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WORK TITLE: I.R.L.
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WEBSITE: https://jennygoebel.com/
CITY: Denver
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COUNTRY: United States
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PERSONAL
Married: children: three sons.
EDUCATION:University of Colorado Boulder, bachelor’s degree (education).
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer, former elementary school teacher, and headstone engraver.
AWARDS:Colorado Book Awards for Juvenile Literature, 2014, for Grave Images.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
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Jenny Goebel, a former elementary school teacher, grew up at the base of the Rocky Mountains and writes about nature, the Colorado landscape, and sea turtles. She got a job as an engraver of awards and floor tiles, then started engraving monuments and grave stones. She published her first middle-grade novel, Grave Images, in 2013, spurred by the question, What if someone was engraving headstone portraits of people before the people mysteriously died? Thirteen-year-old Bernadette “Bernie” Morrison is surrounded by death—her family owns the Alpine Monuments tombstone engraving business, and her mother is catatonic with grief over the death of her infant son. Now Bernie’s father has hired the creepy Mr. Stein to carve portraits on grave stones, but Bernie discovers that he carves stones for people who are still alive, but die the next day. With the help of the sheriff’s son, Michael, Bernie sets out to discover if Mr. Stein can predict deaths, or causes them.
Caitlin Augusta remarked in School Library Journal: “The light romance between Bernie and Michael will please readers who like character development mixed with delicious creepiness.” A Kirkus Reviews critic noted the light spookiness and added: “far from frightening, the plot and setting are nearly as stock as the characters.” Speaking to Tara Dairman online at Colorado Is for Writers, Goebel described Grave Images: “It’s creepy, it’s soulful, and hopefully, all in all, horrific fun…I have worked as a monument engraver myself, but, rest assured, this book is in no way autobiographical.”
The middle-grade Fortune Falls features a magical town where superstitions are real. A four-leaf clover or a rabbit’s foot bring good luck, but stepping on a crack can really break your mother’s back. Sadie is dreading the Luck Test she must take next week when she turns 12, because her birthday falls on Friday the 13th. She’s always walking under ladders and black cats keep following her. She fears the test will label her an Unlucky. After she breaks a mirror, which predicts seven years of bad luck, she enlists the help of her best friend, Cooper, to find a way to change her luck. However along the way, despite her dog getting lost chasing a black cat in a cemetery, and with a supernatural helper, she learns that her luck is not all that bad.
In an interview with Natalie Williams online at Hobbies on a Budget, Goebel explained how she developed the story: “I was trying to lay out the foundation, and to explain what is Fortune Falls like without focusing on the characters. I had to slow down and really get into my main character’s head and see what that would be like and come up with a workable story.” Reviewing Fortune Falls, a contributor to Kirkus Reviews declared: “Readers will root for Sadie and wish her the best even if they don’t buy into all the doom and gloom.” “Rich language, well-paced plotting, and rounded characters create an enchanting, hard-to-leave world,” said Booklist reviewer Suzanne Harold.
Goebel explores a girl’s progress gaining self-awareness and compassion in Out of My Shell. Olivia is spending her annual family vacation in Florida with only her mother and younger sister, and not her father, because her parents have separated. She misses the activities she used to do with him. When her favorite animals, sea turtles, have trouble nesting and hatching on the beach because the inn next door’s bright lights confuse and scare off the turtles, Olivia springs into action learning what she can do to save them. She gains self-confidence and new friends. Chapters contain facts about sea turtles. “Olivia learns that there are still plenty of people who care about her even when life feels so different,” noted Sarah Polace in School Library Journal. Writing in Kirkus Reviews, a critic said that Olivia “juggles myriad conflicting emotions, struggling especially with how to express her feelings while being considerate of those of the people around her.”
Sticking with sea turtles, Goebel wrote and Ana Miminoshvili illustrated the nonfiction book, Adelita: A Sea Turtle’s Journey. Based on a true story, a young loggerhead sea turtle was rescued in 1986 from a fisherman’s net in Baja California, Mexico. She was named Adelita and cared for for 10 years. Then scientists decided to attach a satellite tracker to her shell and released her back into the ocean. The scientists and school children tracked her throughout her 368-day journey back to Japan to the beach she was hatched on. The book covers the dangers she faced along the way, turtle activities, conservation of sea turtles, and awareness of turtles caught in nets and for food. Erin Olsen remarked in School Library Journal: “The text uses vivid verbs that enhance the illustrations and create a sense of movement.” “This is a story with cheerful illustrations and a happy ending,” assured a Kirkus Reviews writer.
In the spooky middle-grade novel, I.R.L., sixth grader Lucy moves from big city San Francisco to the tiny rural town of White Pines, Alaska, due to her mother’s new job. Lucy is glad to be rid of her bullies back home and can’t wait to meet the students at her new school. But due to snow, classes are held remotely from October to April, so she makes friends online. After the thaw, and the school supposedly opens, she follows directions to it, only to find a derelict building and a yard full of grave stones marked with the names of her friends. What is the supernatural forces at play in White Pines? A Publishers Weekly reviewer reported that “Lucy’s palpable new-kid anxieties and earnest search for friendship following past bullying and virtual schooling adds emotional depth.” In Kirkus Reviews, a critic said: “Going light on character development, Goebel frees up space for many creepy scenarios and mysterious revelations.”
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BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, December 1, 2015, Suzanne Harold, review of Fortune Falls, p. 62.
Kirkus Reviews, September 15, 2013, review of Grave Images; October 1, 2015, review of Fortune Falls; April 1, 2019, review of Out of My Shell; July 15, 2020, review of Adelita, a Sea Turtle’s Journey; December 15, 2024, review of I.R.L.
