Author: Jarm Del Boccio
Located in: Chicago
Submitted: February 27, 2019
Tell us a little about yourself. Jarm (‘J’ pronounced as a 'Y') Del Boccio finds her inspiration in everyday life, but in particular, when she travels the globe, observing the quirky things that happen along the way. Focusing on lives of characters from the past, Jarm is devoted to breathing new life into the pages of history.
Jarm has a background in elementary and high school education, and served for seven years as a school librarian. Grateful for the opportunity, she taught three missionary kids in an isolated bush village in Papua New Guinea. She is part of SCBWI and American Christian Fiction Writers, and has published articles in "The Old Schoolhouse" magazine.
“The Heart Changer,” her debut MG historical/biblical fiction, releases with Ambassador International April 26th 2019. Jarm is content with the journey God has placed her on, and lives with her husband, adult daughter and son (when he lands at home) in a tree-lined suburb of Chicago.
"My Passion is to Make Scripture and History Come Alive for my Readers: Illuminating the Past. Making Sense of the Present. Offering Hope for the Future.”
What was your motivation behind this project? I have a heart for the kids in the Bible who have no name or backstory, but have made a huge impact in people's lives. So, of course, I give them one! "The Heart Changer" is one example.
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? I believe with a bit of encouragement and inspiration from history, children can be the heroes of their own stories. "The Heart Changer" gives hope to the hopeless, grants the power to forgive, and offers the reader a sense of the angst a refugee would feel when all she loves has been taken away.
How were you personally impacted by working on this project? I love to dig deep in Scripture for gems of truth that apply to children hungry for hope and inspiration.
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? Charlotte Brontë (Jane Eyre), The Bible, Victor Hugo (Les Miserables), Tessa Afshar (In the Field of Grace), Melanie Dobson, Lynn Austin, and so many more. Biblical and Historical fiction are my passion!
