From: Jacqueline Woodson <jackiewoodsonfanmail>
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:35:24 -0500

While I was very happy (obviously) with the Newbery Award choices and EXTREMELY psyched about K.T. ( Brilliant, thoughtful, articulate, awesome, KT), I was pretty much over the moon about the CSK choices and how I do wish we could spend some time talking about this. The committee this year chose some really great old and new voices to celebrate and given that this will be its 40th Anniversary, it's gonna be a party! (That I wouldn't miss for the world). I think this award is particularly exciting to me this year because it really makes me think about the importance of these awards in the world. I was just looking at Shadra Strickland's art on line thinking "I should do a book with her" and Hope Anita Smith's stories appeal to young people across the line. And Kadir -- what else can one say about Kadir? He's just a gift to the world in so many ways. So yes, I'm busy preparing my legs for the 4 hour receiving line and explaining to my six year old that while Chicago is no Disneyland?/ World? - wherever we were last year for ALA, there still are some fun things to do there.

Just wanted to take a moment to say this. It's snowing in Brooklyn. Hope you all are warm wherever you are.

Jacqueline Woodson
Received on Wed 28 Jan 2009 08:35:24 AM CST