as a kid. I enjoy books with multiple viewpoints, mixed timelines, flashbacks, and other detailed things that you can only really capture in text, as opposed to other media like TV shows and movies. As a result, the book has two main characters, set 100 years apart, and you get to see how their stories unravel and intertwine together.” A contributor to Publishers Weekly stated: “Told in a confident narrative voice, the novel adroitly traces the characters’ and objects’ journeys and connections, encouraging close reading.” Writing in School Library Journal, Caitlin Augusta opined that “elegant writing and an imaginative conceit may compensate for a passive story.”
In the historical fantasy middle grade novel, The Dreamweavers, twelve-year-old fraternal twins Mei and Yun were orphaned when their parents mysteriously disappeared in the City of Ashes. Ever since then, they have been outcasts in their own village, particularly since they claim to repeatedly see vaporous auras. The twins have been raised by their grandfather, whose reputation for being a master cook has even gotten the attention of the royal family. When the prince shows up to taste his famous mooncakes, a foul mood sweeps over the village, resulting in the mooncakes tasting horrible and making the prince ill. With their grandfather now imprisoned in the Imperial City for his botched mooncakes, Mei and Yun set out to rescue him as covertly as possible. Along the way, though, they learn about their village’s history and their own special connection to it.
In an interview in YA and Kids! Books Central, Schmidt discussed the inspiration behind the novel. She recalled that “the idea first came to me as an image in my head, of a fisherman who fished upon the clouds. I thought, ‘What if instead of fishing for fish, he was fishing for dreams?’ Given this basis, I knew I wanted it to be set in ancient China, surrounded by magic and mystical folklore.” Booklist contributor Michelle Ortega suggested that “readers will find themselves entranced by Schmidt’s writing,” noting that it is much like “a storyteller [who] captivates listeners when retelling a folktale.” A Kirkus Reviews contributor found it to be “an enchanting tale.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, September 15, 2021, Michelle Ortega, review of The Dreamweavers, p. 51.
Kirkus Reviews, August 15, 2021, review of The Dreamweavers.
Publishers Weekly, September 28, 2020, review of No Ordinary Thing, p. 64.
School Library Journal, October 1, 2020, Caitlin Augusta, review of No Ordinary Thing, p. 78.
ONLINE
Christyne Morrell website, https://christynewrites.com/ (August 24, 2020), Christyne Morrell, author interview.
G.Z. Schmidt website, https://gzwrites.com (April 19, 2022).
Krisha’s Cosy Corner, https://thecosycorner1788007.wordpress.com/ (May 27, 2020), author interview.
Quiet Pond, https://thequietpond.com/ (August 10, 2021), author interview.
YA and Kids! Books Central, https://www.yabookscentral.com/ (September 23, 2021), author interview.
G. Z. Schmidt was born in China and immigrated to the U.S. when she was six. She grew up in the Midwest and the South, where she chased fireflies at night and listened occasionally for tornado/hurricane warnings. She received her BA in Economics from Wellesley College.
She enjoys writing about misfit children, unsolved mysteries, and realistic settings with a pinch (or bucketful) of magic. She currently lives in Southern California with her husband and their tuxedo cat.
Our Friend is Here! An Interview with G.Z. Schmidt, Author of The Dreamweavers; On Chinese Mythology, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Writing Siblings
AUGUST 10, 2021 CW @ THE QUIET PONDLEAVE A COMMENT
Our Friend is Here! is a guest feature at The Quiet Pond, where authors, creatives, and fellow readers, are invited to ‘visit’ the Pond! In Our Friend is Here! guest posts, our visitors (as their very own unique character!) have a friendly conversation about anything related to books or being a reader — and become friends with Xiaolong and friends.
I love stories inspired by Chinese mythology. I love it when stories, that feel familiar and homely to me, are given a different perspective or an exciting twist, breathing new life into stories of old. The Dreamweavers instantly intrigued me, with its allusions to Chang’e, the moon goddess, to a depiction of the Jade Rabbit, and to mentions of delicious mooncakes.
An illustration of a black and white tuxedo cat, holding a notebook.
Today, I am delighted to have Gail Z. Schmidt visiting us at the Pond today, to talk about her latest middle-grade fantasy, The Dreamweavers. Gail visits us as a black tuxedo cat – and she’s holding a notebook that looks like the cover of her book! I’m excited for you all to read the interview that I did with Gail, where we talked about the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is coming up next month in September, and the inspirations of her book.