Publishers Weekly, November 4, 2024, review of I.R.L., p. 44.
School Library Journal, December 2013, Caitlin Augusta, review of Grave Images, p. 114; June 2019, Sarah Polace, review of Out of My Shell, p. 71; September 2020, Erin Olsen, review of Adelita, a Sea Turtle’s Journey, p. 100.
ONLINE
Colorado Is for Writers, https://taradairman.com/ (October 8, 2013), Tara Dairman, “Interview with Colorado Author Jenny Goebel.”
Hobbies on a Budget, https://hobbiesonabudget.com/ (July 10, 2017), Natalie Williams, “Interview with Author Jenny Goebel.”
Jenny Goebel website, https://jennygoebel.com/ (August 1, 2025).
Middle-Grade Mojo, https://middlegrademojo.com/ (July 27, 2016), “Writing Inspiration with Author Jenny Goebel.”
Jenny Goebel is the author of Out of My Shell (2020 Green Earth Book Award Winner for Cadmus' Children's Fiction), Fortune Falls (an Indies Next List pick), and Grave Images (Colorado Book Awards 2014 Winner for Juvenile Literature). She also wrote the penultimate, The 39 Clues Book: Doublecross: Mission Hurricane, and picture books: Foreman Farley has a Backhoe; Foreman Frankie is Handy and The Firefighter. Jenny is happiest either with a steaming cup of tea and a good book in her hands, or when she’s exploring Colorado’s endless beauty with her family. She lives near Denver with her husband, three sons, three crested geckos, and one mischievous dog.
The Longer Story
As a Colorado native, I've lived my entire life at the base of the Rocky Mountains. I'm not sure when the photo on the right was taken, but my one, older brother and I rarely looked this spiffy. We spent most of our summers exploring the acreage we grew up on and splashing around in the lake behind our house. And when winter brought massive snow storms, we'd build sculptures with our parents, aunts, uncles and cousins in our grandparent's front yard.
Growing up with one foot in Denver and the other immersed in nature, I developed an appreciation for both city life and the great outdoors.
My city side loves museums, concerts, art, perusing bookstores and trying new restaurants. The nature girl in me loves hiking, snowshoeing, snowboarding--pretty much anything that gets me outside.
I married my high school sweetheart. (This photo of us was taken long after we met!) We attended the University of Colorado Boulder together, and after graduation he became a firefighter and I started a career as an elementary school teacher.
When my husband and I decided to expand our family, I left teaching to spend more time with our three sons, and to start an engraving business. Initially, I engraved awards, backsplashes and floor tiles. Then my husband introduced me to a fellow firefighter whose family owned a monument company and I added headstone portraits to my repertoire.
(The photo to the left is of a pet memorial I engraved.)
One day, a question popped into my head--
What if someone was engraving headstone portraits of people before the people mysteriously died?
I'd always loved books and writing and I thought this particular "what if" question could be developed into a fun and creepy story. It took me the better part of five years, but my first middle grade novel, GRAVE IMAGES, was published in 2013.
I no longer engrave headstones, or anything else for that matter, but I've been writing and publishing children's books ever since.
I hope to never stop
Interview with Colorado author Jenny Goebel (and giveaway)!
Posted October 8, 2013 & filed under Contest, Interview, Writing.
Colorado is for writersWelcome back to the Colorado is for Writers interview series! Every other Tuesday, I talk to different Colorado-based authors about their work and their connections to this beautiful state. Today, I am thrilled to welcome my friend and critique partner Jenny Goebel!
Jenny’s debut middle-grade novel, GRAVE IMAGES, will be published this month, and it’s a moving, somewhat creepy, and overall fantastically-written book. You can read an excerpt on Jenny’s website here. And if you are in the Denver area, you can hit the GRAVE IMAGES launch party at the Tattered Cover on Colfax on October 26!
Giveaway alert: Jenny has kindly offered to give a signed ARC (Advance Reading Copy) of GRAVE IMAGES to one lucky reader of this blog! See the end of the post for details.
Let’s get to know Jenny!
Jenny Goebel
First things first: Colorado native or transplant? Native. And I have some of the deepest roots you could ever hope to find. My great, great grandparents settled here back before Colorado was even a state, and every generation since has wisely decided to stick around. What can say, Colorado is an awesome place to live!
Grave Images by Jenny Goebel
Tell us a bit about your book(s), published and/or in progress! Scholastic is publishing my middle grade debut, GRAVE IMAGES, this November. It’s creepy, it’s soulful, and hopefully, all in all, horrific fun. The story is about a monument maker’s daughter whose family hires a drifter to etch headstone portraits. When she discovers that the drifter is etching portraits of people before they pass away, she has to decipher whether he’s merely predicting the deaths or, worse, actually causing them. I have worked as a monument engraver myself, but, rest assured, this book is in no way autobiographical.
Foreman Farley Has a BackhoeMy first picture book, Foreman Farley has a Backhoe, is being published by Grosset & Dunlap next summer (2014). Farley is a construction foreman who builds a schoolhouse using an assortment of heavy machinery. The text is written to the tune of Old MacDonald has a Farm, and Grosset & Dunlap has also contracted me to write two more picture books with release dates to be announced.
What’s the view like from your favorite writing space? Well, the view from my usual writing space is a long way from spectacular. I share a home office with my husband, and it faces the neighbor’s house—so, yeah, nothing but drab, gray siding.
