Celebrating Young Authors!

This is the third year in a row I've had the GREAT pleasure of keynoting at the YOUNG AUTHOR CELEBRATION for students in 1st through 8th grades from St. Lucie County.

Here are some of the families streaming into the event as the doors open . . .

I love this event because the parents and grandparents are so proud of their children.  And they should be.  These students created beautiful, heartfelt/funny/scary books that were deemed tops at their schools.  It's an honor to be invited to this event.

Thanks to co-chairs, Erin Coppoletta and Lori Foley, for the hard work that goes into putting on such a terrific event for hundreds of attendees. 

Erin, me and Lori, before the event begins

And thanks to Debbie Remington for inviting me.

Debbie Remington and me, Young Author Celebration 2012

My favorite part, of course, was having a few moments with each of the students as they came up to have books signed, chat and have photos taken.  Some students asked me to sign THEIR winning books, which felt like such an honor. 

I was delighted to see Crystal and her parents at the event.  This is Crystal's third year in a row winning the honor of attending the Young Author's Celebration!

Here she is a few years ago, when she was my escort during a school visit . . .

Crystal, at Manatee Academy

She's grown much taller since then!

And a huge shout of THANKS to our youngest son, who helped me during the entire event.  He and I loved spending time with these sweet kids.  We celebrated when we were done by going out to lunch and this fancypants restaurant.

If there are any YOUNG AUTHORS reading this, please stop by this blog post to get resources for young writers, including places to send your work, excellent guidebooks, contests and more.

I'll Take Fun Skype Visits for $400 . . .

Lots of FUNtastic Skype visits this week.

Yesterday, a school book club from New York created a Jeopardy! board, which they used to ask me questions.  (Olivia Bean would have been proud!)

Aren't these kids precious?  (Half a dozen book club members forgot to show up.  But they're all getting signed bookmarks!)

And this sweet crew from Massachusetts, who had excellent questions for me . . .

My first Google Hangout was with 50 middle schoolers at a public library in Indiana.  What fun!

A student sits in front of the camera to ask a question.

And finally . . . the biggest, zaniest Skype visit I ever did was with Deb Tyo's amazing students from Ohio.

Here's a small portion of the students.

Some of the students created a video invitation for me to Skype with their class during World Read Aloud Day.

But nature had other ideas.  School was cancelled that day because of snow.  I suggested everyone fly down to Florida, but some people were too busy playing in the snow . . .

Photo courtesy of Deb Tyo

We made up for the missed Skype visit today.  These kids were so enthusiastic and well-prepared!  When they asked about my new book and I held up my finished manuscript for DEATH BY TOILET PAPER, the toilet paper went flying . . .

It was so much fun visiting teachers, librarians and superstar students in four states this week without ever changing out of my slippers. 

SOMETHING SPECIAL HAPPENED AT MY LAST SCHOOL VISIT . . .

My last school visit of the year became more special because of a very generous donation from KIDS IN NEED -- BOOKS IN DEED, co-founded by Julianna Baggott and David Scott.

Media Specialist, Ms. Ivery-Lester and a "Thank You" sign for KIDS IN NEED-BOOKS IN DEED.

Before my visit, every student in 3rd - 5th grade received a copy of one of my books.  Every student.

That meant the students had time to read the books and create projects, like these . . .

That meant when my presentations were over, I didn't have students eagerly asking where they could get copies of my books, only to be told there were no copies available in the school library, which happens sometimes. 

Thanks to KIDS IN NEED -- BOOKS IN DEED, after my presentations, this is what happened . . .

The dynamic principal, Dr. McKeever, interacted with students while they waited in line to have their own books signed.

I loved interacting with each student who came up for a signature.  Some shared favorite parts from the books, others asked questions they'd prepared ahead of time and some handed me books from friends who couldn't be there.  

It was delightful to see these boys and girls so excited about books!

How could I not LOVE my job?

I promised something special to the last student at the end of the last line.  He'd waited so patiently to meet me.

