WE'RE NUMBER TEN!!!!

Yes, that would be me posing with two-thirds of my daughter's First Hundred Days of Kindergarten art project from last year.  But it's for a purpose!  Elixir, written by Hilary Duff with Elise Allen, is Number Ten on the New York Times Bestseller List!!!!

But hey, don't just take my word for it, check it out! (You have to scroll down to "Chapter Books.)

This is insane-o thrilling.  My grandmother swears I blushed when I got the email about the news.  We were at her doctor's for a checkup at the time, and she apparently saw my face burst into pure pink.  I'm guessing she was worried about my health (luckily we were at a doctor's office), because she seemed very concerned and asked what was wrong.

When I told her, she screamed like a prepubescent at a Justin Bieber concert.  Now she was the one flushing bright red.  She held her hands to her face and said, "I can't believe it… this is so wonderful… I don't even know if I can take it!"

Again, good thing we were at a doctor's office.

As a lifelong ravenous reader, the New York Times Bestseller list is just the coolest thing imaginable, which means I can't help but work it into many a conversation.

"How are the stories for next week?" as exec asked as she sat down next to me for a Dinosaur Train production meeting.

"They're going great!  In fact, right here on my laptop I have… Oh wait, that's not a Dinosaur Train story… that's the New York Times Bestseller List with Elixir at Number Ten!!!!"

My grandmother doesn't even try to be subtle about her raves.  When the doctor walked into the room that day we heard the news, she cried out, her face still flushed: "Guess what happened!"

Judging from her face, I'm fairly certain he thought she was going to say she was having a heart attack.  I think I even saw him reach for the paddles… but instead she kvelled about The List, as she has to anyone and everyone who will listen (or won't listen — where she lives they can just turn down their hearing aids if they're not interested).

It's pretty awesome, and clearly it couldn't have happened without everyone out there who's reading (and hopefully loving) the book.  Hilary and I had such a good time writing it, she's incredibly talented, and she has terrific ideas for Book Two.  I'm excited to help her continue the saga.

Thanks to everyone out there reading, and by all means let me know your thoughts — I'd love to hear them!