The beautiful graphic created by my sweet friend R.J. Palacio
If you follow kid lit, you probably know by now that a group of almost 300 authors took a stand on behalf of readers in North Carolina. This direct letter of support kids in NC was spearheaded by R.J. Palacio, and both Phil Bildner and Alex London did some seriously heavy lifting in terms of drafting the letter and gathering names. Thanks to SLJ for picking up the story; to the authors who we contacted on such short notice for their support; and to everyone who retweeted and showed support by sharing the message on social media.
As all this was unfolding at lightning speed, I was also on my way to San Antonio – land of the River Walk and Frito Pie. It was a wonderful weekend of meeting old writing friends and new. I also got to read Mango Abuela and Me together with my illustrator, Angela Dominguez. Such a sweet moment. Authors sometimes don’t meet their illustrators, so this was a rare blessing.
Anyway, here are a few other highlights.
At the opening cocktail party with Xavier Garza, Emma Virján, Sonia Manzano, Pam Muñoz Ryan and John Parra
My first-ever ingested Frito pie. I hate to admit how good it was.
Strolling the river walk that ran alongside Hotel Havana, where I stayed
With Aurora Anaya Cerda at Ocho. Don’t forget that La Casa Azul is still an online bookstore.
My swanky frig in my 1950s inspired room. Check out the letters.
Emma Virján as a Pig in a Wig. We make sacrifices for our work, people.
My geeky fan moment with Sonia Manzano and Pam Muñoz Ryan – bellísimas personas!
Monica Brown and I flanking illustrator Angela Dominguez who has worked on books by each of us
In the children’s tent. Got to see Don Tate, and I found my (maybe) long lost Medina cousin Daniel Miyares on the end.
My stash!
