Philadelphia. I love her. I write about her. I celebrate her. But don't think that I can't see. This can be a hard-knock city. It doesn't always love you back.
Today I'm remembering a moment I will forever cherish.
Dangerous Neighbors, my Centennial novel, being featured as part of a First Book celebration. Mayor Nutter, standing beside me, signed my books for 120-plus young people who had never owned a book before.
I was honored.
I always am.
Tonight marks the opening of the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts, and as part of that celebration, a 45-foot digital projection mural will animate the face of the Kimmel Center over the course of the next few weeks. From the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program notice that just appeared in my in-box:
This constantly changing mural, created by photographer JJ Tiziou in collaboration with PIFA and Mural Arts, will showcase photos and video of 174 dancing Philadelphians—including 26 who will also be featured in Mural Arts' 50,000-square-foot How Philly Moves mural currently being installed at Philadelphia International Airport.
I have dreams of someday writing a book that sells, really sells. If that happens, I will buy a small apartment in the heart of my city and live closer to the pulse of its renaissance, closer to people who dream this big and see these sorts of ideals through. For now I'm just sending this out to you—proof that the nation's fifth largest city has a whole lot of good going on.
I have had a year of gifts—quiet moments I'll never forget. Late today (it was bitter cold; I was blurred by exhaustion), another gift arrived—word that John of the
wonderful Dear Author site had chosen
Dangerous Neighbors as one of the top published books of the year.
I choose this Michael Tolbert photo, taken on the day Mayor Michael Nutter and I celebrated a
First Book milestone at KIPP, to celebrate John's generosity. Because books are written to be read, and it's especially wonderful to be read by a reader like John.
Thank you.
Readers of this blog know that I had the privilege of spending part of an afternoon with the students of KIPP, in the company of Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, in celebration of
First Book, that wonderful organization dedicated to ensuring that every child has a book to call his or her own. More than 100 copies of
Dangerous Neighbors were given to the ninth graders that day, a chance for the Mayor, First Book President Kyle Zimmer, and me to spend some time with young Philadelphia readers.
This morning, Regina Cronin sent along the photographs taken by Michael Tolbert—images that return to me memories of a most spectacular day. Thank you, Regina and Michael (and First Book and Mr. Mayor).
Today I sat in a teacher's room listening to children sort b's from g's, and pigs from bibs, all under the encouraging eye of a reading tutor. I watched a multi-purpose room take on countless purposes and, shortly after noon, absorb the ninth graders of Philadelphia's KIPP DuBois Collegiate Academy. I listened to Kyle Zimmer, president and co-founder of First Book, as she told stories about the revolution that book ownership yields; listened to the mayor of my city compare books to passports; listened as one sponsor after another made promises they plan to keep about literacy, education, and tomorrow. And then I watched as
Dangerous Neighbors made its way into the hands of those KIPP ninth graders, stewards of our future, all. There were so many people who made today happen, and key among them is a young lawyer named Heather Steinmiler, who seems to do many things in many ways on behalf of the children of Philadelphia.
My dear friend Jan Suzanne Shaeffer was in the room today, and it is because of her that I have these photos to share. I looked out, saw her sunny face, and took calm from it as I stepped up to the microphone.
Gratitudes.
By: Beth Kephart ,
on 7/23/2015
WHat a brilliant idea! I can imagine mural is going to look amazing.
You'll have your pick of apartments...sooner rather then later is my guess.
(I'm excited to see your new book cover on your sidebar...woohoo!)
I hope your dreams come true, Beth, though I think you've achieved so much success already.
My only edit to this post would be to change "if that happens..." to "WHEN that happens." :-)
When you buy your swinging new urban pad, I will bring pizza.
And ice cream.
Yesssss.
XO
A.
I miss living in an urban apartment.
As is, I'm glad I'm getting back to Fort Worth in time for the Main Street Arts Festival. (And tomorrow I'm going to the Minot Craft Fair! Not urban at all, but I adore craft fairs.)
As is, I'm sure one of your books will hit in big.