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Back in January, bookseller Elizabeth Bluemle and I had a conversation about white privelege and issues of race in children's publishing and children's literature, two topics that had been much on our minds.

Elizabeth kept pondering and talking to people in the industry and has now published a post called "The Elephant in the Room," complete with illustrations by a bunch of artists.

I hope you all read the article and check out the links.

After you do, come back here so we can continue the discussion. What do you think of what she said?

In a similar vein, a children's literature scholar recently reviewed CHAINS. In the review (which was positive) she said she found some anachronisms, which made my heart stop. I wrote and asked her what they were. She graciously responded; she had not found true anachronisms, but was unsure about the historical validity of some of the choices I made. I wrote back and explained my sources.

The original review and short discussion thread are a great example of how authors, reviewers, and readers can connect to discuss story in a constructive way. I was honored to see that Debbie Reese was following the discussion. (Be sure to check out her blog if you haven't yet.) If you have any thoughts on that, I'd love them, too!

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You know the sound a car engine makes at the RPMs are climbing and you are preparing to shift into the next gear?

Make that sound in your mind right now.

I'm getting ready to shift gears and go full throttle on a number of projects.

Before I can do that, though, I have to clean off a couple of desks and check off the last items on a few to-do lists. And close a bunch of tabs that have been open for weeks while I wait for the right moment to blog about them.

Here's a short article about a recent Skype visit I did with 6th graders who had read CHAINS.

CHAINS also made the "A More Perfect Union" Bookself, a program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities. The chosen books will be distributed to 4,000 school (K-12) and public libraries. Why? The NEH says "As the American people begin observing the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, NEH seeks to promote reflection among young people on the idea of the United States as a “union.”" I was excited to see that my friend Pam Muñoz Ryan's book, When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson, is also on the list. I was honored that W.E.B. Dubois's, The Souls of Black Folk, is on the list, too. Be sure to check out the whole list!

Over at YA BookSelf, they've posted an article comparing rejection letters to SPEAK. What do you think of it?

At last, but certainly not least, Wendy at SimpleThrift (a terrific blog about living a frugal and creative life while raising kids) has been naming her chickens after her favorite authors. She just posted a short and fun Good Egg Interview with me because....

  (photo credit Wendy Thomas)

she named this little girl "Laurie Halse Anderson."

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I'm taking the rest of the long weekend off from the Internet. Happy Memorial Day and see you Tuesday!

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::cues drummers::

Are you ready for my BIG NEWS?

This is officially a Big Freaking Deal. As in, I hyperventilated when I heard. The Carnegie is the equivalent of the Newbery Award in the UK. Take a look at the other authors on the list. Neil Gaiman! Terry Pratchett! Julie Hearn!! I am agog to be in their company.

I am agogging still in New York City. Yesterday was Penguin Day, which included meetings and lunch with my Viking editor, Joy,

who wins the Most Organized Editor in New York Award, hands-down.

I also spent a big part of the day with my daughter, Stef,



who will be running in the half-marathon with me tomorrow.

We got shirts!



And now I will scurry about and try to get more work done before the giant pre-race pasta fest with Deb Sloan and her running crew.

P.S. Yes, that is the British paperback cover of CHAINS, above.

P.P.S. Congratulations to one of my favorite bookstores, Wild Rumpus Books, for being named the best children's bookstore in Minneapolis!

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Ask Bonnie Jacobs.

What else do we have in here,..... ::rummages:: ah, yes! A lovely WINTERGIRLS review from Norway.

And much appreciated nods from state award lists:

Wintergirls is on the Rhode Island Teen Book Award and the Georgia Peach Book Award lists and the New York Public LIbrary Stuff for the Teen Age list.

And......

CHAINS is ALSO on the Rhode Island Teen Book Award list, as well as the Beehive Young Adult list from Utah, and the Pacific Northwest Young Reader's Choice Award, in the intermediate category.

And......



And if that weren't enough, THE HAIR OF ZOE FLEEFENBACHER GOES TO SCHOOL is a 2010 National Horace Mann Upstanders Children’s Literature Award Honor Book. Wow!

THANK YOU!

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When I read this news, it made me cry.

"About 15,000 African slaves and their descendants were once unceremoniously buried under what is today Manhattan— and forgotten.

On Saturday, a new visitor center opened near the rediscovered cemetery from the 17th and 18th centuries to celebrate the ethnic Africans who had toiled, many unpaid, to help make New York the nation's commercial capital.

