A Couple of Kindly Bloggers

I just noticed that ShelfTalker, the ‘Publisher’s Weekly’ blog, has posted a list of ‘Fantastic First Lines (2013)’, and that the first line of ‘How to Catch a Bogle’ was included. What particularly pleased me about this thumbs-up was that it came from Elizabeth Bluemle, who – along with Josie Leavitt – owns the Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne, Vermont. I visited the store a few years ago, where I met Elizabeth and Josie, and they were WONDERFUL. Josie even took me to see Shelburne Farms, an amazing historic property built by the granddaughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt. So thanks for everything, Elizabeth!

And another big thanks to the ‘School Library Journal’ blog, A Fuse #8 Production, which has included ‘How to Catch a Bogle’ in its list of ‘100 Magnificent Children’s Books 2013’. It was featured among 24 books in the 9-12 years section, alongside books by people like David Almond, so I’m pretty pleased about that! What makes me feel even better is that the kind blogger who mentioned me is one Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library’s Youth Materials Collections Specialist – someone who really MUST be an expert, don’t you think?