today, fellow deb sydney salter is here for
her SECOND book releasing this year. incredible.
her debut was MY BIG NOSE AND OTHER NATURAL
DISASTERS. i had the pleasure of meeting sydney
at the los angeles scbwi conference and she and
her husband (who also came to hang out) are just
the cutest couple. every time i saw them, i smiled! =D

About Jungle Crossing

Thirteen-year-old Kat can think of dozens of
good reasons not to go on a boring family vacation
to hot, grungy Mexico. Number one: missing her
friend Fiona’s minicamp. If she’s not there, she’ll begin
eighth grade as a social reject. And it looks like she’s
the odd girl out on vacation, too. When Kat’s parents
arrange for her and her younger sister, Barb, to go on
a teen adventure tour, Barb makes more friends than
she does. The only person who will talk to Kat is Nando,
a young Mayan guide (who happens to be quite a cutie).
Each day as they travel to different Mayan ruins, Nando
tells Kat and Barb another installment in the original
legend of Muluc, a girl who lived in the time of the
Ancient Maya. The dangerous, dramatic world in which
Muluc lives is as full of rivalry, betrayal, jealousy, and
sacrifice as Kat’s world at school. And as she makes
new friends and discovers new treasures in Mexico,
Kat begins to wonder: Is she willing to keep sacrificing
her self in exchange for popularity?

About Sydney Salter

Sydney Salter’s fascination with Mayan culture started
when she was six years old and climbed down a steep,
dimly lit stone staircase to the elaborately carved tomb
of King Pacal who had once ruled Palenque. Visiting
Mayan ruins, walking through fragrant Mexican market
places, watching women wash clothes in a river, and
chasing lizards in the jungle ignited the spark in
Sydney’s imagination that led to writing Jungle
Crossing. Sydney now lives in Utah with her husband,
two daughters, two cats, and two dogs. She loves reading,
writing, cooking, and traveling—especially to Mexico where
she can explore ancient Mayan ruins and swim in underground rivers.

and the infamous cindy interview!

1. who is your literary character crush?

Atticus Finch. He’s so noble, plus I do kind of
think of Gregory Peck’s movie version, which
makes him pretty dreamy too.

loved that book and the film as well. peck was
wonderful as atticus.

2. who would you like to see play your hero/heroine
of your novel in a film?

Kat would need to be played by a spunky young actress
like Abigail Breslin.

3. what is your favorite treat?

A chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting.
And maybe some sprinkles.

i love sprinkles! good choice!!

4. what is the favorite scene from your novel?

I love the scene in which Kat sneaks through the
barrier ropes and climbs the El Castillo pyramid in
Chichen Itza. And that’s one I had to rewrite because
when I first drafted the novel any tourist could climb
the pyramid, but it’s since been closed to visitors.
I like the new scene SO much better!

i climbed up that pyramid! how sad it’s closed
to tourists now! it was may and SO HOT! but an
incredible sight/site.

congrats on your SECOND book coming out,
sydney. amazing!

to find out more about sydney : sydneysalter.com

buy her book from a local indie!