"It's shocking — the number of people today who are still unaware that this history exists in New York," said Tara Morrison, superintendent of the African Burial Ground National Memorial.

It's located a short walk from Wall Street, where African slaves once were traded."

It was a good cry, what my kids used to call "happy tears." We are finally beginning to look at our shared history of slavery. We have to look at it in order to understand it. We have to understand it in order to learn how American culture became so poisoned with racism and prejudice. We have to learn, acknowledge, and own our history, so that we might become the nation we have always had the potential to be: a country where all people truly are treated and respected equally. That's my dream, too.

Make your day better and read the entire article. The author got one thing wrong: New York did abolish slavery in 1827, but the statue had loopholes that left people in New York in bondage well after that year.

It has taken centuries, but now we finally have recognition and respect for the people who deserve it the most: the African Burial Ground National Monument. I visited the site in its early days and was deeply moved. Any trip you take to Lower Manhattan needs to include this. (The monument's superintendent, Tara Morrison, was a wonderful resource when I was writing CHAINS.) Be sure to check out this photo essay to see more.

If you've read CHAINS, you already know where this Burial Ground was.

This is Manhattan around the time of the Revolution.


Remember the Commons, where the traitor who planned on assassinating George Washington was executed, and where the British barracks and the jail were?



The Commons is that triangle above. See the Water up there, too? That was the Collect Pond. The African Burial Ground was very close to the original Pond. In CHAINS, Isabel mentions it on page 112

I'll keep my eye on the NPS website for the new monument and will be sure to add links to any classroom resources they put up in the new-and-improved version of my website.

Since I'm on the topic of race and cultural heritage, this is a good time to link to

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Sorry for posting so late today. I just finished a fun Skype visit with 5th graders from Upton Elementary School in Upton, Wyoming. The kids had all read CHAINS and had oodles of questions about the book and about FORGE (which comes out in September, 2010, BTW.)

This is what the kids looked like to me.

And this is what I looked like to them! The kids each came up to the computer camera and microphone to ask me their questions, which was nice because I was able to see them so clearly.

I wish the Skype technology were a little better; the three visits I've done have had annoying bursts of pixelation issues. It has to improve soon, right?

Pixelation issues aside, I love Skype visits. Why? My publishers don't want me visiting schools right now. They want me to stay home and write. But I really miss connecting with my readers. Skyping allows me to have the best of both worlds.

Are you interested in having me Skype with your students? Email Queen Louise to set it up: [email protected]. We are really interested in doing more of these, so pass the word!


In other news, Professor Jim Blasingame of Arizona State University brings up the TWISTED censorship In Kentucky in his Washington Post blog. I am not thrilled with the headline (which Jim did not write) because it vastly overstates the issue, But the column is great, especially when he references the wise words of (United States Library of Congress Living Legend Award winner) Katherine Paterson.


Revision Tip #8

Read each scene and highlight each mention of a sense other than sight. Any scenes that only have visual details need to be revised to sneak in one or more of the other senses. If you are having a hard time with this, picture the scene in your mind. Now imagine you are the character, and close your (the character's eyes) what other sensory information is still available?

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Santa's elves arrived in the Forest early this year!

They brought the news that WINTERGIRLS has been named a Publisher's Weekly's Best Book of the Year, Kirkus' Best YA Books of 2009, Booklist's Editor's Choice of 2009, the 2010 Texas Tayshas High School Reading List and nominated to YALSA's 2010 Quick Pick List! It has also been nominated to the 2011 Grand Canyon Reader Award by the very nice people in Arizona, who were kind enough to nominate...


CHAINS as well, on the Tween List for the Grand Canyon Reader Award.

Each one of those lovely lists feels like another filled stocking in front of the fire!

REVISION TIP #3

Many people struggle to find a way to look at the larger picture of their novel. They can line edit a page or take a chapter to their writer's group, but managing the unwieldy novel is hard.

Here is what I do.

1. Get the largest piece of paper you can find. I go to an art supply store and buy an enormous artist's pad for this task.

2. You need to carve out three hours of concentration time. Turn off the internet and phone. Loan your dog and children and partner to nice people who will return them fed and watered after the the three hours. Chain off the driveway so delivery trucks and friendly people who don't understand what you mean when you say "I'm working" can't drop in.

3. On one of your massive sheets of paper, list every chapter in your book. Describe the action in the chapter in one sentence.

4. Now prepare a separate action list. (This one will take up a couple of sheets of paper. (Did I mention that you 'll need to clear off the kitchen table for this? And maybe the floor?) This list will break down each chapter into the scenes. Keep it brief! F. Ex.: "MC (main character) drops homework in fish tank. Fish die. MC hides them in flower vase. Mother sees them and flips out."

