What if I were to TELL you that this is an all-true story, every word?

You see, once there was a VERY REAL girl named Fern who found out that she'd been swapped at birth. This might disturb some people, but it made Fern happy because she'd never felt at home with her tragically dull parents, the Drudgers. Fern finds out about the mix-up when the Bone (er, her father) and his "son," Howard, show up at Fern's front door. Now both families decide to UNSWAP the kids for the summer, and Fern heads off with the Bone on a wild adventure into a world inhabited by the Miser, a sinister fellow; and the Great Realdo, a true hero, to name just two.

This book promises suspense! Intrigue! Mystery! Fairies fall out of books! Birds turn into dogs! Nuns turn into lampposts! So I have no idea why you're still lingering here. . . . Start reading!
Ages 9-12
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There are 39 (or so!) must-read classics mentioned in THE ANYBODIES...Can you find them all?
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A note from N. E. Bode:

As you may know, my insanely jealous creative writing teacher is after me. And while I narrowly avoid attempts on my life, I'm writing these new adventures of Fern and Howard. They are on their way to Camp Happy Sunshine Good Times, a camp for young Anybodies. But camp doesn't turn out to be what they expected. First there are the Anybodies who rule as counselors: some have gills, some have beaks! There's a vicious mole attacking campers!

And why is it that every time Fern shakes a book, a bottle plops out with an urgent message from the Nobodies? Who are the Nobodies, and what do they want from Fern?

This book promises weird surprises! Multiple jujitsu-like plot twists! A girl whose braids turn into snakes! So go on, read the book already! You might just learn the secret art of being an Anybody ...
Ages 9-12
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ETC: What inspired you to become a writer? And how do you inspire kids to read more and become interested in writing?

N. E. Bode: Oh, the world is filled with odd people. I'm regularly astonished by what we say, what makes us squawk with joy, what fills us with regret, what we tote around and what we let go. I feel compelled to write these things down -- the true things -- and then, for reasons unknown, my imagination takes over and I blow them up to all kinds of proportions. And then, of course, there are words themselves and metaphors and language of all kinds, and I love that aspect too.

I like to tell kids that everyone has a story to tell -- each and everyone of us has full, rich lives. And by the time we're ten or so -- knowing our way around our vocabulary -- we're ready to start telling some of those tales. We are all writers -- some are just so disguised they themselves don't even know they're a writers. Whether you take up the career path or not, writing is a hugely healthy exercise. I'm very interested in the kid who's shrugging in the back of the auditorium -- sometimes it's the shy kid, sometimes the troublemaker, sometimes the reluctant reader. They're always the ones I'm trying to convince that we need their stories, desperately.

ETC: Why did you choose to write The Anybodies and The Nobodies under the pen name N.E. Bode?

N. E. Bode: My adult novels are very adult, and I wanted to keep them distinct from my writing for kids. In the process of writing The Anybodies, N.E. Bode became so real for me -- this young writer, dimpled with innocence. His voice became part of the series. He became part of the series. I've thought about writing for kids under my own name. That crossover has certainly been handled gracefully by many. We'll see. Fern experienced some pretty strange and interesting happenings in the Anybodies and The Nobodies. Have you ever experienced an 'anybody' like episode?

I have a suspicion that Glenn Close and Merrill Streep are actually one and the same, a stunt that only a true Anybody could pull off. I'm also very suspicious of Samuel L. Jackson and Johnny Depp. In fact, in book three, The Somebodies (not yet out), Fern is fairly certain she spots Depp at an Anybodies convention.

I myself have always been myself, which is sad, but true.

ETC: The Nobodies takes place at Anybody Summer Camp where Fern and Howard had some tough camp counselors, and quite the adventurous camp experience. Did you draw on any specific summer camp experiences of your own for this?

N. E. Bode: I was not a good camper. Spiders in showers, bug juice, and the torments of fifteen year olds with power -- all of these left their scars. Though, luckily, I never had the trauma of being attacked by counselors with beaks and wings. It only felt that way.

ETC: Will we be hearing more from Fern and N.E. Bode? Any new adventures you can give us a preview on?

N. E. Bode: THE SOMEBODIES is due out this time next year. I mentioned the Anybodies Convention above -- but did I tell you that the convention is located in the city beneath the city at Willy Fattler's Underground Hotel? No, I don't think I did. It's a wild place, and I suggest that one proceed into book three with caution.