And if you haven’t heard of The Dreamweavers, I get the pleasure of introducing you to the book. So, without further ado, here is the cover and synopsis of The Dreamweavers, and my interview with Gail!
The Dreamweavers by G. Z. Schmidt
Cover artist: Feifei Ruan
Since their parents’ strange disappearance several years ago, 12-year-old twins Mei and Yun have been raised by their grandfather, who makes the best mooncakes around using a secret ingredient.
On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the emperor sends his son to sample Grandpa’s renowned mooncakes—but instead of tasting wonderful, they are horrible and bitter, strangely mirroring the odd, gloomy atmosphere and attitudes that have been washing over the village in the last few days. Grandpa is arrested for insulting and harming the prince, and Mei and Yun realize they are the only two people who will come to Grandpa’s aid.
The twins set out on foot for the long journey to the emperor’s palace where Grandpa’s being taken, but a surprising stop in the eerie City of Ashes, a visit with the legendary, mystical Jade Rabbit, and an encounter with a powerful poet whose enchanted words spread curses, influence just how Mei and Yun will manage to clear their grandfather’s name.
Find and pre-order The Dreamweavers on:
Goodreads | Penguin | Bookshop | Indiebound | Amazon
Author Interview: Gail Z. Schmidt
CW: Hello Gail! A big and warm welcome to the Pond – it’s so wonderful to have you visit us. For our friends out there who haven’t met you before, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Gail: Hi CW, it’s an honor to be here! I’m a middle-grade author who loves writing whimsical characters and stories with a dash (or bucketful) of magic. I’m Chinese American and grew up in the United States. I love traveling and exploring new places. So far, I’ve lived in three continents and six states.
CW: Congratulations on your upcoming middle-grade book, The Dreamweavers! Can you tell us what inspired your story?
Gail: Thank you! The idea for The Dreamweavers came in the image of a fisherman sitting on a cloud. I thought, “What if the fisherman was fishing for dreams instead of fish?” I then had the idea of putting the dreams in food and having them affect the eater’s mood. As the idea evolved, I decided to set the story in ancient China. Dream elements are common in traditional Chinese folktales, where characters go from the real world to the dream world.
CW: Something that I loved about The Dreamweavers was how you wove Chinese mythology and folklore into the story, particularly those surrounding the Mid-Autumn Harvest Festival. What does the Mid-Autumn Harvest Festival mean to you personally?
Gail: Growing up in the United States, the Mid-Autumn Festival was one of the few Chinese holidays we celebrated. You knew it was almost time for the Mid-Autumn Festival when the Asian supermarkets began carrying boxes of mooncakes, sort of like how stores put up Christmas decorations several weeks in advance. I was not able to visit China often, so the mooncakes served as a reminder of my heritage.
CW: I also enjoyed how, in The Dreamweavers, you gave the folklore your own twist, creating this wonderful adventure that explores justice and forgiveness. What was your thought process when making the folklore your own?
Gail: I try to make every element in my books connect in some way. The Jade Rabbit is a popular mythical figure in Chinese folklore. I wanted the Jade Rabbit to play an important part in the story and tie it back to the main characters’ plotline. Hence, I decided to make the Jade Rabbit a mysterious creature who could make elixirs powerful enough to curse an entire city. This ties into the abandoned city where the twins’ parents disappeared prior to the beginning of the story, and the mystery that surrounds it.
CW: I loved the magic in The Dreamweavers and how there’s this mysterious and magical atmosphere across the story – especially dreamweaving itself! What was the most fun part about crafting the magic for The Dreamweavers? What was the most challenging?
Gail: The fun part was coming up with different categories of dreams (nightmares, leisurely dreams, dreams about ambition, etc.) and the colors that represent them. I chose sunshine yellow for the cheerful dreams, for example, and dark green for nightmares. There was a lot of thought that went into the colors! Originally, I almost used red for the unpleasant dreams, as red is often associated with anger and strong emotions… in the West. But in Chinese culture, red is considered a lucky color, so it would not have made sense.