5. (This is the fun part) With a colored pen or pencil, go through the detailed chapter list and make notes about the emotional arc of your MC and the important secondary characters. Also, make sure that changes in mood are properly motivated, and that conflicts are set up. You might use different colors to represent different plot elements.

6. The threads of your novel are laid out in front of you. Step back and study it. Do your characters have reasonable emotional responses to the actions in the chapters? Do the building levels of conflict appear in the right order? (I often move scenes around at this stage.) Which scenes and/or chapters can you completely remove from the story without affecting anything else? What characters can you eliminate? Do you have any characters that can be combined because they serve the same purpose in the story. (I do this a lot.)

7. By the end of this process, your papers will be covered with notes, stickies and lots of colored arrows.

8. Sit down with the giant map of your novel and apply the changes to your manuscript. I like to do this on a hard copy first, then type in the changes.

9. Don't forget to unchain the driveway and

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by bobster855 www.flickr.com

*Historical fiction for older middle grade readers, young adults
*Teenage slave girl as main character
*Rating: Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson is a wonderful read with a captivating voice and unforgettable main character.

Short, short summary: Isabel, a teenage slave, and her five-year-old sister, Ruth, are sold to Loyalists who live in New York during 1776. The girls’ mother and previous owner have died. The Locktons are not nice owners, especially Mrs. Lockton, who is more worried about appearances than she is about people. Isabel is quickly recruited by the Rebels through a slave named Curzon. He tells her that the quickest way to freedom is through helping the Rebels, and so Isabel agrees to help the Rebels in spite of the danger that she faces when spying on the Locktons. She is more concerned about finding freedom for her sister, Ruth, who suffers from seizures, and herself–getting away from Mrs. Lockton as quickly as possible–than in which side is correct, the Rebels or the Loyalists. As the story goes on, the reader is exposed to the Revolutionary War and how the people in New York City were affected by the fighting. Laurie Halse Anderson also makes a point in Chains to show that slaves were not respected by the British or the Americans; and no matter what slaves did for either side, they always seemed to be at a disadvantage. If you are studying the Revolutionary War, this is a terrific book to go with your curriculum. Students will learn much through Isabel’s eyes.

So, what do I do with this book?

1. Students should keep a notebook of facts they learn about the Revolutionary War while they are reading Chains. This book is a perfect example of how much you can learn from an historical fiction book, especially with a good writer and researcher like Laurie Halse Anderson.

2. When students finish the novel, they can add a chapter about what they think will happen next in the story. I don’t want to say what the ending is for people who are reading it, but Laurie Halse Anderson leaves the ending open. Ask students to share their next chapters in Isabel’s story with the whole class or in small groups.

3. One of the most interesting things about this book is the quotes that start each chapter. Ask students to write a journal entry or two about the quotes they like the best. Which ones do they find the most interesting and why? Also ask students to write about why Laurie Halse Anderson picked certain quotes for certain chapters. What did these quotes add to the story? Ask students to find a quote to add to their chapters that they wrote for the end of the book.

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Whew! I'm still in a post-announcements daze. Uncle Simon and Aunt Schuster have made images of CHAINS sporting its pretty NBA and O'Dell hardware available. I cannot resist.



Shiny!

Yesterday brought two last bits of very-much appreciated news. CHAINS was named a 2009 Notable Book by ALSC and it made the YALSA Best Books for Young Adults list. Yes! Thank you!

I spent much of yesterday corresponding with my British publisher, answering interview questions and putting in my two cents about the proposed paperback cover. (Can't wait to see what they do - their ideas are really interesting!) Ian, in charge of publicity, sent a new quote from over the pond.
 
"Chains is one of the most moving and striking books I have read in a long time; finally some thoughtful, stirring historical fiction for young adults … Anyone reading this brilliant book will be left beguiled and bewildered by her bravery as she suffers under slavery." Waterstones Books Quarterly

I've never had any books that attracted much attention in the UK, so this is very exciting.

Today brings a jumble of tasks. I am still trying to clean up a particularly thorny chapter, I have to go to a recording studio and tape some stuff that will be included in the audio version of WINTERGIRLS, I have to do some things for my mom, WebGod Theo has been patiently waiting for some content from me and - best of all - I need to pack because tomorrow is the Kindling Words retreat and I can't wait!!!!

