Modern Folktales and Monsters: An Interview with Diana López [S5 E157]

Listen to the full episode below:

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We’re knee-deep in our summer series, Camp BNT, where we interview authors and highlight ways to use their texts in your classrooms. Today’s interview is with Diana López who writes books specifically for middle school grades (which is most definitely not our specialty!). 

Like other authors we are connecting with this summer, Diana is a former teacher. She shares in our mission of getting books into the hands of kids that are going to provide them with new experiences and perspectives. 

During our conversation with Diana, we’re focusing on her newest book, Felice and the Wailing Woman, where the twelve-year-old daughter of La Llorona vows to free her mother and reverse the curses that have plagued the magical town of Tres Leches. It’s an incredible book, and we know that you’ll enjoy hearing Diana’s perspective of the story and how it came to be. 

Check out the next episode for a debrief with our takeaways and how we envision using Felice and the Wailing Woman in the classroom. And don’t forget to sign up for Camp BNT, where you can join in on the conversations going on in our private Facebook group filled with like-minded teachers!

Meet Diana López:

Diana López is the author of the adult novella Sofia’s Saints and numerous middle grade novels, including Confetti Girl, Nothing Up My Sleeve, and Lucky Luna. Her debut picture book, Sing With Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla, is available in English and Spanish. 

She also wrote the novel adaptation for the Disney/Pixar film Coco. Diana retired after a 28-year career in education at both the middle-grade and college levels, but she still enjoys meeting with students when she visits schools to chat about books and writing. She lives in her hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

  • Diana reads the first few pages of her newest book, Felice and the Wailing Woman

  • Where and when Diana’s writing journey began and what makes it keep going

  • How journaling can spark a love for writing fiction

  • What inspired her to focus on modern retellings of folktales for middle-grade readers

  • Exposing children to storylines that don’t shy away from darkness and reality

  • Diana’s creation of the character Felice and her strong spirit and empathy

  • The need for culturally relevant books that reflect the communities of young readers

  • The existence of cultural windows and mirrors 

  • What Diana encourages you to do if you are getting ready to teach one of her novels

More about Brave New Teaching:

Join hosts Amanda Cardenas (Mud & Ink Teaching) and Marie Morris (The Caffeinated Classroom) in discussions about being brave, trying new things, and all things teaching! As seasoned classroom teachers, Amanda and Marie bring their experience, insight, energy, and oh, so many opinions and ideas... It's time for all teachers to take their classroom and teaching practice into their own hands!

Tune in on your favorite podcast apps like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.

Amanda Cardenasinterview, community, advice