Two wrongs and three rights

1. Please don't "shut up."
There is one thing about Banned Books Week that I will not miss, and that is seeing LESSONS FROM A DEAD GIRL mentioned every time the Kentucky fiasco gets discussed. And then to read it described as soft pornography, trash, sick, etc. etc. BUT, I hope we all continue to speak loudly for children's and young adult literature in the classroom. I don't think this coming together to share our passion for YA literature is "swanning," I think it's a purposeful movement growing among people who care about teens and books and know the true value of putting the two together to create not just life-long readers, but life-long learners—compassionate, thoughtful, and imaginative kids who grow from reading about experiences beyond their own doorstep. What is so wrong with that? I say nothing.

2. A new argument for why the picture books aren't selling well has got me very depressed this morning.
This is very disheartening news for the picture book market,, sure, but far worse news for children. Here is another reason to loathe standardized testing. This is too much. What can we do to stop the madness?

3. My son and I finished reading the final beautiful pages of cynthialord's TOUCH BLUE this week.

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My son had stopped me several times throughout the book to say, "This is going to have a happy ending, right? Right? Everything's going to be OK?" The characters were as real to him as his best friends. Way to go, Cindy! And thanks for giving us a richly satisfying ending. I had no doubt you would.

4. I am ALMOST finished revising SEE YOU AT HARRY'S!

I received feedback from my critique partner last night and just have a few changes to make. First jonowrimo goal nearly reached! How's everyone else doing? It's been pretty quiet over there.

5. Have a great weekend!
The boy and I are headed to NH to visit my family and go to the fair!

This photo has nothing to do with the fair, but this is what we saw outside our window last weekend while we were eating dinner. It was such a beautiful surprise and I wanted to wish you the same.

xo