I’m passing this along, because it is brilliant and funny and easy for me to do.
My thoughts go out to friends & family & everyone else contending with the ravages of this past storm, so I’m not sure how to blog, exactly. A measured silence? A thoughtful response?
I decided to go with candy. And humor. Trade well, my friends.
Back in September, the Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group invited me to participate in “something special” that they had cooked up for Banned Books Week (September 30 – October 6).
Essentially, I was one of several authors invited to place three copies of MCPG’s most challenged books in public places during Banned Books Week.
I said, “Count me in.” And added, “Thanks for asking.”
A couple of weeks later, a letter from Marketing Director Elizabeth Fithian came along with three beautiful books: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle, and The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander.
Elizabeth wrote:
“Enclosed are the books we ask you to place in public areas. Please add a personal note in each book and if you are willing to do so, add your signature.”
I was concerned that the books might just sit there, or be disposed of, unless they were properly identified, so I adhered labels with that key word, FREE.
Here’s a closer look:
I enjoyed lurking about, leaving those terrific books in public places. Yes, that includes a bathroom. It was sneaky and mildly subversive and mostly fun.
Elizabeth also directed me to this two-minute video you might enjoy, put together by the Association of American Publishers:
There’s no getting around it. This film is nearly eleven minutes long.
And in web surfing time, that’s like three years.
But, but, but.
This short film is brilliant and beautiful, artfully done, and it will hit you right in the heart, while restoring some of your faith in humanity. For ten minutes of your time, I vote YES.
“I got a fun pass.”
On Monday, I appeared on a local morning televison show in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Click here to see me in all my telegenic glory.
I’m posting this, just barely, from the antiquated computer in my hotel in downtown Grand Rapids, birthplace of Amway and President Gerald Ford, so you’re not going to get anything fancy in this post.
I should also mention . . . it took me three days in this hotel until I finally turned the right way after getting off the elevator. It was a small but satisfying victory. Life is good.