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The talented Laurie Halse Anderson (halseanderson ) just shared the news that her historical novel CHAINS has won the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, and I couldn't be happier.  My 7th graders and I will be reading the final chapters tomorrow and Friday, and I was excited about that even before I heard today's news.  CHAINS is about Isabel, a slave girl trapped in New York City and torn between Loyalists and Patriots as the Revolutionary War  ravages the city.  Yesterday, President Obama (I love writing that) gave us a brilliant connection to this chapter of American history when he quoted Thomas Paine's "The Crisis" in his Inaugural Address.

"Let it be told to the future world that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet it."

Just days after Paine shared those words, General George Washington did what no one believed was possible -- defeated the Hessians at Trenton after the famous river crossing immortalized in this painting by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze.


      George Washington Crossing the Delaware, 1851 - Metropolitan Museum of Art

In my classroom this week, we'll be talking about turning points and history and hope.  And we're going to write letters through time, to tell Isabel and Curzon from CHAINS all about what happened in Washington, DC on a cold day in January, 2009.  We'll let them know about Laurie's award, too.  On both counts, I know they will be so very proud.

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SQUEEEEEEE!!!!!

I have a wee bit of news to share.

CHAINS is the winner of the 2009 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction.

Here is the formal language: "Laurie Halse Anderson has won the 2009 Scott O'Dell Award for Chains (S&S, October 2008), narrated by teenaged Isabel Finch during the Revolutionary War. Although Isabel and her enslaved five-year-old sister were to be freed upon the death of their mistress, the woman's heir sells the siblings to a new owner in New York City--that is the first of the betrayals that lie ahead, but also the beginning of Isabel's fight for freedom. The award, established by O'Dell (best known as the author of The Island of the Blue Dolphins), is given annually to a meritorious work of historical fiction and includes a $5,000 prize.Chains was also a National Book Award Finalist, just like Anderson's debut novel, Speak(Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1999)."

I found out Friday night and have been walking around with my hands clenched over my mouth ever since because I wasn't supposed to tell anybody. I formally apologize to my writer's group for not even telling them. I offer to make cake for our next meeting as my penance. Or bread. I'm better at bread than cake. (Paging Marie Antoinette...)

This is an unbelievable honor - one that I never imagined my work would receive. It feels delicious and bubbly and affirming and huzzah! huzzah! The hardest part is I want to tell Isabel and it takes so long for letters to reach the 18th century!

OK, I'm pretty much not capable of forming any other complete sentences.

Except for THANK YOU!!!!

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Yesterday was three interviews, six or seven stock signings (they started to blur together at the end) and an evening event where people from all different phases of my life showed up.

But I'd really rather talk about the election.

I voted for Barack Obama by absentee ballot before I left on this tour. It was my proudest moment as an American. I figured that my job was done at that point. Most people I've met on tour have been supporting Obama, except for a guy who worked for the McCain campaign I ran into in an elevator, who made the mistake of remarking that I must be pleased about McCain's choice of Palin as his running mate because I am a woman.

That was a fun conversation.

I figured that after yesterday's hectic schedule, I'd sleep like a rock. I did not factor in how much I am worried about America. I woke up about every half hour, praying for Obama's victory, for his health and safety and that of his family, and for the future of our country. I don't think I have ever prayed in my sleep before.

Back to the Tour Updates....

Barb Landridge interviewed me for the Howard County Library system. The piece will air in February and will be available for purchase by teachers. Once I have the details, I'll pass them on.

My other interviews were on the phone for radio stations. Not much of a visual in that.

The stock signing at an independent bookstore in Baltimore didn't work for reasons I still don't understand, so my Author Nanny, Tim, drove me around MD, DC, and VA signing stock at various Barnes & Noble stores. This is the one in the old power plant at Baltimore's Inner Harbor.

It is a very cool-looking store.

With a funky fish outside.

As we drove from store to store, I kept thinking, "I'm in DC! I'm at the heart of our government!" But really, I was in the passenger seat of a car, and Nanny Tim and I discussed if we could trust the voice of his GPS. She spoke in a British accent. Very fishy.

Jama Rattigan came out to my evening appearance, she of the celebration soup.

So did Dorcas Dominico, who went to high school with me (and asked me not to post her photo), and this old friend, Judy, whose kids I babysat when I went to Georgetown.

Last but not least, the booksellers. This is Erin and Ramunda, who coordinated my event. The booksellers I met all day were fabulous.



