Stacy McAnulty is the author of numerous picture books, chapter books, and novels. Her novel The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl, which centers around a girl who was struck by lightning and became a math genius, has received numerous acclaim and awards, and was a fun read particularly for people (like Piranha T.) who love math as well as reading. We were thrilled to get the opportunity to interview Stacy McAnulty about this book.
RapunzelReads: Who are your favorite characters in The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl, and why?
Stacy McAnulty: Lucy has to be a favorite character because we know her best. The book is in her perspective. We see and feel everything through her. She makes the story work. (As a dog person, I also love Pi.)
RR: I love both math and reading, but it isn’t a combination I come across in many books. I loved how The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl incorporated both! What inspired you to write that kind of book?
SM: I’m a former mechanical engineer, so in college, I took a lot of math classes (and no Language Arts classes for a grade). When my children ask for help with homework, I always hope it’s math homework they’re struggling with. I enjoy doing math and I’m good at it (not at Lucy’s level, but still good). It made sense for me to write about a character who also loves math. And you’re right, we don’t see it a lot of
RapunzelReads: Who are your favorite characters in The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl, and why?
Stacy McAnulty: Lucy has to be a favorite character because we know her best. The book is in her perspective. We see and feel everything through her. She makes the story work. (As a dog person, I also love Pi.)
RR: I love both math and reading, but it isn’t a combination I come across in many books. I loved how The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl incorporated both! What inspired you to write that kind of book?
SM: I’m a former mechanical engineer, so in college, I took a lot of math classes (and no Language Arts classes for a grade). When my children ask for help with homework, I always hope it’s math homework they’re struggling with. I enjoy doing math and I’m good at it (not at Lucy’s level, but still good). It made sense for me to write about a character who also loves math. And you’re right, we don’t see it a lot of
math in books. Most authors (totally stereotyping here) have an extensive background in literature and their fondness for books, reading, and writing comes through on the page. Lucy shows off my love for a different subject.
RR: What was your inspiration for The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl?
SM: I was watching television and stumbled across the story of a real-life savant. Then I started reading these true stories about math geniuses, and I was blown away. First, I considered what it would be like if I was a math savant. Would I improve the world in some way? But then, as a mom and author of books for young readers, I thought, what would that be like for a kid? What would it be like for a kid to be smarter than adults (on a certain level)? I wanted to explore that idea.
RR: What is your favorite part of being an author?
SM: I love research and coming up with new ideas. I love meeting passionate readers. Being an author isn’t always easy, but I think it’s the greatest job.
RR: Did you always want to be an author, or did you like math more when you were a kid?
SM: When I was a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut. I wanted to go to space. I always enjoyed writing—especially fiction—but I wasn’t considered good at it. My spelling and grammar were awful (and still are). When I got to high school, I didn’t dream of space any longer. (The US space program wasn’t very active at that time—post Challenger explosion.) I changed my focus to engineering, though I still enjoyed writing. I was good at math and was encouraged to pursue the STEM fields. Looking back, I wish someone had told me, “You can do both!” You can passionate about math and science and, at the same time, love art and writing. No need to pick a favorite.
RR: What was your inspiration for The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl?
SM: I was watching television and stumbled across the story of a real-life savant. Then I started reading these true stories about math geniuses, and I was blown away. First, I considered what it would be like if I was a math savant. Would I improve the world in some way? But then, as a mom and author of books for young readers, I thought, what would that be like for a kid? What would it be like for a kid to be smarter than adults (on a certain level)? I wanted to explore that idea.
RR: What is your favorite part of being an author?
SM: I love research and coming up with new ideas. I love meeting passionate readers. Being an author isn’t always easy, but I think it’s the greatest job.
RR: Did you always want to be an author, or did you like math more when you were a kid?
SM: When I was a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut. I wanted to go to space. I always enjoyed writing—especially fiction—but I wasn’t considered good at it. My spelling and grammar were awful (and still are). When I got to high school, I didn’t dream of space any longer. (The US space program wasn’t very active at that time—post Challenger explosion.) I changed my focus to engineering, though I still enjoyed writing. I was good at math and was encouraged to pursue the STEM fields. Looking back, I wish someone had told me, “You can do both!” You can passionate about math and science and, at the same time, love art and writing. No need to pick a favorite.
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