SOMETHING SPECIAL HAPPENED AT MY LAST SCHOOL VISIT . . .

My last school visit of the year became more special because of a very generous donation from KIDS IN NEED -- BOOKS IN DEED, co-founded by Julianna Baggott and David Scott.

Media Specialist, Ms. Ivery-Lester and a "Thank You" sign for KIDS IN NEED-BOOKS IN DEED.

Before my visit, every student in 3rd - 5th grade received a copy of one of my books.  Every student.

That meant the students had time to read the books and create projects, like these . . .

That meant when my presentations were over, I didn't have students eagerly asking where they could get copies of my books, only to be told there were no copies available in the school library, which happens sometimes. 

Thanks to KIDS IN NEED -- BOOKS IN DEED, after my presentations, this is what happened . . .

The dynamic principal, Dr. McKeever, interacted with students while they waited in line to have their own books signed.

I loved interacting with each student who came up for a signature.  Some shared favorite parts from the books, others asked questions they'd prepared ahead of time and some handed me books from friends who couldn't be there.  

It was delightful to see these boys and girls so excited about books!

How could I not LOVE my job?

I promised something special to the last student at the end of the last line.  He'd waited so patiently to meet me.

While in Texas, a student handed me a bracelet she'd made with the word "BOOKS" on it.  I wore that bracelet to every school visit.  It seemed all the kids -- boys and girls -- were wearing cool, funky hand-made bracelets.

S. left with that bracelet on his wrist, because I knew it would matter to him.

Donna and S.

Thank you, KIDS IN NEED -- BOOKS IN DEED!  You've made the kind of difference that can't be measured -- the kind that matters most.  Thank you wonderful young readers and dedicated staff that made this very memorable school visit possible.

Mostly, thank you for reminding me why I do what I do.  And that it matters.

All the Fun Stuff Going On . . .

The past 5 months, I've had some late nights and long weekends writing and revising and re-revising DEATH BY TOILET PAPER.

Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of hitting "SEND."  My agent, Tina Wexler, responded with an e-mail that every writer dreams of -- praise so generous it made me tear up.  Twice.

Now, I'll work with my editor, Michelle Poploff, and the awesome team at Random House to make this the best book possible.  I can't wait for its release next year!

I've been doing lots more than writing and revising these past five months.

There have been oodles of school visits, including the week I spent in Fort Worth, TX with incredible hosts, extraordinary students and . . . Clifford the Big Red Dog.

Eager Briscoe Elementary students

I've traveled the country virtually doing tons of Skype visits, like this one with 6th grade students in VA . . .

Thanks, Ms. Buchanan, for sharing your FUNderful students with me.

I've received lovely notes from students, including these thank you letters from Mr. Schu's students in IL and Ms. Luchie's students in ME from World Read Aloud Day. 

Thank You Notes from Mr. Schu's students.  (Dogs not included.)

Teddy guarding the thank you notes from Ms. Luchie's students.  (Thanks, Teddy!)

I created a fun OLIVIA BEAN, TRIVIA QUEEN quiz for Random Buzzers that includes trivia and a chance for kids to earn Buzz Bucks and "buy" books with them.  Check it out!

Recently, I spoke at a luncheon with Jim Cummings.  He spent a year in Africa with no running water or electricity and counts it as the best of his life.  Jim has created an amazing project -- KIJANA EDUCATIONAL EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE -- which connects children across cultures, provides educational spaces, puts books into kids' hands in Kenya and more.

Kijana Educational Empowerment Initiative

There are only 4 days left to contribute to his Kijana Lwanda Maktaba Campaign.

There are great "thank you" gifts for even the smallest donation.  Won't you take a moment to donate?  I just did.  Kijana Lwanda Maktaba Campaign.

HERE'S WHAT I'LL BE DOING THROUGH THE END OF APRIL . . .

1.  APRIL IS FOR AUTHORS -- Saturday, April 27th at Palm Beach Gardens High School, 25 authors from around the country will give presentations, participate in panel discussions and sign books at this FREE event from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.   This is a wonderful annual event.  If you live in or near Palm Beach County, FL, be sure to stop by this Saturday.