TODAY'S EVENT: Not really an event, but you can catch me at my stock signing around 12:30 pm at Politics & Prose, Wash. DC, 202-364-1919

TOMORROW'S EVENT: Tomorrow is a school-visit day, but I'll sign stock at BookEnds, in Ridgewood, NJ, 201-445-0726

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Before I get to the Festival photos, I have a few announcements and links.

My email address, laurie AT writerlady DOT com is all messed up and apparently has been for a week. I am very sorry about this. OfficeMouse is going to try and fix it tomorrow. I'll let you know what happens.

Bookavore sent an awesome link, the story of the daughter of a slave who is voting for Obama.

A moment of silence, please, for the death of Studs Terkel.

Publishers Weekly has a nice article about me and my fellow National Book Award Finalists.

The state of Delaware arranged for perfect weather for the Book Festival and the crowds responded. There were several familiar faces....

Me and my best friend from high school, Kim Fisher, who drove up from Richmond, VA to hang out for the day.

Ambassador Jon Scieszka spoke to adoring crowds.

This is Wesley, who has been a huge fan for years. It was such fun to finally meet him!!!

Kathena is a new old fan who is planning on becoming an English teacher.

I got to meet a hero of my own, The Stinky Cheese Man!

I've saved the best for last. I had two special visitors this weekend.

my Beloved Husband and Daughter #3, aka the OfficeMouse visited!!! Yay for family reunions!

MONDAY'S EVENT: November 3 at 7:00 pm: Barnes & Noble, McLean, VA 703-506-2937

TUESDAY'S EVENT, November 4: Politics & Prose, Wash. DC - this is not a formal event, because it's election day and that would be nuts. But I should be signing stock there around 12:30, if you want to come out and chat. 202-364-1919

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Friday was mostly a travel day. At the Milwaukee airport I went through security and came across the best airport sign I've seen in a long time.




The Recombobulation Area is where you pull yourself together after having been discombobulated (removing shoes, jacket, laptop from your backpack, etc.). Brilliant!

Two more quick shots. I found this in my hotel room.



Pretty, right? It gets better.




A chocolate box! Loaded with M&Ms! Thank you, Delaware!

TODAY'S EVENT: Saturday, November 1: several appearances during the day: Delaware Book Festival, Dover, DE.

MONDAY'S EVENT: November 3 at 7:00 pm: Barnes & Noble, McLean, VA 703-506-2937

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Day 9 started with a drive from Chicago to Milwaukee. We headed to the breathtaking Milwaukee Public Library, where I was greeted by my old friend (and the man who set me on the path to write CHAINS), Ben Franklin.

He said he hasn't read CHAINS yet, but he's hearing good things about it.

I looked at some of his books on display. I told him I've been hearing good things about them, too.

I had lunch with and spoke to a group of Milwaukee librarians, then drooled - at a respectful distance - at the shelves of their rare book collection. They had this giant book of author and artist signatures on display where

the page showing Maxfield Parrish's signature was delightful.

Thank you Kelly, Karen and Gail for arranging my visit!

Wisconsin schools were closed Thursday and Friday for the state teacher's conference, so my Author Shepherd set up six stock signings for the afternoon.



Kopp's frozen custard.

The flavor of the day was Turtle, with caramel, chocolate and pecans. Kopp's custard is to ice cream what champagne is to water. Get the picture?

The ladies at The Little Read Book were very excited about the National Book Award news.

Lisa at Books & Company was loving CHAINS and had just received her advanced reading copy of WINTERGIRLS (my new YA that comes out in March).

And then I had a POSTSECRET MOMENT!!!

At a Barnes & Noble stock signing, Mary Lou the bookseller asked me to sign their author book. As I was flipping through the pages, I found this:

Frank Warren, of PostSecret fame, had been there. I LOVE what he wrote, "The children the world almost breaks - become the adults most likely to change it." And he had been there on my birthday! Fate, I tell you, it was fate.

Finally we made it to Schwartz's a fantastic indie bookstore for the evening event. Almost everyone in the audience was a teacher, including a pair that run a before-school book club at a middle school that has 90 active members in it. I am going to do an online chat with them after the tour is over. The teachers asked LOTS of questions about writing process. If we had had a gallon of coffee, we could have turned it into an all-nighter writing workshop.

Note to self - mention this to publicist.... could be fun.....



TODAY'S EVENT: Fly to Delaware. Try not to snore or drool on plane.

SATURDAY'S EVENT: Saturday, November 1: several appearances during the day: Delaware Book Festival, Dover, DE.

SUNDAY: A little rest, a little run, and a drive to the DC area.

