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The Maine Event

5/6/2018

Thanks to the magnificent librarians in Maine for naming STAY: A Girl, a Dog, a Bucket List to their 2018-2019 Chickadee List!

I need to do a little research to find out why it's called the Chickadee List, but I'm too busy right now reading sweet reviews like this from my new friends in Maine. Thanks, pals!

(Back with my research results: The chickadee is the state bird of Maine. Now I know!)

Happy May Day!

5/1/2018

That's Kate on the left and Sarah on the right.

When we were growing up, hundreds and hundreds of years ago, May 1st meant running around the neighborhood at dawn and hanging paper baskets on all the neighbors' front doors. The baskets were decorated (thanks, Sarah!) and filled with candy (my job!) and flowers. Does anyone still do this? It was such a fun tradition!

Casey at the Battery

4/21/2018

Kate and Casey after the successful battery transplant

What do you do when you wake up in Warrensburg, Missouri, ready and eager and *excited* to deliver the keynote address at the 35th Annual Young Authors Conference . . . only to discover your car battery is dead as a doornail? Well, of course, you call fifth grade teacher extraordinaire and conference organizer Mr. Casey Laws, who not only comes and chauffeurs you to the conference but also escorts you to AutoZone after the event and installs for you a brand-new battery. Good grief, how nice is this guy? I knew he was an excellent teacher. I had no idea he was such a handy guy, or that he'd become such a good friend. Thanks, man! I owe you one. Or maybe two!

Happy Birthday to Kate (One Day Early)

4/12/2018

Christmas in April

4/9/2018

We received the nicest letter today from our pen pal Jane in Michigan. Years ago, Jane was inspired by our book Shall I Knit You a Hat? to--you guessed it--knit hats, which she gave to University of Michigan's Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor.

Well, it turns out Jane has now made almost two HUNDRED hats for the youngest patients. Isn't that amazing?

Hats off to JANE! We want to visit Jane and her young friends sometime in Ann Arbor. (I was a knitting demon as a kid, but as an adult, I've forgotten how to cast on. I bet Jane can teach me.)

In My Next House

4/6/2018

I'm going to hire my sister Sarah and nephew Milo to paint a wall of bunnies for me, like this wall in the Terrace Cafe at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Isn't it fabulous?

Thanks, Illinois!

3/17/2018

Thanks to the Illinois School Library and Media Association for naming STAY: A Girl, a Dog, A Bucket List to your 2019 Monarch Award Master List!

I wrote that book while staying at Queset House in North Easton, Massachusetts, as writer-in-residence for the Ames Free Public Library. So thanks to my friends there, too!

Goin' Back to Indiana

3/16/2018

You children are too young to remember, but many of us who grew up with the Jackson 5 loved the song "Goin' Back to Indiana." I've been thinking about that song this week while visiting schools in Indiana. My first stop was Franklin Elementary School in Vincennes. (Thanks to my over-the-top generous friends Joanne and Ed who made this trip possible.) Franklin Elementary looks like the kind of school I grew up attending: a handsome old brick building with wide hallways and old-timey doors and fixtures. If I were a movie director, I would use it as a film set. I spent the morning writing stories with the fifth graders, who--let me tell you--spun pure gold. I can't wait to see what kind of books they write over spring break! From Vincennes, I traveled to Lawrenceburg, a small town that has a LOT going for it: a hopping downtown and a supercool library, to name just two things. (Note: They're offering free ukulele lessons and free CPR classes at the library this summer!) I spent Thursday and Friday with the Lawrenceburg middle, elementary, and primary school readers and writers. Once again, they wowed me with their ideas, and I guarantee I will spend the weekend laughing about the 2nd grader who provided me the best OH NO! face of the week. Thank you, Indiana. I can't wait to come back and visit sometime! I am thankful--and thinkful (great word!)--for the friends I made this week.

Rodeo Hills Rocks!

2/28/2018

Thank you, Mykele, for this lovely poster for Secrets of the Circus! You noted that "the conflict of this story is Mr. Farley owes Penelope Prinkle money, but Mr. Farley doesn't have enough money to give her." Ahh, follow the money is right! You get an A+ from us.

(Sigh)

2/22/2018

Sighing here at Hart Elementary in the heart of Texas.

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