Monday, June 28, 2010

ALA Day Three

Sometimes dreams come true.  This whole trip has been a dream come true but yesterday was so amazing I almost don't have words to talk about it.  The day started by checking out a session on book blogging, one of my favorite topics!  Then I got to meet Katherine Paterson, National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, and she was really nice.  She had read my blog, amazing, and was not mad that I did not love Jacob Have I Loved. I will read it again!  She said the reader is like the co-author on a book; imagine being a co-author with Katherine Paterson!  If this had been the only thing that happened to me today I would have been very happy and very excited.  But, there is more!
I was invited by ALA President Camila Alire to an amazing luncheon. I got to meet many board members of ALA and ALSC (all the folks who make the ALA work!). 
Three wonderful authors also attended: Rebecca Stead, Jacqueline Kelly and Rodman Philbrick.  For lunch I got to sit by all three of them and talk about books, can you even believe it?
This was not the end of my amazing day.  I managed to squeeze in listening to the ALA notable discussion, and seeing the book cart drill team (you have GOT to see this!).

And then I put on my purple poof dress and went to the 2010 Newbery/Caldecott Gala.  Before the event even started  I got to meet Grace Lynn and Jerry Pinkney. I now have a set of all the Award and Honor books from 2010 autographed to me! 

The Gala was wonderful. I sat where I could see everything. I met MORE wonderful people and the President of ALSC even talked about me and my blog in his speech.
 I could not have had a more wonderful day and time. I have a million amazing people to thank who made this all possible for me, and I will start on thank you notes soon, but today is even more fun! 

4 comments:

  1. How wonderful! Thanks for sharing your adventures with us! I'm sure you'll remember this forever. And I have to imagine the encounter will add such new dimensions to your reading experiences moving forward. Thanks for "bringing us along" in some small way via your blog!
    Z-Dad

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  2. Exciting! Thanks for posting your trip!

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  3. Laura,
    I have had so much fun reading your blog entries about your trip. Thanks for letting us experience this through your eyes. You are an amazing young lady! Watching your interview made me tear up because I know how much it means to you. You are definitely a VIP in every way. Savor every last moment of your trip, and save a bookmark for me! What a great idea. :-)

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  4. Thanks everyone! It has been a mind-blowing good time!

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