Blog Tour: Sean Griswold's Head (Review and Interview)

Released MARCH 1st, 2011

Thanks to Bloomsbury for allowing me to participate in the tour for Sean Griswold's Head and hope you enjoy it! This book is realistic, funny, but also more than fluff as it takes on the skill of coping. I have an interview lined up as well!

Author: Lindsey Leavitt

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Summary: (back cover) According to her guidance counselor, fifteen-year-old Payton Gritas needs a focus object—something to focus her emotions on after discovering that her entire family has been hiding from her the fact that her father has Multiple Sclerosis. It’s supposed to be something inanimate, but Payton decides to use the thing she stares at during class: Sean Griswold’s head. They've been linked since third grade (Griswold-Gritas, it’s an alphabetical order thing) but she’s never really known Sean at all.

With the help of her boy-crazy best friend Jac, Payton starts stalking—er, focusing on—Sean’s big blond head, and her research quickly grows into something a little less scientific and a lot more crush-like. He’s cute, he shares her Seinfeld obsession (nobody else gets it!) and he may have a secret or two of his own. As Payton gets inside Sean’s head, Sean finds a way into her guarded heart. But obsessing over Sean won’t fix Payton’s fear of her dad’s illness. For that, she’ll have to focus on herself.

Review: I read this book in one sitting because it was that much fun. The characters are informal and the storyline, although somewhat predictable, utilizes humor to ease the reader into the idea of coping with a family member's illness.

Even with the really funny parts that made me laugh out loud, there were a few very deep moments that managed to squeeze a few tears out of me. Coping is a vital skill that we will all need to learn and use in some point of our lives.

Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

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INTERVIEW:

1. In Sean Griswold's Head, which of your characters do you like the most?

Seriously? I have to choose a character? But someone will feel left out then. The rest of them are already pretty bitter that Sean got the title and cover.

2. When writing, do you have a favorite inspiring spot or can you write practically anywhere?

The funny thing is, I just got an office for the first time since I started writing, but I only have a desk with this annoying swivel chair, so I have yet to write in there. I’ve been test driving chairs and recliners at furniture stores across the valley, in pursuit of The Perfect Writing Chair. Although, I had that chair before we moved and my husband “accidentally” left my grandpa’s 1970’s recliner behind. So to answer? No. Not yet. But I will have my special spot soon, and how glorious it shall be!

3. How long did it take to write Sean Griswold's Head?

I started SGH in June of ’06. I worked on it for a couple of months, then had a baby and put it away for a year. I worked on it for another couple of months, queried, signed with an agent, then shelved the story for another year. My agent and I did some more revisions, submitted and sold. From there, my editor and I worked on SGH for a few more months. So short answer? I have no idea.

4. What part of the book was the most difficult for you to write about?

Despite her reasons, Payton wasn’t always nice to her father, who is a really great guy and trying to do what is right. I kept wanting her to react in different ways, but I had to stay true to her story and voice., even though I didn't always agree with her. So the scenes where there’s that father-daughter conflict were tough for me. I just wanted to leap into my computer and give that man a hug.

Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to participate in this tour and also thanks to Lindsey Leavitt for the interview! Give SGH a shot, and I'm sure you'll end up liking it :)