I’m writing this on the day before the biggest awards in children’s lit–the Newbery and Caldecott medals, the Coretta Scott King Award, and the honor books that go with each of them–are announced. And I offer huge pre-congratulations and warmest wishes to all the winners. So many terrific books published this year–don’t know how the judges will ever be able to decide.
For every book that wins, there are hundreds (all right, thousands!) of books that don’t, and more than a few disappointed, let-down authors. So it’s an excellent time to reread this poem written a few years ago by the wonderful, ever-generous writer and teacher Kate Messner, and to remember the real reason we write. Here’s an excerpt:
What Happened to Your Book Today
Somewhere, a child laughed
on that page where you made a joke.
Somewhere, she wiped away a tear,
Just when you thought she might.
Somewhere, your book was passed
from one hand to another in a hallway
busy with clanging lockers,
with whispered words,
“You have got to read this.”
And a scribbled note:
O.M.G. SO good.
Give it back when ur done.
Thank you, Kate! To read the whole poem, go to her wonderful site:
http://www.katemessner.com/what-happened-to-your-book-today/
Sending love to writers and young readers everywhere.