Hello! I'm Afoma.
  • Book Reviews
    • Picture book
    • Chapter Books
    • Middle-Grade
    • Graphic Novels
    • Young Adult
    • Adult Fiction
    • Adult Non-Fiction
  • Book Lists
    • Picture Book Lists
    • Middle Grade Book Lists
    • Book Lists by Theme
    • Book Lists by Grade
    • Audiobook Recommendations
  • Join My Newsletter!
  • Go to the Blog
  • Summer Reading
  • Work with Me
    • Review & Promotion Policy
    • School Visits

Reading Middle Grade

Books for Kids and Grown Ups

  • Book Reviews
    • Picture book
    • Chapter Books
    • Middle-Grade
    • Graphic Novels
    • Young Adult
    • Adult Fiction
    • Adult Non-Fiction
  • Book Lists
    • Picture Book Lists
    • Middle Grade Book Lists
    • Book Lists by Theme
    • Book Lists by Grade
    • Audiobook Recommendations
  • Join My Newsletter!
  • Go to the Blog
  • Summer Reading
  • Work with Me
    • Review & Promotion Policy
    • School Visits

Author Interviews · March 9, 2021

Tonya Lacy on The Talented Twins Adventures

Tonya Lacy is an Army vet and the author of The Talented Twins’ Adventure series. In this interview, Tonya and I discuss her books, how to help kids deal with bullying, and her path to becoming a writer of books for kids.

Please note: I was monetarily compensated for this interview. Thank you for supporting the authors and brands that keep Reading Middle Grade free for all readers.

Tonya Lacy - The Talented Twins Adventures - Author Interview

Hi Tonya, Welcome to Reading Middle Grade! Could you tell us a bit about you and your debut chapter book series, The Talented Twins’ Adventures?

I live in Denver, Colorado with my husband of 21 years, my twin teenagers (who’ll be 14 on 3/14!), and our two dogs. I’m an Army veteran currently working as a Program Assistant in the Cardiology division of the Colorado University (CU) Anschutz Medical campus. The Talented Twins’ Adventures set is my debut children’s book series!

What inspired you to create the series — and what inspired the first story?

I was inspired to create the series after observing different issues, emotional and social, that multiple siblings (i.e. twins, triplets, etc.) can experience, that other single children do not experience.

This first book, Forgiveness, is loosely based on an event that occurred while my twins were at the mall. My son was very upset about it for a few days and kept asking me “why did they do that?” That’s when I got the idea to write the story, in an effort to offer an answer to other children that may have the same question regarding bullying.

Bullying is an ever present issue, and these days it starts younger than ever. Is that something you experienced as a child?

Yes, I think it’s safe to say all children experience some type of bullying as a child. Being much taller than my peers, with large feet, and wearing very thick glasses, I was always teased! But I was very proud of my unique traits and used them to my advantage.

In this day and age of social media, and the world of being justified by your number of likes, I feel that bullying is ever present and much more harsh than what our generation experienced when we were children. 

The theme of your first book is forgiveness. Why do you think that is something kids who are bullied or experiencing racial prejudice also need to do? 

I think forgiving your oppressor will teach kindness and, in turn, hopefully make the bully feel silly or guilty if they do not get the reaction out of you that they initially expected. Being kind and forgiving will also show others how you expect to be treated and will, eventually, leave you feeling better about yourself.

When we withhold anger, it only makes us more angry, confused, and hurt. Hurt people then hurt other people and it becomes a revolving circle that we can’t get out of. 

Have you always wanted to be a writer of books for kids? Do you have a day job in addition to writing? How do you find the balance?

No, I did not always want to be a children’s book writer, but the incident my children experienced gave me the idea to write the first book and I later realized there were other situations that other children like them may experience that could be shared as well. The manuscript actually collected dust until 2019 and it was first written in 2013! 

As stated above, I’m currently working as a Program Assistant in the Cardiology division of the CU Anschutz Medical campus. I find balance by remembering to enjoy writing and publishing and not to make it another “job”; this allows me to stay eager about it and excited to continue with it!

Who are your favorite authors to read?

Ntozake Shange, Tayari Jones, Toni Morrison, Mary Torjussen, Stephen King, and any comedic memoir.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Dancing, trying out new recipes (eating them, not cooking them!), crafts and/or board games with my children, unique group activities

What can we expect next from you? Any forthcoming work you’d like to share?

