In our latest installment of our Meet the Author series, we talked to Michele C. Hollow, author of one of our newest juvie books Jurassic Girl.  This book delves into the unique discovery of 12-year-old fossil hunter, Marry Anning. A book for children who are fans of STEM, dinosaurs, and fossils.

Introduce yourself!

I’m a journalist who writes about health, climate, cats, dogs, wildlife, and people who do extraordinary things. What I love most about journalism is it allows me to be curious, to ask questions, and to—often—find answers. 

Journalism led me to writing a book about Mary Anning. 

Describe your book in three words.

Triumphs Over Hardship.

Jurassic Girl

Why did you choose historical fiction for this story?

I love history. In school, history and writing (English classes) were my favorites. Everything in my book, Jurassic Girl: The Adventures of Mary Anning, except for the dialogue is nonfiction. I wanted to tell a story and thought it would move at a better pace if I included dialogue. Obviously, I couldn’t go back in time; Mary’s first major discovery occurred in 1811. A time machine would help. Since they don’t exist, I made up the dialogue.  

What are you currently reading or watching?

I just finished reading “Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books,” which I highly recommend. I also just finished “The Dragon from Chicago.” I also reread “Holes;” it’s one of my favorite books. I also recommend “The Angel Makers.”

I am watching “Lucifer” reruns. I love that show. I just started the new season of “The Umbrella Academy.”

What is your favorite dinosaur?

I love birds, which scientists say evolved from dinosaurs. Scientists found dinosaurs got smaller over time and that all dinosaurs had feathers. My favorite are flying dinosaurs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-7iXyYS0uw). Actually, pterosaurs are flying reptiles. Like birds pterosaurs had hollow bones, which enabled them to fly with ease.

What is so fascinating about these discoveries?

In the early 1800s the word “dinosaur,” which is Greek for “terrible lizard,” didn’t exist! It became a word in 1842. I try to imagine Mary Anning and others discovering and learning about ancient creatures for the first time. It’s fascinating. 

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Thanks for answering our questions, Michele! For more juvie books similar to Jurassic Girl, see below.