One of Those School Visits

I show up for school visits with a lot of energy and never know what's going to happen.

When the halls are bright and covered with student artwork, I know something about the school.  And when the librarian who invited me and the staff are friendly and welcoming, I know more.

Ms. Cruz, me and lovely librarian, Marie Smith

The morning I arrived at Hidden Oaks Elementary, parents were flooding into the library to participate in a monthly program to celebrate their children.  The librarian, Marie Smith, was coming from creating the morning news.  She was proud that every book in the library was chosen by her because she opened the library 8 years ago, when the school opened.

Don't even try to tell me librarians are anything less than the heart of a school. 

During this visit, I spoke to two large groups of students -- 4th grade and 5th grade -- in the music room.  It was a cozy atmosphere where I could be close to the kids and interact with them.

They were wonderful!

Jake got to hold Hammy the Hamster because he has a real hamster named Hammy.

These students were so enthusiastic about reading and writing.  They were nice not only to me, but to each other.  And they went out of their way to make me feel welcome. 

These girls made this terrific "Welcome" poster.  Don't you love the green Converse sneakers?

I loved meeting ALL the students, but two of them made an imprint on my heart.

Jackson, with Down Syndrome, was so excited to get his book signed that he hugged me for a long time and kissed the back of my head, then he turned and kissed the top of the head of the boy in line behind him.  "Best part of my day," I told the students.  "Best part!"  The kids were grinning like crazy.

A young friend, Ms. Cruz and Jackson

But the moment that slayed me -- and it was only a moment because that's the way these things happen -- a girl came up after my presentation to tell me something.  "My dad lived in Philadelphia, too," she said.  I asked her a question about where he lived, then said, "Tell your dad I said hi."  With students crowding behind her, she replied, "He's not here anymore.  He's up in heaven."

I gave this girl such a hug, then whispered in her ear, "My new book is all about that."  (It's about a boy in Philadelphia who comes to terms with the death of his dad.)

She looked up at me.  "It is?"

I nodded, then gave her an extra hug, because even if she didn't need it, I did. 

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 . . .

Guerilla Gardener . . .

Last summer, I worked with a group of enthusiastic, creative, smart economically disadvantaged kids in Columbus, Ohio.  (I, by the way, was an enthusiastic, creative, smart economically disadvantaged kid from Philadelphia.)

What got to me about the neighborhood in which these kids lived was this:  They did not have a supermarket.

Yet, in nearby neighborhoods, the residents got to choose between Kroeger, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, etc.

It.  Pissed.  Me.  Off.

Apparently, this food availability disparity pissed off Ron Finley of South Central, LA enough that he did something about it.  He became a guerilla gardener.

"If kids grow kale," Finley says, "they eat kale."

"Gardening is the most therapeutic and defiant activity you can do, especially in the inner-city.  Plus you get strawberries."

I've seen creative solutions before, like a renovated bus that brought fresh fruit and vegetables to impoverished neighborhoods each week at a reduced cost.  (Kind of like a bookmobile, with low-cost, fresh produce.)

But I LOVE Ron Finley's solution . . . because it returns power to the people.  It offers dignity, education, good health and good karma.  (Plus you get strawberries.)

ELEANOR AND PARK . . .

Every once in a while, I finish a book and have to share it with others.  Immediately.

The last book I felt that way about was A MONSTER CALLS by Patrick Ness.  Perfect.  Before that, it was THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN by Sherman Alexie.  True and heart-breakingly hilarious.

I just closed another book and must share.

ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell.

When I first saw this cover, I thought it was a picture book with thumbprint characters.  It's not.

This young adult novel is about Eleanor, a misfit on the outside, who defies the world and falls in love with Park.  Park, who feels like an outsider, sees beneath Eleanor's odd clothing, big red hair and large frame.  He's attracted to her like Romeo was to Juliet. 

Eleanor lives in a dire and dangerous home.  I worried for her and hoped for her the entire book.  I stayed up way too late several nights.  Just one more chapter.  Just one more . . .

This novel is written beat by beat, moment by moment, feeling by feeling -- simply and honestly.

If you don't believe me, read John Green's review in the New York Times.  Or the multiple starred reviews.   Or the blurbs from well-known authors -- all on Rainbow Rowell's site.

But really, forget about reading all of that and read ELEANOR & PARK.

There will be only one thing to do when you're done.  Tell someone else.

