You've Been So Kind and Generous...

My novel WONDER takes its name from one of my favorite Natalie Merchant songs ever. The book went on sale Tuesday, February 14th, and every day since then I've been astounded—and somewhat overwhelmed—by the outpouring of love and support I am getting from new readers. Wow.

I can honestly say that when I was writing the book—usually in the middle of the night between the hours of 11:30pm-3:00am—every once in a while I would let myself imagine that someday, someone, might actually read what I was writing. It made the whole notion of writing the book seem less like a fruitless venture—after all I didn't have a signed contract, or even an advance, or even a promise of an advance. But never in my wildest dreams did I think it would be received the way its being received this week. And I can't thank you all enough. In fact, I am reminded of yet another one of Natalie Merchant's excellent songs called KIND AND GENEROUS.

"You've been so kind and generous
I don't know how you keep on giving
For your kindness I'm in debt to you…"

If I could sing it to everyone of you who've written those incredibly sweet tweets, or who have made it their missions to get WONDER into the hands of their friends, or who plan on reading it aloud to their students, or have blogged about it—I would. Then again, since I can't sing, it's probably best if I simply verbally—by way of this post—thank you all for being so kind and generous.

Thank you Mr. Schu and Colby Sharp.

Thank you Lauren Donovan and Lauren Bennett. Erin Clarke, Alyssa Henkin, Natalie Doherty, the teams at Knopf in the US and RHUK.

Thank you Fauzie Burke and Ximena Vengoechea.

Thank you my friends at colleagues at work who have shared this journey with me and have been so enthusiastic in your support: Suzie, Bob, Mary Ellen, Page, Netta, Krestyna, Liz, Avery, Heather, Margot, Bruce, Ruth, Suzanne, Katie, Emily Krasner, and so many others at the place we "work."

Thank you Origami Yoda, Laurel Snyder, Nicholas Sparks, Alexandra Taylor. Thank you London Times, Entertainment Weekly, London Observer, The Independent, the CBC, Laura Dockrill, and my friend Lisa Berman.

Thank you Paul Hankins and Donalyn Miller and Phil Earle, Marianne Velmans, Adam Shaffer, Ian Beck, Becky Thomas, Kate Sullivan, Caroline McNutly, Sassy Bibliophile, Sarah Webb, Cathy Blackler, JohnLit360, Lauren Strohecker, John Norton, Nicole DuFort, MaryVanAkin, Laura Phelps, Emily Scheinman, David Maybury, NatdeWinter, Carrie Anderson, Nick Robinson and Attack of the Book. 

Thank you amazing teachers and librarians who have such a passion for bringing books to your kids.

Thank you Kim Harte, Adriane White, Kelly Butcher, Rebecca Butcher, Tracy Wymer, KateR2R, Lidnsay Healey, Sharon Goodwin, Mummy Barrow, Kate Conley, Zac Harding, Tim Oneill, Mike Winchell, Matt Imrie, Katherin Sokolowsky, David Etkin, Gae Polisher, Sabrina YABliss, Nicole LeFreniere, Mike Hutchinson.

Thank you everyone who has blogged about WONDER, or taken the time to write an amazon review or to like my Facebook page or to comment on my tumblr. There are too many to list here but I have thanked you in my heart.

Thank you Bank Street Bookstore and all the INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES, and Amazon! And B&N, thank you!

Thank you England, New Zealand, Australia, and Ireland birth land of James Joyce!

Thank you, Natalie Merchant.

Thank you Moebius Trust and all the moms of kids with special needs who've been touched by the story of WONDER, for sharing your stories and your photos of your beautiful children with me. 

Thank you, all, for being so kind and generous with your words.