MONDAY'S EVENT: November 3 at 7:00 pm: Barnes & Noble, McLean, VA 703-506-2937

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I hate baseball, but I love Philadelphia, so GO PHILLIES.

(I cannot believe I just wrote that.)

Yesterday was a calmer-paced day, which was much appreciated.

I went to Crone Middle School, Home of the Cougars to talk to the 8th grade.

It was Crazy Tie Day at Crone, and I didn't have a tie with me, but Michael here helped me out and let me wear his while I was talking.

The librarian, Karen Hutt, and the teachers did a terrific job preparing the students. They even decorated the room I presented in with chains hung from the ceiling. This is me with Bill Young. Technically he is my Author Nanny right now, but I'm not sure he would appreciate that title. Bill is one of the best media escorts in the business. He took me around the Chicago area on my PROM tour and it is wonderful to work with him again. I will call him my Author Shepherd, because he's not quite the nanny type.

The evening event at Anderson's was wonderful, 50 people with loads of questions, plus a 6th-grader who interviewed me for her school paper. Thank you, thank you to everyone who came out, especially the teachers who didn't flinch when I admitted I still don't know what a theme is.

The crowd was mostly teachers and librarians. One of them brought me a copy of CHAINS freshly processed for her library. She said she already has a waiting list for the book.

I leave in a few minutes for Milwaukee (yes, I have been singing the Laverne & Shirley theme song all morning). I'm scheduled for a lunch with librarians, a bunch of stock signings, and then, The Main Event.

Finishing up the librarian thread of today's post, Librarian Goddesses Cindy Dobrez and Lynn Rutan have published their review of CHAINS on their Bookends blog. Check it out!

TONIGHT'S EVENT: Thursday, October 30 at 7:00 pm: Harry Schwartz Bookshop, Mequon store 262-241-6220.

TOMORROW'S EVENT: Tomorrow is just a travel day. If you see me in an airport, though, I'll be happy to sign a book!

SATURDAY'S EVENT: Saturday, November 1: several appearances during the day: Delaware Book Festival, Dover, DE.

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The pace this weekend was slower - much appreciated - and allowed me to catch my breath and prepare for Week 2.

The lobby of my hotel is decked out for Halloween. This place has a terrific fitness center and I spent yesterday morning on the treadmill watching reruns of the Colbert Show.

But let's back up to Saturday. The Denver airport was horrific, even though I arrived there at 4:30am. The check-in counter at United was swamped and the shift change at security that was supposed to open up all the security lines was delayed. As a result, I barely made my 6am flight. But I made it, and that's all that counts.

Saturday was low-key, with one stock signing and the Bookstall signing. My old neighbor and friend Ann Ackerson, who lived next to us back in our Horsham, PA days, came out to see me - that was delightful. The rest of the day was spent on email and thank-you notes and some writing stuff, not what I wanted to do, but the right and necessary thing to do.

Yesterday was even better. After my treadmill time (heavenly), I showered and got ready for the afternoon's gig at National Louis University. My friend Junko Yokota, a professor of Reading, Language, and Children's Literature at NLU, had arranged for me to speak to a group of teachers and librarians.

It was Sunday. The Chicago Bears weren't playing, but teachers and librarians work hard and honestly, I didn't think many of them would give up a Sunday to hear me speak. I figured maybe 5 or 6 would come out, and we'd have tea and a nice intimate chit-chat, and that would be that.

More than 80 people came out to hear me. One teacher, a ninth-grade English teacher named Grant, drove up from Iowa!

And a local teacher, I think they called him Mr. A, brought a group of students to the event. I was assured they were getting extra credit for this. I sure hope so!

So it turned out to be a terrific afternoon spent talking with interesting and compassionate teachers and librarians. And a few students.

After all the books were signed and the teachers had gone home (sure hope that Grant made it back to Iowa safely), Junko took me out for a quick taste of culture.

We stopped to see the only Baha'i Temple in North America. It is a stunning place. I don't know much about the Baha'i faith, but I'm going to read up about it.

Thank you for a lovely day, Junko!

Lots of schools and interviews today. If you are trying to find me, come to the B&N around noon, or better yet, go to Naperville for my Anderson's gig on Wednesday.

TODAY'S EVENT: Monday, October 27: Barnes & Noble, Skokie, not a public presentation event, but I'll be there signing stock around noontime 847-676-2230. NOTE I'll be back in the area speaking at Anderson's Books in Naperville on Wednesday night!

