Quick contest reminder

The princess academy contest expires at the end of this month, so be sure you enter right away. This book has sprouted wings in paperback and just continues aloft. It broke five months on the New York Times best seller list this week, currently at number five on the children's paperback list. This is so amazing to me. And it was just chosen to be my native Salt Lake City's One City One Book selection for young adults.

There continues to me much debate wherever I go over the covers--old or new one best? Author Brandon Mull told me, one has the fairy tale feel, the other is more human, both different and both nice. I can't chose. Clearly the paperback cover has had a significant impact, just based on how well it's doing in stores. One thing I never wanted was a jacket with the photo of a girl on it, because I want to imagine for myself what the character looks like, but this girl was an excellent choice. I don't know...I try to stay out of cover mania as much as I can because I don't trust my opinions in this matter. Thoughts?

Also, Max turned four years old this week! Smart, awesome, big kid. Maggie is so delicious I could eat her on a cracker. She took a step yesterday. I gasped aloud and startled her, and she started to cry. She did it again later, and I gasped again. What's up with that? I even thought, don't gasp this time. And out it came. Sheesh. She's just such a wonder girl, she takes my breath.