It was challenging to introduce the idea that the twins could switch from the real world to the dream world. I reworked the manuscript several times to make sure it didn’t come across as too sudden and unexpected. But now that I think about it, it’s okay even if it comes across as abrupt. One of my favorite genres is magical realism. I love magic that is unexplained, ones that don’t have explicit rules outlining exactly how they work. It adds to the atmosphere of the story.
CW: I absolutely loved our two protagonists, Yun and Mei, and I particularly enjoyed their sibling relationship! Who did you draw inspiration from when creating Yun and Mei’s characters?
Gail: It’s funny, Mei’s based a little on myself. I tend to react emotionally to things, though I was not as brash as Mei was when I was twelve. To complement her, I created Yun, who’s logical and cautious, based a little on some classmates I knew growing up. Some of Mei and Yun’s bickering was inspired by my own siblings. I think sibling dynamics are super interesting and the most fun to write; you can be arguing over a tiny thing in the morning, and by the afternoon, you’re best friends again.
CW: What is an aspect of the story that you’re excited for readers to discover in The Dreamweavers?
Gail: In one of the scenes, the twins must play a game of dice in order to escape a dungeon. They have to roll a specific sum on the dice after three consecutive rolls, with certain numbers being negative and others being positive. I contacted my math professor from college to help create a chart of the exact probabilities of rolling each sum! It’s in the appendix, and a good way to introduce young readers to basic statistics and probabilities.
CW: Thank you so much for visiting us today, Gail! My last question is one that I ask all of our friends who visit: What is a food that reminds you of home, wherever or whoever that may be?
Gail: It’s a pleasure to be here! I love pork and chive dumplings. It’s one of the foods Mei and Yun make in the story, and it’s always been my favorite meal since I was a kid. My mother makes dumplings entirely from scratch, including the dough. It took me a few tries to wrap them the way she does. Mine are not perfect, but I’m slowly getting the hang of it!
About the Author
G. Z. Schmidt was born in China and immigrated to the U.S. when she was six. She grew up in the Midwest and the South, where she chased fireflies at night and listened occasionally for tornado/hurricane warnings. G. Z. is the author of the middle grade novel, No Ordinary Thing, a time traveling story. Her new book, The Dreamweavers, comes out September 2021. She currently lives in Southern California with her husband and their tuxedo cat.
Find Gail on: Website
Guest Interview with Author G.Z. Schmidt
August 24, 2020Posted inGuests and Interviews, Middle Grade, Writing Advice, Writing Community, Writing Process
Today I’m honored to welcome my first guest to the blog, G.Z. (Gail) Schmidt. Gail is the author of the middle-grade time travel fantasy, NO ORDINARY THING, available from Holiday House on October 13th.
NO ORDINARY THING (Holiday House 2020)
Gail and I met through SCBWI almost three years ago, when we swapped manuscripts for critique. Now both of those manuscripts are going to be published! As soon as I read the first chapter of Gail’s gorgeous novel, I knew it was something special, and I’m so excited to highlight it here today. Even better, Gail and I are hosting a special giveaway to celebrate its upcoming release. We’re giving away a copy of NO ORDINARY THING and a query letter critique from me! Check out the details at the bottom of this post.
But don’t go scrolling just yet! Gail and I recently interviewed one another about our favorite thing: writing fantasy. Read on to learn more about Gail’s inspiration, process, and advice for aspiring writers. Then, after you’ve entered the giveaway, head over to Gail’s blog at the link below to read her interview with me!
G.Z. Schmidt, Author of NO ORDINARY THING (Holiday House 2020)
Welcome to the blog, Gail! To begin, tell us a little bit about your novel, NO ORDINARY THING. Time traveling is no ordinary thing, but that’s what awaits 12-year-old Adam when he finds a snow globe that allows him to journey into the past. The snow globe whisks Adam from his home and introduces him to a succession of unusual characters along the way. Strangely, each individual seems to have a past that is interwoven with Adam’s own.
Meanwhile, 100 years ago in the streets of New York City, the famous magician and candlemaker extraordinaire Elbert the Excellent hopes to dazzle the world with his magic, but instead stumbles upon a mysterious entity known as “the time touch.”
As the two storylines unravel, they reveal a single thread that ties Adam and Elbert’s pasts together. At the center of their histories lies an abandoned candle factory, a factory that claimed multiple lives in a tragic fire years ago… one that Adam might be able to prevent.
