How long have you and Helen been best friends?
Since we were zygotes. Seriously, our mothers were pals and Lennie and I are convinced we started communicating each other from their wombs. She’d kick her mom in the kidneys, I’d head butt my mom in the liver—like a fetus Morse code if you will.
Who inspires you?
Aw, man. Now you’re making me be all serious. Lennie inspires me. I just wish she wouldn’t slouch so much. There’s no excuse for bad posture.
How do you feel about the Delos family moving into town?
Are you crazy? I’m so excited I’m practically vibrating. Do you have any idea how small my school is? We’ve all known each other since first grade so trying to date someone is like trying to convince yourself it’s okay to date your brother. We had a foreign exchange student once, but she was a girl.
And I hear there are THREE boys coming to the island-- boys I never saw throw up eggs in second grade or walk around with big boogers hanging out of their noses in fifth or some other such icky episode that’s bound to happen over eleven years of hanging out with someone. You know. REAL BOYS for a change. I can’t talk about it anymore—I get too choked up.
If you could go anywhere in the world with anyone for a day where would you go?
Oh wow. I just want to warn you that whatever I say right now could be forgotten by tomorrow or replaced by a different boy-Caribbean combination okay? Okay. I’d go to Bali with Callan Mcauliffe. But with my luck, he’d probably end up being boring, or allergic to sand or something and I’d end up back at the News Store with Lennie, eating croissants and spraying each other with silly string in the store room. That wouldn’t be too bad, either.
Has it been a challenge being the only Asian kid in your school?
Nothing is a challenge for someone as awesome as me. But yeah, it sucks. It’s not like anyone is dumb enough to try and make fun of me. I have a natural gift for figuring out exactly what’s wrong with other people and I have no problem telling them exactly what I think about them to their faces. I don’t do bullies. Lennie lets people bully her sometimes and it drives Matt and me crazy. I wish she’d stand up for herself more.
What are your hobbies or what do you like to do in your free time?
I like to read. I know, I know. I’m a geek. I’ve made peace with that. I also run track even though I don’t really like running. I mostly do it because Lennie does it.
Don’t tell anyone this, okay? I take calligraphy lessons from my grandma, too. Like, ancient Japanese calligraphy. I’m even starting to learn how to make my own brushes and paper.
Having lived their your whole life, do you like living on Nantucket Island?
Born and raised on ‘ACK. I like it, even if it is a little hard being surrounded by white people all the time. Most of them are okay. ;)
You have a great personality and a lot of spunk, what are you hoping to be “when you grow up”?
I have no idea, and thank you for bringing it up. Every morning my parents ask me “What are you going to do with your life?” “What are you going to major in at college?” and every morning I tell them something different. Today I told them I was going to major in horse-breaking. They are not pleased that I haven’t answered “doctor” or “lawyer” or “computer programmer” yet.
The truth is, I have no idea what I’m going to do. But I promise it will be spectacular.
What is your favorite memory of you and Helen?
My favorite memory! Okay, one time in fifth, Gretchen, Helen, and I were all playing hide and seek at Gretchen’s house. Helen was it. She found me first and then she and I went to look for Gretchen together. Turns out, Gretchen had to go to the bathroom half way through the game.
So I dare Helen to pull the door open a crack, not all the way so we’d see anything, just a bit so Gretchen would freak out and scream that she was in there and all that. But Helen pulled a little too hard. She ripped the door off the hinges on accident. And there was Gretchen—beauty queen girl that was always bragging about which pageant she’d just won—sitting on the can and picking her nose at the same time. Priceless.
Well, Gretchen freaked out. She stopped being both our friends and ever since then she’s sort of had this thing against Len and me, but mostly Lennie. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed that hard in my life. I never liked Gretchen—she’s just not a good person. I’m glad she and Lennie stopped hanging out because that means I don’t have to hang out with her either.
Thank you so much Claire! It was great getting to know you better. :)
I don't like to limit myself on what I read, so I haven't narrowed my blog down to a particular genre. Although I don't blog about a particular genre of books I do read a lot more YA than Adult titles. So my site tends to cater more to YA reads. I also prefer to read books with any type of fantasy, paranormal, steampunk or dystopian elements because that is what I enjoy. I like a lot of fiction with my fiction, I get enough real life in the real world. I am also always looking out for that "happily ever after". I prefer happy books. Bring me a book that has magic and a happily ever after and I am hooked. Love!
Author: Cliff McNish
Today is the first day of Armchair BEA! For those of us not able to attend BEA in New York we have the chance to participate in Armchair BEA; BEA events right in the comfort of your own home. Thank you to all of the Armchair BEA organizers for putting this week together. I am excited to participate! 
Josie was born in a tiny town in Massachusetts called Ashland. When she meets people from Massachusetts and tells them ‘what part’ she hails from, she usually gets one of two answers. The first is: “Ashland. Isn’t that in Oregon?” And the second is: “Did you just say Ass-land?”
