There was this thing that happened in Moravian Bethlehem this weekend. This clutch of days, of hours spent among writers and friends in a town I quickly came to love. Joyce Hinnefeld—chair of the Moravian College English Department and creator of the Moravian Writers' Conference—you made something special happen, something rare. You dignified writing and writers by the program you assembled and the writers and editors you attracted. You—miraculously—gave me the opportunity to write and deliver a keynote about a topic that I think matters, and then to spend time with my friend A.S. King in dialogue: I will never be able to thank you. Josh Berk, for time with your beautiful family at the library you run so well, I thank you, too.
I returned to my little house that is my home to much work. The day was intercepted by utterly unexpected news. First, a review for
One Thing Stolen in
Horn Book Magazine, a publication I love very much, calling this book of mine a "unique, moving story." Thank you. Then, moments later, news that the book has been named a Parents' Choice Gold Award selection.
It is always hard not to be able to directly thank people who have been kind to me.
Horn Book and Parents' Choice: I hope you find these words. Joyce and Josh, I send them to you. With deepest thanks.
And I am flummoxed.
And INCREDIBLY grateful.
Oh my goodness.
Teresa DiFalco, Parents Choice Awards: How can I thank you?
The astonishing citation is
here.
