I’ve been seeing a lot of Ontario, friends! My second book in the Dead Kid Detective Agency series, Dial M for Morna, has been nominated for the Silver Birch Fiction Award, part of the Ontario Library Association’s Forest of Reading Awards. The Forest of Reading is Canada’s largest reading program, with awards geared toward readers of different age categories.
I’ve been lucky enough to be nominated once before, and the amazing part of the Forest of Reading is how much travel to various schools, libraries, and rec centres around Ontario you do, talking to and meeting with young readers. In the past couple weeks, I’ve spoken to students in Malton, Hamilton, Burk’s Falls, North Bay, Thunder Bay, and Bradford (as well as here in Toronto). (You can read a bit about our visit to Thunder Bay here.) And it isn’t over yet! Tomorrow, I’m speaking to a school on Toronto Island, then heading to London for an official OLA Festival of Trees event tomorrow. Then there’s the main event (during which they announce the winners) on May 12 and 13 at Harbourfront Centre, which about a couple thousands kids typically attend. (Feel free to cross your fingers for me, though there’s not a chance in the world that I’ll win.)
In any event, it’s far too exciting and this is just a quick note to say:
(a) I am unbelievably grateful to all the young readers who listen and read along and ask questions at all these Forest of Reading events, and equally grateful to all the event organizers, volunteers, teacher-librarians, and public librarians across the province who make it all possible. You have no idea.
(b) I may not be adding much to this blog until late May … it’s been a busy few weeks!
Okay. Now I have to get some sleep. All these school visits start so early in the morning!
