Kid Lit Lunch

Today I had the great pleasure of lunch with Anne, who blogs at Book Buds and who co-founded the Cybils awards. It's lucky for me that I live right near her hometown, so we can meet and chat about books, literature, and the state of the world on occasion. I also got to say hi to her adorable family.

A big end-of-the-year toast goes to Anne and to Big A little a's Kelly; they dreamed up the Cybils prizes for children's literature back in October, and the idea really took off. The two bloggers herded up some eighty fellow citizens of the kidlitosphere to cull nominations and eventually judge what is turning out to be more than 700 books! Whoa.

Having worked with the poetry and the nonfiction picture book committees, I know which 5 books made those shortlists, but mum's the word until January 1st. I can't wait to hear the news in all the other categories. Meanwhile, I'll be reading Marisha Pessl's novel, Special Topics in Calamity Physics, which so far is reminding me of Pnin, The Secret History, and A Separate Peace all swirled together. I'm only halfway through, so I don't know if that impression will last. Maybe it's the influence of reading so many kids' books lately, but I see YA crossover potential, too.  Edited to note: I'd have to add some Dave Eggers into the mix, too, and a few other influences, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone. After finishing the book, I think it's too relentlessly smarty-pants to be a YA crossover novel.

Comments

[Wendy]

Oh you tease!

Finding out what the five poetry books are will be my best birthday present ever.

[Susan]

I know, Wendy, and I'm sorry! :) At first I wrote the post as if I didn't have a clue about those 2 categories, then that was just too weird, and I had to slip in a mention.

Your b'day is Jan. 1? If so, then everyone celebrates it!

[Michele]

Personally, I feel as if I've read all 700 books myself...

[Michele]

By the way, shouldn't that be "KiD Lit lunch" ? (I meant to say this earlier but was distracted by an email arriving as I was posting my comment and hit post instead !)

[Sheila Ruth]

I'm jealous of your kid lit lunch! It sounds like fun. I hope that I have the pleasure of meeting some of you some time as well. Congrats on the shortlists for poetry and nonfiction picture books. Being on a Cybils committee myself, I know just how hard it is to choose only five! I'm also looking forward to seeing all the lists.

[Anne]

Susan, it was so much fun chatting over lunch with you, and thanks for the lift afterward to the nature museum. I caught up with the hubby and kiddies and we took a little hike out in the woods. What a beautiful day!

I can't wait to see all the lists either. Here's what we have so far, as of 10 a.m. Saturday eastern time: non-fiction picture books, poetry and fiction picture books. Only five more categories to go ...

Cheers,
Anne

[Susan]

Michele, thank you for the typo alert. I changed it right after seeing your note. I always appreciate a head up about those darned typos. Sheila, maybe we should plan to get into BookExpo on press passes, yes? It's in NYC next summer. Glad to hear y'all enjoyed the nature center, Anne! I love that place.

[Michele]

Susan - you're welcome... Old Eagles Eyes is always on duty - but may sometimes forget to *say* she's seen a typo ! LOL ! (My brain's tired and boggling over trying to finalise that darned SF&F shortlist !)

[Sheila Ruth]

I'll definitely be at Book Expo in NYC, so I hope I can catch up with some of you there! I had no problem getting a press pass last year. It would be great if we could have a kid lit lunch!