TOMORROW'S EVENT: Tuesday, October 28 at 7:00 pm: Omaha Public Library, Omaha, NE. An all-city event in Centennial Hall at the Alumni House on the UNO Campus, 6705 Dodge St. 402-444-4800

Edited to Add - I just learned the sad news that adult mystery author Tony Hillerman has died. I am a big fan of his work and will miss him.

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Meet Spike. Spike is the mascot at the St. Bernard's School in St. Paul, my first official book tour stop. It was a terrific place to launch.

After St. Bernard's my ready, willing and able author schlepper, Kathy, took me to the famous Red Balloon Bookstore.

Where I gawked at everything (including this gorgeous window) and then signed all their stock. Well, all their stock of books that I had written. Though I offered to sign other people's bpoks. But they said that wasn't necessary.

The afternoon was spent at Roseville Middle School. No joke, it was one of the best sessions have ever had in ten years of visiting schools. I sort of lost track of time, but I think the students and I talked for almost two hours before they lined up to have me sign every book and scrap of paper they could find in the library.

All hail Roseville librarian Linda Gallus for an extraordinary job of preparing her students for my visit. And many thanks for the goodie bag!! (The photo is proof that book lovers come in all sizes.)

The evening event was at the largest bookstore in Minnesota, the Roseville Barnes & Noble. As it was a Tuesday night, I did not have expectations for a high turn-out. I was wrong. Maria Capecchi of Rush City High School brought a large group of her students to listen to me (it was an hour's drive for them!), a few kids from Roseville came to hear me again, and many other kids and random adults showed up.

Meet Julia, who came to my event after meeting Hillary Clinton, no joke. Julia knew that it is my birthday tomorrow, so she brought me my favorite candy, candy corn, to celebrate. Thank you so much!

Sarah was very sweet and came out to hear me again, too. Oh, and a very smart reader named Kate brought me a new cover design for CATALYST along with her rationale for why it works better than the current cover. I think she's right and I am going to send it to my editor. Thank you, Sarah and Kate!

And here are Brittany and Bridgette who made shirts of the CHAINS cover because they are amazing crafty people. They've done this for books by John Green and Stephanie Meyer, too. I was completely blown away. Does anyone want to hire these girls as summer interns? They've got book passion, they're crafty, and they know how to work! Thank you, Sisters of the Book Shirt!!!!

Gotta hop - more schools today and a super event tonight!!

TONIGHT'S EVENT: 6:00 pm at Wild Rumpus, Minneapolis, MN 612-920-5005

TOMORROW NIGHT'S EVENT: 5:00 pm: The Bookies, Denver, CO 303-759-1117

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It's about 7am. I woke up at 4:30 and couldn't go back to sleep (wonder why), so I spent an hour on the treadmill (one of the lovely things about hotels), showered and ate. I don't get picked up for a couple hours so I am going to try and sneak in a little writing time.

If I can get my hands to stop shaking. Because I am, to put it mildly, wicked cranked up.

Because CHAINS is released today.

And I have finally solved the problem of how to inscribe it. I've never heard other authors fret about this, so maybe it's one of my many quirks, but I like to have a special tag line for each book instead of just writing "Best Wishes" whenever I sign a book for a reader. And it always takes me a long time to find the right words. But I finally hit it for CHAINS.

Free your mind.

That's what I'll be writing countless times (fingers crossed) for the next month. It sums up the journey of Isabel, the main character, and the journey that I hope my readers will take, using books to open up their world and grow.

Have you ever had your name in soup? As of this morning, I have. A very cool experience, I must say. Thank you, Jama Rattigan, for the awesome CHAINS celebration shout-out and for putting my name in soup! (I wonder if that is the children's literature equivalent of putting your name in lights?)

Today I visit St. Bernard's School in St. Paul and Roseville Area Middle School in Little Canada. (Which in in America. Which is funny because I live in the town of Mexico, which is also in America. What a country!)

TONIGHT'S EVENT: 7:00 - 8:30pm : Barnes & Noble, Roseville, MN 651-639-9256

TOMORROW NIGHT'S EVENT: 6:00 pm at Wild Rumpus, Minneapolis, MN 612-920-5005

Call your friends, wake the neighbors, alert all students that I am happy to write extra credit notes to anyone who comes out to my book signing! Let the games begin!

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If all goes well, I head to Minnesota in a few hours. I promise lots of pictures and tour details for the next month.

Before we get to the schedule, I'd like to puff out my chest and proudly point out that my daughter Bookavore (aka Stephanie) has some great quotes about economic sustainability and getting folks to shop locally.

