So I've been very quiet here about what happened last Monday morning, which was when librarian Kate O'Dell called from ALA at dawn to tell me that she and her gorgeous committee had awarded the John Newbery Medal to WHEN YOU REACH ME.
I've been quiet for a few reasons:
First, I've been running around talking about it all week. Lots of interviews, and meetings, and even a radio show where I got to wear big fat cool headphones and talk into a microphone the size of my head. So part of me is just talked out and guessing that people are sick of me.
Second, I'm leaving for my first-ever book tour on Sunday, which means a lot of getting ready and setting things up so that the kids get fed while I'm gone.
(Note: A lot of the tour will be visits to schools, but I'm also doing at least one public bookstore-or-library event in each city. For the exciting details, see www.whenyoureachme.com).
Third, I'm so full of this paralyzing joy that I can't seem to accomplish things in the normal way. I assume that I will eventually pull myself together. Until then, just think of me smiling. Inarticulate and disorganized, but smiling.
Comments
Congratulations again! Here's wishing you lots of energy for the book tour and school visits.
Molly, Professornana, and Julie - oh, thank you!! (and a BIG thank you to your son, Julie!)
Joyce, I was too shocked to speak much during "the call." I remember trying to say something, and then Katie O'Dell's telling me, "it's okay, you don't have to talk . . ."
Thanks for writing a book that will have us discussing and thinking about lots of things for a long time.
TS