View from the CabinHowever, I am very fortunate to be able to sneak away to write at my parents’ cabin in Grand County every now and then. That view is something else entirely! Aspen and pine trees, and wildflowers in the summer, and if I’m very lucky, an occasional deer passing by. When I don’t get lost staring out the window at the breathtaking scenery, I’m far more productive than I am at home—thanks in large part to one minute detail: no Internet connection.
What’s the best thing about being a writer in Colorado? Oh, it’s far too difficult to narrow it down to just one thing. The people, the history, the wildlife, the nature, the art and culture— there is no shortage of things that give life to creativity here. I’d say that Colorado is the opposite of suffocating for a writer. And one of the most nourishing facets has to be the writing community. So many great, supportive writers here in Colorado, and you, Tara, are one of the finest! (Interviewer’s note: Awww. Right back at ya, Jenny!) Thanks so much for asking me to do this interview, and thereby giving me the opportunity to brag about our wonderful state.
Thank you so much, Jenny! And congratulations on your debut!!
Giveaway: Would you like to win a signed ARC of GRAVE IMAGES? Just leave a comment that answers this question: What’s your favorite creepy book? The winner will be announced next Tuesday, October 15.
Writing Inspiration with Author Jenny Goebel
I’m often asked by parents for book recommendations for their children. One that tops my list is Fortune Falls by Jenny Goebel. The world of Fortune Falls is so wonderfully creative and features something kids love to explore—luck and superstitions.
Goebel, J_Lo-Res-31
MGM: A few of the unlucky things that happen in Fortune Falls I’d never heard of (i.e. dropping a comb is a sign of coming disappointment). How did you go about doing research for the book?25679785
JG: At first, the research for Fortune Falls was simply a matter of reaching back to the superstitious days of my youth. Twelve-year-old Jenny never passed a penny without picking it up, and hopping over sidewalk cracks was an absolute must. When I’d exhausted all the playground chants and sleepover whispers I could recall, I scoured the internet for any mention of good luck and bad luck. I also pressed family and friends to share any irrational beliefs they held, or had at least heard of. Many superstitions I encountered didn’t quite work for this book, such as the most ill-fated time of month to make mayonnaise, and the medical benefits of bathing in warm chicken blood in the light of a full moon. No doubt, it was some of the most curious research I’ve done for any project.
MGM: This story must make for some fun school visits. What’s the most interesting or surprising question you’ve received from a student?
JG: Yes! This story has made for some fun school visits. I think what has been most interesting, though, wasn’t a single question, but a certain type of question I seem to get asked repetitively. At nearly every event, a kid will raise his or her hand and then proceed to test the parameters I set for Fortune Falls. “What if the sidewalk cracks are covered in snow and you’re stepping on the snow instead of the cracks? Why do they have sidewalks in Fortune Falls at all? How close can you get to a cemetery without holding your breath and still be safe? Why doesn’t Sadie do X?” (X being any number of solutions for Sadie’s dire predicament.) There’s something about a world where luck has so much bearing on everything that seems to really resonate with young readers. I think it’s because many of them feel powerless in their own lives, so they identify with Sadie and want to find loopholes for her; they want to find a means of escape. Kids have a strong sense of justice, and that inspires me. It gives me hope.
MGM: You’ve published three middle grade books. What advice do you have about writing for this age group?
JG: Even though middle grade seems to be my sweet spot, I never set out to write a book for a particular age group. I have an idea, and then I search for the best, most truthful way to tell it with the most believable characters I can come up with. I feel like if I do anything other than that—if I’m trying to hit all the right beats instead of listening to the way the story wants to be told— I’ll end up with book that feels formulaic and readers will see right through it. I’m being vague, though, aren’t I? And what I just said doesn’t sound very advice-like. I’ll try again. Middle grade readers are smart and savvy. Don’t underestimate them.
MGM: Will we see any more stories about Fortune Falls or perhaps about the students at Banes School for Luckless Adolescents (which I personally would like to read about)?
JG: This is yet to be determined. I’m not contracted to write any other books set in a world where superstitions are real, but if the demand is great enough . . . I could only be so lucky! In other words, if you’re reading this and you’d like to see a sequel, please please please help spread the word about Fortune Falls. Also, a little finger crossing never hurts!
MGM: What new projects can we look forward to seeing next?
JG: I wish I knew! My creative well was sucked dry while working on two books simultaneously. Fortune Falls and Mission Hurricane (The 39 Clues: Doublecross Book 3) were both released this past January. I then spent a large portion of the spring promoting the books and visiting schools, which didn’t leave much time for dreaming up new worlds and characters. I’m back at it now, but my ideas are in the early fragile stages and I don’t want to say too much about them and jinx myself. Apparently, writing Fortune Falls has rekindled my superstitious nature.
Thank you to Jenny for spending time with the mafia family. To learn more about all of her books, visit her website at http://www.jennygoebel.com
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By Debbie D'Aurelio|July 27th, 2016|Author Interview|1 Comment
Interview with Author Jenny Goebel
By
Natalie W
July 10, 2017
This past week my friend Ashten and I had the amazing opportunity to interview the author of Fortune Falls, Jenny Goebel. Because I am an aspiring author, I found Jenny’s responses to be both informative and encouraging. She covered everything from where she finds her inspiration to how she develops her plot and everything in between. Below is the transcription of the interview. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
This post includes Amazon Affiliate links.
Technical Difficulties Disclaimer:
We arranged to do this interview so we could share the entire video clip with you on YouTube, but due to technical difficulties, we are unable to upload the video. So instead, we have transcribed the video below so you can share in the interview.
