ask+the+author

= =   **Diane: **** I'm very impressed with the author's choice of names and how the history behind their names plays into the story. Which character was the most difficult to name? **
 * __What Would You Ask the Author? __**


 * I can not figure out where this story takes place? Did you have a place in mind? Where is it? I think it's either the NE or the NW part of the US.

I love all the food mentioned! Do you like to cook?**


 * You reference //"For Whom the Bell Tolls"// in a couple ways. You refer to it at the end of chapter 4 when the bell rings at the top of the stairs and then through the name of the island. Why did you choose this ancient poets words and thoughts?**


 * I can not figure out why the group from LIVE wears two large watches. What's the importance of two watches?**


 * Do you have a violet plant on your desk? Is your violet a real one or a fake one?**


 * The four main characters were told to stick to the yellow floor tiles, when getting around LIVE. That line reminded us of the famed line, "Follow the yellow brick road!" Then, we discussed and compared the Wizard of Oz characters to Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance. Did we read too much into this line, or did you do this on purpose?**

**__Chelsie:__** We noticed that Rhonda had a peculiar name when you introduced her in the beginning of the book. So we looked up her last name - Kazembe- and found that it was a small town in Africa where the leader dyed their hair a bright color and the villagers wore white clothing, just like Rhonda. We were wondering if you ever visited or lived in Kazembe, Africa.


 * __ Gracie:  __**
 * I was wondering, did you want The Mysterious Benedict Society to be related to the Wizard of Oz? We thought that it was clever that you said, “stay on the yellow tiles.” That made us think about “Follow the Yellow Brick Road!” **
 * I use to live in Seattle, Washington. I was wondering if the story took place near there. I was wondering if you had visited some of the islands off Washington and that’s how you came up with Nomansan Island.

**
 * __ Molly: __**
 * One of my favorite parts of the book has been the discovery of the drapeweed. It reminded me of a scene from the newest Indiana Jones movie. It also made me think of the unknown that lies under the water in a lake! I liked how the characters had to work together to save themselves. Constance had a funny comment when it was all over! **