Jennifer Mathieu's Blog

Questions I Have About the 1985 Film Gymkata

I never blog anymore because I’ve got book writing deadlines to meet, but last night I watched a film so puzzling, so thought-provoking, so totally bonkers that I am dedicating today’s writing time to exploring it. So to my editor at Macmillan who expects a first draft of my next book in a few weeks, head’s up that I may be a little late.

Because I have to talk about Gymkata.

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My husband and I sat down to watch this 1985 cinema classic last night because he’d heard it was “so bad it’s good” a...

NOT ALONE – A song written exclusively for my new novel, AFTERWARD

Hey, y’all! With my third novel,Afterward, about to hit bookshelves in just a few days (September 20!), I wanted to share something really special with all of you.

A few months ago I approached my brother and his girlfriend and music partner Claire and asked if they would be willing to write a song exclusively forAfterward. I wanted a song that would encompass the big ideas of this novel – friendship, hope, and recovery from trauma.

I wanted a song that would reveal what I think is the book’...

New DEVOTED paperback cover and an AFTERWARD giveaway!

Readers and friends, I’m so excited to share a brand new cover for my second novel,Devoted. While I adoredDevoted‘s original, gorgeous hardcover art, my publisher Macmillan has decided to package the book a bit differently for the paperback in an effort to get Rachel’s story into the hands of even more readers.

So what do you think?

DEVOTED’s lovely
new paperback cover!

I love the warm colors and the text woven through Rachel’s hair. And am I the only one who sees a resemblance betwe...

Introducing the cover of my next novel – AFTERWARD

I am so thrilled to share with you the cover of my next novel,Afterward, out September 20, 2016 from Roaring Brook Press.

Afterward tells the story of atragic kidnapping that leads to an unlikely friendship. At its core, it’s about findinglight in the midst of darkness.

The book opens when 16-year-oldCaroline’s little brother is kidnapped. His subsequent rescue leads to the discovery of Ethan, a teenager who has been living with the kidnapper since he was a young child himself. In the afterm...

Super Shiny Brand New Book News!

WELL! I’ve got some book news I’ve been sitting on that’s making me all squirmy with excitement, so let’s get down to sharing it!

As you might know, I’ve had my third book with Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan in the works for a while now. It’s due to be published on September 20, 2016 – only I’m struggling with finding a just-right title! It’s about two teenagers named Caroline and Ethan, and it’s told in alternating points of view. Sort of like my first book, The Truth About Alice.

Caroline a...

My next book…Devoted!

Okay, so I’m trying to update my blog and stay somewhat current, so I wanted to give y’all a little bit of the 411 on my next book, Devoted. Did I just say “411”? Yikes. Sorry. ;-)

The cover of my latest novel, out June 2, 2015 from Roaring Brook Press.

My next novel, Devoted, will be published by Roaring Brook Press on June 2, 2015. It’s about a young woman named Rachel Walker who is one of ten children growing up in a rural part of Texas. Rachel is part of an extremely religious family, and w...

So much ALICE love…

My debut novel! Eep! Still can’t believe it’s real.

It’s been forever since I’ve updated my blog, so I wanted to add two quick updates today – one about my debut, The Truth About Alice, and one about my upcoming release, Devoted, out June 2, 2015 and also from Roaring Brook Press.

It’s been a groovy, crazy, wonderful ride since The Truth About Alice was released June 3 of this year. I got to go on tour with the amazing Leigh Bardugo (The Grisha trilogy), Ava Dellaira (Love Letters to the Dead),...

If Caillou’s Mom Kept a Diary

February 26, 2013

Caillou’s Daddy hasn’t touched me in weeks. Make that months. I don’t get it. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure how Caillou and Rosie even entered our lives. It’s like they’ve always been here. Caillou has interrupted us in bed so many times, but God knows he’s never interrupted any lovemaking. The last time he sauntered in here whining about shadows and some nonsense, Caillou’s Daddy actually got out of bed and made him hot chocolate. That child is never going to learn pr...

We’re Good With One, Thanks

I remember my first post-delivery check up with my OB. My husband and our newborn son accompanied me to a brief exam with my doctor. All was well. Then, on our way out, the support staff asked us when we’d be back for baby number two.

Folks, at this time I had stitches in my vagina. Think about that. Sorry, but just think about it. Stitches. In. My. Vagina. And I was already supposed to be thinking about baby numero dos. For serious?

The truth is my hubs and I have always figured we’d have just...

Making My Students’ Heads Explode!

Ask any teacher, and they’ll tell you that one of the best feelings you can have as an instructor is the moment when a student doesn’t just think of you as the person who is holding them back from going to lunch, but as the person who can actually impart some useful knowledge or change their worldview. And you know that for the rest of that student’s life, that kid is going to remember you as the person who created that moment.

As I get ready to start my eighth year in the classroom as an Engl...