From Newbery Medalist Meg Medina comes Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away, the bittersweet story of two girls who will always be each other’s número uno, even though one is moving away. We spoke with author Meg Medina about the inspiration for the book, the range and talents of the audiobook’s narrator, and more!
“Newbery Medalist Meg Medina writes in the earnest and playful voice of a child, using uncomplicated words and a tone that’s equal parts solemn and hopeful. Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away affirms feelings of sadness but provides assurance that true friendship—the kind built on sharing glittery stickers—endures.”
Book Page
Please tell us a little bit about what inspired you to write this book and how this story took shape for you.
I wanted to capture that magical feeling of our first friends, the kids we remember over our whole lifetime. In writing this book, I was recalling my own first first friend, also named Evelyn, and all the ways that we two Cuban girls were alike and different. I decided to explore the feelings of how we lose and—sometimes—keep our important friends over time.
In two sentences or less, what’s something that might surprise Libro.fm listeners about your audiobook?
It’s a quick, sweet read—perfect for after lunchtime or when kids need to regroup. The wonderful narrator, Jane Santos, is also narrator on adult books, including Stephen King’s Misery. Now, that’s someone with some range!
Have you listened to your own audiobook? If so, what struck you about the narration?
I just listened to the very sweet audio of Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away. I especially love that the narrator (Jane Santos) is a native Spanish-speaker so that the words in Spanish and English sound perfect, just the way Daniela would say them.
Are you an audiobook listener? If so, what are some of your favorite audiobooks?
I am an audiobook listener when I take car trips or when I am enjoying my daily walk.
What have independent bookstores and/or booksellers meant to you personally and professionally?
The indie bookstores in my city are the heart and soul of the literary community. They’ve always loved readers and writers and have done their best to make books part of all of our lives. They’ve been my cheerleaders over the course of my career, from way at the beginning when no one knew my work. Now it’s a pleasure to be able to point my readers and customers back their way.
Header photo by Sonya Sones