Book Birthday Blog with Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

Where we celebrate new books from Michigan's authors, illustrators and translators.

 

Congratulations to Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw on the release of Decoding the Moon

 

 

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

I knew I wanted to write a story about an avid rock climber who developed a fear of heights after a fall, but I hadn’t figured out the particulars yet. One night, I had a dream about an older brother using secret codes to connect with his autistic younger brother. As a special education teacher this resonated with me. I decided to mix the two ideas, throw in a mother who passes away, a move to the Upper Peninsula (one of my favorite places), the perfect outdoor climbing route, and voila, I had a recipe for success!  

What is something you hope your readers will take away from your book? 

I hope my readers find a takeaway that resonates with them whether it be navigating the loss of a parent or loved one, the many gifts of a child with autism, the complexity of connecting to a sibling with autism, the importance of the mental aspect when conquering fears, and the deep satisfaction that comes from reading a good book. 

What was the most difficult part of writing this book? 

As an author transitioning from nonfiction picture books to a middle grade novel, I had a lot of craft to learn. Through many critiques, it was clear my biggest struggles were including interior thoughts and adding movement to dialogue. I still need to continue to develop these skills so if anyone has any books, webinars, or courses to recommend please comment below! On the flipside, was the realization that I still needed to do a lot of research for a fiction book and this one included two amazing trips to Marquette, Michigan! 

 

What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it? 

The publisher’s marketing team and I have been focused on a media campaign through reviews, bookstagrammers, interviews, videos, etc. Additionally, we are planning a two-week Northern Michigan/Upper Peninsula book tour which I am beyond excited about. Prior to that, I am hosting an interactive book launch party at my workout gym “Grit Obstacle Training” on Friday, March 13. I plan on turning the gym into Marquette by using my artistic teacher talents to transform the rock-climbing wall and other obstacles into the sites and activities featured in my novel.  

In the meantime, you can find the book on the Warren Publishing website as well as Bookshop, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon. Also requests for the book at independent bookstores and libraries are much appreciated!

What's next for you? 

I am taking some time off writing to focus on marketing my two recent launches: Rugged RAX: The Little Satellite that Could and Decoding the Moon. Waiting in the wings is additional research for my next nonfiction picture book, a first draft of my next middle grade novel that needs lots of revisions and honoring a request for a sequel from a group of fifth graders who read Decoding the Moon—best compliment ever!  

More about the book . . . 

And that’s when lightning struck. Could he get Zack to climb?
Doing so could get him closer to the moon to say goodbye to Mom.  

Twelve-year-old Levi’s family is fractured when his mom dies unexpectedly. To escape painful memories, his dad moves their family from the Detroit suburbs to a small town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. There, Dad dives into work, leaving avid rock climber Levi stuck at home with his spy-code-obsessed brother Zack. When Zack tells Levi it’s like their mom went to the moon and never came back, a baffled Levi promises to take his autistic brother closer to the moon to say goodbye. Over the summer, Levi learns that facing his fears might just be what provides his family with the closure they desperately need. 

Winner of the 2024 Fictionary Book of the Year Award, Decoding the Moon explores how one family navigates loss with love, determination, hope, and just the right amount of grit.  

Published by: Warren Publishing

More about the author . . . 

Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw is a children’s book author and former teacher passionate about growing young minds, engaging readers, and empowering student leaders. In addition to Decoding the Moon, her writing credentials include the true-story-picture books I Campaigned for Ice Cream: A Boy’s Quest for Ice Cream Trucks, Mighty Mahi, The Super Volcano: The Hidden Hero Below Yellowstone National Park, and Rugged RAX: The Little Satellite that Could. The proud momma of two grown boys, Suzanne lives in Waterford, Michigan with her husband and furry writing companion Ziggy. When she’s not dreaming up new writing projects, you can find her reading, kayaking, hiking, or practicing yoga.
 
To learn more about Suzanne visit her website at http://www.suzannejacobslipshaw.com/

https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.lipshaw/ 

@suzannelipshaw.bsky.social  

https://www.instagram.com/suzannejacobslipshaw/