While in Texas, a student handed me a bracelet she'd made with the word "BOOKS" on it.  I wore that bracelet to every school visit.  It seemed all the kids -- boys and girls -- were wearing cool, funky hand-made bracelets.

S. left with that bracelet on his wrist, because I knew it would matter to him.

Donna and S.

Thank you, KIDS IN NEED -- BOOKS IN DEED!  You've made the kind of difference that can't be measured -- the kind that matters most.  Thank you wonderful young readers and dedicated staff that made this very memorable school visit possible.

Mostly, thank you for reminding me why I do what I do.  And that it matters.

Meet My 1,100 New Friends . . .

What a fun school visit this morning!

Here are a few of my new friends . . .

 And a few more . . .

 Two sessions -- K-2 and 3-5 -- totaling 1,100 students.

After the presentations and meeting as many kids as I could, I was whisked off to the library to sign books.  And sign.  And sign.  For well over two hours.

Here are some of them . . .

I loved being in the library.  There were all these great reading areas.  In fact, one whole "bookshelf" was for students to place their shoes, so they could sit in this cushiony area and read silently.  Here are a few young readers in that area of the library . . .

There were other great spots, too, with furry friends to read with . . .

And this . . .

 

What a welcoming library!  What a great school!  What fantastic, book-loving kids!

Thanks, Sharon Wedgworth, for inviting me and treating me to a wonderful day!

Me and media specialist, Sharon Wedgworth

One of Those School Visits

I show up for school visits with a lot of energy and never know what's going to happen.

When the halls are bright and covered with student artwork, I know something about the school.  And when the librarian who invited me and the staff are friendly and welcoming, I know more.

Ms. Cruz, me and lovely librarian, Marie Smith

The morning I arrived at Hidden Oaks Elementary, parents were flooding into the library to participate in a monthly program to celebrate their children.  The librarian, Marie Smith, was coming from creating the morning news.  She was proud that every book in the library was chosen by her because she opened the library 8 years ago, when the school opened.

Don't even try to tell me librarians are anything less than the heart of a school. 

During this visit, I spoke to two large groups of students -- 4th grade and 5th grade -- in the music room.  It was a cozy atmosphere where I could be close to the kids and interact with them.

They were wonderful!

Jake got to hold Hammy the Hamster because he has a real hamster named Hammy.

These students were so enthusiastic about reading and writing.  They were nice not only to me, but to each other.  And they went out of their way to make me feel welcome. 

These girls made this terrific "Welcome" poster.  Don't you love the green Converse sneakers?

I loved meeting ALL the students, but two of them made an imprint on my heart.

Jackson, with Down Syndrome, was so excited to get his book signed that he hugged me for a long time and kissed the back of my head, then he turned and kissed the top of the head of the boy in line behind him.  "Best part of my day," I told the students.  "Best part!"  The kids were grinning like crazy.

A young friend, Ms. Cruz and Jackson

But the moment that slayed me -- and it was only a moment because that's the way these things happen -- a girl came up after my presentation to tell me something.  "My dad lived in Philadelphia, too," she said.  I asked her a question about where he lived, then said, "Tell your dad I said hi."  With students crowding behind her, she replied, "He's not here anymore.  He's up in heaven."

I gave this girl such a hug, then whispered in her ear, "My new book is all about that."  (It's about a boy in Philadelphia who comes to terms with the death of his dad.)

She looked up at me.  "It is?"

I nodded, then gave her an extra hug, because even if she didn't need it, I did. 

All the Fun Stuff Going On . . .

The past 5 months, I've had some late nights and long weekends writing and revising and re-revising DEATH BY TOILET PAPER.

Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of hitting "SEND."  My agent, Tina Wexler, responded with an e-mail that every writer dreams of -- praise so generous it made me tear up.  Twice.

Now, I'll work with my editor, Michelle Poploff, and the awesome team at Random House to make this the best book possible.  I can't wait for its release next year!

I've been doing lots more than writing and revising these past five months.