2.  I'll be attending the 26th annual CONFERENCE ON CHILDREN'S LITERATURE in Ft. Lauderdale Friday.  I had spoken there a few years ago.  This time, I'm going to enjoy a great lineup of speakers, including the Ambassador for Young People's Literature, Walter Dean Myers.  Can't wait!

3.  And I'll be doing THREE days of local school visits. 

I'm excited about each of these visits, but especially about the last one because . . . Thanks to the generosity of Kids in Need, Books in Deed, a nonprofit organization, every one of the students I'll be speaking to at this Title I school has been given a copy of one of my books.  A brand new book to keep.  (Something I never had growing up.)

I can't tell you what it feels like to present to a group of low-income students who ask how they can get a copy of a book, only to be told there are no copies for them.  Kids in Need, Books in Deed is a great organization, and I've already made a donation to thank them for the important work they do here in Florida, getting books into kids' hands in conjunction with author visits.

After the whirlwind of activity the past 5 months and what's on the horizon for the remainder of April, I'm pretty sure on May 1st, you'll find me here . . .

ADVENTURES IN TEXAS . . .

Last week found me in Fort Worth, TX doing a series of school visits.

My first host, Maggie, and I began the week by walking a lovely trail along the Trinity River.

We made a new friend along the way . . .

Mark and Maggie

Mark and Donna

Then the fun, er, work began the next day at Trinity Valley School . . .

I spoke to 7th and 8th graders in an auditorium, an eager group of creative writing students and 5th and 6th graders.

Donna with Trinity Valley Students

Alex, Donna and Anna

What a delightful day!

The next couple days I spent with Paula Tyler of the Fort Worth Library Foundation.  Paula is brilliant and gracious.  She advocates for young people in need in so many ways.  I learned much from her and her husband, Ron.

We visited SIX schools over two days.

The kids were amazing!  One group of eager young readers at Sellars Elementary gathered round while I spoke in the library from a rocking chair.  Afterward, they ran up for hugs and autographs, and one little girl timidly approached and said, "I made this for you last night . . ."

Books Bracelet, being modeled by son's friend, Mercedes

I wore that bracelet every day and showed it to the students at every school. 

The next day, we learned that these enthusiastic young book club members weren't the strongest readers in the school.  For the most part, they were the students who needed the most help with their reading skills.  Each of them read at least one of my books.  They had excellent questions and were wholly engaged.  What a testament to the power of a dedicated, creative, caring school librarian.  I'm talking to you, Ms. Johnson!  Your group of students were an author's dream!

At Wedgewood Sixth Grade School, the daughter of school librarian, Cheryll Falcone, created this amazing illustration of Hammy the Hamster from How to Survive Middle School.

Donna, Cheryll Falcone, Hammy the Hamster and Paula Tyler.

My last school visit was with the lovely ladies at the Young Women's Leadership Academy.  These serious, dedicated, smiling girls inspired me much more than I ever could have inspired them.  What a spectacular experience!  I wish I had a photo of the sea of enthusiastic young women in their red school shirts.   Several e-mailed me later to tell me of the books they were writing!

Between the school visits, Paula gave me a tour of Fort Worth.

We visited the Fort Worth Botanic Garden . . .

We visited the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.  Fabulous!

And we ate . . .

Grilled raviolis and spinach salad at Lili's

My only regret is that I didn't have a book to put in the hand of every eager student who asked after the presentation how s/he could get a book.  It's hard to see kids who are so excited about reading not have enough access to the books they want to read.

My host, Paula, said the Library Foundation would provide some copies to the school libraries that needed them.

I wished these kids could have their OWN books -- something I could never afford as a kid.

It made me grateful for organizations like Kids in Need -- Books in Deed, created by Julianna Baggott and David Scott.  These wonderful folks will be providing a book for EVERY student at my upcoming visit to a Title I school in Palm Beach County next month. 

I'm thankful I said "YES" when invited to Fort Worth last year.  I thoroughly enjoyed my experiences in Texas, my gracious hosts and the wonderful librarians, educators and children I had the great pleasure to meet.