I did not blog much from IRA as I spent a lot of time there working on A) my audio column for VOYA (done); B) a resolution for NCTE from the Standing Committee against Censorship (drafted and off to the committee for comments); C) grading the final assignments from my grad classes (done); D)working on my book (finished the intro and worked on a couple of chapters). I did attend a wonderful featured author session with Carolyn Coman and Joan Bauer. Then, I hosted a panel with Sarah Aronson, Laura Ruby, Sonya Sones, and Laura Ruby. We expected about 75 as it was a ticketed event. We had about twice that count (maybe more) and it was a lovely and rollicking hour of question and answer and discussion.

I finished a book on the plane (first class, baby!). Due out in February of 2009 from Little Brown, NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL, is a stunning coming of age story of Terra. Terra is a beautiful young woman who hides her flawed face (a port wine stain covers most of one side of her face) under layers of makeup and layers of locked down emotions as well. Enter Jacob, an adopted Chinese Goth, Terra nearly kills when her car skids on some ice. Jacob and his mother, the vivacious, take charge Norah are the antithesis of Terra and her family, but somehow the two families mesh. Jacob and Terra and Norah and Lois (Terra's mother) head off to China on a trip that will certainly alter the courses of all their lives.

The lovely Victoria Stapleton has graciously offered to send ARCs to those interested (and thanks for the so cool mailing, Victoria, my darling). You can reach her at: victoria.stapleton@hbgusa.com.

No cover to show you until we unbox the scanner. However, this is an amazing picture book. Written by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by Kadir Nelson, ABE'S HONEST WORDS hearkens back to MARTIN'S BIG WORDS in several ways. First, the cover is a stunning full face portrait of Abraham Lincoln. Title, author, and illustrator are on the back cover. This works for me on so many levels not the least of which is that it is only Honest Abe's eyes, his cowlickity hair, his jug ears, his gentle grin (though his eyes show some of the weariness he must have felt in his life) that peer back at the reader. Inside, the end papers are lush and each contains a separate and important quote from a man who used words sparingly but to great effect. Once again, there are two texts on each double page spread. One text tells of Lincoln's rise from log splitter to lawyer to emancipator. The other text sections are quotes from Lincoln's writings and speeches. Several appendices include a brief bibliography of other books about Lincoln, a selective research bibliography, a timeline, and the text of the Gettysburg Address.

Thanks to Angus Killick, debonair Hyperion impressario, for handing this F&G to me.


Update on the remodeling...Cali worked her tail off these last few days to hang the art, arrange the furniture, unpack some of the boxes, decorate the shelves, etc. It is not done, but it looks like a whole new place. I plan to take photos once I find the camera!