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Mary Beth Laufer, a retired substitute teacher and librarian now living in St. Cloud, currently works as a freelance writer that devotes her time to writing. Katelyn’s Crow, a middle grade novel, is her first book.
Mary Beth Laufer, a retired substitute teacher and librarian now living in St. Cloud, currently works as a freelance writer that devotes her time to writing. Katelyn’s Crow, a middle grade novel, is her first book that was recently published in November, but her poems and short stories have been published in many anthologies like Highlights, Cicada, Chicken Soup for the Child’s Soul, and others.
Laufer spent much of her life traveling with her husband during his time in the U.S. Navy. During her free time, she pursued her passions as a freelance writer. When he retired, they decided to settle in Central Florida, where she now devotes her time to writing. Over the course of two years, Laufer slowly transformed Katelyn’s Crow through various stages to become what it is today.
The inspiration behind the novel was from the time her brother took in a baby crow and named it Tah-Kah before eventually releasing it. Katelyn, the story’s protagonist, is a combination of people. From her older sister’s love of insects to Laufer’s own soul.
“I had to think about what it means to be a kid again.” Laufer said in regards to her novel.
She stated that although the setting came mostly from her hometown in New York, that the situations in the novel were based on her own experiences with children that she taught over the years.
“That’s the situation I wanted, between a girl who grew up poor and a girl who grew up privileged.” Laufer stated.
The Kirkus Star is reserved for books of “exceptional merit,” according to Kirkus. About 10 percent of all books reviewed by Kirkus receive a Star, but far fewer of those are considered selfpublished. The Star is a nomination by Kirkus that would make Katelyn’s Crow eligible to win the Kirkus Prize.
According to Kirkus reviews, Katelyn’s Crow is, “A work that thoughtfully examines a child’s encounter with the complex natures of people and other creatures”, but to Laufer, her work is one that teaches responsibility for others and oneself, doing the right thing even if it’s hard, and aspiration and awe for the miracles of nature and life.
“I try to have them weave together,” Laufer said in response to the themes in her novel, “she’s got a family, she’s got friends, she’s got her animals, she’s got her interest in science. There’s a whole lot going on.”
Katelyn’s Crow is a middle grade novel that follows an 11-year-old girl named Katelyn, as she stumbles upon an injured baby crow. Alongside the help of a friend named Maddie, they eagerly work together to nurse the baby crow back to health. As Maddie and Katelyn navigate their developing friendship, they encounter a complex range of differences from their economic statuses to their own value systems.
“That’s why Katelyn appeals to [Maddie], it’s because she wants this experience. She wants hands-on experience, she wants to be out in nature.” Laufer said.
Through Katelyn’s growing sense of responsibility and Maddie’s experience with nature, Laufer takes these girls on a journey of accountability, understanding, and the ethical treatment of nature and creation.Overall, Katelyn’s Crow shows children the complex nature and values of life, friendship, and family.
“I learned so much,” Laufer said. “I didn’t really know where this was going but as I got into it I thought, ‘Ohh now I can see where this can go.’” Katelyn’s Crow includes insect illustrations by cover illustrator Kathleen Phillips Poulsen. Poulsen is the author for the children’s novel Apple Doll and a member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
