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Author Interviews · September 29, 2021

Mae Respicio on How to Win a Slime War (+ Giveaway!)

Mae Respicio’s new book, How to Win a Slime War caught my interest because of that bold cover (look at the slime!). I loved the story more than I thought I would. It’s a perfect blend of culture, fun, and the sweet middle grade theme of belonging. Alex Manalo is a sensitive male protagonist you can’t help but love. I chatted with Mae about her book, writing about slime, letting kids find their rhythm, and Filipino culture. I know you’ll enjoy this interview.

Mae is also giving away a copy of How to Win a Slime War to one reader. You can enter this giveaway at the end of this interview.


Mae Respicio - Author Interview

Interview with Mae Respicio

Hi Mae! It’s so good to be chatting with you again two books later! Congratulations on How to Win a Slime War. A book about a young slime aficionado? What inspired you to write this story?

Thanks, Afoma, I always love chatting with you! And thank you for the congratulations. Like all of my books, this one’s inspired by everything close to home from my childhood to parenting life. But the very initial spark was one summer when I found a glob of goo in my refrigerator! It turns out my younger son had been making slime. Pretty soon all his friends were coming over to slime and we were constantly going to the dollar store for ingredients. I ended up keeping a notebook of my observations, their conversations, what the slime felt like—those were the sparks that helped start developing the story. So I had fun researching this book… except for all the clean-up! 

Alex really wants to make his dad happy, but his dad seems stuck on making Alex into a certain kind of kid. Did you experience this as a kid or is this something you’ve felt as a parent yourself?

I’m very lucky that my parents have always been supportive of my choices and I try to parent in that same way. In this book, Alex’s dad desperately wants Alex to play soccer, even though Alex isn’t super into it. I think that aspect of the story came a lot from being a mom whose kids have been involved in sports—seeing how parents act both on and off the field, and the kinds of pressure and expectations some families put on their kids. I thought that would be interesting to explore.

I love the strong Filipino culture present in all of your stories. What would you say is most central to Filipino culture?

I love this question. You know, I don’t think there’s really just one thing central to Filipino culture, and also it’s so largely dependent on an individual and their experiences. However, growing up, what was central to my culture for me was (and still is) simply being close to my family. And I would say that I know many Filipino American families who are large and close-knit. My family is such a cornerstone of who I am. Their roots in the Philippines to their immigration journey to who my family is today—that’s all part of my lens and how I see the world. It’s something very inseparable in my writing. 

Alex’s new friend Logan is trying to get back with his former best friend and Alex is just trying to find one good friend. My heart went out to all the kids in this story looking for a sense of belonging. Why do you think finding a tribe is such a popular middle grade book theme?

I think that trying to feel out where you belong is such a normal part of adolescence. In middle school kids are still very tethered to their families, but they’re also trying to find some sense of independence, they’re testing the waters in that way. I see it in my own kids, who are both in middle school now. That feeling of belonging—finding where you feel comfortable just being yourself—I think is one real step toward maturing and toward independence. 

I really worried about Alex’s dad trying to change up the store too much. Would you consider yourself someone who loves to try new things or one who prefers traditional choices like Alex does?

I’m definitely a person who can be averse to change! (I have one favorite local restaurant and I order the same favorite dish every. Single. Time!) But I know how important it is to stretch yourself, and that’s one thing I really wanted for both Alex’s journey and his Dad’s journey, too. Change can be hard for kids no matter how small, and I love it when middle grade books weave that into their storylines. It gives young readers ideas for what resiliency can look like, and assures them that change is totally natural and a very real part of life.

Alex and Meadow are competitors in the slime market. Were you entrepreneurial as a kid? 

Oh, yes! One memory I had when I wrote this book was when my cousins, friends, and I tried to start our own business in our neighborhood called Pizza Pizzaz, and our “pizza” was basically an English muffin topped with sauce and cheese. I had called my cousin when I remembered this to see if she could confirm and share some of her memories, too, and she actually thought that we used ketchup! That’s pretty gross, but I’m sure it’s not untrue. I couldn’t stop laughing.

