Blue skies, treats from Blackbird Bakery, Bridge to Terabithia at the Paramount...what could be better? How about Katherine Paterson herself coming on stage while the actors are taking their bows, wiping the tears in her eyes, to applaud the characters? Amazing evening. Her talk on the theme that holds her books together was both touching and inspirational. It's always a joy to hear authors speak with such love about the worlds they've created. What a gracious lady. To complete the evening...book signing and pictures with her. She left us with a bit of wonder and the responsibilty to share her words with others. She writes the words, we are to be the flesh that brings those words to life with our students.

Mandy has always held a special place in her heart for Bridge to Terabithia, as she remembers it from 4th grade as one of the first novels a teacher shared as a read aloud. She was delighted to purchase a copy for that teacher and have Katherine Paterson sign it. She's planning on sending it to her with a note telling how special she made that book.
Cheryl purchased Bread and Roses, Too, about a family during the industrial revolution at the turn of the century in America. Owners of textile mills needed laborers, to they went abroad to recruit families to work for very low wages.