Where did the inspiration for your book come from? As a child, I loved the book Holes by Louis Sachar, and that book influenced this story. I was also inspired by the award-winning international film Your Name, which tells of two teens who live 3 years apart. I love stories with a little bit of magic that’s set in the real world, and that’s what No Ordinary Thing has.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book? There are still lots of revisions to do even after your book is accepted by a publisher. After I signed my book deal, I worked with my editor to cut out entire scenes and revamp the timeline in the story. Then in copyedits, we went over every sentence and circled repetitive words. In the end, all the revisions made my work much stronger. One thing to keep in mind is the publisher is working with you, not against you. They’re not going to turn your book into something you hate. Instead, they’re trying to bring out the best parts of your story so it shines for miles.
What comes first, the plot or characters? For me, plot comes first. Ideally, you’ll want both a compelling plot AND interesting characters. But I think in children’s literature, plot outweighs characters. It’s different from adult literature, where you can have books with virtually no plot but the character pulls the reader through.
Any tips for other fantasy writers out there? Lay out the rules and foundation for your world so you don’t write yourself into a corner. For my time-travel story, I kept a notebook of all the dates and different timelines, as well as imaginary days of the week for when the story progresses. This way, you don’t make a mistake like, “On Monday morning, Adam ate a bowl of cereal. Two days later, on Friday afternoon, he went to the circus.”
Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers? Have a hobby outside your writing. This applies to a lot of things. If your world only revolves around one thing, you’re going to get sucked into all its gruesome details, and every problem seems magnified tenfold, every rejection seems personal. Realizing there’s a whole world out there gives you perspective on things. Take a break now and then, and have goals outside of writing. Plant flowers in your garden. Train for the marathon. Learn a new language. You should be writing because it’s a source of happiness for you, not a source of stress!
Thanks, Gail, for dropping by the blog! I can’t wait for readers to get their hands on your book!
Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for: giveaway time! The rules are simple. For a chance to win a copy of Gail’s debut, NO ORDINARY THING, visit her website (and read my interview!) here and follow the instructions. If you’d like a chance to win a query critique from me, follow this blog by clicking the button below, and you’ll automatically be entered to win. A winner will be randomly selected on September 7, 2020. Good luck!
Author Chat with G.Z. Schmidt (The Dreamweavers), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Giveaways News & Updates Beth Edwards, Blog Manager Thursday, 23 September 2021 651 Hits 2 Comments
978082344423_20210923-162540_1
Today we are chatting with G.Z. Schmidt, author of
The Dreamweavers!
Read on for more about G.Z., her book, and giveaway!
Meet G.Z. Schmidt!
Gail Zhuang Schmidt was born in Beijing, China, and grew up in the United States, where she was inspired by the works of Roald Dahl, Judy Blume, Louis Sachar, and many others. Her middle grade novels with Holiday House include No Ordinary Thing and The Dreamweavers. She now lives with her husband and their tuxedo cat in Southern California, where she dreams up stories and keeps an eye out for the Jade Rabbit . . . just in case. Visit her at gzwrites.com.
Click here to visit G.Z.'s Website!
Meet The Dreamweavers!
Twin siblings journey through the City of Ashes and visit the Jade Rabbit to save their grandpa in this Chinese folklore-inspired fantasy adventure.
Since their parents' strange disappearance several years ago, 12-year-old twins Mei and Yun have been raised by their grandfather, who makes the best mooncakes around using a secret ingredient. On the day of the Mid-Autumn Harvest Festival, the emperor sends his son to sample Grandpa's renowned mooncakes--but instead of tasting wonderful, they are horrible and bitter, strangely mirroring the odd, gloomy atmosphere and attitudes that have been washing over the village in the last few days. Grandpa is arrested for insulting and harming the prince, and Mei and Yun realize they are the only two people who will come to Grandpa's aid. The twins set out on foot for the long journey to the emperor's palace where Grandpa's being taken, but a surprising stop in the eerie City of Ashes, a visit with the legendary, mystical Jade Rabbit, and an encounter with a powerful poet whose enchanted words spread curses, influence just how Mei and Yun will manage to clear their grandfather's name.
