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REPLY
Hello right back at you, Jamison. I thoroughly enjoyed our dual book signing at Barnes & Noble. We are most fortunate to have John Cloutier and the supportive, hard-working staff at the Danbury, CT store. They take very good care of their local authors. It was a pleasure to spend time chatting with you. I will happily answer anything you want to know about trains. After all, you had the National Hobo Queen sitting right next to you. As for that second grade teacher, wait until you meet the principal in my next book. Not to worry, educators know I love them, as I was once one of them. Stay in touch and the best of luck with your train book. It is magnificent!
Smilin’ at you from my writing desk,
Carmine
C. Coco De Young

Carmine- It was nice presenting with you last night at Barnes and Noble. I began reading the book this morning, only about two chapters in so far. But what I have to say is--WHAT AN AWFUL 2ND GRADE TEACHER! Good luck with your current project. All my best, Jamison Odone


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Hello, Janine. It is good to see your message on my screen. Thank you for the picture of your dog, a real cutie. Take good care of one another. I think of you often and am happy to hear that you completed your online course. The writing will happen in time, just do not give up! Thanks for checking in.
Always smilin’ at you from my writing desk,
Carmine

Hi Carmine, I hope things are going great for you! Believe it or not, I haven't had time to write a thing! I did finish my online course and since then have been working part time! My life is slowly but shorley(sp?) getting back to "normal" Thought I'd write to say hello and do it a different way this time! Have a great day! I'll check my personal email if you'd prefer to write there. I'll check your website in a few days one because I love it and two I'd like to see your response! Janine


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Dear Christian,
Thank you for visiting my website. I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed my book. Most readers enjoy the part about the hobo under the bridge, and often tell me they felt as if they were right there with Margo. Yes, I am proud to be the 2008 National Hobo Queen. The hobo convention is a special event that as been happening in our country for 108 years. Hobo history is a special part of our American culture. Perhaps one day you will go with your uncle to the Hobo Museum in Britt. It is full of hobo artifacts and an interesting place to visit. If you are ever in Wisconsin, you can also see a great collection of hobo and tramp art at two museums - Ashwaubenon Historical Museum in Green Bay, and the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan. And don't forget the hobo nickels!
Smilin’ and waving my queenly wave at you from my writing desk,
C. Coco De Young

Hi Ms. DeYOUNG,
My uncle was in Britt for the hobo convection and brought me a copy of your book. Thank you for sighning it. He said you are the new hobo queen and I saw your picture on your website. Wow that is really great. Do you like being queen? I love your book. Christian


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Dear Fellow Writer,
Writer to writer tips are always helpful, especially when we encourage each other to keep writing. You express yourself beautifully and it’s special that others have helped you along the way. Did you see the writing contests for young writers I have listed under Writing Tips? Perhaps you will find a contest to submit your work. Yes, keep practicing, my friend. When you feel your work is the best it can be then pull it out of the drawer and send it off to a publisher. Good luck, I’ll be thinking of you.
Smilin’ at you from my writing desk,
C. Coco De Young

Hello, I'm an aspiring and budding 12 year old writer!!! I just wanted to say thank you for providing these tips on this website. I highly apppreciate it. I've been working on my writing since about 9 years old, but I hadn't been able to get much done without my ideas changing. Until about a year ago did it dawn on me that I've really got to buckle down and start practice, practice, practicing. And I read at a college level, so I guess that contributes to my writing. At my mum's job there is a woman named Lynda Fitzgerald and she wrote and published a book. Fortunately I got to meet her and she refered me to a writing coach named Fran Stewart. And she gave me some tips, hopefully with these I can improve my writing.


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Hello, Leiny. I’ve been away most of the summer and was happy to see your note. Your hello’s always make me smile. What did you read over the summer? Perhaps you can recommend a book or two for other young readers. How is the new school year?
Always smilin’ back at you from my writing desk,
C. Coco De Young

Hello Mrs.Young it's Leiny I haven't checked in for a while. It's very exiting to know that your writing a new book. Hope to read it!!! Love Leiny


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Hello, Janine.
The New England SCBWI conference is usually held in early Spring. The next event will take place from Friday, April 24 through Sunday, April 26, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nashua, New Hampshire. You will want to make reservations as soon as possible as this event always fills quickly. If you can make your way to Rhode Island College in Providence, they are hosting a one-day event on November 15, 2008. Good luck and take good care of yourself.
Smilin’ at you, my friend,
Carmine
C. Coco De Young

Hi Carmine, How are you today? I have been looking on SCBWI's website to find conferences held in Boston this year. I can't seem to find any. They don't seem to mention massachussetts in their site. If you have any good ideas on how to find them, please let me know. thanks, have a great day! Janine


