I had a LOVEly afternoon hanging out with the sixth graders at the John D. Runkle School in Brookline, Massachusetts. I showed some embarrassing pictures of myself (example below), talked about reading, writing, and SAVING stories and, of course, told them a bit about TRACKING TRASH.
The Runklerites (Runklers? Runkleonians?) were a great audience. They peppered me with insightful questions, didn’t laugh at my pictures, and gave me candy at the end of the day. Many thanks to Teresa Gallo-Toth (librarian extraordinaire) and Maxine Hunter (science teacher extraordinaire) for hosting my visit … and a hearty HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY to my new friends at the Runkle School.
Back home, I discovered–well after the rest of the world did–that the Children’s and YA Bloggers’ Literary Awards had been announced. Among the winners is my friend Linda Urban, who was given top honors in the Middle Grade Fiction category for her debut novel A CROOKED KIND OF PERFECT. Congratulations to Linda and to all Cybils-celebrated authors and illustrators!
(That’s me, circa 1985, at the Everett High School science fair. It’s not a great shot, but I wanted you to see the GINORMOUS worm hanging from the ceiling. Nice touch for the earthworm table, don’t you think? Kelley Gillespie and I made him … out of pantyhose!)
