I could use a hug about now

Many of you know my first book, LESSONS FROM A DEAD GIRL, was challenged in Kentucky a while back. Laurie Halse Anderson's TWISTED was also challenged. However, the challenges did not pass and the books were supposed to be returned to the classroom. There was quite a bit of press over it all, and several alums from the high school wrote to the local paper explaining how upset they were that their school was banning books.

At about the same time, the parents who lost the challenge sought a new...