DAVID LUBAR Q&A for Dog Days

Question: What inspired you to write DOG DAYS? 

DAVID LUBAR: It began with the mystery.  I built the rest of the story around that.  In the end, the mystery aspect is probably less important than the rest of Larry's story.

Question: Are you a dog fan, and have you ever rescued dogs yourself?

DAVID LUBAR: I had dogs when I was a kid.  I've never rescued a dog, but I once took in a cat that needed a home.

Question: When I read the book, I pictured a setting around World War II, but I realized,  you never really say what year the book was meant to be written within. Was that on purpose? What year is it meant to reflect?

DAVID LUBAR: It's basically the world of my own childhood, so you could set it in the 1960s, though I tried to give it a bit of a timeless feel.  I realize that the world has grown more complex, but the book is set in the place we all wish our kids could live.

Question: Why did Larry, the protagonist in DOG DAYS love baseball so much? 

DAVID LUBAR: It gave him the perfect combination of freedom and boundaries.  You make your own decisions on the field, but you have to function within a set of rules.  He also loved it because he was good at it.  And it got him outside in nice weather with a group of friends.

Question: Why was Larry's little brother Paul so afraid of dogs? 

DAVID LUBAR: I drew that from my own early memories.  My grandmother always had dogs, and I can clearly remember being afraid of them at one time, thought I didn't have any reason for that fear.  I got over it quickly.  I probably wasn't any older than three or four. 

Question: Do you think the dog Larry kept seeing in the alley ever found a good home? Do you think Larry helped him find a happily ever after moment?

DAVID LUBAR: I think that this might be the one dog that Larry would keep for his own.  One way or another, the dog would have a good home.

Question: People have called DOG DAYS warm and simple. Did you set out to write a book that wouldn't offend anyone?  Something "warm and simple?"

DAVID LUBAR:: I just set out to tell a story.  I rarely have an agenda in mind other than to entertain my readers.  So I can't take any credit for planning, but I can feel pleased that it turned out this way.  I guess I have a gentle muse.

Question: What do you think of the book cover for DOG DAYS?  Did it capture the mood of your story well?  Why or why not?

DAVID LUBAR:: I love the cover, and I'm thrilled that an artist of such stature and visibility was chosen.  I think Chris Sheban did a wonderful job of capturing the feel of the book.

Question: People love Larry's character. Will we see other books that tell us more about who he is and what he's doing?

DAVID LUBAR:: I hadn't thought about that.  Until now.  But this definitely gives me something to consider.

Question: What surprised you most about DOG DAYS?

DAVID LUBAR: Two things.  First, that it isn't just being used in elementary schools.  Middle school teachers have told me they use it with struggling readers because it is short and easy to read but has a captivating plot.  Second, I was surprised by the praise I received in some of the reviews.  Since the book is much quieter than most of my work, I braced myself for a mediocre reception.  But several reviewers have raved about it.  I definitely want to look at writing more books that have the same gentle feel.