Jen Bryant author

May 20th

Ridgefield Public Library in Connecticut is surely one of the friendliest and most welcoming public libraries I’ve ever visited. I arrived on the most perfect May day . . . which was followed by another perfect May day . . . and since the town was so walkable, I spent the time I wasn’t writing or speaking, just poking around. My novel, Pieces of Georgia, is nominated for the Nutmeg Award, which is a great honor, since my co-nominees are some of my favorites.
BIG thanks to Teen Services Librarian Geri Diorio for her kind hospitality and contagious enthusiasm for teen fiction.

May 19th

Gave a talk at the Baker & Taylor event in Bridgewater, NJ, which was attended by 150 or so educators, booksellers and librarians. They all received signed copies of Kaleidoscope Eyes, and several of them live in South New Jersey towns very much like the ones in the book!

May 15th

Visited Woodglen School in New Jersey—where the library is the go-to place for students in grades 5-8. Librarian Kate Spann has created a bustling hub of learning and I met several promising young writers after my talks and also in our writing workshop. Good sandwiches, too!

May 12th

Publication date for Kaleidoscope Eyes! Here’s a review by Amanda, age 13.

May 3rd-7th

Attended many events and signed books at the International Reading Association conference in Minneapolis, MN—which I found to be a very clean, friendly, and walkable city (and yes, OK, so they root for the Twins and not the Phillies, but no one’s perfect.) Some highlights:

1.	We sold out completely of A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams, even though there seemed to be more boxes full of those books than would fit in the booth! If you didn’t get yours, the second printing, with the Caldecott Honor seal imprinted on the cover, is IN . . . so please contact Eerdmans or your local bookseller. My sincere apologies to those of you who did not have a chance to get yours signed at IRA.

2.	I met Jane Yolen!!!!!! . . . who is as interesting and engaging as her books. We talked about Emily Dickinson, raising daughters, poetry, etc. I look forward to continuing the conversation when we meet again. (I ask you, how can so much talent reside in one woman? One of the great unanswered mysteries of our time! I am still pinching myself.)

3.	Attended a wonderful CLN (Children’s Literature Network) dinner, graciously hosted by Vicki and Steve Palmquist. Met lots of local Minnesota writers and poets and got to spend time with the featured author, Annie Barrows, creator of the Ivy & Bean series, who is now on tour to promote a book everyone should read: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which Annie co-wrote with her aunt.

May 1st

I’m featured this month on the Random House website author spotlight. Check it out!

April 29th

Visited East Goshen Elementary here in Chester County, where I was hosted by the talented reading specialist-turned-librarian Beth Gendron. Enjoyed meeting several hundred students in grades K-5, and even had a surprise visit from one of my childhood friends from New Jersey, now an East Goshen parent—wow. The EGE students impressed me with their knowledge of good books and their interest in history and historical fiction, especially my novel The Trial. One group even put together a terrific 1930’s radio program!

19 April 2009

Second day of the Free Library of Philadelphia Book Festival. Gave a talk in the Story Hour Room and then signed books outside (nice day!) at Children’s Book World booth.

15 April 2009

Did three presentations for grades 9-12 and enjoyed a terrific lunch with faculty at Council Rock North H.S. in Bucks County, PA. The school had picked my novel Ringside 1925: Views from the Scopes Trial as their “One School/ One Book” title and I fielded a lot of good questions about that case and also the Lindbergh baby kidnapping case as we shared some of my research for both. Once again these students, despite their long days, packed schedules, and heavy academic and extracurricular demands, continue to amaze me with their enthusiasm and curiosity. I talked with several who were doing some very sophisticated outside reading and were pursuing creative writing, too. A great day, a wonderful school!

8 April 2009

Visited Franconia Elementary school in the Souderton school district and had a Maaaaaarvelous time! Friendly and inquisitive students who asked intelligent questions and a few kindergartners who even know quite a lot about Abe Lincoln!

5 April 2009

Spent a very enjoyable afternoon doing our faculty reading at Bryn Mawr College with my co-professors for the Children’s Literature class: Libby Mosier, Catherine Murdock, David Wiesner, Paul Acampora and Alexander Stadler. We shared our writing and illustrating struggles, stories, triumphs and tragedies with a room full of students and other interested folks from the community. A congenial group and we’re considering taking our panel on tour for stand-up comedy shows ... my stomach is still sore from laughing.

19 March 2009

Kimberly Willis Holt has an interview with me on her blog. This was fun to do!

14 March 2009

I just finished up a wonderful weekend at the Cooperative Children's Book Center at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where Melissa Sweet and I received a Charlotte Zolotow Honor for A River of Words.