Award time!

Yes it is award season!  No, I am not talking about the Golden Globes, or the SAG Awards or the Grammy's, I am talking about the ALA Book and Media Awards!  I've been to ALA Midwinter before, but not last year and not this year.  Maybe next year.  The Book and Media awards are always exciting.  But you know how I feel about awards in general.  We'll see what happens this year.  My predictions are always wrong, but that won't stop me.  I think that The Boy on the Porch will win and deserves the Newbery.  And I think that The Dark deserves, but won't win the Caldecott.  I think that Eleanor and Park should win and deserves the Printz.  I like this article from School Library journal and I have to say that The Year of Billy Miller and Doll Bones were awesome.  Read what she has to say about One Crazy Summer.  That was 1954 for sure.  As the author says, the fact that it didn't get the gold still makes me angry!  So when I reflect back on One Crazy Summer,  and After Tupac and D Foster, all of these predictions seem pointless!
Wait!  Wait!  Wait!  There is only one book that really deserves the Caldecott and that is Nelson Mandela by Kadir Nelson.  I forgot that it came out in 2013.  It came out right in January.  There is no way it will win though.  But it should.

The Gecko!

Surprise after surprise in Chicago as Lobster met The Gecko!

Katherine Patterson and Lobster!

What a day!  What a day!  Lobster and I met Katherine Patterson!  When I told her how honored I was to meet her, she replied that she was honored to meet me as well.  I was instantly reminded of the story of Dorothy Day when she was talking with an indigent man and a person from the press came to interview her.  She asked whom the interview was there to meet?  Her or the indigent man.  She didn't assume that she was greater than or more important than the man to whom she was ministering.  I wish I could find the actual story, but I can't.  Anyway, Patterson autographed a copy of The Preacher's Boy, which I loved so much.  It was truly an awesome day!!

What a Day This Has Been!

What a rare mood I'm in!  Today I got to meet Susan Beth Pfeffer!  I got to shake her hand! And as you can see, she graciously allowed me to take her picture with Lobster!  What a gracious and kind lady she is!  I have posted on her blog a few times and she posts replies to me and to all who post.  The Shade of the Moon is wonderful!  I am about half-way through!

A VERY Happy Girl

Not only is it wonderful to be at ALA's Annual Conference in Chicago, but the best, best thing happened today!  I got an ARC of The Shade of the Moon!  I have already started it and I can't put it down.  I have grown to love the characters so much.