I’m counting down to the publication of The Unbreakable Code with highlights from the past two years since Book Scavenger was published. So much has happened in such a short time, and I’ve been so busy trying to keep up, that I’ve neglected to share many of the big and small moments. So here we go, in no particular order . . .
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Last spring my publisher sent me on a tour for the publication of the Book Scavenger paperback. I was so excited they were doing this for my book, but I was a little anxious about all the travel and public speaking too. In seven days I traveled from Denver to the San Francisco Bay Area, Albuquerque, Washington DC, Atlanta, and North Carolina. It was a whirlwind, but it was also a lot of fun!

The fantastic librarian at this school had this welcome banner waiting for me. Isn’t it wonderful? The library walls were also lined with memorabilia from previous author/illustrator visits. What a wonderful reading environment for those students!

At Kepler’s in Menlo Park, CA.

Remember the amazing teacher I mentioned in the Detective Day post? She and several of her students drove an hour to see me at Kepler’s–on a school night!!–and brought a very special scrapbook as well. I <3 this class!
Everything travel-wise went smoothly, and the weather was beautiful everywhere I went, which definitely helped keep stress levels low. And it turns out spending a week meeting young readers, booksellers, teachers, and librarians is SO MUCH FUN. I loved getting an inside look at a variety of schools and libraries across the country, talking with different educators, and sharing stories with kids about my love of books and writing Book Scavenger.



This was a Monday morning at Politics and Prose where three schools came to listen to my talk. Also in this audience is a reader who didn’t go to one of those schools, but it was her birthday and because she loved Book Scavenger, her dad let her miss school to come listen to my talk and get her book signed. I was so touched that was what she wanted to do for her birthday!
Next week I leave on another tour for The Unbreakable Code, and looking through these photos and remembering these special days is getting me excited about the new readers of all ages that I’ll meet.
In case you missed it:
Looking Back #1: Re-visiting my alma maters
Looking Back #2: Meeting my editor
Looking Back #3: Meeting Ann M. Martin
Looking Back #4: A Memorable San Francisco Trip
Looking Back #5: Steves and pencils
Looking Back #6: Atlanta Book Group
Looking Back #7: A Story Behind the Story
Looking Back #8: Battle of the Books
Looking Back #9: Detective Day
Looking Back #11: All School Read
Looking Back #12: Launching the Game
Looking Back #13: Book Scavenger Launch Parties
Looking Back #14: Book Scavenger Walking Tour
Looking Back #15: Book Scavenger Birthday Party
Looking Back #16: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Ferry Building
Looking Back #17: San Francisco ALA Book Hunt
Looking Back #18: Youth One Book One Denver