The third installment of The Talented Twins Adventures: Same but Different will be launched soon, with illustrations by my daughter, Resa Lacy!

Thank you so much for stopping by, Tonya!


Buy The Talented Twins Adventures: Forgiveness

The Talented Twins Adventures: Same but Different - Author Interview

Meet Tonya Lacy

Tonya Lacy - Author Interview

Tonya Lacy lives in Denver Colorado near the Rocky Mountains with her husband, nonidentical twin teenagers, a senile Boston Terrier, and an attack Rottweiller.

Tonya served 6 years in the United States Army as a Signals Analyst, was an Administrative Assistant to some really important people, and later obtained a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Graphic Design and Media Arts from Southern New Hampshire University. She is currently a Program Assistant at the University of Colorado Medical Campus in the Cardiology division. In between these milestones, she became a blessed mom to two gorgeous human beings, attempted to be a Zumba dancer, a Tap dancer, a craft maker of anything she sees on Pinterest, a zip-liner, a white-water rafter, an ax-thrower, a self-proclaimed foodie (as an eater, not a chef!), an avid book reader, and now a writer of children’s picture books! Within the latter, she attempts to showcase ways for juveniles to stand behind various morals and values while coping with emotional and societal experiences.

The Talented Twins’ Adventures is Tonya’s debut children’s book series, loosely inspired by events that happened to her children when they were younger.

If you want to know when Tonya’s next book will come out, please follow her at one of the sites below, where you can sign up to receive an email when she has her next release!:

Amazon 
Goodreads
Reedsy (Upvote her book!):

More Author Interviews

  • L.A. Estabrook on being a writer with dyslexia
  • Tony Gaskin on the need for more diversity in children’s books
  • Janae Marks on From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Don't Forget to Share!

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pocket
  • Email
  • WhatsApp
  • LinkedIn

Related

Posted In: Author Interviews

Join My Newsletter

Like what you just read? Sign up for my Friday kidlit newsletter!

Privacy Policy

You’ll Also Love

Author Brigit Young on Her Middle Grade Book, Bright
Author Gillian McDunn on Writing About Relationships
sall j pla interview - the fire, the water, andmaudie mcginnInterview: The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla

What do you think? Leave a comment Cancel reply

Next Post >

21 Best Middle Grade Books Set in Europe

About Me
Hi, I'm Afoma! Thank you for stopping by. Learn more about me here.

a group for kid lit lovers

reading middle grade facebook group

Get 2 Months Free on Scribd

Follow on Bloglovin’

Follow

We’re Social Too!

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Stock photos courtesy of our partners at DepositPhotos 📸

Find me on Instagram

whatafomareads

📚 Sharing the best middle grade (and adult) book recommendations
💌 [email protected] for book publicity (No DMs, please)

Afoma
If you love layered middle grade books that still If you love layered middle grade books that still manage to be fun and relatable and accessible to tweens, don’t miss this fall release! Sometimes I thought I was reading a book for adults! Especially with the tough issues Bishop explores during the Dad chapters, which are told in 3rd person (unlike the girls who narrate in first person)!

#sportsbooks #middlegradebooks #mglit
✨lifetime favorite✨ I’m not a big re-reader ✨lifetime favorite✨

I’m not a big re-reader but if I had to re-read favorite middle grade titles, this would be at the top of my list! Clea is a highly motivated middle schooler who’s finding it harder and harder to keep up with school work. Her thoughts keep jumping around and the only time she can really focus is when she’s playing chess. Soon, she’s diagnosed with ADHD and has to find ways to work with the way her brain functions.

I love the way this book deflates stereotypes about the condition and shows just how much effort people with ADHD have to exert to function in a neurotypical world. With an unforgettable voice and strong themes of friendship, family, and crossing over from childhood to teenage years, Focused is a memorable read. 

I would strongly recommend this one for anyone curious about ADHD, chess lovers, and anyone who’s ever squabbled with a best friend.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

#adhd #bookstagram #mglit
✨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?

#reader #bookstagram #unpopularopinions
✨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.

#graphicnovel #kidlit #yareader
Load More Follow on Instagram
  • Blog
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 Reading Middle Grade · Theme by 17th Avenue

 

Loading Comments...