And.... Brilliance Audio just released a wonderful audio version of CHAINS!! The reader, Madisun Leigh, does a wonderful job - so wonderful that I was in tears by the end of the first chapter. I can't wait until I have time to listen to the whole thing!

And... not only did I buy The Dress for the fancy-pants National Book Award gala, but I took it to Mary Jean's Alterations in Oswego and it will be ready when I get off the plane in a few weeks. BH ordered his tux there, too.

And... my absentee ballot arrived on time and I voted!!!!

And..... the book tour appearances below are my public gigs. On most days, I'll be visiting schools during the day and then doing an evening appearance at most stores. I am really sorry I won't be headed to the West Coast on this tour, but you can't have everything, and my cup is totally overflowing right now, so I'm not going to make a fuss. (FYI - I'll be going back out on tour in March. Keep your fingers crossed.)

CHAINS BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE: FREE YOUR MIND!!

MINNEAPOLIS
Tues, October 21 at 7:00 pm : Barnes & Noble, Roseville, MN 651-639-9256

Wed., October 22 at 6:00 pm: Wild Rumpus, Minneapolis, MN 612-920-5005


DENVER
Thursday, October 23 (AKA MY BIRTHDAY) at 5:00 pm: Bookies, Denver, CO 303-759-1117

Friday, October 24 at 7:00 pm: Tattered Cover, Denver, East Colfax store 303-436-9219


CHICAGO area
Saturday, October 25 at 1:00 pm: The Bookstall of Chestnut Court, Winnetka 847-446-0882

Sunday, October 26 at 2:00 pm: Center for Teaching through Children’s Books, National-Louis University, Skokie. This is at 5202 Old Orchard Road - 3rd Floor Public Forum Room. Sorry, I don't have a contact phone number, but I do know that lots of teachers and grad students are expected to attend. At least, I hope they do.

Monday, October 27: Barnes & Noble, Skokie (no public event, but will have signed books available) 847-676-2230


OMAHA
Tuesday, October 28 at 7:00 pm: Omaha Public Library, An all-city event in Centennial Hall at the Alumni House on the UNO Campus, 6705 Dodge St. 402-444-4800


BACK TO CHICAGO area
Wednesday, October 29 at 7:00 pm: Anderson’s, Naperville 630-355-2665


MILWAUKEE
Thursday, October 30 at 7:00 pm: Harry Schwartz Bookshop (Mequon store) 262-241-6220


DOVER, DE
Saturday, November 1: several appearances during the day: Delaware Book Festival


BALTIMORE
Monday, November 3: The Children’s Bookstore (no public event, but will have signed books available)


WASHINGTON, DC area
Monday, November 3 at 7:00 pm: Barnes & Noble, McLean, VA 703-506-2937


Tuesday, November 4: Politics & Prose, Wash. DC (drop-in booksigning at 12:30) 202-364-1919


NEW JERSEY
Wednesday, November 5: BookEnds, Ridgewood (no public event, but will have signed books available) 201-445-0726


NEW YORK
Thursday, November 6 at 6:45 pm: Merritt Bookstore, Millbrook, NY 845-677-5857


WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Friday, November 7: Odyssey Bookstore, South Hadley, MA (no public event, but will have signed books available) 413-534-7307


ATLANTA area
Monday, November 10 at 7:00 pm: Little Shop of Stories, Decatur 404-373-6300

Tuesday, November 11: The Reading Tree, Alpharetta (no public event, but will have signed books available) 770-740-7171


MIAMI
Wednesday, November 12 and Thursday, November 13: Miami Book Fair (school events only)


NEW ORLEANS
Friday, November 14 at 4:30 pm: Octavia Books 504-899-7323

Saturday, November 14 -- Special school event only, sponsored by Octavia Books


NEW YORK CITY - NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FESTIVITIES
Tuesday, November 18 - Teen Press Conference

Tuesday, November 18, 7pm - All twenty of this year's National Book Award Finalists will read from their books at New York City’ s New School

Wednesday, November 19, National Book Foundation Awards Dinner and Ceremony


SAN ANTONIO, TX
Friday, November 21 – Tuesday, November 25: National Council of Teachers of English annual conference and ALAN Workshop


CENTRAL NEW YORK
Thursday, December 4 at 6:00 pm: The River’s End Bookstore, Oswego 315-342-0077 (followed by a fundraising dinner for the Oswego Public Library!)

SE PENNSYLVANIA
Saturday, December 6 at 6pm: Moravian Bookshop, Bethlehem, PA 610-866-5481


And now I should probably try to sleep.
Yeah, right.

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