[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fEWYm4513S7GFR3Os3w4U4CNeWzfo5cX_oCrVmau9smk":3,"$fnK-eiW_1jV6cCEjsWKALVbzzitgg5EKJylNsv2X3yW0":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"bio_jsonld":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},16878,"Barbara Park","B",55,null,"barbara-park",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":79},[14,23,29,36,42,48,55,61,67,73],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":22},3566480,"I'm not actually sure I'm grown-up enough for grown-up books.",7,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nBarbara Park, the renowned author of children's and young adult literature, likely wrote these words during a period of introspection about her writing career. As she grew older, Park may have felt pressure to shift from writing humorous, relatable stories for middle-grade readers to more \"mature\" themes suitable for adults. This sentiment was possibly expressed in one of her essays or interviews.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nWhat lies beneath this seemingly innocuous statement is a reflection on the human tendency to conflate emotional maturity with intellectual sophistication. Park's admission reveals an awareness that our capacity for emotional growth doesn't necessarily correlate with the complexity of themes we tackle in our work. In fact, it highlights the potential drawbacks of trying to be more \"grown-up\" in one's writing or pursuits – namely, sacrificing vulnerability and relatability.\n\n**How to Use This**\nWhen faced with the expectation to produce more complex or sophisticated work, remember that true growth lies not in adopting an air of maturity, but in embracing your unique voice and perspective. Rather than trying to appeal to a perceived \"grown-up\" audience, focus on creating authentic stories that resonate with readers at any age.",{"id":24,"quote_text":25,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":26,"source":27,"quote_tag":28,"commentary":9},3566463,"I find the term 'perfect child' to be an oxymoron.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":30,"quote_text":31,"author_id":5,"source_id":32,"has_image":18,"author":33,"source":34,"quote_tag":35,"commentary":9},2876090,"I still hadn’t cried. It wasn’t that kind of pain yet. Mostly, it was just this total feeling of emptiness in my gut. Like a cannonball had been shot cleanly through my middle. And I swear to god, I actually remember reaching under my sweatshirt and touching my stomach to see if you could feel the hole from the outside.",6,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":37,"quote_text":38,"author_id":5,"source_id":32,"has_image":18,"author":39,"source":40,"quote_tag":41,"commentary":9},2876086,"Says my brother, that’s who. And he’s in third grade. And he says teachers have to keep their house a secret. Or else kids might go there and throw rotten tomatoes.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":43,"quote_text":44,"author_id":5,"source_id":32,"has_image":18,"author":45,"source":46,"quote_tag":47,"commentary":9},2876080,"Cause punishment takes the friendly right out of you.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":49,"quote_text":50,"author_id":5,"source_id":32,"has_image":18,"author":51,"source":52,"quote_tag":53,"commentary":54},2876075,"I happen to think that a book is of extraordinary value if it gives the reader nothing more than a smile or two. It’s perfectly okay to take a book, read it, have a good time, giggle and laugh – and turn off the TV. I love that.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nBarbara Park, the renowned author of children's books such as \"Junie B. Jones,\" penned these words likely in the 1990s or early 2000s, a time when she was already established as a beloved writer for young readers. Her emphasis on the value of entertainment in literature reflects the era's growing recognition of reading as a means to both education and enjoyment.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nWhat lies beneath Park's seemingly simple statement is a nuanced commentary on the tension between intellectualism and populism. By asserting that laughter and entertainment are equally valuable to literary merit, she subtly challenges the elitist notion that serious literature must always be somber and intellectually dense.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, writers and creatives can focus on crafting engaging stories that prioritize emotional resonance over ostensible intellectualism. By embracing a more populist approach, they can tap into their readers' emotions and create works that are both entertaining and memorable.",{"id":56,"quote_text":57,"author_id":5,"source_id":32,"has_image":18,"author":58,"source":59,"quote_tag":60,"commentary":9},2876061,"Except for not that Jim.” After a while, I started to get a little bit thirsty. That’s what happens when chalk sprinkles get in your throat.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":62,"quote_text":63,"author_id":5,"source_id":32,"has_image":18,"author":64,"source":65,"quote_tag":66,"commentary":9},2876056,"I’m so lazy as far as liking to get up, go to the office in my pajamas, get dressed about noon. And I hate flying. So I have this really laid-back, good lifestyle, and it’s hard to nudge me out of it.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":68,"quote_text":69,"author_id":5,"source_id":32,"has_image":18,"author":70,"source":71,"quote_tag":72,"commentary":9},2876045,"The upside to grief is it takes away your appetite. When people say you look good they really mean it. Nature’s thoughtful that way.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":74,"quote_text":75,"author_id":5,"source_id":32,"has_image":18,"author":76,"source":77,"quote_tag":78,"commentary":9},2876040,"After that I behaved myself very good. I sat up real straight. And I did all my work. Work is when you use your brain and a pencil.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"currentPage":80,"totalPages":32,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":81},1,10]