Anica Mrose Rissi Explained

Anica Mrose Rissi is an American author of children's books and young adult novels. Her first book, Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split, was published by Simon & Schuster in 2015.[1] Her nonfiction pieces have been published by the New York Times and The Writer magazine.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Personal life

Anica Mrose Rissi was born in Maine and grew up on the island of Deer Isle, where she graduated from the local public school system.[9] [10] [11] [12] After graduating from Yale University in 2001 with a degree in American Studies, Rissi moved to New York City, where she worked for many years as a book editor. Besides writing books, Rissi also plays fiddle in and writes lyrics for the band "Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves".[13] [14] [15] She currently lives in Princeton, New Jersey.

Career

The Anna, Banana chapter-book series, for readers ages 6–10, follows a third-grader named Anna, her wiener dog named Banana, and Anna's two best friends, Sadie and Isabel.[16] Kirkus called the first book in the series, Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split (Simon & Schuster, 2015), "a realistic story for sensitive kids."[17] The series is also published in Danish, Czech, and Hebrew.[18] [19] Rissi has stated in interviews that her own dog, Arugula, was the inspiration for the dog in the Anna, Banana books.

The Teacher's Pet (Disney-Hyperion, 2017), illustrated by Zachariah OHora, is a picture book about a teacher who is so in love with the new class pet, he can't see all the trouble it's causing.[20] In a starred review, Publishers Weekly said, "Rissi's very funny text is a model of understatement and restraint...allowing OHora to make the most of the story's physical comedy in thickly painted scenes spiked with neon orange."[21] School Library Journal called the book "perfect for classroom read-alouds and lessons on problem-solving or pets."[22] The New York Times Book Review said, "Rissi (the 'Anna, Banana' books), with her edge-of-grossout humor, and OHora ('Horrible Bear!'), with his giant-headed, candy-colored people, have over-the-top sensibilities that mesh fantastically" and USA Today called it "A guaranteed chuckle for any grown-up who’s ever had to take care of the class 'pet' for the weekend."[23] [24] It is also published in Chinese.

Watch Out for Wolf! (Disney-Hyperion, 2019), illustrated by Charles Santoso, is a picture book about five little piggies who are preparing a surprise birthday party for their friend Wolf. The book was chosen for the Texas Library Association's 2020 2x2 Reading List.[25] It is also published in Spanish and Catalan.

Love, Sophia on the Moon (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2020), illustrated by Mika Song, is a picture book about a child who runs away to the moon after getting in trouble on earth. She writes letters to her mother, and her mother writes back. In a starred review, BookPage called the book a "tender, funny epistolary tale" and noted that "With clear affection, author Anica Mrose Rissi (best known for her Anna, Banana series) captures the determination and obstinacy of children and the steady, unwavering love of a parent." Kirkus Reviews said, "Readers will love it to the moon and back." The book is also published in Chinese and was awarded the 2021 Paterson Prize for Books for Young People in the Pre-K to Grade 3 category and the 2021 Maine Literary Award in Children's Literature category.[26] [27] [28]

Hide and Don't Seek: And Other Very Scary Stories (HarperCollins, 2021) is a middle-grade short story collection that Kirkus Reviews called "ideal for any younger reader looking for bite-sized horror."[29] Publishers Weekly said of the "20 brief offerings" in the collection, "some stories succeed better than others," but concluded "the sheer variety of creepy concepts, unsettling moments interspersed with humor, and gotcha twists will appeal to younger middle grade readers who are ready for a gateway into horror fiction—and a book to read around the campfire."[30] In a starred review, School Library Journal said the collection has "all the makings of a modern-day classic" and "shows promise of being read and retold again and again by this generation’s thrill-seekers."[31] The book includes "full-page charcoal-style illustrations" by Carolina Godina that "provide a sense of ominous eeriness." The collection is also published in Polish, Russian, and Czech, and was named a 2022 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers by YALSA.[32] [33]

Wishing Season (HarperCollins, 2023) is a "beautifully written," "achingly sad but also hopeful story set on a small Maine island," in which "eleven-year-old Lily Neff struggles to accept the death of her twin brother, Anders." The middle grade novel "poses questions about the power of our connections—to other people, to animals, and to the world around and beyond" and "leads readers to questions about loss and the durability of relationships." The book received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Horn Book, School Library Journal, and Kirkus, which called it "a droll, well-paced, and deeply moving book about loss and friendship."