Opportunity for a Scholarship to Attend the Annual SCBWI Conference . . .

::::: fAiRy gOdSiStErS iNk ::::: anounces
Our 6th Annual SCBWI Conference Scholarship!

Fairy Godsisters:  Robin LaFevers, Thalia Chalta, Valerie Hobbs, Lee Wardlaw and Mary Hershey

wHo can apply: YOU with your shiny SCBWI membership (Make haste to www.scbwi.org to join/renew if needed)

wHaT: $1,000.00 toward conference tuition, manuscript or portfolio critique, and a bit of mad money during your LA stay.

wHeN: Conference runs from August 2 -5, 2013

wHeRe: The Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles CA

wHy: We are five very fortunate authors for children and young adults who have been generously mentored, guided and supported by a host of talented individuals. We can't think of a better way to thank them than by easing the way for others. The National Conference is a game-changer.

hOw: To enter, write at least one but no more than three haiku telling us why we should pick you for this year's conference. (A haiku is a three-line poem, featuring a total of 17 syllables: 5 in the first line, 7 in the second, and 5 again in the third.) Have some fun with this!

Email your entry to fairygodsistersink@gmail.com by April 15th. Winners will be announced on May 1st. Questions, just ask!

Please feel free to share this info with your SCBWI buddies everywhere.

Best of luck to you all!

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.  

THE THREE WINNERS OF THE BIG GIVEAWAY ARE . . .

 Thanks for celebrating the Week of Giving!

As you know, a total of $425 was donated to First Book!

And a box of new, award-winning books were donated to my childhood library -- the Northeast Regional Library in Philadelphia!

Now it's time to announce the winners of THE BIG GIVEAWAY!

EACH of the three winners will receive the following prizes:

• 3 signed copies of OLIVIA BEAN, TRIVIA QUEEN
• 30 signed bookmarks
• $30 to spend at the bookstore of your choice 

Congratulations to the following randomly selected winners:  
 
 1. JENNIFER, whose comment was:  "Hooray for First Book! Thank you and the others who donated to such a worthy cause! And hooray for OLIVIA BEAN!"

2.  JULIE.STEPHENSON, whose comment was:  "How perfect. Olivia Bean is on my never-ending Titlewave "wishlist." Thank you for this opportunity. I am sharing with all my ELA teacher friends."

3.  JESSICA, whose comment was:  "I emailed three teacher friends! Can't wait to Skype!"

If you are a winner, please contact me at dgep (at) hotmail (dot) com.  I'll need your mailing address to send the prizes.

Thanks so much for participating in The Week of Giving! 

ENTER THE BIG GIVEAWAY!

We're celebrating OLIVIA BEAN, TRIVIA QUEEN'S paperback release this week by GIVING!

Today, we're giving away not one, not two, but THREE prize packages!

There will be signed bookmarks

There will be autographed books

There will be cash to buy books!!!

But first . . .

A big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our last blog post and voted for which children's literacy organization should receive a $200 donation.

Your kind comments and generosity inspired me!

Kimmy T is sending boxes of new, award-winning books to my childhood library -- The Northeast Regional Library.

Thank you, Kimmy T!

Imagine my purple banana seat bicycle with the basket for books parked in front.

S.R., a teacher at a Title I school, matched my donation!  Thank you, S.R.!!!

Paul Grecian, photographer and friend, added $25 to the total.  Thanks, Paul!

That means the organization with the most votes will receive $425.00!!!

* Drum-roll, please. *

After totaling votes from blog comments, we had a tie.  Fortunately, one person wasn't able to post a comment and sent her vote via e-mail, which broke the tie.

So, the recipient of the $425 donation will be . . .

FIRST BOOK!!!

Their programs provide access to new books for children in need.

Now, onto the BIG GIVEAWAY . . .

THREE prize packages will be given away!

Each prize package consists of:

• 3 signed copies of OLIVIA BEAN, TRIVIA QUEEN
• 30 signed bookmarks
• $30 to spend at the bookstore of your choice 

To enter this random drawing, tell 3 friends about the giveaway and leave a comment below.

That's it!

Winners will be announced on the blog Tuesday, March 26th, after I get back from a week of school visits in Fort Worth, Texas.

What are you waiting for?

• Share this opportunity with 3 friends!
• Leave a comment.
• Check back March 26th to see if you've won.