My whirlwind visit to Atlanta, Georgia and the International Reading Association convention will end in the next few hours, and I am desperate to post at least once before I go.
I arrived on Monday and had time for only a short visit to the convention floor before it closed for the day. I made good use of the time, though, and managed to track down two writers I wanted to meet. I found Sally Walker in the Anderson’s Bookshop booth, where she signed a copy of FOSSIL FISH FOUND ALIVE for me. It was with this book in my hands that it occurred to me, finally, that writing about science and scientists would be the perfect way to combine my love of writing and my passion for discovery. It was a treat to tell Sally in person how she and her work have inspired me.
Next I found Greg Neri in the Lee & Low booth, where he was signing copies of CHESS RUMBLE. I bought a copy for the family and am looking forward to reading it with my kids for a second time. As I told Greg, my boys were mesmerized by his book … it presented them a world they are somewhat unfamiliar with—a world of anger and violence—and let them stare at it, wonder about it, live it for a short, safe while.
Somehow I didn’t think to take a picture with Sally or Greg when I had the chance. But I did take this shot of my newly inscribed books back in my hotel room. It will have to do.
The only other shot I managed the first day was this image of Two Urban Licks, the funky Atlanta hotspot where I had dinner with my HMH editor on Monday night. We were a bit nervous when our cab pulled up to what looked at first glance like an abandoned warehouse, but inside was culinary bliss.
More when I get home, including an actual photograph of an actual author. I did manage one…