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Dear Camie,
You are most welcome for the signed bookmarks, and yes, I personally sign each and every one. It’s my way of doing something special for my young readers. I hope you will enjoy A LETTER TO MRS. ROOSEVELT.
You are curious about my name? Are you ready for an even longer explanation? My parents named me after my father, Carmel Coco. As Carmine Coco, my teachers often called me “Miss Hot Chocolate.” For a short time in high school a cousin shortened my name to “Cam.” After marriage I became Carmine Coco De Young. I kept the Coco name because we are a family of storytellers, and that is where my writing began. However, once published, I didn’t want my full name to cover the entire jacket of the book so I shortened it to C. Coco De Young. I'm also often addressed as "My Love" by Mr. De Young, "Mom" by our children, "Mrs. D." by their friends, and was dubbed by my dear hobo friends as "Connecticut Tootsie." Just remember what Shakespeare wrote..."What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet."
Congratulations, Camie! You are the first to ask about the length of my name and nicknames. Have a great summer and happy reading.
Smilin’ at you (real big) from my writing desk,
C. Coco De Young

dear c. coco deyoung, thank u for the bookmarks u sent to my class. do u sign them all or is it a stamp? i will get your book to read while im on vacation. has anyone ever told u that u have a very long name? how did u get that name? do you have a nickname? bye.
camie


REPLY:
Dear Gabi Gordon…what a great name! Thank you for your kind words, and I’m thrilled to know that you love A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt. It has just been published in the Korean language, and I hope the young readers across seas will also enjoy my book.

You asked what inspired me to write this book. Both Mother and Dad were wonderful storytellers. They often shared their stories of growing up during the Great Depression. At the age of 90, Dad (Charlie in the book) still comes up with new stories. I learned real life history by listening to my parents. When I became a teacher, my students related better and remembered more easily the lessons learned in Social Studies because I taught in the same manner…storytelling. When I decided to write this book, it was important to me that the readers enjoy, understand, and remember how people survived during that difficult time in history. Storytelling, by word of mouth or on the written page, helps because a person may not remember all the details, but will recall those moments that touched the heart.

Gabi, ask your family to tell you their stories. This great country is made up of millions of family stories…and like the ingredients in a Mulligan stew…each one adds flavor to the understanding of our American history.

You also want to know something about me? There is a wealth of information on this website, however, there is one thing only Mr. De Young and my children know…I get a little teary-eyed each and every time I sing or hear our National Anthem. It’s all about the courage it took to build our country. I think of my grandparents. Yes, upon their arrival to the Unites States they cried as their ship sailed past the Statue of Liberty. They’d left their homes in Italy, but oh how they loved this country. I think of the millions of other family stories like mine and like yours in that stew pot. I think of the men and women proudly serving our country. The list goes on. Well now, all of cyberspace just learned that I’m a mush at heart! Perhaps that’s okay.

Take good care of your family history, Gabi. And remember; always keep courage tucked in your pocket.
I’m smilin’ at you from my writing desk,
C. Coco De Young

I love a letter to Mrs. Roosevelt. I think you should write some more books or a sequel to a letter to Mrs. Roosevelt. What inspired you to become an author ? Please email me back! Gabi Gordon . p.s. tell me about you. Gabigordon@mac.com


REPLY:
Dear Abigail,
Your mother is absolutely correct! The historical facts in historical fiction cannot be changed, nor can the names of historical people such as Eleanor Roosevelt. However, the fictional characters, those I imagined and built into my story, must have a name and traits different from people I know. Otherwise, I could be in big trouble if someone thinks I’m writing about him or her, especially if it’s a character nobody likes! Though everybody seems to like Mr. Frappa, he is a complete figment of my imagination. I name my characters with great care. They are like children to me. How did Mr. Frappa get his name? My sister, Risa, and I were in a coffee shop trying to think of a name that sounded Italian. I was sipping my favorite cold coffee drink, a Mocha FRAPPAcino…voila! Your grandpa must be real special, cool and sweet. Good luck on your book report, and many thanks for your kind words. You can also see the board book I wrote at this website. Yes, I am currently finishing another novel and researching the third.
Smilin' at you from my writing desk,
C. Coco De Young

Dear C. Coco DeYoung, My name is Abigail and I live in North Dakota. I have been reading your book for a book report and I really like it. My mom said that when an author writes historical fiction that the historical parts have to be true but the author changes the names of the characters. Why do you have to do that? Did you do that in "A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt"? How did you get Mr. Frappa's name? I like him because he is like my grandpa. My grandpa is always teaching us stuff about when he was a little boy. I hope you write back soon. My book report is due next week and I would like to read your answer to the class. Thanks for writing such a good book. Did you write any others? I hope you keep writing. Thank you! Abigail


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Congratulations, Noah! I have visited readers in schools all across the United States and have never been asked this question. Good for you. I have often thought of building a character that does play an instrument, but only if it is important to my story or helps to move my story forward in some way. As for me, I play in a bell choir and can also play the spoons quite well.
Happy tooting,
C. Coco De Young

Dear C. Coco De Young, I am in the sixth grade band at school. I play the trumpet. Will your characters ever play an instrument? Do you play any instrument? Noah


REPLY:
Dear Friend,
Thank you for reminding us all. Yes, always believe because miracles can and do happen.
Sending you a smile of gratitude,
C. Coco De Young

For all the kids writing to Carmine miracles happen once in a while when you bealive.