Rissi's debut young adult novel, Always Forever Maybe (HarperCollins, 2018), is described as "about the depths and boundaries of true friendship and obsessive teenage love."[34] Publishers Weekly said the book "meaningfully highlights known patterns of intimate-partner abuse and speaks to the joy and importance of enduring friendship".[35] Always Forever Maybe was named to the Texas Library Association's TAYSHAS 2019 Reading List and is also published in Danish.[36] [37]

Rissi's second young adult novel, Nobody Knows But You (HarperCollins, 2020), "intersperses news reports, eyewitness testimony, personal letters and texts, and court transcripts to recount the eight summer weeks that led to a brutal murder at Camp Cavanick," according to Publishers Weekly. The book was named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Nobody Knows But You is also published in Dutch.[38]

Bibliography

Picture books

Chapter books

Middle grade books

Young Adult novels

Notes and References

  1. Book: Rissi, Anica Mrose. Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split. Simon & Schuster. 2015. 9781481416054. United States.
  2. Web site: Rissi, Anica Mrose (2015-5-25). "A Dog of One's Own". 25 May 2015. opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20190502222858/https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/05/25/a-dog-of-ones-own/. 2 May 2019. live.
  3. Web site: Dogs and the true rules of writing. The Writer. en-US. 2019-07-03.
  4. Web site: A Gander at Love. Rissi. Anica Mrose. 2014-11-23. Opinionator. en-US. 2019-07-03. 2019-08-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20190829015153/https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/23/a-gander-at-love/. live.
  5. Web site: Six counterintuitive goals to shake up your writing routine. The Writer. en-US. 2019-07-03.
  6. Web site: Productive procrastination. The Writer. en-US. 2019-07-03.
  7. Web site: Finding hope through story. 2020-09-01. The Writer. en-US.
  8. Web site: How to be a good critique partner for another writer. 2020-09-01. The Writer. en-US.
  9. News: A Girl's Best Friend: Author Explores Girlhood Friendships and Fallouts. Osborn. Jennifer. July 2, 2015. The Ellsworth American. July 3, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190703235546/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/52ee5fa6e4b0ecd2401d99fa/t/56a05d2422482e8e62f86634/1453350181423/AnnaBanana%2Bin%2BEllsworthAmerican%2B7.2.2015.pdf. live.
  10. Web site: Anica Mrose Rissi: from library violinist to children's book writer. Island Ad-Vantages. 2019-07-03. 2019-07-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20190703235548/http://islandadvantages.com/news/2015/aug/24/anica-mrose-rissi-from-library-violinist-to-childr/. live.
  11. Web site: Deer Isle native finds career in young adult, children's literature. 2017-10-02. Island Institute. en. 2019-07-03.
  12. Web site: Meet children's author Anica Mrose Rissi and her inspirational dog. Bauer. Dan. 2017-08-28. Community News. en-US. 2019-07-03.
  13. Web site: Musicologist Jeff Snyder: twisting traditions and turning out tunes. Smith. Richard D.. 2019-04-02. Community News. en-US. 2019-07-03.
  14. Web site: About. Anica Mrose Rissi. en-US. 2019-07-04. 2019-07-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20190704003723/http://www.anicarissi.com/about. live.
  15. Web site: Graded on a Curve: New in Stores, November 2018, Part Six. Neff. Joseph. 2018-11-29. The Vinyl District. en-US. 2019-09-10.
  16. Web site: From The Guide: Chapter Book Mirrors. Book. Horn. The Horn Book. 2019-07-03. 2019-07-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20190703235552/https://www.hbook.com/%3FdetailStory%3Dguide-chapter-book-mirrors. live.
  17. Book: ANNA, BANANA, AND THE FRIENDSHIP SPLIT by Anica Mrose Rissi, Meg Park Kirkus Reviews. en. 2019-07-03. 2019-07-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20190703235558/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/anica-mrose-rissi/anna-banana-and-the-friendship-split/. live.
  18. Web site: Katka, Ťapka a kamarádství v ohrožení - Mrose Rissiová Anica . 2023-08-04 . Bambook . cs.
  19. Web site: Anna, Banana. Carlsen. da. 2019-07-03.
  20. Book: THE TEACHER'S PET by Anica Mrose Rissi, Zachariah OHora Kirkus Reviews. en-us. 2019-07-03. 2019-07-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20190703235547/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/anica-mrose-rissi/the-teachers-pet/. live.
