Madison, Wisconsin and the CCBC are fun. I was there last week to talk about censorship.
The first half of the workshop name.
This is KT Horning, Pat Scales, and Megan Schleisman. KT Horning is the director of CCBC and has spent her career making sure there are great books for kids. (She also has a bachelor’s degree in linguistics. What a wise woman.) Megan is a CCBC librarian who very kindly schlepped me around and made sure we had time for a delightful cup on coffee on the shore of Lake Mendota. (I think it was Lake Mendota. Wisconsin has a lot of lakes.) Thank you!
Pat was the leader of the workshop. She is a Master Librarian (I don’t know if that is a real title. If it’s not, it should be) who has worked in libraries for 36 years. I could listen to her talk about books, kids, and the glories of the First Amendment for days on end. It’s a good thing I got to listen to her when I did. Pat was just elected the incoming President of ALSC, and will be rather busy for the next three years.
(I was fascinated to learn about the Lawyers for Libraries program, offered by the ALA to help “build a nationwide network of attorneys committed to the defense of the First Amendment freedom to read and the application of constitutional law to library policies, principles, and problems.” The CCBC also has many resources for teachers and librarians who are having books challenged or banned. Please check it out and pass on the information!!!)
Thanks to all of the teachers (I knew some of them ::waving to Appleton contingent::) who made the trek to Madison!
We had a bunch of birthdays in the Forest over the weekend, with more this coming week. I head out of town on Friday for my booksigning in Bethlehem, PA and the graduation of my oldest kid from college. (Want proof that the time-space continuum has been mucked up? There is no earthly way that Stephanie is 22 years old, that she is ready to graduate, and that she has a real job. And yet, apparently, this is the case. Go figure.)
After the graduation festivities, I’m off to Toronto for the International Reading Association Convention.
But before any of this happens, I am going to unplug the phones and dive into the final (I hope) revision of my historical novel. So I might not be in LJ-land much for the next couple of weeks. On the other hand, I might, if I think I have anything useful to say about the revision process. Stay tuned.
So, according to the Moravian flyer, Bishop Sprong is sort of your opening act. There’s a great joke in there somewhere (ala Pastor Fuzz).
Speaking of banned books, have you been following the recent news about Maureen Johnson’s YA novel, The Bermudez Triangle, getting banned from a high school in Oklahoma? Apparently, a parent raised a stink because it features gay characters. Ugh. (and i shake my head in disappointed disbelief)
yea appleton!! that’s my homeland! i live in la crosse, WI now, unfortunately i was not able to make it to madison this weekend. ahh well, some other time!
Ummmmm not to be a pest, but—
Did the contest get decided as yet? (And I still don’t think I actually won but I’m sure the other two would like to know.)
As I recall, BH was supposed to double check and get back to us all.
This is totally off-topic, but I picked up Twisted (at the Moravian Bookshop!) this past weekend. Read the whole thing in one sitting on my flight back. LOVED IT. Holy whoa, amazing. Just wanted to give you the kudos. 🙂
oh my gosh, i’m so excited to see you on friday! congrats to stephanie on her college graduation! let me know if you could write me a letter of recommendation; i don’t have to send it in until august, but if you are too busy then i understand. can’t wait to see you in just a few days! =) ♥
just wanted to add another thing: i’m doing an article about you and your writing for my school paper, so if it’s okay could i interview you sometime on friday when i see you? let me know. =) ♥