Interview with Author Jenny Goebel
Hi! I’m Natalie Williams, here with my friend Ashten Wall, and today we are getting to interview author Jenny Goebel, genius behind Fortune Falls, a book I discovered not too long ago and we both fell in love with!
Interview with Author Jenny Goebel
Where did you get the idea of Fortune Falls?
Hi ladies, I would like to take credit for the idea for Fortune Falls, but I have to give credit to my brilliant editor. We had worked together on Grave Images, and she suggested an idea for a story where superstitions were real and I fell in love with that idea. It’s wonderful to have two minds working together versus one. The creative process is so much easier when you have two people who are kind of feeding that idea. I loved working with her and making it as good a story as we could.
Interview with Jenny Goebel
Where do you get your inspiration and where is your go-to spot to write?
OK.. I get inspiration from all over the place. I love the natural world and love to be outside and with animals. I live in Colorado and we have beautiful mountains here. That’s actually my go to place for writing. My parents have a cabin that is just tucked back in the middle of nowhere with no wifi and no TV and it really cuts down on all the distractions, so when I go there I can really focus on the story and usually be very productive with my writing.
What do you struggle with most when it comes to writing a book and developing the plot?
That’s a great question. I think it’s different for every writer. For me personally, I usually know what I want to happen in the story and the different events that will take place. I try to get those different plot points established first. What I struggle with is the character’s emotional change and how the things that happened in the story effect that character, and what impact that has on their inner state of mind. So for me, I’ve learned that I need to get that out there in the fist draft and make sure I have all the events in place and then go back and fill in the characters thoughts, emotional feelings, and reactions to the events.
I remember reading in the acknowledgment section of Fortune Falls that you had some false starts when writing this novel. It made me curious. Do you care to explain what happened?
Sure, I can talk about that. With Fortune Falls it was really building this world that had totally different parameters and even though it’s very much like the world that we live in, that one element that superstitions are real changes everything. I had a hard time when I started writing it just getting that big balance to see what that world looked like, and I was trying to do too much at once. I was trying to lay out the foundation, and to explain what is Fortune Falls like without focusing on the characters. I had to slow down and really get into my main character’s head and see what that would be like and come up with a workable story. There were a lot of different things I tried. One of the early drafts had Omen Watchers, this police force that would arrest the unlucky people on the spot. It was a little too dark so I changed it. I was glad that I did and the focus was then more on Sadie and her experience.
Have you always wanted to become an author?
I wanted to be an author at a very young age. I always loved reading. I spent many hours as a kid reading books and I knew it was something I wanted to do. I lost sight of that dream for a little while through my teenage years and early 20s. I was exploring other interests and ideas but then after I had kids of my own it was this dream that got rekindled. I returned to it and I’m so glad that I did.
Do you have any tips for beginning writers?
I do, I have this quote above my desk and it’s by Sylvia Plath,
“The worst enemy to creativity is self doubt.”
That is something I struggle with -the insecurity and thinking that what I’m writing is terrible and that I don’t want anyone else to read it. So my advice for young writers is just to try and be confident in what you have to say because you’re the only person who can tell your story. It’s ok if it’s not the best story in the beginning. Just keep after it and don’t let self doubt get you down.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, how do you get past it?
I think every writer gets stuck at some point. Luckily, it’s not something that I experienced in great amounts. I do find that if I don’t know where to take a story or what to do next that there are two things that help me the most. One is going for a walk. Again, I like to be out in nature and it really inspires me. Somehow just walking around makes things loosen up and click into place so I know where to go next. If that’s not working, I have critique partners and also my editor that I can bounce off ideas with another person. Sometimes they can bring a fresh perspective to the story and help me see where to go next.
What do you enjoy most about writing?
What I enjoy most about writing… There’s many things that I enjoy. But I guess it’s that it helps me to understand the world and helps me make sense of things that happen. At the same time, when a reader opens a book then there’s almost this dance that takes place between the author’s imagination and the reader’s imagination. The story becomes so much more real when I’m sharing my thoughts. When someone is reading the story there’s these new ideas that are formed and new imagery is formed, so there really is this dance.As a reader, I so enjoyed this experience and I love thinking that I am able to provide that for readers.
You’ve written several books and a couple picture books. Which one was the most fun to write?
It really was writing Fortune Falls. I was a superstitious kid and so revisiting some of these ideas and thoughts that I had as a kid was really enjoyable. Then, at the same time, I did some research and discovered new superstitions, and saw how I could weave those into a plot. There was something about that creative process that resonated with me and was the most fun one to write.
For new writers, do you suggest self-publishing or going with a traditional publisher?
I think it’s different for every person and every story. There’s certain instances where self- publishing is really the right route to take, and other instances where a traditional publisher makes the most sense. I think regardless of which path you do, when you are opening up the story to the world you want to make sure it’s your best possible work, and you have taken the time to edit and revise and not put out something too early when it’s not really ready to share.
Do you base any of your fictional events off of things you actually experienced? For instance, did anything in Fortune Falls happen to you in some toned down way?
I think many of the things that happened in Fortune Falls were things that I personally experienced or that happened to someone that I knew. Everyone experiences bad luck from time to time. The one that comes to mind that is really sad and unfortunate is when Sadie was very young, she steps on some killdeer eggs and that did happen to me. They look like little pebbles and are very hard to see and stepping on them was just devastating to me because I would never want to harm any creature. It was something that I was very sad about, and it was something that upset Sadie greatly as well.
As far as things that aren’t necessarily unlucky, the dog Wink in the story… that was inspired by a puppy that was in a rescue that I met and I desperately wanted to adopt, but at that point in my life, circumstances in my life prevented me from adopting him. By the time we were able to get a dog, he had a found a home, but he kind of stuck in my heart and so it was fun to kind of put him into a story.
