It's Been a Wild Week!!!

I have spent the past week getting to meet authors!! This is one of my favorite things to do.  I love meeting them, getting pictures with them, having my books signed, and hearing about how they come up with their ideas and their writing process.  I started out the week hosting an author visit at school.  Josh Bleill, author of One Step at a Time, gave an all-school presentation at the high school where I teach.  I arranged the visit so it was a little stressful, but also fun at the same time.  I was able to spend time before and after his presentation talking to him more about his experiences.  I would definitely recommend him and his book.  Many of my students really enjoyed his book and his presentation.  He even let me wear his Colts AFC championship ring.  Josh now works for the Colts organization as a motivational speaker.  Here is a link to more information about how to set up a visit with  Josh Bleill

Me and Josh Bleill

On Monday evening I headed to Indianapolis to attend the Indiana Library Federation Conference.  I presented my session on Tuesday afternoon and was able to meet with Neal Shusterman and Ashley Hope Perez.  They both have written books that have been on the Rosie list.  Neal's book Bruiser was the winner last year.  Ashley had What Can't Wait on last year's list and this year she has The Knife and the Butterfly.  I was also able to attend a session where Neal explained how he came up the ideas for some of his books and a session with Ashley where she busted some of the myths about hosting an author visit.  It is now my goal to schedule a visit with her for next year.

The theme for the conference this year was Everyday Superheroes in the Library.  So, of course I had to wear a cape when I did my presentation.  Here is a link to the annotations and reviews for the top ten books that we each presented.  Hope you find lots of good things to read!! Mission: Share YA Titles     I'm currently reading Forgive Me Leonard Peacock and listening to the third book of the Divergent series, Allegiant.  My listening time has recently gone up, mostly due to the fact that Mr. Sinus Infection kicked my tail  for a couple of weeks, and only left me with enough energy and breath to walk rather than run.  I have listened to the whole series and this is definitely one of my favorite series that I have read.  Once I finish with these books I will probably turn my attention to reading the rest of the Rosie's for this year that I have not read yet.  I always try to read all of them.

Book Review

One Step at a Time

Josh Bleill with Mark Tabb

Publisher: Triumph Books

Lexile: 820L

      One Step at a Time is the story of Josh Bleill.  As a marine serving in Iraq, Josh had a bad day.  At the end of his bad day, he had lost of his both of his legs, three inches above the knees.  He also lost two of his very close friends.  In this very inspirational memoir Josh explains how he went through many highs and lows during the healing process. Not everyday was good.  There were many times he was ready to give up on walking and participating in life activities again.  However, each time he hit a low he tried to remind himself to take one step at a time and rely heavily on his faith and family.  As a wounded veteran, one of the big things he worried about was his ability to become a productive member of society again.  The Colts organization has played a key role in making this happen.  After his rehab and return home, Josh became a motivational speaker for the Colts organization.  He tells his story to school, civic, and church organizations across the country.   

     I have heard nothing but positive comments from my students who have read his book and who attended the presentation last week.  Many reluctant readers stated that they also enjoyed the book and it has been one of the few books they have actually willingly finished.  One Step at a Time is currently on the Rosie list for this school year.  I highly recommend this book.  

Author visit: Who would you choose?

Wow!  This is a tough one!  Of course if money were not an issue I would love to host Stephanie Meyer.  Twilight was such a huge phenomenon that I think it would be awesome to ask her questions about the writing process, the books, how her life has been impacted since the movies, and what she is currently working on.  What about you?  Who would you like to have an author visit with in the future?

Happy Reading!!

Jennifer