WONDER

Did you ever read a book that was so good, you slowed it down, you put it down because you didn't want it to end?

The last book I remember making me feel that way was Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.  Before that, I think Karen Hesse's Out of the Dust swept me away like that.

I've had that experience again.  I've read a book that not only delved deeply into the characters and their relationships, but transcended them and touched on our larger humanity, our inner-connectedness.  This book told the truth in a universal way.  It let us in on sweet bravery and the power of kindness.  It was filled with hope and love.

That book is WONDER by P.J. Palacio.

WONDER's ripples will spread beyond the realm of children's literature to the larger world.  I hope it wins the Newbery Medal.  (Read more at this NPR interview.)

A Hormone-Filled Blender & Congratulations

A hormone-filled blender full of thanks to Laura Salas for this dandy review of my new novel, HOW TO SURVIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

And a margarita-filled blender of HOORAY and WAHOO to Rebecca Stead for doing something Louis Sachar did in 1998 with his amazing book, HOLES -- won both the Newbery Medal and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award.

Ms. Stead is among the winners of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for her fabulous novel, WHEN YOU REACH ME. If you haven't read it yet, treat yourself this summer.