Is there a sequel to Fortune Falls in the works?
There’s definitely thoughts that pop into my head and ideas that I love to incorporate into a sequel. At this point I am working on a different project and whether or not it ever comes to fruition, a sequel will be the publisher’s decision ultimately. So unfortunately, nothing in the works right now, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I just want to say that I don’t know if you readers always know how much authors appreciate you, but we really do so much! The gratitude is enormous for readers and your experience is what makes us want to do what we do. Please keep reading books and allowing us to tell our stories!
We would like to thank you again for taking the time and talking to us, Jenny! It was really informational and a neat perspective on the writing world. I can’t wait to see what you write next and hopefully, we eventually get a sequel to Fortune Falls!
Thanks again and we hope the rest of your summer is fantastic!
Goebel, Jenny GRAVE IMAGES Scholastic (Children's Fiction) $16.99 10, 29 ISBN: 978-0-545-51930-4
Is Abbot Stein predicting deaths with his etchings-or causing them? Twelve-year-old Bernadette "Bernie" Morrison wants to help her father in his business, Alpine Monuments, so that he can spend more time with her mother, who is still deeply depressed--to the point of being bed-ridden--over the death of Bernie's infant brother Thomas nearly a year ago. When a stranger, Stein, appears with an apparent talent for creating portraits in stone, Mr. Morrison hires him and lets him stay in the carriage house. Bernie's elation at the new face and a possible source of training vanishes in the face of Stein's gruff attitude and general creepiness. When Bernie discovers Stein has etched portraits of townspeople before they died, she sets out to find out how and to stop him with the help of oddball new kid and sheriff's son Michael Romano. Does Stein have anything to do with the deaths? And what does any of this have to do with the mysterious Isabella, whose portrait in stone Stein carries with him? Goebel's debut is a plodding, slightly supernatural thriller wrapped around an after-school special. Inoffensive enough (except, perhaps, for some kissing between Bernie and Michael) and far from frightening, the plot and setting are nearly as stock as the characters. For budding fans of problem fiction interested in a little spookiness. (Supernatural fiction. 8-11)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2013 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Goebel, Jenny: GRAVE IMAGES." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Sept. 2013. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A342657859/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f1bc0df7. Accessed 7 June 2025.
GOEBEL, Jenny. Grave Images. 208p. Scholastic. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780545519304; ebk. $16.99. ISBN 9780545522540.
Gr 5-8--Thirteen-year-old Bernie wishes her artwork could help her family's business, Alpine Monuments. Lately, it seems that every aspect of her life revolves around the graveyard. Her father never stops sandblasting headstones, her grandmother takes comfort baskets to the bereaved, and her mother unceasingly grieves the loss of her baby son, Thomas, sparing little attention for her living child. To add to Bernie's mounting troubles, sinister Abbot Stein arrives, offering his services as an expert gravestone artist, except that he often completes his etchings before his subject actually dies. Bernie reluctantly agrees to investigate the mounting death toll with her pesky neighbor, Michael. The final confrontation with Abbot Stein takes place in the graveyard with a death-defying escape scene. Bernie's narration clearly shows her misery over her family's grief and the support the small-town inhabitants provide. Slang dialogue sometimes clashes with her voice, but Goebel sensitively conveys the teen's emotional turmoil as well as the humor in her sarcastic comments. Goebel's own experiences as a headstone artist may have informed detailed descriptions of carving and the strange mixture of commerce and comfort Bernie's family provides to customers. The light romance between Bernie and Michael will please readers who like character development mixed with delicious creepiness. Fans of books by Mary Downing Hahn or Peg Kehret will find this a good match. While the cover and page length may suggest younger readers, this book targets middle schoolers.--Caitlin Augusta, Stratford Library Association, CT
Augusta, Caitlin
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2013 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Augusta, Caitlin. "Goebel, Jenny. Grave Images." School Library Journal, vol. 59, no. 12, Dec. 2013, p. 114. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A354086330/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7c0fe55b. Accessed 7 June 2025.
Goebel, Jenny FORTUNE FALLS Scholastic (Children's Fiction) $16.99 1, 5 ISBN: 978-0-545-81190-3
Can bad luck ever be a good thing? You wouldn't think so if you lived in Fortune Falls--and were among its Unluckies. Technically Sadie is still an Undetermined, not yet having taken her Luck Test, required of kids when they turn 12. She knows she's doomed to fail, though. Rotten luck follows her like a sad puppy. When Sadie and best friend Cooper attempt to reverse her misfortunes, she ends up breaking a mirror. Somehow this lousiest of omens sparks something fierce deep in Sadie's soul, prompting her to try anything to overcome her seemingly hapless destiny. Will she or won't she succeed? A few harrowing episodes, including graveyard escapades, a lost dog, skeletal remains, and a near-calamity facing down an oncoming train, help Sadie and readers realize she's not all that unlucky. This girl's got gumption. An ironic twist with a touch of magical realism runs through the second half of the novel, involving a certain animal that turns out to be an agent for change. Readers will root for Sadie and wish her the best even if they don't buy into all the doom and gloom (there's a lot of discussion of death). It's a good premise, but a few disparate themes don't particularly jell, and Goebel's intentions aren't always clear. Still, it's not the worst luck to pick this up; there are some nice moments, humor, and a satisfying ending. (Fiction. 9-12)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Goebel, Jenny: FORTUNE FALLS." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Oct. 2015. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A430104187/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=69cc1213. Accessed 7 June 2025.
* Fortune Falls.
By Jenny Goebel.
