Interview with Lisa Klein, author of Cate of the Lost Colony

Please welcome Lisa Klein to the blog today! She's the other of several books for teens, including the newly released Cate of the Lost Colony. Here are some questions I asked her and her answers.

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In your opinion, what are the top three reasons why teens, or even adults, should consider picking up Cate of the Lost Colony the next time they see it online or in store?

One, pick it up because of the cover. (You can judge this book by the cover!) Two, haven’t you always wondered what happened to the people of the “lost colony” of Roanoke? Three, it’s a romance with lots of conflict and danger.

Cate of the Lost Colony is told from the viewpoint of Cate, so would you mind sharing a little bit about her? Also, if you could offer her any type of advice, what would you say?

Cate begins by being insecure and inexperienced at the queen’s court, but she has a tendency to be outspoken. She gains confidence, especially after she arrives on Roanoke Island and leadership is sorely needed. Perhaps her most notable trait is curiosity, and this is both her downfall and her salvation. I don’t have any advice to offer her; she manages just fine on her own! I’d want to be more like her, if I ever found myself on a dangerous island.

What inspired you to have Cate of the Lost Colony’s setting be Roanoke Island?

Well, that’s where the colonists landed in 1587, because there was already a fort and a few buildings. Whatever happened there determined if there were any survivors. Even if they were never found, it’s a novelist’s job to speculate.

How did the title Cate of the Lost Colony come to be? Was it always the title or did it come later on in the process?

It came about late in the process, but it seemed so natural. I like alliteration!

What are three things about you that your readers would be surprised to find out about you?

1. I was in the National Spelling Bee when I was 12 and placed fifteenth.

2. I love to eat raw chocolate chip cookie dough.

3. I have two sons (ages 15 and 20) and five “daughters”: Ophelia, Lizzie, Rosanna, Albia, and Cate!

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Thanks, Lisa!

Day Three: Review of Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa Klein

*As part of October's Outstanding Bloomsbury and Walkerbooks Author's Week, I have a reveiw of Lisa Klein's Cate of the Lost Colony today; be sure to check back later for more Cate of the Lost Colony related goodies*

Summary/Cover Image from Bloomsbury's Website:

Lady Catherine is one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite court maidens - until her forbidden romance with Sir Walter Ralegh is discovered. In a bitter twist of irony, the jealous queen banishes Cate to Ralegh's colony of Roanoke, in the New World. Ralegh pledges to come for Cate, but as the months stretch out, Cate begins to doubt his promise and his love. Instead it is Manteo, a Croatoan Indian, whom the colonists - and Cate - increasingly turn to. Yet just as Cate's longings for England and Ralegh fade and she discovers a new love in Manteo, Ralegh will finally set sail for the New World.

Seamlessly weaving together fact with fiction, Lisa Klein's newest historical drama is an engrossing tale of adventure and forbidden love - kindled by one of the most famous mysteries in American history: the fate of the settlers at Roanoke, who disappeared without a trace forty years before the Pilgrims would set foot in Plymouth.

Review:

Cate of the Lost Colony is a richly, creatively told story that combines fact and fiction in a way that not only has you learn new details about England, Elizabeth, and Roanoke Island but also leaves you breathless to find out more of what happened to the fictional protagonist of Cate.

Cate of the Lost Colony is the story of Lady Catherine, a girl who's nearly hitting rock bottom thanks to the death of her father and the loss of nearly everything she called home. But, as it turns out her luck is soon to change when Queen Elizabeth sends her a personal letter asking Cate to be one of her court maidens. Cate, thrilled at the news, quickly packs her few belongings, and sets off for court in hope of a new and better life. Though, as it turns out court will bring good, as well as bad things. Good being the fact she makes one of the best friends of her life and quickly becomes one of the queen's favorite and bad being the fact that after an illicit romance with Sir Walter Ralegh she's exiled to the colony of Roanoke, providing a struggle bigger than any other Cate has faced before. Will Cate be able to save herself, as well as the other lost colonists? Will Sir Walter Ralegh come back and profess his love, or will Cate find someone else? Only time will tell in this highly addictive tale of court drama, forbidden loves, and one incredible teen girl.

Cate is one of the bravest and strong willed protagonists I've read about in ages, which left me to have nothing but respect and admiration for this young girl, who manages to have everything taken from her and yet rebuild it all more than once. I loved the way Cate would never shy away from speaking her feelings, something most girls in her time wouldn't, and how she was always one to come up with a creative new way to get along with the Indians and unite Roanoke as a colony. One of my favorite parts of Cate of the Lost Colony was the relationships she made throughout. Her friendship with Emme, one of the girls at court, was one of my favorites because it was a fun addition, and their friendship often felt real and not forced. I also loved reading about her connection to Manteo, though I personally would have loved a bit more development to their relationship.

The premise is this is great (I loved the idea of half of the novel taking place at Roanoke and how it dealt with what happened to the colonists that were left there to fend for themselves) and the execution was equally good. I enjoyed the way the story was separated in three different parts, as well as how greatly of detail and accuracy Klein put into this book.

My only complaint about Cate of the Lost Colony would be the way it lagged at times and how some passages sounded a bit like a history book.

While it did have those faults, Cate of the Lost Colony is still a book I highly enjoyed and when I can't help but suggest to all you history buffs and historical fiction fans!

Grade: B

Cate of the Lost Colony will be released October 12, 2010!

Source: Kate at Bloomsbury. Thanks!