SLJ Catches up with Newbery Winner Susan Patron

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Joan Oleck -- School Library Journal, 5/9/2007

Susan Patron, winner of this year's Newbery Medal for The Higher Power of Lucky (S & S, 2006) is one of the few children's librarians who have received this honor.

But after 35 years at the Los Angeles Public Library, Patron has retired to write full-time. SLJ caught up with the author to talk about life after winning the highest honor in children's literature, and her new book, Lincoln's Knot, due out next year.

I loved my work, and leaving the Los Angeles Public Library was truly wrenching. Then, a week later, I began connecting with children—hundreds of them—on a West Coast train tour to bookstores and libraries. The kids were great, and I realized that, essentially, I hadn't shed my librarian's skin. I'm still talking books, libraries, and reading.

What have you been doing since winning the Newbery?

I'm gripped by a profound sense of gratitude, and am trying to find ways to thank so many people who have cheered, supported, and celebrated Lucky. For example, I received a tiny photo of a class of kids neatly framed in an empty sardine can, and a woman I'd never met presented me with a beautiful, melodious wind chime made from old tin silverware.

Did the Medal bring you any particularly interesting feedback from young readers?

What's interesting is the almost complete disinterest among children about the word "scrotum." They read, I'm happy to report, for the story. They seem to like the story a lot. Children ask me about Lucky's meanness gland and about the effect on Lincoln of his mom's presidential aspirations.

What is your final, final take on the "scrotum" controversy?

Librarians are a force to be reckoned with! Issues of intellectual freedom and freedom of access for children are the lifeblood of the profession; challenges, especially ones from within, will result in fierce, swift, unwavering censure. And although these issues are taken seriously, there is great capacity for humor. I've been given enough scrotum-related products to constitute a meaningful (and treasured) collection.

How is Lincoln's Knot progressing? Will we see it in the coming months?

I'm excited about attending the annual conference of the International Guild of Knot Tyers in July, as research for this book. Fall of 2008 is the projected time of publication.

Any words of wisdom for other children's librarians trying to hold down a job and write at the same time?

Join the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Respect your target audience. Don't pay attention to trends. Be brave.