REPLY:
Dear Friends,
My childhood was quite the happy one! Back then my imagination and keen sense of wonder kept me quite busy. It caused me to wander about, always exploring and making up stories about where I’d been and what I’d done. I especially liked following my big brother everywhere; often playing in the woods, swinging from hanging vines and catching salamanders under rocks in the creek. I also spent a great deal of time on my pink and white Schwinn bike. One day, while on the way home from the store on my bike, I noticed an injured chipmunk. I emptied the brown paper grocery bag holding two cans of tomatoes into the basket on my bike, then used bits of candy to urge the chipmunk into the bag. Once home, I set the bag on the kitchen counter then ran out to collect the cans from my bike basket. Can you guess what happened? Yes, indeed. You can well imagine my mother’s shriek when she opened the bag to get the cans of tomatoes! I HIGHLY recommend that you NEVER attempt to catch an injured chipmunk, or scare your mother with a surprise bag. But, then there was another time when I kept a toad in a bird cage…and the time I got on an elevator without my mother and got lost in a department store. A sense of wonder has always caused me to wander about. Now, it leads me to new stories; and my wild imagination helps me to write them. I do hope this helps you. If you need or want more information, please ask specific questions. I'll be happy to try again.
Smilin at you from my laptop,
C. Coco De Young

REPLY:
Dear Alina,
I have included a bit more information above, in the reply addressed to friends. I do hope this helps you. Thank you for visiting with me through cyberspace.
Sending you a smile all the way from Connecticut,
C. Coco De Young

Hi Mrs. Young My name is Alina and can you please tell me more adout your early life cause i cant find anything on that. Thank You.


REPLY:
Dear Annette,
Thank you for your thank you! It is always a pleasure to connect with my readers...of any age. May you and Alanis also be blessed with many joyful moments of "together time."
Ciao,
C. Coco De Young

Dear Ms. DeYoung: Thank you so very much for answering my daughter Alanis's note. She was thrilled to pieces and plans on putting the communication between you two into her Book Report. Once again thanks for your note to my daughter and by the way, "I too loved your book". God Bless you and your remarkable 89 year old Dad. Que Dios te Bendigan. Ciao Annette Cornier-Lopez


REPLY:
Dear Alanis,
Thank you for sharing your good thoughts about A letter to Mrs. Roosevelt. You and your mother might find it interesting to know that I am writing this note from Johnstown, PA, which was the setting for the book. Guess who is sitting right next to me? Nope! Try again. It’s “Charlie!” If you read the Author’s Note in the back of the book, you probably know that my father, Carmel, played the role of Charlie in the book. Believe it or not, Dad will be 89 years old on February 10th. He enjoyed reading the note you left on my website. We both wish you luck with your book report and a reply from someone famous. Remember to do what all fine writers must do – edit your work, rewrite, and rewrite again until you’ve done the best job possible. Dad wants you to know that for many years he kept the registered letter receipt which Mrs. Roosevelt’s secretary initialed. However, it was lost in the Johnstown Flood of 1977. Take good care of yourself and your mother, and remember to share a few good belly laughs every day.
Smilin' at you from my writing desk,
C. Coco De Young

Dear Miss DeYoung: My name is Alanis Lynne Lopez and am in the 5th grade.I had to read your book for a book report. I really loved your book and I even let my mother read it. We both enjoyed it. I was so sad to read about the Depresin and what it did to all the American people. I am glad you did not lose your house. Do you still have the letter Mrs. Roosevelt wrote? Maybe I too can wirte to someone famous and when I get a reply I will let you know right away. Thanks for writing such a great book. I really loved it. I will let you know what mark I recieve for my Book Report on a Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt.



QUOTES FROM PRIOR MESSAGES:

"...It was great to meet you at the Clara Barton Forum in Johnstown on Thursday. You were dynamic and sincere in your message to the women at the Forum--a classy role model for all of us."
Sher Pensiero-The Write Solution

“Hello Carmine, I have fallen for your sense of humor.” Ray Bennese

“Dear mrs.De Young my name is Laura and I love to blab like blah! blah! blah! So...I will blab to you! I love your book! You should make a sequel…” From Laura

“I loved the story A Letter To Mrs.Rosevelt. My favorite part of it was when Charlie went missing. When I grow-up I'd like to be a book writer just like you…I think you are an amazing writer.” From, Hannah in Mrs.Bennett's third grade class

“…love your book. how are you. I hope you're good. I felt scrared when the gypsies were chasing Margo and she thought the gypsies caught her.” love Becca

“Hi I am levi I love your book .It is so cool.I like the parts of the hobos.”

“We're back! Once again my third graders LOVED your book, A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt. This year they stood and cheered when I read the First Lady's letter to Margo. They also cheered after the final word of the book. You would think that by now I wouldn't cry as I'm reading. Each time it gets better for me. Thank you again for a wonderful piece of literature. We hope you can visit us before the end of the year. Take care!” Jana Bennett Westmont Elementary School, Third Grade

"Marisa and I are planning a field trip this summer through downtown Johnstown, she wants to see if we can find some of the streets, bridges etc. that you talk about in the book and if we are able to walk from were that old homestead had been to the store. I hope I don't get us lost. ICKES! It will be a great exprience for both her and I." Sincerely, Juscinda & Marisa Matlin