early morning reader thank you's

Because of my strict No Google Beth policy, I have failed, over the last few weeks to thank some extraordinarily kind people.  I would like to do that now.

Lizzy Burns, the New Jersey librarian who writes the wickedly intelligent A Chair, A Fireplace, & A Tea Cozy, for her tremendous empathy toward in the character Emmy, in this review. 

Sixteen year-old Brianna M., of the School Library Journal Sneak Peak Review team, for giving me a first sense for how a teen reader might feel about You Are My Only, here.

Nicole B., for her continuing kindness toward me and my books, with this review at Linus's Blanket.

Valerie B., of Woven Myst, who sent a Facebook message to me so early on and gave me hope at a time when I had not yet heard from other readers, here.

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Guardian Angel: School Library Journal Best Books Pick

This morning, Jill Santopolo, the HarperTeen editor about whom I rave-blogged not long ago, sent a sensational email from the floor of the National Convention of Teachers of English, where UNDERCOVER was apparently just named one of the Best Books of the Year by School Library Journal.

The news floors me, but most of all it assures me that my mother, who passed away so tragically close to a year ago, is looking down on me. UNDERCOVER was the book she most deeply believed in, the book she longed to see come to pass, and every single time something blesses this book, I know, irrevocably I know, that she is out there pulling strings.

Mom, this one's for you.

The light through these trees?

That's you, too.

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