Come...to Austin!
Last post you witnessed my terrified response to Lauren's Scare-a-thon. Here are the current non-weinies:
Lauren Myracle
Kirsten Miller
Meg Cabot
Scott Westerfeld
For pure entertainment, you can't go wrong with Scott's (or Mr. Westerfeld's) enchanting entry. I met Melissa in Austin and we have begun plotting for how to avenge ourselves on Lauren. Half the dared folk have yet to post proof, but I'll put up links when (and IF...) they do.
One thing I forgot to mention--the night of The Dean Witch Project, I waited at home while Dean went to the neighbor's to "set up." When he was ready for me, he called my cell phone.
Me: "Hello?"
Whispered Voice: "Come..."
Hang up.
That's about when the shaking started in earnest.
I'm back from Austin, one of my favorite cities. The book festival was wonderful. I got to meet squeetuser Maribeth, who drove four hours from Dallas (hooray for cool parents who support their kids' literary obsessions!). Four young girls read rapunzel's revenge with their mother/daughter bookclub and had the idea to make themselves braids. They came decked out to the event. Cute much?
This Austin feature shows a cowboy riding a giant bunny. Take note, Nate, for future rapunzel's revenge sequels.
I did several school visits and came away feeling so invigorated and hopeful about kids and educators. Despite such huge obstacles as No Child Left Behind, teachers, librarians, and other educators are still energetic and loving and excited about books and literacy. It's wonderful to see. Right on, Austin!