RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 2

I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...

Book 2 (middle grade): OUT OF THE WILD, sequel to INTO THE WILD. In these books, the essence of fairy tales exists as a snarl of vines under Rapunzel's daughter's bed, so my husband gave me a #booknecklace that looks like a flowering vine.

The inspiration for both the Wild from INTO THE WILD and OUT OF THE WILD and Monster from THE GIRL WHO COULD NOT DREAM was my childhood fear of a tentacle monster who lived under my bed. I'd leap out of bed so it wouldn't snag my ankles.

RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 1

I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...

Book 1 (middle grade): INTO THE WILD. My debut novel and the start of our #booknecklace tradition. My husband got the idea from my friend, the awesome Tiffany Trent, who gave me this amazing bracelet with my cover art. We plucked a charm out to make a matching necklace.

INTO THE WILD is about fairy tale characters who live in the real world, but the fairy tale wants them back. It stars Rapunzel's daughter (her mom owns a hair salon). I set it in Northboro, MA, because growing up there I always wished something magical would happen.

10th Anniversary of INTO THE WILD!

Today is the 10th anniversary of the publication of my 1st book, INTO THE WILD!!! Thank you for sharing this journey with me!

 

Northborough Free Library Author/Illustrator Quilt

I love libraries in the way that a chocoholic loves a Godiva Easter bunny.

I blame my mother, who took me to the library so often that I was literally the poster child for Kid Obtaining First Library Card:


This photo was taken at the Northboro Library (or more accurately, the Northborough Free Library -- the town has become fancier since I left it, restoring the more formal "ugh" to its name and requiring all citizens to wear cravats).

This is the place where I discovered Diana Wynne Jones, Lloyd Alexander, Ruth Chew, and Tamora Pierce. I remember exactly where the shelves were that held all the Encyclopedia Brown books, and I remember sneaking into the grown-up section to find Watership Down. (I really did sneak. I assume I was afraid an adult would spot me, shout "Under Age Reader!", and a team from the Militant Branch of the ALA would rappel from the windows to capture me.)

This same library appears in chapter 7 of my debut novel, Into the Wild. Julie hides from Cinderella and Goldilocks here, and the Three Blind Mice live in the Children's Room. (The Children's Room actually did have hamsters. I don't think they talked, though. Perhaps after hours...)

Over the past couple years, the Northboro Library underwent major renovations. And now that it's all new and fancy, they've planned a lovely event where they will dedicate an author/illustrator quilt and hang it in the brand new Children's Room. The quilt was created by a group of talented local quilters who incorporated scenes from ten children's books along with quilt pieces signed by the authors or illustrators. I had the honor of contributing my signature when I was last at the library and am absolutely thrilled that a scene from Into the Wild has been included on the quilt.

The Author/Illustrator Quilt Dedication is this Saturday at the new Northboro Library. I'll be there, as will Andrew Clements, the author of Frindle as well as many other wonderful books. Here are the details if you'd like to join us:

Saturday, May 14, 2011 from 11am to 1pm
Author/Illustrator Quilt Dedication
Northborough Free Library
34 Main Street, Northborough, MA

Refreshments will be served (though I cannot promise any Godiva bunnies).

If you're in the area, I hope to see you there!