We chat with author Dana Kramaroff about her debut novel, The Do More Club, which follows a Jewish boy’s bravery and kindness are tested after an antisemitic attack on his middle school in this rousing novel-in-verse.
Hi, Dana! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! Thank you for having me! I am a mom of three kids, a second grade teacher, and a total nerd when it comes to school supplies!
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I always loved books and reading from a very young age. My parents always made books available to me. In college, I really found a love for writing in an introduction to teaching writing course. My professor asked us to go through the writing process and I had so much fun creating a story.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
The first book I remember reading was Ramona Quimby, Age 8. The book that made me want to become an author was Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. The book that I cannot stop thinking about is Forget Me Not by Ellie Terry.
Your debut novel, The Do More Club, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Spread kindness so hate can’t win (I cheated – that was six words!)
What can readers expect?
Readers can expect a story written in verse that brings them along on a middle grader’s journey to understand that we can’t rid the world of all hate but we can put small acts of kindness out there as a start.
Where did the inspiration for The Do More Club come from?
I met a student in my work as an elementary Instructional Coach who explained to his fourth grade teacher that he could not read ‘Number the Stars’ because the Holocaust never happened.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I really loved writing Nat’s character because she is so much like me when I was her age – uncomfortable in her own body, worried she would be made fun of for her size, and shy.
What do you hope your readers take away from reading The Do More Club?
I hope they take away hope that they can be like Josh and his friends to make change in the world.
This is your debut! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
My journey started in 2015 when I tried writing picture books for a little while. I went on to write a middle grade novel in 2016 and was chosen to be mentored for Pitch Wars. I queried it to one hundred agents and shelved it. I wrote another middle grade novel around 2017/2018, queried it to one hundred agents and shelved it. When I set out to write The Do More Club around 2019/2020 I had learned so much and felt I had written the best book I could have written. I was very selective with querying and sent out my manuscript to a smaller group of agents that would really fit with the project. I was incredibly lucky to receive an offer of representation from Rena Rossner. Rena had Lauri Hornik (Penguin) in mind for the book so we sent it off to her and she said yes! The rest is history and I am still pinching myself!
What’s next for you?
I received a two book deal from Lauri and I am about to work on revisions for a stand alone novel in verse that will be out in 2025. This story has so many similarities to my own experiences being overweight as a child. It takes place at a summer day camp which was really fun to write since I have many fond memories at my childhood day camp.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
I have a number of novels-in-verse that I love to recommend to readers! I mentioned Forget Me Not already. I love: Count Me In by Varsha Bajaj, Every Shiny Thing by Cordelia Jensen and Laurie Morrison, every book by Chris Baron – All of Me, Magical Imperfect, The Gray, A Work in Progress by Jarrett Lerner, Starfish by Lisa Fipps, Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca, Rhyme Schemer and House Arrest by K.A Holt, Love That Dog and Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech, Crossover and Booked by Kwame Alexander, Along by Megan Freeman and The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary by Laura Shovan, and Golden Girl by Reem Faruqi.