Jan. 2016. 208p. Scholastic, $16.99 (9780545811903); e-book, $16.99 (9780545811927). Gr. 4-7.
In Fortune Falls, luck matters. Step on a crack; your mom fractures vertebrae. Break a mirror; you may die within the hour. Sadie, born Unlucky, has one week to turn her terrible luck around before the Spring Luck Test. Failure means Bane's School for Luckless Adolescents, separated from her family, dog, and best friend Cooper. So far, though, the outlook isn't good: she's already lost her dog in the cemetery (he was chasing a black cat, of course). Should she use her birthday wish to get him back or save it for her Luck Test? What with a broken mirror, the black cat, and her Friday the Thirteenth birthday, it's clear that Sadie needs all the luck she can get just to survive until Monday's test. Filled with superstitions, both arcane and well known, and packed with clever details (Lucky Charmz black-market shop, haunted Rispin Field), this certainly captures the imagination. Tensions are high between Luckies and Unluckies as both the Friday the Thirteenth Dance (for Luckies only) and a major storm approach. Rich language, well-paced plotting, and rounded characters create an enchanting, hard-to-leave world. Sadie is a clever, resourceful, and brave hero who is unwilling to abandon her family and friends, even when facing insurmountable odds. Make space on your shelves for this one.--Suzanne Harold
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 American Library Association
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Harold, Suzanne. "Fortune Falls." Booklist, vol. 112, no. 7, 1 Dec. 2015, p. 62. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A437058983/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=e2feef8c. Accessed 7 June 2025.
GOEBEL, Jenny. Out of My Shell. 224p. Scholastic. Jun. 2019. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781338259551.
Gr 3-7--Twelve-year-oId Olivia is staying at her grandparents' house with her mom and younger sister Lanie for the family's annual vacation to Florida. This is the first year her dad isn't along for the trip, owing to her parents' recent separation. Olivia, who shares many of his interests, misses her dad and tire "Forrester Family Fabulous Facts" he would share throughout the journey. Meanwhile, things are awkward with her summer friend Aiden, whose grandfather is the caretaker for the Beachcomber Inn next door, which is under new management this summer. When Olivia discovers sea turtle hatchlings endangered by the bright lights at the back of the inn (they are causing the baby turtles to crawl in the wrong direction when looking for water), she vows to fix the problem and help save them. Throughout the summer, Olivia faces the struggles of having parents who are separated. She takes pictures and sends her dad texts so that he will think she is having a good time, and she worries about her mom, whom she catches crying and talking to her aunt about possibly moving Olivia and her sister to Florida. While finding her place among family, friends, and her new normal, Olivia learns that there are still plenty of people who care about her even when life feels so different. VERDICT Hand this to middle grade readers who are navigating changing family and friend dynamics as they come of age.--Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga Public Library System, OH
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Polace, Sarah. "GOEBEL, Jenny. Out of My Shell." School Library Journal, vol. 65, no. 6, June 2019, pp. 71+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A587876161/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=fecca0f7. Accessed 7 June 2025.
Goebel, Jenny OUT OF MY SHELL Scholastic (Children's Fiction) $17.99 6, 25 ISBN: 978-1-338-25955-1
Olivia Forrester's family vacation is one person short this year: Her parents have split up.
Liv usually looks forward to the annual trip to her grandparents' beach house, but it won't be the same without Dad, who shares the 13-year-old's love for facts. Determined not to upset her parents with her true feelings, pragmatic Liv develops a protective shell around her pain and anger. During a nighttime visit to the beach, Liv observes a sea turtle looking for a place to nest. However, the harsh light from the inn next door confuses the turtle, and she turns back to the ocean. Self-reliant Olivia promises herself and the turtle she'll convince the inn's greedy owner to put in turtle-friendly lighting. Her attempts get her into trouble, but even after a desperate act causes further tension between Liv and her family, she struggles forward, never giving up on her mission. Likable, familiar Liv is a reflective, compassionate, and self-aware narrator, and she juggles myriad conflicting emotions, struggling especially with how to express her feelings while being considerate of those of the people around her. Facts about sea turtles preface each chapter; the story will spark interest in the life cycle of sea turtles. Aside from a few secondary characters of color, including Liv's Latinx cousins, assume whiteness.
A strong story about growing up. (Fiction. 9-13)
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"Goebel, Jenny: OUT OF MY SHELL." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Apr. 2019. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A580520782/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=9b823b03. Accessed 7 June 2025.
Goebel, Jenny ADELITA Whitman (Children's None) $16.99 9, 1 ISBN: 978-0-8075-8114-8
A tiny sea turtle, rescued in Baja California, Mexico, and later released wearing a tracker, surprises the researchers and schoolchildren following her journey by crossing the entire Pacific Ocean.
Rescued when she was the size of a dinner plate, the loggerhead spent 10 years growing in a Mexican research lab until 1996, when a visiting American scientist (a White man) had the idea to attach one of the then-new satellite trackers to her shell and let her go free. A local fisherman who helped him named the turtle for his daughter, Adelita. There is little embellishment to this account; it leaves space for readers and listeners to imagine and wonder what she encountered during her 368-day journey and what finally happened to her after her transmitter stopped near the Japanese coast. The author does allude to the dangers she faced in the ocean, but both words and pictures gentle the circumstances of her original capture, in a fishing net, and her likely similar fate. This is a story with cheerful illustrations and a happy ending. Not only did Adelita demonstrate that adult sea turtles swim vast distances to return to their natal beaches to lay eggs, but Japanese fishermen who had been accidentally catching turtles began to release them from their nets. Sea turtles feature prominently in Goebel’s middle-grade novel, Out of My Shell (2019). Her affection shows.
