In with the new

Winter isn't my favorite time of year. The weather is terrible, I'm hugely busy with work, and I've got a headcold! If we could just fast-forward to April, I wouldn't mind. But then of course, I might miss all the neat things happening right NOW! **Smile was named a 2011 ALA Notable Children's Book! What a thrill to be on this list with so many other inspiring creators!

**Smile also made the TOP TEN Great Graphic Novels for Teens list, as selected by the YALSA committee. I was on this list once before, in 2007, for BSC Graphix #1: Kristy's Great Idea, and I am extremely pleased to be here again.

**Smile is on the shortlist of Cybils nominees, in the middle grade graphic novels category. I've been nominated for a Cybil before, but never won one! Winners will be announced in February 14...cross your fingers for me!

**While I didn't win the vote in the Goodreads Choice Awards, I did place fourth among all of the nominees in my category--which I think is great!! Thank you very much, to those who voted for me.

I've been pleased to see Smile on many a 2010 roundup of books people liked, which is always a wonderful thing to come across. And I've received so many amazing emails over the past year, every one of which I have been grateful for (even if I haven't been able to reply to all of them yet!).

So I guess winter's really not so bad, when I think about it. I start traveling again in late February; my first big trip will be to Vancouver, BC and Seattle, WA. I will be posting details about all of my events there, when I have everything confirmed, so stay tuned!

Happy 2011, everyone!