My Favorite Book Project

Last year, when my first novel was published, I traveled "home" to Mississippi. Thanks to Jill, my buddy at Square Books, Jr., I got to meet some amazing kids at schools in Oxford.

This is one of the best parts of being an author, I promise.

Seeing young readers celebrating your book is also pretty special.

Here's 4th grader Reagan, at her Della Davidson Book Fair this week.

At almost every single school visit and Skyping, readers (all ages!) ask how long it took me to write and/or to get my book published. When I say ten years, that sounds like forever to some of them.
But when you see your very first book appreciated like this, it makes that hard work so worthwhile. 

When I tell you Reagan won third place at her school's Book Project Fair last week, this is a huge accomplishment. I saw all the entrants on Square Book Jr's Facebook page (check the link, above, and go to the pictures page if you want to see some impressive readers). They were outstanding. So hats off and thank you to Reagan, and to her mom and to my niece, Amy, for sharing the pictures.

And because I can't resist, here's another of Reagan before the winners were announced. 

I think that's the letter Glory wrote. And that swimming pool looks three-dimensional!
Such great details.

Thank you, Reagan!

Related Posts: My Visit to Oxford, spring 2012.
Travels to Mississippi: Ten Things to Remember, including Pimento Cheese...