Science takes another small step toward understanding the natural world. (author’s note, timeline, websites) (Informational picture book. 4-8)
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"Goebel, Jenny: ADELITA." Kirkus Reviews, 15 July 2020. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A629261344/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=98a8de9e. Accessed 7 June 2025.
GOEBEL, Jenny. Adellta, a Sea Turtle's Journey. illus. by Ana Miminoshvili. 32p. Albert Whitman. Sept. 2020. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780807581148.
PreS-Gr 3--Readers follow Adelita, a young loggerhead turtle, whose long journey began in 1986 when she was accidentally netted by a fisherman. The fisherman took the sea turtle to a scientific community in Baja California, Mexico. The researchers cared for Adelita and became interested in learning more about the habits of loggerhead turtles, specifically their travel patterns. Adelita had a satellite tag placed on her shell. Once she was released back into the wild, the researchers tracked and shared her journey online. Her journey lasted a total of 300-plus days as she swam from Mexico all the way back to Japan to the original beach she was hatched on. Her adventure inspired communities to help save turtles from being caught in nets or being captured for food. The text uses vivid verbs that enhance the illustrations and create a sense of movement. There are also sentences that compare Adelita to another object to help youngsters understand size or how something looks. For example, "She had grown to roughly the size of a dinner plate. Goebel not only highlights the habits of a fascinating creature but also emphasizes the importance of environmental awareness and animal conservation. VERDICT A nice addition to school and public libraries that will help readers learn about endangered or threatened animals and also about the natural habits of these amazing turtles.--Erin Olsen, Hunter Coll. Elem. Sch., NY
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Olsen, Erin. "GOEBEL, Jenny. Adellta, a Sea Turtle's Journey." School Library Journal, vol. 66, no. 9, Sept. 2020, p. 100. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A634532119/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=29a2be19. Accessed 7 June 2025.
Goebel, Jenny PIGTURE PERFECT Scholastic (Children's None) $7.99 12, 7 ISBN: 978-1-338-71640-5
Sixth grader Grace's hoped-for Christmas puppy turns out to be a rescue miniature potbellied pig.
Grace is living in a new house with her busy mother and Nathan, the stepfather she still thinks of as Mr. Pine. She's cautious about her behavior, believing that her exuberance and strong emotions are the reasons her father left. Grace warms to the pig fairly quickly despite her disappointment. But untrained Bernard's behavior has Nathan regretting having given Grace the pig, and the unexpected arrival of Nathan's 18-year-old daughter on Christmas adds to the many emotional challenges complicating Grace's life. Emma has her own sorrows and resents her younger stepsister. Goebel's voice for Grace is convincingly articulate, both sophisticated and likable, the narration of an observant and perceptive person whose innate empathy for and tolerance of others help her navigate multiple obstacles. A close lifelong friendship is finally reaching a turning point, but Grace's kindness and genuine interest in other people allow her to expand rather than contract her social circle. Liam, the slightly odd boy from the school bus; a Polaroid camera; and a dose of theatrical costuming help Bernard contribute to the happiness of elderly residents of a nearby retirement community. Grace finds a way to turn her charming rescue pig into a fledgling therapy pig and to realize her own considerable capabilities. A White default can be assumed.
Appealing and engaging, with a terrific pig. (Fiction. 8-12)
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"Goebel, Jenny: PIGTURE PERFECT." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Oct. 2021. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A678748273/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=c2716692. Accessed 7 June 2025.
Goebel, Jenny CHOCOLATE CHIRP COOKIES Whitman (Children's None) $17.99 9, 1 ISBN: 978-0-8075-1143-5
A framework of cultural understanding and fragile food systems surrounds an optimistic story about trying new things.
William, his sister, Harper, and their dad, all of whom are light-skinned, head into the Butterfly Pavilion, noting a cheerful sign stating "Entomophagy: Featuring a Bug Buffet!" Uncluttered illustrations balance neutral or muted backgrounds with pops of color for the insects introduced, such as the rusty red Madagascar hissing cockroach and the blue morpho butterfly. Younger-seeming Harper is eager to try munching on insects, while William is tentative despite his enthusiasm for observing insects, leaving room for kids with differing opinions about snacking on insects to find an anchor perspective in the story. When a light-skinned guest speaker asks if anyone visiting the event has eaten bugs, several people answer affirmatively, including William's father--a quick way to normalize the practice. Facts about how 80% of the world's people include insects in their diets may boggle readers' minds while encouraging curiosity and understanding. The speaker finds a way to reach pensive William by offering a familiar cookie treat made with cricket flour. While spreads are text-heavy, the story flows. The balanced combination of information, emotional processing, and a simple plot allows easy entry for many who find entomophagy novel. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Informative, entertaining, and upbeat. (Picture book. 5-8)
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"Goebel, Jenny: CHOCOLATE CHIRP COOKIES." Kirkus Reviews, 1 July 2022. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A708486917/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=272d2c31. Accessed 7 June 2025.
Goebel, Jenny BACKCOUNTRY Scholastic (Children's None) $8.99 12, 5 ISBN: 9781338857887
Thirteen-year-old Em and her diabetic alert dog face the dangerous Colorado wilderness alone.