  21. Web site: The Teacher's Pet review. www.publishersweekly.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20190703235547/https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-4847-4364-5. 2019-07-03. 2019-07-03. live.
  22. Web site: SLJ's August 2017 Popular Picks. SLJ. School Library Journal. 2019-07-03. 2019-07-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20190703235547/https://www.slj.com/%3FdetailStory%3Dsljs-august-2017-popular-picks. live.
  23. News: These Tales Get Excited for School Days. Russo. Maria. 2017-08-25. The New York Times. 2019-07-03. en-US. 0362-4331. 2019-07-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20190704011226/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/25/books/review/bookshelf-school-days.html. live.
  24. Web site: Get smart with these 6 great new back-to-school picture books. USA TODAY. en. 2019-07-03.
  25. Web site: 2020-02-04. 2020 2X2 Reading List Announced. 2020-09-01. Texas Library Association. en-US.
  26. Web site: Contests & Awards. 2021-05-30. The Poetry Center at PCCC. en-US.
  27. Web site: 2021 Winners. 2021-05-30. Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance. 28 May 2021 . en-US.
  28. Web site: Writer. Bob KeyesStaff. 2021-05-28. Maine Literary Awards names winners, honors Carolyn Chute. 2021-05-31. Press Herald.
  29. Book: HIDE AND DON'T SEEK Kirkus Reviews. en.
  30. Web site: Children's Book Review: Hide and Don't Seek: And Other Very Scary Stories by Anica Mrose Rissi, illus. by Carolina Godina. Quill Tree, $16.99 (224p) ISBN 978-0-06-302695-7. 2021-07-03. PublishersWeekly.com. en.
  31. Web site: Mrose . Rissi, Anica . Hide and Don't Seek: And Other Very Scary Stories . 2023-08-04 . School Library Journal.
  32. Web site: Hide and Don't Seek. 2021-07-03. Anica Mrose Rissi. en-US.
  33. Web site: MSERBEKIAN . 2022-02-04 . 2022 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers . 2023-08-04 . Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) . en.
  34. Web site: Always Forever Maybe by Anica Mrose Rissi Kirkus Reviews. https://web.archive.org/web/20190703235552/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/anica-mrose-rissi/always-forever-maybe/. 2019-07-03. live.
  35. Web site: Always Forever Maybe review. www.publishersweekly.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20190703235546/https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-06-268528-5. 2019-07-03. 2019-07-03. live.
  36. Web site: TAYSHAS 2019 Reading List. Texas Library Association.
  37. Web site: For evigt. Måske.. Carlsen. da. 2019-07-03.
  38. Web site: Niemand behalve jij - Anica Mrose Rissi. 2020-09-01. Uitgeverij De Fontein. nl.
  39. Web site: The Teacher's Pet. Mrose. RISSI, Anica. School Library Journal. 2019-09-10.
  40. Web site: Watch Out for Wolf!. Mrose. Rissi, Anica. School Library Journal. 2019-09-10.
  41. Web site: Watch Out for Wolf! Publishers Weekly review. Publishers Weekly.
  42. Book: LOVE, SOPHIA ON THE MOON Kirkus Reviews. en.
  43. Web site: Love, Sophia on the Moon review. 2020-09-01. www.publishersweekly.com.
  44. Web site: Book Review - Love, Sophia on the Moon by Mika Song. 2020-09-01. BookPage.com. 8 April 2020 . en.
  45. Web site: Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split. Mrose. RISSI, Anica. School Library Journal. 2019-09-10.
  46. Book: ANNA, BANANA, AND THE MONKEY IN THE MIDDLE by Anica Mrose Rissi, Meg Park Kirkus Reviews. en. 2019-09-10. 2019-07-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20190703235646/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/anica-mrose-rissi/anna-banana-and-the-monkey-in-the-middle/. live.
  47. Web site: MacDonald . Amy . 2021-10-31 . In 'Hide and Don't Seek,' the stories are short, but the creepiness lingers . 2023-08-04 . Press Herald.
  48. Book: WISHING SEASON Kirkus Reviews . en.
  49. Web site: Wishing Season by Anica Mrose Rissi . 2023-08-04 . www.publishersweekly.com.
  50. Book: Wishing Season, by By Anica Mrose Rissi. Booklist Online.
  51. Web site: Roach . Julie . Review of Wishing Season . 2023-08-04 . The Horn Book.
  52. Web site: Mrose . Rissi, Anica . Wishing Season . 2023-08-04 . School Library Journal.
  53. Web site: Westmoore . Jean . 2023-07-15 . Books in Brief: Wishing Season; The Skull; Haru, Zombie Dog Hero . 2023-08-04 . Buffalo News . en.
  54. Web site: Always Forever Maybe. Mrose. RISSI, Anica. School Library Journal. 2019-09-10.
  55. Web site: Nobody Knows But You review. 2020-09-01. www.publishersweekly.com.

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