Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally-- Review and Auther Interview

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
Genre: Contemporary
Release Date: December 1st, 2011
Source: Friend from Book Club
Synopsis:

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.

But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Greeen moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line?

"Whoever said football and girls don't mix hasn't read Catching Jordan. I couldn't put it down " -- Simone Elkeles, New York Times bestselling author of the Perfect Chemistry series

"A beautiful novel with a real and captivating depiction of high school relationships, Catching Jordan shows the same reverence for the human heart that it does for the game of football." --Karsten Knight, author of Wildefire

Below are some topics I wanted to touch base on:

• Girls Playing with Boys: According to statistics there are over 1,200 female high school football players across the country. What are some of the positives and negatives of blurring the lines between female and male sports? Do you support it?

- YES! I definitely support this for many reasons! There are many positives to this experience. You get to experience a different level of competition. Boys seem to be more competitive at certain things! Girls think differently then boys. Therefore in a sport the opposite gender might have a more genius idea about a certain play than another. However they our some down falls. Boys can be stronger than girls (SORRY LADIES!), also there is the possibility of not getting equal opportunity since we look at males being more tough.

• Breaking through the Ranks: Jordan is symbolic for the many girls/women who choose to fight the status quo. What have some of your own experiences been like?

 - This can be hard for any female. In some ways being a female you feel that you're hair has to be done perfect, you're shoes have to be in style, your clothes must all match from head to toe, and that you should be involved in all the girly stuff! I really have to disagree with that. Everyday (except like 5 days of the year) my hair is up in a pony tail. I don't have the time to straighten, or have the energy, and nor do I care! I wear sweats everyday except Fridays. (I try and make an effort to put on jeans, and either my school spirit top, or a nice top) If someone wants to like me in any way they will like me for the way I am, and tough fudges if they don't! It is their loss! I don't feel that I need to change because someone wants me to. I will stay the same and that will never change. You are you, and you should never change, just to get someone to like you. Someone does like you, and I don't think any girl should ever feel different.

• Untraditional Romance: Catching Jordan puts a great emphasis on the untraditional relationship and character role Jordan possess in the book. What effects (if any) do these types of relationships have on kids and people today? Is it important for people to be exposed to them?

-I feel people should date who they want. In this case it is not the most "traditional" relationship. Jordan isn't the best looking girl around, yet she is dating one of the hottest boys around. I think that anyone should get to choose their relationship, and you don't have to do what every person says you should do! This exposes people to be the person they really are instead of the stereotypical image we are told to be.

Here is my interview with Miranda Kenneally, the author of Catching Jordan

1. Where did the idea for the title Catching Jordan come from?

Originally the book was called SCORE, but we needed to find something less racy! So my publisher and I put together lists of hundreds and hundreds of possible titles. We came up with some very corny stuff, but finally CATCHING JORDAN was suggested during a meeting at Sourcebooks. Everyone liked it! A friend of mine suggested "This Gridiron Aint in the Kitchen" but we didn't go with that. Obviously.

2. Who's your favorite character in Catching Jordan and why?

Jake Reynolds, the pervy guy who's friends with Jordan's brother, Mike. Jake is just hilarious to me. He's definitely a jerk at times, but he's a good friend to Mike and he acts real. Plus, he's the only person ever who can successfully deliver terrible pick-up lines.

3. Is this book based on any real life events?

A few things.
 1) We totally had a Jonah and the Whale hallway at my church when I was little. It freaked me out!
2) A guy friend of mine wouldn't let me buy checkered bedding because he thought it looked like graph paper.
 3) We had to take care of electronic babies in middle school.

4. Which character did you have the hardest time writing?

Jordan's dad. It was hard to get his worries and character development across without being too blunt. I'm still not sure I succeeded.

5. Are you anything like Jordan?

Oh yes! I can't stand giving up. I try, try, try at everything I do.

6. Where did you come up with the relationship with TY, and then with Sam Henry?

Ty was around from the very, very first page I ever wrote. Henry showed up a few pages later, and he was this goofball friend character. No matter how hard I tried, he just kept showing up and taking over scenes. Finally I just let him take over. :)

Thanks Miranda for stopping by!!

**Please remember that these are my opinions to these questions. People are entitled to their own opinions!**