Which middle grade books have you read and enjoyed lately?

There’s so much wonderful middle grade out right now, it fills my heart (and empties my wallet!). I loved Better with Butter by Victoria Piontek and I’m about to dig into Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai, by Debbi Michiko Florence (I loved the first one in that series called Keep it Together, Keiko Carter).

I feel like so many authors have a book out next year! Do you? And if so, is there anything you can tell us about your next middle grade book?

I have another middle grade novel coming out around a year from now! The title is still up in the air, but it’s a story within a story. It’s all about a twelve-year-old girl whose summer is turned upside-down when she discovers some mysterious poems hidden behind a wall, and she and her friends try to track down the owner. The poems tell the story of another twelve-year-old girl from 1999, who’s unexpectedly separated from her mother. There’s a lot of heart-filled adventure in this book, but just as many“get your tissues ready” moments. Of all my stories this one’s my favorite so far (please don’t tell the other books!), and I can’t wait to eventually share more.

What do you hope kids learn from Alex’s story?

I hope that kids learn to dream big and that winning can take on many different forms. Also to speak up, speak out, and find your voice! 

Thanks so much for your time, Mae!

Thank you so much, Afoma, I’m such a fan… whenever friends ask what they should read next, I tell them too check out your blog! 

Enter below to win a copy of Mae Respicio’s How to Win a Slime War. US only, closes October 5, 2021.

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Buy How to Win a Slime War

how to win a slime war by mae respicio
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Meet Mae Respicio

Mae Respico


Mae Respicio grew up in Northern California and like the main character in her debut middle grade novel, spent many childhood summers dancing in a Filipino folk dance troupe. Mae is a past recipient of a PEN Center USA Emerging Voices Fellowship. She’s been a writer-in-residence at Hedgebrook and Atlantic Center for the Arts and has published a variety of musings on parenthood. She lives with her family in the San Francisco Bay Area, not far from the ocean and the redwoods. Visit her online at www.maerespicio.com


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Comments

  1. Kim Spradlin says

    September 29, 2021 at 12:31 pm

    I can’t wait to read this! I think my middle grade students will really like it.

    Reply
  2. Danielle Hammelef says

    September 29, 2021 at 2:12 pm

    I enjoyed learning more about this author and how she developed her ideas and characters for this book. Please enter me for a chance to win a copy.

    Reply
  3. Heather says

    September 30, 2021 at 4:29 pm

    What a fun interview! That sounds like a great middle grade book. Change is something we all have to deal with, but for kids it’s so tough, because often they don’t initiate it. Anything that helps them learn to cope with change is great!

    Reply
    • Kim McD says

      September 30, 2021 at 10:42 pm

      Sounds wonderful! Loved hearing more from Mae!

      Reply

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✨how ‘bout a little virtual reality?✨

☀️ Addie has reluctantly moved across the country with her dad for his summer job in the virtual reality industry. He's working on research to use VR for therapeutic purposes, such as helping people cultivate empathy. Addie is not into VR, but that starts to change when she meets Matteo another kid on campus, and tries out VR on her own. Eventually, the two find a helpful use for VR that helps other people.

🥽 I loved the illustration style in this one and while I found the VR setting a bit disorienting, I appreciated the unique lens of the story. The graphic novel format works brilliantly for helping readers appreciate the power of VR. I think with text, it would have just been too much “world-building.” This is more engaging and exciting for kids.

🐢 Lo and Behold is a clever middle grade graphic novel about virtual reality, grief, and parental addiction. Readers who enjoy VR will love this one, but as the Author's Note mentions, it will also be a fantastic introduction for those who, like me, aren't familiar with it. A fun summer read with hints of serious themes.

#mglit #middlegrade #bookstagram
✨surprisingly heartwarming middle grade✨ 🗺 ✨surprisingly heartwarming middle grade✨

🗺️ Ginny’s summer is thrown off when her dad gets a surprise redeployment in the middle of their family’s moving to another city. Then, her geography camp gets canceled. Her sister seems to be making new friends, but no one appears to like Ginny–even when she starts her own geography camp. 