Amazon * B & N * Indiebound
~ Author Chat ~
What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
The idea first came to me as an image in my head, of a fisherman who fished upon the clouds. I thought, "What if instead of fishing for fish, he was fishing for DREAMS?" Given this basis, I knew I wanted it to be set in ancient China, surrounded by magic and mystical folklore. The book references popular Chinese mythology that I learned as a kid, including the famous Jade Rabbit, a mythical creature who lives on the moon.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
My favorite character changes depending on my mood. I admire Princess Zali a lot. She's one of the royal members of the imperial palace that the main characters meet. Princess Zali is sharp, independent, and designs her own weapons from scratch, which is very neat.
Which came first, the title or the novel?
The novel.
Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you've learned as a writer from then to now?
The one thing I've learned about writing is there are no rules. There are rules you learn when you first start out, like how people say to stick to one POV, or how your manuscript should never have a prologue. I think those rules are important to know as a beginner, but once you've written a lot and gotten a feel for things, think of them more as guidelines instead of law, and then you can start bending them to your style.
What do you like most about the cover of the book?
I love the traditional Chinese art style it evokes. The artist, Feifei Ruan, did an amazing job with the colors and the detail. The cover really captures that mystical, dream-like feel of the story. (Also, I love the way the stars literally sparkle on the hardcover edition!)
What’s on your TBR pile?
My TBR pile is forever growing! Ack! I've heard a lot of good things about The Midnight Library and have been meaning to check that out. In terms of middle grade books, I'm looking forward to reading Shannon Hale's new book in her Best Friends series. As a kid, I loved reading school stories, and Hale's books capture the angst and anxiety of navigating fifth/sixth grade so much that I feel like I've time traveled.
What’s a book you’ve recently read and loved?
I recently read Trevor Noah's book Born a Crime. It's an autobiography about his experiences growing up during the apartheid era in South Africa. It's incredible what he went through, and I highly recommend the book.
What’s up next for you?
I'm currently writing a Gothic-inspired, middle grade mystery about a reclusive family in the woods who invites people over for Halloween. If you loved reading The Westing Game, then hang tight!
Which part of the writing process do you enjoy more: Drafting or Revising?
Revising is infinitely easier, in my opinion. The initial drafting, the process of creating the story from scratch, can be brutal. Once you have the bare bones down, it's much easier to move things around, embellish scene, and add stuff. The first draft for The Dreamweavers was nowhere as good as the final product. That's also why it's important not to compare your first draft with the books that are already in bookstores. Those have gone through intense edits and revisions!
What advice would you give to new writers?
Keep writing. Writing, like anything else, takes practice. Don't be afraid to write a new story if your current manuscript is not gaining traction. You can always use parts of your previous ideas for new stories.
The Dreamweavers
Author: G.Z. Schmidt
Publisher: Holiday House
Publish Date: September 14th, 2021
Author Spotlight- G.Z Schmidt
Posted on May 27, 2020 by Krisha
About the Author- Gail Zhuang Schmidt was born in China and immigrated to the U.S. when she was six. She grew up in the Midwest and the South, where she chased fireflies at night and listened occasionally for tornado/hurricane warnings.
About the book- Time traveling is no ordinary thing, but that’s what awaits 12-year-old Adam when he finds a snow globe that allows him to journey into the past. The snow globe whisks Adam from his home and introduces him to a succession of unusual characters along the way. Strangely, each individual seems to have a past that is interwoven with Adam’s own. At the center of their histories lies an abandoned candle factory, a factory that claimed multiple lives in a tragic fire years ago… one that Adam might be able to prevent. Told across multiple storylines, No Ordinary Thing is for fans of whimsical magic and mystery.
Can you tell me more about the book?
No Ordinary Thing was inspired partly from Louis Sachar’s book Holes, which I loved as a kid. I enjoy books with multiple viewpoints, mixed timelines, flashbacks, and other detailed things that you can only really capture in text, as opposed to other media like TV shows and movies. As a result, the book has two main characters, set 100 years apart, and you get to see how their stories unravel and intertwine together.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I started writing when I was in third grade. My first stories were written in spiral-bound journals and hand-illustrated with pencil drawings. I’ve always loved reading and imagining stories in my head.
How long does it take you to write a book?
It depends. The initial draft for No Ordinary Thing took 3 months, but that was because I could really envision the entire story in my head. Other stories take much longer; there’s one I’m currently working on that’s been in progress for almost a year. And then once you submit your draft to the publisher, you go through another year of revisions.
