Fox Cities Book Festival, Appleton WI
Mr. Ludwig was very interesting, very knowledgeable, and very involved in his craft. He actually mentors, online, someone who serves on the festival board (Colette), and I had her introduce him, which was excellent because she humanized him right away, portraying him as a generous writer willing to share his craft. And the audience warmed to him and felt they could ask his advice, which he willingly shared. I read his book, too – Ginny Moon – which is gloriously engaging. I remember the audience asking how he created Ginny, and he told us she simply appeared to him, complete. And her story certainly had to be told. Overall, he impressed us with being a conduit like that, which is what true artists are.
“Ludwig’s novel recalls Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in the singular way it filters domestic tensions through the hyper-alert yet skewed viewpoint of a special-needs child…. He also succeeds in locating a plangent, unpatronizing humor in Ginny’s literalness and deadpan certitude.”
-The New York Times Book Review
“Ludwig’s excellent debut is both a unique coming-of-age tale and a powerful affirmation of the fragility and strength of families…. Ludwig brilliantly depicts the literal-minded and inventive Ginny.”
-Publishers Weekly, starred review
“[E]nlightening…compelling…remarkably engaging…A heartwarming and unforgettable page-turner.”
-Booklist, starred review
“This stunning debut novel grabs readers by the heart and doesn’t let go. Fourteen-year-old Ginny Moon chronicles her increasingly harrowing life with her Forever Parents with one of the truest voices in modern literature…. Ludwig’s triumphant achievement is borne from his own experience as the adoptive parent of a teen with autism, and his gorgeous, wrenching portrayal of Ginny’s ability to communicate what she needs is perfection.”
-Library Journal, starred review