APRIL IS FOR AUTHORS

Helen Zientek and Sue Sloan are the masterminds behind the awesome event APRIL IS FOR AUTHORS.

These two hard-working women and a host of volunteers brought over twenty authors and illustrators together for a fantastic event for the community.



There were panel discussions, author talks, technology talks, book signings, fun activities for the kids and shows by Page Turner Adventures.

I was fortunate to hear Edward Bloor's talk. I loved his novel, Tangerine.


Chris Crutcher was there and Alex Flinn and Doug Wilhelm and so many others.

I enjoyed meeting media specialists, librarians, teachers, administrators and kids.

Such enthusiastic kids!

This is Abigail with Hammy. She told me she LOVES reading.

Haley told me she loves books. Actual books. Not e-book readers.

Abigail and Haley and the other kids and their families who came up to my table reminded me exactly why I do what I do.

Thank you Helen and Sue and all the wonderful people who made the very first April is for Authors a successful event that connected readers to authors and authors to their readers!

The Great Hamster Mishap

Sometimes, a young reader responds to one of my books in a delightfully creative way.

Some have baked cakes, others have made a YouTube video and still others have made posters or T-shirts.

But only one person (that I know of) has ever sculpted characters from my novels out of clay.

Elyssa, my friend's daughter and an avid reader, sculpted Hammy the Hamster from How to Survive Middle School. And when I visiting Pennsylvania, she gave it to me.

This clay hamster was so detailed. It had a pink nose, puffy cheeks and a microphone.

But there was one problem.

Hammy had to travel on a plane all the way back to Florida. How to do that? Well, I stuck him in a days-of-the-week pill holder, of course. Hammy resided in the Thursday slot during the ride.

When I got home, I discovered, to my great horror, that something terrible happened to Hammy.

His. Arm. Fell. Off. THE ONE WITH THE MICROPHONE!

I screamed bloody murder. I dialed 1-1-9. (I'm dyslexic.) I ran for the Krazy Glue.

After countless minutes -- two -- Hammy was back together again.

In fact, he already made a new friend.

I should have known this would have happened. Elyssa knows there have been mishaps in the past when it comes to Sculpey clay. Seniorita Meltypants was our previous disaster.

But all is right in the world now. And little Hammy keeps me company next to Miss Vanessa Meltypants on my desk.

Thank goodness Hammy and his microphone are back in working order. I mean, how else could he possibly star in his very own video? Thanks, Elyssa!

Seeing Stars . . .

No, the dog didn't pee on the carpet again. Well, yes he did.
No, the teen didn't stay on the phone past midnight. Well, actually, he did.
No, the dog didn't chew a couch pillow and the remote control. Um, yes he did.

But that's NOT why I'm seeing stars.

I'm seeing stars because my editor and agent sent news that How to Survive Middle School received its SECOND starred review, this time from School Library Journal. (The first came from Kirkus.)

Here's a peek: "With short chapters and broad humor, this one is for "Wimpy Kid" aficionados." Thank you, SLJ!

Go, Hammy! Go!

Hammy Hamster vs. Sammy Sumo -- A CATastrophe!

We last left Hammy Hamster and Sammy Sumo at odds with each other.

There was pummeling . . .


There was pounding . . .


Something had to be done. Right?

Votes were taken and tallied and the clear winner was HAMMY, but wait a minute. What's this?

Reinforcements were called in to investigate.

Clawed N. Scratch, the head of the CATastrophe Prevention Department, questioned Hammy.

Then he questioned Sammy. "Run, Sammy. Run!"

Sammy didn't run. Hammy ran, but he was on that darned hamster wheel and didn't get anywhere.

That's when Clawed N. Scratch took matters into his own paws, er, mouth. He solved the problem with TWO quick gulps.

And took a nap.

Unlike Hammy and Sammy, hope you have a PURRfect weekend!

Hammy Hamster vs. Sammy Sumo

Hammy Hamster was minding his own business on his lined hamster wheel when his agent called.


"Good news, Hammy," she said. "Your video is on Amazon. You're famous!"

Hammy couldn't believe it. He was so much better than all the other hamsters now.

He wore movie star glasses . . .



He nibbled chocolates . . .



Mostly, he napped while waiting for Oprah to call . . .



Until . . .

Sammy Sumo came to town. Sammy wanted to be a star, too!



"Sorry," Hammy said. "This town isn't big enough for both of us. Go make your own video!"

Sammy didn't take kindly to those words. He pushed his stomach out -- oh, nevermind -- his stomach was already pushed out -- and he bellowed, "Them's fightin' words, Hamster!"

Sammy jumped on Hammy. "Oomph!"



He pounded Hammy. "Ouch!"



Hammy needed to do something quickly.

"I've got to get in shape!"

So he lifted weight . . .



. . . until he was strong enough to fight back. "Whomp!"



Come on, Hammy and Sammy! Can't we all just get along?



APPARENTLY NOT . . .



Uh-oh! Was Hammy doomed?

He had no choice but to use his secret, super power -- something so secret it was to be used only in case of dire emergency -- HAMSTER FARTS!



It worked!

Will Sammy Sumo ever wake? Will Hammy Hamster triumph and return to his life of big-headed leisure? Or will Sammy Sumo get up and take over this town?

YOU DECIDE!!!

Vote for the outcome in the comment section below, then follow the blog or check back soon . . . to find out if Hammy Hamster wins or Sammy Sumo is the victor.