❤️ I loved this book way more than I thought I would (from the synopsis). Ginny has such a great voice and she isn’t always the most likable character but she’s always real. I loved watching her grow throughout the story.

📍This sweet, unique young middle grade book made my heart grow and ache for Ginny and her family as they navigated a season of change. Features illustrations and a new geography fact in each chapter.

#amreading #mglit #middlegrade
My current adult reads! HAPPY TRAVELER is a non- My current adult reads! 

HAPPY TRAVELER is a non-fiction title about making travel work for you and creating enjoyable, memorable experiences. So far, I’m enjoying the author’s musings on travel.

HELLO BEAUTIFUL is a bookstagram darling (need I say more?) and I already know I’ll be reading it for a while. It’s one of those books that really forces you to slow down. The writing is so tender; it feels like the author loves her characters ❤️

#bookstagram #amreading #readersofinstagram
✨growing up is full of bumps on the way✨ 🤓 ✨growing up is full of bumps on the way✨

🤓 Sixth grade is off to a rocky start for Rex. His district moved most of his elementary school to another middle school, his best friend ditches him for the popular crew, and his blurry vision means he has to get clunky new glasses–the only kind his family can afford. 

❤️ This sweet graphic novel for fans of Telgemeier is an ode to middle school, family, and finding your people.

#graphicnovel #middleschoolbooks #kidlit
Do you like to hop on the “buzz train”? I find Do you like to hop on the “buzz train”? I find that buzzy books are often worth the hype. Even the few people who dislike them tend to have STRONG feelings about them 👀 which to me is a sign that the story got to you somehow. Of course, not every book is for every reader — hype or not. I share my tip for finding a hyped book that matches your reading tastes.

Which hyped books did you love? And which ones missed the mark for you?

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✨a different kind of sunshine✨ I loved this g ✨a different kind of sunshine✨

I loved this graphic memoir about the author’s time as a counselor at a camp for kids with cancer. It was my first time reading anything by this author and I totally get the appeal.

This one didn’t end up being as sad as I thought it would be but it was very moving, especially because Krosoczka shares newspaper clippings and pictures of one the families with whom he forged a particularly close relationship even until his college years.

If you’re looking for an engaging graphic memoir for older kids ages 11+ this is a great choice.

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✨a devastating debut✨ This book! Brilliantly ✨a devastating debut✨

This book! Brilliantly written, impressive characterization, and a plot so unexpected. It left me physically shaken (it's not feel-good), but it feels so necessary, so timely. A solid debut about the search for the great American Dream, familial sacrifices, and confronting our ugly inner selves -- all in less than 300 pages. 

You'll like this if you like:

Multiple perspectives (3 perspectives, 3rd person POV)
Character-driven stories
Time-jumping plots
Devastating endings

If you prefer straightforward, plot-rich, fast-paced stories, you might struggle a bit with this one at the start. But it's worth it!

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☀️ Meet the Bookstagrammer ☀️ Hi, new fol ☀️ Meet the Bookstagrammer ☀️

Hi, new followers! It’s such a pleasure to have a few new faces around. I love finding new readers to follow on the gram. 

My name is Afoma and I run a book blog called Reading Middle Grade. I also run a Facebook Group and newsletter related to my blog. In my day job, I’m a freelance writer and editor, with a degree in medicine.

I’ve lived in three continents (born in Nigeria, med school in Ukraine and the Caribbean). I live in Nigeria now with my husband and many, many books 🤭 I love to cook and travel and run. This year, one of my goals is to become a better runner. I’m currently able to run 2K without stopping. 

Even though we don’t have traditional four seasons in Nigeria, the summer months are my favorite. From childhood, they were the one time when my overachieving, perfectionistic self could RELAX. And do nothing! And even now, I try to take time off in the summer to do nothing.

Some of favorite books this year have been LASAGNA MEANS I LOVE YOU, THE LOST YEAR (I lived in Ukraine for 3 years, so this resonated with me!), and MAAME. 

Thank you so much for following my reading journey! Tell me something about yourself — hobbies, favorite books, anything! ❤️
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