I had a wonderful time at the conference! It was great to speak to so many reading teachers and literacy coaches from across the country and discuss the latest issues in literacy. I heard some great speakers and saw many of my friends! Pictured here: Laura Purdie Salas (STAMPEDE!) and Joyce Sidman (RED SINGS from TREETOPS). It was time for a poetry sisterhood after my speech, "Beyond Haiku" which encouraged teachers to start with content, instead of form when they teach poetry. I loved hearing Elise Broach's approach to her wonderful novels and listen to her process.

Sunday I went to the Mall of America and even though I've seen pictures of that ferris wheel and rides I had no idea just how enormous it is. The amusement park sits in the middle and the mall surounds it on all sides. I found it, well, exhausting and even a little obscene. I did not buy anything, except lunch. 

I had dinner with my Bloomsbury people: Melanie Cecka, Beth Eller and Katie Fee at Spoonriver, an organic restaurant. It was great to catch up with them at this intimate little dinner. I had a lovely caesar salad (I'm always looking for the best caesar) and the strawberry shortcake was divine!

I also got to hang out with Paul Janeczko and Chris Raschka and Jenny from Candlewick at the gorgeous Cafe Lucrat (and I met so many lovely teachers too!) where I had the best sea bass I've ever tasted. (Too dark for iphone pictures). The highlight, absolutely, was talking poetry. There's something so intimate about loving the same poets, in a way that is not the same with novels. Why is this? Maybe because poetry washes us as clean as spring rain.

<lj-cut text="Read more from IRA">
Drinks and food (best bruschetta ever at Staccato) with librarian goddess Toni Buzzeo and Jane Kurtz and her lovely daughter Rebecca. I also got to hang out with and score more arcs by having the bubbly and encyclopedic fount of book-reading knowledge at my side, Lisa Von Drasek who is also now on Team Barry. She introduced me to Jacqueline Woodson! 

I thought I was going to have to sign books next to (and therefore twiddle my thumbs) by Jane Yolen but she was finishing as I came on in the Houghton booth. I was honored that she wanted a copy of Steady Hands signed to her and jealous that it will reside in her poetry room. A poetry room! 

I stayed at the completely swank GRAVES 601 (across from the Target Center). It was ultra-modern, sleek, with fabulous art installations and funky lamps.  I think every mom should get to go stay in such a hotel at least once a year! The public spaces had a dark feel to it (like a CSI episode) but the bedroom was bright and clean lined and zen: