The Fab Five
RSSBy Rocco Staino
How does it feel to be among five finalists for the National Book Award in the category of young people's literature? SLJ caught up with Paolo Bacigalupi, Kathryn Erskine, Walter Dean Myers, Rita Williams-Garcia, and Laura McNeal to find out-and to ask if they'd read any of the other finalists' works. I ran out of minutes, so I borrowed my friend's phone to return the call. Her voice was so excited and trembling, and I thought she was emotional over Michelle's wedding pictures. And the next thing I knew, I was jumping up and down as I am known to do. One of my friends captured it on video. I couldn't believe it. I was—and am—thoroughly elated. With the wedding taking up my thoughts and to-do list, I was just shocked, jumping, and knocking over people who want to drink Cabernets. I haven't read any of the other finalists works yet, but I better beat my students (Vermont College of Fine Arts) to it and soon! I don't want them spoiling the nuances for me with their analysis. I want to plunge into the deep all alone. Can't wait to meet you all! And Walter was the first author to welcome me into the children's and teens literary world over 20 years ago, so this is especially meaningful. Paolo Bacigalupi, author of Ship Breaker (Little, Brown, 2010): I admit that the only other nominated book I've read—so far—is One Crazy Summer, which I loved. Rita Williams-Garcia is a great writer, and this particular book covers a very important piece of American history in an interesting way, and from a child's perspective. Ship Breaker was already on my TBR (to be read) list because of its fascinating theme and because I admire Paolo Bacigalupi for writing about such critical issues as global warming and responsible energy use. While I haven't read Lockdown, I've read other books by Walter Dean Myers, who is an amazing writer, an icon of young people's literature. I mean, when you get mentioned as a character in other literature for young people (Sharon Creech's Love That Dog), you've made it! I'm so impressed when an author tackles tough subjects like war and gangs and prison—and can still write an excellent story. I look forward to reading Laura McNeal's Dark Water, which sounds fascinating, too, and also not an easy subject to tackle. I'm honored to be in the company of such accomplished, talented writers. Laura McNeal, author of Dark Water (Knopf, 2010): Walter Dean Myers, author of Lockdown (HarperCollins, 2010): I'm familiar with One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia, and I love her writing. I haven't seen the others. Check out SLJ's reviews of the five books. This article originally appeared in the newsletter Extra Helping. Go here to subscribe. I love that Rita Williams-Garcia posted that short video of herself! It is a pleasure to feel a part of her moment. Kathryn's right. We are lucky to have people and organizations that value literature and celebrate authors. My reading list just got longer, though I've read Mockingbird already, so polished and poignant. * = Required information
Rita Williams-Garcia, author of One Crazy Summer (HarperCollins, 2010):
This has been extraordinary! Just extraordinary. I was in L.A. for my oldest daughter's wedding and thereafter in San Francisco with friends from my former workplace. I was on a line for a Napa Valley wine tour when the phone rang, and I saw it was from Rosemary, my editor.
I'm thrilled. What else can I say? Actually, almost anything I say seems to diminish it.Kathryn Erskine, author of Mockingbird (Penguin, 2010):
My reaction to having Mockingbird chosen as a finalist for the National Book Awards? Wow! I'm honored and delighted and very, very grateful. I think my end of the conversation went something like this: "Wow! Cool! Thanks! Wow!" (Hopefully, I write better than I speak.) I love the mission statement of the National Book Foundation: to "celebrate the best of American literature, to expand its audience, and to enhance the cultural value of good writing in America," and I'm grateful we have an organization like that. I also feel particularly honored because the judges for these awards are our peers, and I think it's often the case that it's harder to impress another writer than it is to impress a reader.
Photo: Jeff Lucia.
First, the news came at 7 a.m. I cried. Then I put chocolate chips in the pancakes. (Perhaps important to note that we have two boys, a 12-year-old and a 10-year-old.) Then I rode my bicycle to the library on Friday and checked out all of the other nominated books. The reading has commenced!
Writing is my life. It's as simple as that, and I hope (and pray) that I'm doing it right. The nomination tells me that at least some people believe I am.
Reader Comments (2)
Posted by Lisa S. on October 21, 2010 02:06:56PM
Posted by Sarah Collins Honenberger on October 26, 2010 08:41:19AM
