Interview: Janet Fox, Author of Faithful

Don’t be fooled by the cover of Janet Fox’s new book Faithful. Though it shows a willowy girl in an emerald green gown, hair blowing in the wind as Yellowstone’s geyser blows in the distance, it is not a romance novel. The very fact that it boasts a romance novel-like cover minus the boy with the adoring eyes says much about the integrity of the story. Sure, romance is a big part of it (would teen readers have it any other way?), but I would classify it more as a historical coming-of-age story with a strong teenage protagonist in a spectacular setting.

The main character, Maggie, starts out as a spoiled girl in an established New England family. After the disappearance of her mother and a series of misfortunes, her father takes Maggie west, misleading her into thinking it is a short term trip. Through the adjustment to life in Yellowstone Park (her father works for the park as a architect) and in a different class, the acceptance of her mother’s death and the strengthening of her relationship with her father, Maggie grows exponentially. And we feel it all with her every step of the way. The setting is rough, dangerous and totally seductive (I would argue that Yellowstone is in fact a character in the novel) and you can see every craggy rock, every tip of green foliage. You fall in love with the rustic setting as Maggie does. And as the author Janet Fox did.

In fact, Janet has recently moved to Montana, where she and her family have a cabin in the mountains not far from Yellowstone. Her writing for children has appeared in Highlights for Children and Spider magazines; her award-winning non-fiction middle grade book, Get Organized Without Losing It, continues to be a top seller. And just this summer it was announced that Faithful is a nominee for this year’s ALA Young Adult Library Association’s (YALSA) annual award for Best Fiction for Young Adults. Janet has taught middle school and high school and has an MS in marine geology and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts.

I talked to Janet Fox about the book, Yellowstone Park and what’s next. I hope you enjoy hearing from her as much as I did.

Why did you set the book in Yellowstone?

My husband and I have had a cabin near Yellowstone since before we were married. We've loved visiting there and do so at least once a year. When I began thinking about this novel I knew I wanted to write historical fiction, and I wanted to write about a girl whose mother has disappeared (relating to my own mother's death). It seemed a natural progression to set the novel in Yellowstone — and as soon as I began my research, it was clear that Yellowstone was a perfect choice. I could incorporate that fascinating landscape with its wonders and history and animals into the story and give my novel added depth: Yellowstone is a place where new life (in the boiling hot springs) and death (in the dangerous landscape) mingle.

Article Author: Ann Hagman Cardinal

Ann Hagman Cardinal is a freelance writer as well as the Director of Alumni Affairs for Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her first novel, Sister Chicas--co-authored with two other Latina writers—was released in 2006 by NAL/Penguin Books. …

Visit Ann Hagman Cardinal's author page — Ann Hagman Cardinal's Blog