Fenway and Hattie by Victoria J. Coe opens with Fenway, an energetic Jack Russell, arriving home to find his family’s stuff packed away into boxes. As it turns out, his family is moving out to the suburbs where Fenway faces MANY big changes: there’s a huge Dog Park attached to his home, there are Evil Squirrels who “chipper-chatter-sqwuak” at him from the trees, but the worst thing? The change in Fenway’s beloved Short Human, Hattie. Fenway is even made to consider a pretty scary question: is Hattie outgrowing him? While he doesn’t think this is the case, Fenway is determined to get his Hattie back and refuses to let anything stop him – not even those Evil Squirrels!
Fenway and the Bone Thieves takes the characters we know and love, and packages them in a way that’s accessible for young readers. Families will keep rooting for Fenway in his war against those nasty squirrels. This time, it’s all because of a coveted bone and Fenway’s attempts to keep those squirrels from stealing it… that is, until, Fenway forgets where he hid it!
We recently had the opportunity to correspond with Victoria J. Coe with Fenway and Hattie and Fenway and the Bone Thieves. Dive in below:
Tell me about your history with reading aloud. Is it something you did growing up or discovered later?
Reading aloud has a big place in my heart! I clearly remember when my 5th grade teacher Mrs. DeWolfe said she was going to read aloud after recess. My first reaction – and I think everyone’s reaction – was “Is she serious? Does she think we’re little kids?”
But as she launched into reading The Trumpet of the Swan, we were instantly mesmerized. Some kids listened with their heads on their desks. Some sat up tall, fully engaged with our teacher’s expressions and gestures as she read. It was magical.
Years later, I’d bring books to my babysitting jobs. Maybe it was Mrs. DeWolfe’s influence? Anyway it became my “thing.” I loved sharing stories with young kids – giggling and acting out the characters. It was just something fun to do together. (Naturally, I continued this tradition with my own children!)
Fenway and Hattie’s narrator is a lovable, high-energy Jack Russell. When first writing Fenway, did you have trouble finding Fenway’s voice?
It was easy for me to see the world from a dog’s perspective, but finding Fenway’s voice took some effort. I used a technique that I now teach to other writers, which is asking the character questions that I, the author, already know the answer to. Then set a timer, and write, write, write! The key to success here is knowing the response up front. The writing is not about discovery. It’s about voice. How does the character express himself? How does he describe things? What types of wording does he use? I repeated this process for several days until his voice rang true to his character.
Was there a scene or sequence in Fenway and Hattie that you had difficulty writing? Any scenes left on the proverbial cutting room floor?
I rewrote the entire book four times! Almost nothing stayed the same from the first draft, though some version of the opening scene, the arrival at the new house, and Chapter 18 (can’t say what that was due to spoilers), appeared in the original draft.
Funny you should ask about deleted scenes! A long anecdote that I loved from the first draft of Chapter One is now up on my website on a page called “Secret.” Kids need to guess the password to get in! (Instructions are on the FAQ page.)
How has writing from a dog’s point of view changed the way you observe the world around you?
When I was writing the first draft, I became so obsessed with a dog’s perspective that I’d sometimes forget I was human! I’d react to the sound of the Big Brown Truck, whip my head around when a squirrel darted by, be the first to spot a bit of food on the ground – it actually got embarrassing!
These days, I’m forever talking about dogs to their owners as if I’m a pet psychic! I can’t help it. I just naturally see things from a dog’s point of view.
I’ve come to believe that experiencing or imagining other perspectives can make us better people, better friends, and better community members. Honestly, that has the power to change the world!
Fenway learns a lot from the humans around him, but what might humans learn from Fenway?
Dogs have so much to teach us. The main thing of course, is that our own perspective isn’t the only one out there. Fenway also shows us that dogs have feelings, just like everyone else.
Fenway and Hattie lands firmly in the middle grade age-range while Fenway and the Bone Thieves is aimed at a younger audience. What inspired you to craft a series for younger readers? How did you determine which original Fenway elements to “transfer” to this new series?
Fenway and Hattie can be read on two levels (one of the things I love about it). Older readers can infer Hattie’s perspective, storyline, and character development, while younger readers can read (or listen) to the book only seeing Fenway’s side of the story.
I thought it would be super fun to create a shorter series that those younger readers could enjoy on their own – with illustrations! To make them accessible, I wrote the stories on a different reading level and left out Hattie’s plotlines. The subplots, too.
Both Fenway and Hattie and Fenway and the Bone Thieves are incredibly funny. Can you talk a little about the role humor plays in your books?
The humor in all of my books comes from the earnestness of the character – how Fenway sees things in his own unique way, how he makes very logical (to us) mistakes, and how he misunderstands situations that are very understandable to the reader. As with the storylines, the humor can be appreciated at different levels, and that makes the books fun to read aloud, because the adults can get humor that maybe the kids don’t.
Fenway and the Bone Thieves has some truly wonderful illustrations by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff. Do you have a favorite of these illustrations?
There are SO many favorites, especially Fenway’s horrible dreams about evil squirrels! But the one I always share at school visits is the image of Fenway gazing up at the treat aisle in the pet store. You know exactly what he’s thinking and feeling! Side note: I just asked Joanne and she said that picture is one of her favorites, too!
If you could have any scene in Fenway and Hattie illustrated by Lew-Vriethoff, which would you pick?
Again, no spoilers, but that scene in Chapter 18 where the you-know-what is sneaking into the you-know-where on the you-know-what, and Fenway says, “Outta my way, squirrel! I’ve got a job to do!” Seriously my favorite.
What would you like students, families and schools to take away from their time with Fenway and Hattie?
The number one thing I hope everyone gains is FUN. When people experience reading or sharing a story as something fun to do, they’re more likely to keep doing it.
What might schools gain by having a joint One School, One Book where they read Fenway and Hattie and Fenway and the Bone Thieves?
When a school picks the two Fenway books for its OSOB program – Fenway and Hattie for upper readers and Fenway and the Bone Thieves as “just right” for everyone else – something magical happens (in the totally real, no-wands-needed sense). Everybody feels like they belong. Big kids get to dive deeper, little ones get to explore at their level, and the whole experience feels more inclusive and inviting. It opens the door for more ideas, more connections, and more ways to join in. Activities don’t have to be one-size-fits-all – they can grow and shift depending on who’s engaging with them. And that kind of flexibility makes the whole reading experience stronger, more creative, and more fun for everyone.
You and fellow author Cheryl Lawton Malone have created a series for Writing Kidlit. What advice do you have for young or otherwise aspiring writers who are working on their first drafts?
Cheryl and I always advise three things: 1) Read as many books as you can to learn what it takes to make a great story; 2) Practice creating characters, villains, and stakes (what will happen if your character can’t solve the story problem); and 3) Set yourself up for success by finding what motivates you to write and keep writing (think: a ticking timer, a reward, being part of a writing group) and come up with plans to combat writers’ block before it happens.
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We cannot thank Victoria enough for taking the time to answer our questions. Have something you’d like to ask Victoria? You can write her using the contact form on her website – or leave a comment below. Happy reading!
