Sara Latta
Sara Latta has written several books for middle grade and YA readers, including Body 2.0: The Engineering Revolution in Medicine (Twenty-First Century Books, 2020); Black Holes: The Weird Science of the Most Mysterious Objects in the Universe (Twenty-First Century Books, 2018); Smash! Exploring the Mysteries of the Universe with the Large Hadron Collider (Graphic Universe, 2017), and Scared Stiff: Everything You Need to Know about 50 Famous Phobias (Zest Books, 2014). She lives in New York City with her husband and children. Visit her online at www.saralatta.com.
Interview
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
A tie between Island of the Blue Dolphins (Scott O’Dell) and My Side of the Mountain (Jean Craighead George)
What’s your favorite line from a book?
Adult book: “Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.”— Gabriel García Márquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude
Children’s book: “I reckon I got to light out for the Territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she’s going to adopt me and civilize me, and I can’t stand it. I been there before.”—Mark Twain, Huckleberry FinnWho are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?
Madeleine L’Engle, E. B. White, Mark Twain
Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?
I’ve always loved science, learning about the natural world, and the written word. Becoming a science writer was the natural outcome.
Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?
Follow your passion. And remember that the passion that inspired you must be accompanied by lots of hard work! Also, read A LOT.