What do you love most about writing stories for children?
I love being able to write fun, whimsical stories that give readers hope. Children are some of the most imaginative readers in the world, and they appreciate things adults don’t always do: things like funny-sounding words or odd characters.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
A lot of things! It can be from a simple encounter at the grocery store, or from watching a movie, or going to the museum. I get a lot of inspiration from other artists’ creations.
How did you get your first story published and what was it about?
No Ordinary Thing is my debut novel. I sent it out to several agencies, and one agent loved it and sent it to a publisher, who ended up buying it! I’m still in awe at how quick the process was. But before I wrote this book, there were two other manuscripts I wrote that received mountains of rejections. Even No Ordinary Thing got several rejections from agents. So if you want to be an author, persevere! Keep trying after that initial “no.” There will be someone out there who loves your story.
What topics do your stories cover and why are these important to you?One theme that pops up in my stories is the disparity between the rich and the poor. There is a stigma in society against poor people, especially those who are homeless or on food stamps. It’s important for readers to be aware of this, and to look past the shiny surface. I grew up as an immigrant in the U.S., and my parents had very little money in the beginning. I never got birthday presents or had an allowance to go shopping for trendy new clothes like my classmates did. I think sometimes people forget small things like this, and don’t realize how lucky or blessed they are!
Have you always loved stories and reading?
Yes! My favorite class in school was Language Arts.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future?
One of my dreams is that my books will be translated into dozens of languages and inspire millions of kids someday. Another big one is to have a movie made from one of my books. I always thought that was super cool, because you get to see how the movie director and actors interpret your story (for better or for worse!)
Who is your favourite children’s author and why?
Ah, this is a hard question! There are too many to narrow down. I’ll say Roald Dahl, because his books inspired me the most during my formative years, and I love rereading them even as an adult. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda are pure classics.
Why do you think it is important for children to develop a love of reading?
Reading takes more brain power than watching a movie. The reader is actively imagining the scenes in their head, and assigning descriptions and voices to the characters. Through this, the reader becomes more creative and more empathetic. They learn universal truths about humans across different cultures, and they sharpen their critical thinking skills.
What do you plan on writing next ?
I have several works-in-progress. One involves a quirky town with a hidden house in the woods, and a girl with a pet bat. Keep an eye on my website for updates!
Links to pre-order the book-
Amazon
Indiebound
Barnes and Nobles
To know more about the Author and her books. Click here
Schmidt, G.Z. THE DREAMWEAVERS Holiday House (Children's None) $17.99 9, 14 ISBN: 978-0-8234-4423-6
Fraternal twins embark on a magical adventure to rescue their grandfather and break a decadeslong curse.
After their parents’ mysterious disappearance in the City of Ashes, 12-year-olds Mei and Yun have been outcasts in their village. Their orphan status and reputation for seeing vaporous auras have left them with few friends. The sister and brother have been raised by their grandfather, who is known for his delicious cooking. Word of his talent has reached the Imperial City, and the Emperor’s son will be visiting to taste their grandfather’s famous mooncakes. But a sour mood has overtaken the village, and the mooncakes taste disgusting and rotten. The twins’ grandfather is taken away to the palace to await trial for supposedly using harmful magic on the prince. Determined to rescue him, Mei and Yun undertake a dangerous journey that reveals hidden truths about their family’s roots and the cursed City of Ashes. Set in ancient China during the Ming dynasty, this fantasy incorporates elements of Chinese folklore, with the Jade Rabbit acting as a spiritual guide for the twins, references to the Monkey King, and the presence of a mirrorlike dream world. The twins’ sibling bond never wavers throughout the challenges they face; like yin and yang, their individual personalities and strengths balance each other and highlight the story’s theme of achieving peace by acknowledging both the light and the dark and creating your own destiny.
An enchanting tale. (author's note, cultural notes) (Historical fantasy. 8-12)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Schmidt, G.Z.: THE DREAMWEAVERS." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Aug. 2021, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A671783067/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=15a4c486. Accessed 12 Mar. 2022.
The Dreamweavers. By G. Z. Schmidt. Sept. 2021. 272p. Holiday, $17.99 (9780823444236). Gr. 3-7.