There have been oodles of school visits, including the week I spent in Fort Worth, TX with incredible hosts, extraordinary students and . . . Clifford the Big Red Dog.

Eager Briscoe Elementary students

I've traveled the country virtually doing tons of Skype visits, like this one with 6th grade students in VA . . .

Thanks, Ms. Buchanan, for sharing your FUNderful students with me.

I've received lovely notes from students, including these thank you letters from Mr. Schu's students in IL and Ms. Luchie's students in ME from World Read Aloud Day. 

Thank You Notes from Mr. Schu's students.  (Dogs not included.)

Teddy guarding the thank you notes from Ms. Luchie's students.  (Thanks, Teddy!)

I created a fun OLIVIA BEAN, TRIVIA QUEEN quiz for Random Buzzers that includes trivia and a chance for kids to earn Buzz Bucks and "buy" books with them.  Check it out!

Recently, I spoke at a luncheon with Jim Cummings.  He spent a year in Africa with no running water or electricity and counts it as the best of his life.  Jim has created an amazing project -- KIJANA EDUCATIONAL EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE -- which connects children across cultures, provides educational spaces, puts books into kids' hands in Kenya and more.

Kijana Educational Empowerment Initiative

There are only 4 days left to contribute to his Kijana Lwanda Maktaba Campaign.

There are great "thank you" gifts for even the smallest donation.  Won't you take a moment to donate?  I just did.  Kijana Lwanda Maktaba Campaign.

HERE'S WHAT I'LL BE DOING THROUGH THE END OF APRIL . . .

1.  APRIL IS FOR AUTHORS -- Saturday, April 27th at Palm Beach Gardens High School, 25 authors from around the country will give presentations, participate in panel discussions and sign books at this FREE event from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.   This is a wonderful annual event.  If you live in or near Palm Beach County, FL, be sure to stop by this Saturday.

2.  I'll be attending the 26th annual CONFERENCE ON CHILDREN'S LITERATURE in Ft. Lauderdale Friday.  I had spoken there a few years ago.  This time, I'm going to enjoy a great lineup of speakers, including the Ambassador for Young People's Literature, Walter Dean Myers.  Can't wait!

3.  And I'll be doing THREE days of local school visits. 

I'm excited about each of these visits, but especially about the last one because . . . Thanks to the generosity of Kids in Need, Books in Deed, a nonprofit organization, every one of the students I'll be speaking to at this Title I school has been given a copy of one of my books.  A brand new book to keep.  (Something I never had growing up.)

I can't tell you what it feels like to present to a group of low-income students who ask how they can get a copy of a book, only to be told there are no copies for them.  Kids in Need, Books in Deed is a great organization, and I've already made a donation to thank them for the important work they do here in Florida, getting books into kids' hands in conjunction with author visits.

After the whirlwind of activity the past 5 months and what's on the horizon for the remainder of April, I'm pretty sure on May 1st, you'll find me here . . .

Guerilla Gardener . . .

Last summer, I worked with a group of enthusiastic, creative, smart economically disadvantaged kids in Columbus, Ohio.  (I, by the way, was an enthusiastic, creative, smart economically disadvantaged kid from Philadelphia.)

What got to me about the neighborhood in which these kids lived was this:  They did not have a supermarket.

Yet, in nearby neighborhoods, the residents got to choose between Kroeger, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, etc.

It.  Pissed.  Me.  Off.

Apparently, this food availability disparity pissed off Ron Finley of South Central, LA enough that he did something about it.  He became a guerilla gardener.

"If kids grow kale," Finley says, "they eat kale."

"Gardening is the most therapeutic and defiant activity you can do, especially in the inner-city.  Plus you get strawberries."

I've seen creative solutions before, like a renovated bus that brought fresh fruit and vegetables to impoverished neighborhoods each week at a reduced cost.  (Kind of like a bookmobile, with low-cost, fresh produce.)

But I LOVE Ron Finley's solution . . . because it returns power to the people.  It offers dignity, education, good health and good karma.  (Plus you get strawberries.)