Marie Arnold is the author of the new middle grade novel They Will Not Save Us. Her other books include A Place to Shine. She was born in Haiti, grew up in New York, and lives on the West Coast.
Q: What inspired you to write They Will Not Save Us, and how did you create your character Lena?
A: I wanted to write something creepy and scary in all the fun ways but also ground it in actual historical events. I’ve always thought zombies make wonderfully terrifying villains, so I did some research and found a way to connect the supernatural elements with real history.
Lena is an amalgamation of several relatives who grew up in Haiti, along with bits and pieces of my own childhood memories of being there. I drew from those experiences to create a character who felt authentic to me.
Q: How was the novel’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?
A: The title was chosen to reflect two important themes.
First, I’ve always loved stories where kids get to be the heroes. There’s something empowering about young readers seeing characters their own age take charge and save the day instead of waiting for adults to rescue them.
The title also reflects Haiti’s history. Haiti’s enslaved people organized and fought for their own freedom rather than waiting for someone else to save them. That spirit of courage, resilience, and taking control of your own destiny is at the heart of the book.
Q: The Publishers Weekly review of the book says, “Paranormal thrills and striking portrayals of emotional turbulence combine in an intense and dynamic adventure.” What do you think of that description?
A: I was so happy to read that description because it’s exactly what I was hoping to achieve! I wanted to create a fun, spine-tingling adventure that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, nervous, excited, a little scared, but always eager to turn the next page.
It’s nice to know that came through, and I hope readers have just as much fun reading it as I did writing it!
Q: What do you hope readers take away from the book?
A: I hope readers walk away with a new appreciation for friendship because, ultimately, that’s what saves the characters. It’s not so much the supernatural forces at work, but the strength of their friendship.
And I’d love it if readers finished the book feeling just a little braver than they did when they started.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’m currently working on ShadowSync, a middle-grade tech horror series that’s scheduled to debut next year!
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I’d just like to thank Deborah Kalb and her blog, Q&A with Deborah Kalb, for having me! It’s been a pleasure answering these questions, and I wish all your readers happy reading!
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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