Q&A with Selene Castrovilla

 

 

 

 

Selene Castrovilla is the author of the children's picture book George Washington's Spectacular Spectacles: The Glasses That Saved America. Her other books include Revolutionary Friends. She lives on Long Island.

 

Q: What inspired you to write George Washington’s Spectacular Spectacles?

 

A: I’ve spent many years researching George Washington, and during that work, I discovered the Newburgh Conspiracy—a little-known but astonishing moment at the end of the Revolution. His officers, pushed by outside influences, were on the brink of treason, ready to storm Congress and demand their long-overdue pay.

 

Washington had recently begun wearing spectacles but hid them out of embarrassment. At Newburgh, he quietly put them on and said, “Gentlemen, please forgive me. I have grown grey in your service and now find myself growing blind.” That single moment of vulnerability dissolved the rebellion into tears.

 

I was stunned by the power of that small act—and by how it revealed Washington’s humanity. I knew children needed to “see” this story of courage through vulnerability, even if it took me over 10 years to bring it to life.

(Fun fact: Alexander Hamilton was the one who pushed the officers toward treason!)

 

Q: Can you say more about how you researched the book? What surprised you most?

 

A: My research focused on primary-source accounts of the Newburgh Conspiracy and on-site visits to Washington’s Headquarters in Newburgh, New York, and other surrounding historic locations. Immersing myself in the places where these events happened helped me understand the emotional stakes of the moment.

 

What surprised me most was the deep bond between Washington and his men. He felt genuinely heartbroken at the thought of their betrayal—and yet he trusted that if he reminded them of the truth of who he was, they would remember who they were. And they did.

Q: What do Jenn Harney’s illustrations add to the book?

 

A: Jenn’s illustrations are extraordinary. She brings George Washington to life with a tenderness, humor, and humanity I’d never seen depicted in children’s nonfiction before.

 

The biggest surprise was how naturally the story revealed its humor—a funny book about treason! Jenn was the perfect partner for that unexpected tone. She highlights the subtle frailties we all try to hide, making Washington instantly relatable for young readers.

 

Q: The New York Times wrote that the book “reminds us that even the most revered figures have insecurities — and revealing them can be the bravest act of all.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: I love it—and I’m deeply grateful for it. That’s the heart of this story. Washington’s courage didn’t just come from battles or strategy; it came from moments of honesty and humility. Revealing his insecurity about his glasses at that critical moment is what saved democracy.

 

That message speaks so strongly to young readers, who often worry about being judged. Sometimes the bravest act is simply showing who you really are.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m currently writing my first young adult nonfiction book, about the Chicago Eight. These activists gathered at the 1968 Democratic Convention to protest the Vietnam War and were met with violence, arrests, and false accusations.

 

When Nixon took office, the federal government charged them with conspiracy—even though some of the defendants had never met. Their unjust and highly influential trial helped shape the political and cultural landscape of the late 20th century. I’m excited to bring this pivotal story to teen readers.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: As we approach July 4, 2026—the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence—I’m excited to offer in-person and virtual programs for schools, libraries, and organizations. This anniversary is a powerful opportunity to reflect on the people who paid the high cost to secure our freedoms.

 

My new middle grade book, Freedom’s Cost, follows Benjamin Tallmadge, the schoolteacher-turned-spymaster who led the Culper Spy Ring. The war fundamentally transformed him, and his emotional journey reveals the personal sacrifices behind our nation’s survival.

 

And in February 2026, Twice Enslaved will be released. It tells the remarkable true story of Henrietta Wood, who was enslaved twice—and who fought back to win the largest known reparation for enslavement in U.S. history.

 

Writing the book in free verse brought me closer to her emotional world; each stanza challenged me to honor her experience with accuracy, compassion, and truth. I hope her strength stays with young readers long after they close the book.

 

Please visit https://linktr.ee/selenecastrovilla to find out more about my books—and me!

 

Thank you for inviting me to share my journey with your readers, Deborah!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Selene Castrovilla.