It is time for the mid-autumn festival, a favorite time of year for 12-year-old twins Mei and Yun, because it is when their grandfather makes his famous mooncakes. This year they will have a special visitor, and their grandfather spends days preparing for their arrival. But when the day finally arrives, disaster ensues: their grandfather is arrested and set to suffer a dreadful fate while their small village is hit by a mysterious and catastrophic storm, destroying their crops and livestock. Now it is up to Mei and Yun to save their grandfather. Through their quest they will learn about old curses, encounter the legendary Jade Rabbit, and uncover the secrets of their family lineage. Schmidt has nicely woven Chinese mythology and history into a fantastic adventure. Readers will find themselves entranced by Schmidt's writing, which will draw them in much in the same way that a storyteller captivates listeners when retelling a folktale. The Dreamweavers is a story about love, family, and the perseverance of twin siblings when faced with the impossible.--Michelle Ortega
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
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Ortega, Michelle. "The Dreamweavers." Booklist, vol. 118, no. 2, 15 Sept. 2021, p. 51. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A678822140/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4fd4e965. Accessed 12 Mar. 2022.
SCHMIDT, G.Z. No Ordinary Thing. 240p. Holiday House. Oct. 2020. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780823444229.
Gr 4-7--Twelve-year-old Chinese American Adam Lee Tripp lives in 1999 New York City with his Uncle Henry, who owns Biscuit Basket Bakery. A loner, Adam connects with the past when a chance visitor, J.C. Walsh, gives him a prophetic message about attics and adventures. In the attic, Adam finds his late parents' snow globe that time travels. By time traveling, Adam learns that three artifacts control time: Past, present, and future. As he meets people connected to a candle factory fire, Adam yearns to use time travel to unravel tragedy, perhaps even bring back his parents. Schmidt uses a third-person direct address style. As she tells Adam's story, she provides hints and sentiments that provide a warm, comforting backdrop, as do her narrative metaphors and sensory details of the bakery. Adam is sympathetic, both because of his lonely childhood and his empathy for everyone he meets. The people Adam encounters and those connected with the three artifacts are all intriguing, and a greedy time thief adds a dangerous element to the last few chapters. While Schmidt makes connections between everyone Adam meets and his future, there's a curious, incomplete feeling to the story. Adam sees and learns many things, but he is an observer to much of the action, and the story lacks forward propulsion. VERDICT Elegant writing and an imaginative conceit may compensate for a passive story. Purchase where Kathryn Littlewood's Bliss or Rebecca Stead's When You Reach Me are popular.--Caitlin Augusta, Stratford Lib. Assoc., CT
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
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Augusta, Caitlin. "SCHMIDT, G.Z.: No Ordinary Thing." School Library Journal, vol. 66, no. 10, Oct. 2020, p. 78. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A638792787/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=5390d370. Accessed 12 Mar. 2022.
No Ordinary Thing
G.Z. Schmidt. Holiday House, $17.99 (240p) ISBN 978-0-8234-4422-9
Schmidt's complex, tightly constructed middle grade debut explores time travel and fantasies about altering the past for the better. Ever since his parents--"international aid workers and avid travelers"--died in a plane crash when he was five, Adam Lee Tripp, who is biracial (Chinese and white), has lived over--and helped at--his Uncle Henry's bakery on New York City's Lower Easr Side. The book opens in 1999, when Adam, now 12, discovers a snow globe in the attic, containing "only a layer of confetti snow--nothing else," that transports him back in time to New York City and a small town just north in 1922, 1935, and the 1960s. In both locations and multiple timelines, he becomes involved with characters whose lives turn out to interweave with each other and with three treasures that possess different magical powers: the snow globe, a chestnut music box, and a gold pendulum. The objects' histories are revealed through rhe story of a young magician at the beginning of the 20th century, an arc that is interspersed with Henry's travels through time and place. Told in a confident narrative voice, the novel adroitly traces the characters' and objects' journeys and connections, encouraging close reading and keen speculation as the suspense builds to a most satisfying conclusion. Ages 8-12. (Oct.)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 PWxyz, LLC
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"No Ordinary Thing." Publishers Weekly, vol. 237, no. 39, 28 Sept. 2020, p. 64. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A638637532/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=720d0b57. Accessed 12 Mar. 2022.