While playing in a championship volleyball match, Em starts to feel sick. She pushes through so she won't disappoint Dad, who only seems interested in her when she's playing sports. More importantly, Em doesn't want him canceling their upcoming backcountry cross-country ski trip, her chance to show him that she's fun to be around outside of sports. But everything changes when she learns that she has Type 1 diabetes. Em's matched with black lab Molly, a diabetic alert dog, who Dad says can join them on their trip. However, a whiteout separates Em and Molly from Dad, who falls and breaks his leg. They make it to a cabin, and with Dad sheltering, Em risks everything to go find help with Molly by her side--even though her supply of insulin was damaged. The book attempts to walk the fine line between perpetuating the trope of the "inspirational disabled person" and presenting a character who displays intrepid adaptability while honoring her own limitations. Em's internalized ableism is heartbreaking, however, perhaps because the compressed timeline--a matter of months between her diagnosis and the trip--doesn't allow for in-depth, nuanced processing on her part. Em eventually realizes she can still live a "normal" life, but ultimately, it feels as though it's despite her diabetes rather than because disability is normal. Main characters read white.
An adventurous scenario that nearly but doesn't quite achieve strong disability representation. (Adventure. 8-12)
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"Goebel, Jenny: BACKCOUNTRY." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Oct. 2023. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A768633705/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f22c81c1. Accessed 7 June 2025.
Backcountry
Jenny Goebel
Scholastic
www.scholastic.com
9781338857887, $8.99, PB, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Backcountry-Jenny-Goebel/dp/1338857886
Synopsis: Emily has always excelled at sports, and her athletic abilities have given her confidence on and off the courts. So when she starts to drag during her middle school volleyball season, she assumes it must be the flu. Why else would she be missing simple spikes and blocks? But after a particularly intense game she finds herself riding in the back of an ambulance, a paramedic telling her that her life will never be the same.
Adjusting to life with type 1 diabetes isn't easy. Emily is desperate to prove that she's just as strong and capable as ever, so she jumps at the opportunity to go on a backcountry ski trip with her dad and her new diabetic alert dog, Molly.
But when an avalanche rips through the area, separating Emily from her father, she and Molly are left to face a challenge far greater than anything she could have imagined. When it becomes clear that no one will come to their rescue before their food and insulin run out, Emily and Molly must find strength they didn't know they possessed (and faith in one another) to survive the harsh wintery conditions and escape the backcountry.
Critique: A deftly crafted and riveting read from start to finish, "Backcountry" by Jenny Goebel will have an immense interest for young readers ages 8-12. With its themes of medical companion dogs, diabetes disabilities/needs, and high adventure, "Backcountry" is especially and unreservedly recommended for middle school and community library Contemporary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Backcountry" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Jenny Goebel (https://jennygoebel.com) is also the author of Grave Images, The 39 Clues: Mission Hurricane, and Fortune Falls.
Please Note: Illustration(s) are not available due to copyright restrictions.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 Midwest Book Review
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"Backcountry." Children's Bookwatch, Jan. 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A783034124/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f22b756e. Accessed 7 June 2025.
I.R.L.
Jenny Goebel. Scholastic Press, $14.99 (176p) ISBN 978-1-5461-2500-6
Upon first moving from San Francisco to small, rural White Pines, Alaska, due to her mother's occupation studying renewable energy, sixth grader Lucy Bell-Rodriguez is excited to leave her former bullies behind. Yet she's disheartened when she's stuck at home doing remote learning from October to April, waiting out the treacherous Alaskan winter. Now that spring has sprung, though, it's finally time for her first day of in-person schooling; Lucy is eager to get to know her classmates beyond her computer screen. But on her first IRL day at White Pines Secondary School, Lucy arrives to a burned-down building with no one in sight. Convinced she has the wrong address, Lucy tries to find her school again and instead stumbles upon a graveyard with headstones bearing the names of her classmates. Is Lucy the victim of some elaborate prank, or are there supernatural forces at play? Lucy's palpable new-kid anxieties and earnest search for friendship following past bullying and virtual schooling adds emotional depth. Immersive descriptions of the remote Alaskan landscape inject eerie appeal to this sinister paranormal mystery by Goebel (Backcountry). Lucy is described as having "pasty skin." Ages 8-12. (Feb.)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 PWxyz, LLC
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"I.R.L." Publishers Weekly, vol. 271, no. 42, 4 Nov. 2024, pp. 44+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A815444327/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=79c1e2d5. Accessed 7 June 2025.
Goebel, Jenny I.R.L. Scholastic (Children's None) $14.99 2, 4 ISBN: 9781546125006
Switching from virtual to in-person learning causes supernatural scares for a sixth grader.
Lucy Bell-Rodriguez's new school in rural Alaska has been meeting online during the colder months. Her classmates seem welcoming, if a bit old-fashioned, and escaping the bullies at her previous school is a relief. Lucy is nervous and excited when the improved weather finally provides a chance for the students to meet in person. She bravely takes off into the Alaskan chill toward White Pine Secondary School but soon finds herself at a charred ruin--did her classmate Mara give her an incorrect address as a prank? When she reconnects with the others online (due to inclement weather, the school's returning to virtual learning), Mara explains that she must have accidentally sent Lucy to the wrong location. But Lucy can't let it go, and when she returns to the site, she discovers something worse--gravestones with familiar names. Lucy's mother, a scientist at a research facility studying strange local electrical phenomena, tries to convince her that there's been some mistake, to no avail. Going light on character development, Goebel frees up space for many creepy scenarios and mysterious revelations. The fast pace and short length make this tale accessible to a wide range of readers, and the intriguing premise is well served by tight plotting. Characters' ethnicities aren't explicitly mentioned.
A quick and chilling tale, full of school spirits.(Horror. 8-12)
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"Goebel, Jenny: I.R.L." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Dec. 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A819570327/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=462c2465. Accessed 7 June 2025.