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Laura’s e-letter for educators

[Poetry Friday] Cybils!

Well, my head is still spinning from the lovely news yesterday that BookSpeak has been given the Cybils award for Poetry! I had a specific book in mind that I thought would surely win it. When I got up at 5:30 and turned on my laptop, all was calm. Email: normal. Facebook: Normal. Then I saw a post from Pamela Ross on my Timeline that said, “Get up so we can hug you. {{}}” Wait. What? I went to the Cybils website, and there was my book, in the Winners list. Holy cow.
 
So that I’m not flouting the Poetry Friday tradition of sharing an actual poem, here’s “Skywriting.”
 

Skywriting

Line after line                                                                                        of inky black birds

forming the flocks                                                         that shift into words.

Page after page of                          tales winging by

singing a story             against a

white sky.

.

I chose that poem to share because I feel like it takes all of us, flocks of writers and readers and teachers and dreamers, to make books what they are. A huge part of what makes this award so astounding is the quality of all the Finalists. I’ve mentioned all the other Poetry Finalists that are picture books (links below).

I know how much time and debate and passion goes into these choices. It’s incredibly difficult choosing a book every single person can get behind and agree with. I am humbled and delighted that BookSpeak ended up being that book this year. And I’m also grateful to everyone celebrating with me, those who tread the writing path or put books into kids’ hands or share reviews or Like books on websites. Or who simply love books and poetry. Kids’ poetry needs all of us! OK, I hear exit music playing and feel the hook approaching. But…I am thrilled and I am grateful. Thank you. .

Linda at Teacher Dance has today’s Poetry Friday roundup – enjoy!

PrevPrevious[15 Words or Less Poems] Sparkle & Cybils!
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136 Responses

  5. So this afternoon I was working with a budding 5th grade writer and I said, “you know the book BookSpeak, right?” and she said, “yes and the librarian has read it to us, too!” Then I told her about your award. This is the one you signed at NCTE!! I want to put a sticker on it. Can I get one? The other books are delightful, too, but BookSpeak, well it is clever, unique and special, like its author!!

    1. Aw, thanks, Janet, for being such a poetry (and BookSpeak) missionary! I have to order stickers, but I’d be happy to send you one once I get them. In fact, you spread so much BookSpeak love, I’d like to send you another copy, anyway (all stickered up), plus an extra sticker.

      1. Now I feel like I have won something, too!!! Thank you so much. I will put the extra sticker on my own copy and I will work on figuring out what wonderful teacher will be the recipient of the extra one!! Or maybe Miss Sophia. She will be really happy for you!!! I haven’t told her yet!! PS Love your new FB photo.

  6. So this afternoon I was working with a budding 5th grade writer and I said, “you know the book BookSpeak, right?” and she said, “yes and the librarian has read it to us, too!” Then I told her about your award. This is the one you signed at NCTE!! I want to put a sticker on it. Can I get one? The other books are delightful, too, but BookSpeak, well it is clever, unique and special, like its author!!

    1. Aw, thanks, Janet, for being such a poetry (and BookSpeak) missionary! I have to order stickers, but I’d be happy to send you one once I get them. In fact, you spread so much BookSpeak love, I’d like to send you another copy, anyway (all stickered up), plus an extra sticker.

      1. Now I feel like I have won something, too!!! Thank you so much. I will put the extra sticker on my own copy and I will work on figuring out what wonderful teacher will be the recipient of the extra one!! Or maybe Miss Sophia. She will be really happy for you!!! I haven’t told her yet!! PS Love your new FB photo.

  9. HUGE Congratulations, Laura — so happy for you! And I’m thrilled you featured what has been my favorite poem from the book since I first read it. (I love those “inky black birds.”)
    :0)
    Enjoy your well-deserved recongnition, and thanks for all you do to nurture poetry for kids.

  10. HUGE Congratulations, Laura — so happy for you! And I’m thrilled you featured what has been my favorite poem from the book since I first read it. (I love those “inky black birds.”)
    :0)
    Enjoy your well-deserved recongnition, and thanks for all you do to nurture poetry for kids.

  11. I’m happy for you and the book Laura. It deserves the Cybils love! And, the poem you shared is a beauty, especially today in the way you connected it with everyone. Thank you! I know you and all the writers work hard to be your best for kids. It has been a joy for a long time to be a teacher and share my love of poetry. I hope my students always carry that with them. You, and so many poets are a part of what they carry!

    1. Thank *you,* Linda. It’s school visit season, and I am inspired by teachers, as always. I’m especially in awe of the ones who have been teaching a long time, seeing all the changes in standards, reading theories, increased assessment, etc., but who continue to steadfastly share with kids a deep love of books and what reading and writing can give to those kids.

  12. I’m happy for you and the book Laura. It deserves the Cybils love! And, the poem you shared is a beauty, especially today in the way you connected it with everyone. Thank you! I know you and all the writers work hard to be your best for kids. It has been a joy for a long time to be a teacher and share my love of poetry. I hope my students always carry that with them. You, and so many poets are a part of what they carry!

    1. Thank *you,* Linda. It’s school visit season, and I am inspired by teachers, as always. I’m especially in awe of the ones who have been teaching a long time, seeing all the changes in standards, reading theories, increased assessment, etc., but who continue to steadfastly share with kids a deep love of books and what reading and writing can give to those kids.

    1. Thank you, Charles! Ooh, I love that line–would be a terrific way to sign BookSpeak (I usually put, There’s no friend like a book).

    1. Thank you, Charles! Ooh, I love that line–would be a terrific way to sign BookSpeak (I usually put, There’s no friend like a book).

    1. I know, right? I was going to play it cool and low-key, since I feel like I’m bragging my head off lately! And I already had a post all scheduled featuring a poet whose work I love. He contacted me and insisted I not use that post because I should focus on the Cybils, and he would feel like an interloper. I resisted. He was really uncomfortable. So I said, OK. I’ll do your post next week (even though it’s a date-related historical poem!). But now I feel kind of like Sally Fields!

    1. I know, right? I was going to play it cool and low-key, since I feel like I’m bragging my head off lately! And I already had a post all scheduled featuring a poet whose work I love. He contacted me and insisted I not use that post because I should focus on the Cybils, and he would feel like an interloper. I resisted. He was really uncomfortable. So I said, OK. I’ll do your post next week (even though it’s a date-related historical poem!). But now I feel kind of like Sally Fields!

  21. Oh my.
    Am I the one that tipped you off to the win?!
    Did you not know yesterday morning when you woke to my goofy message?!
    Did you find out when We, the Fans, did?

    Did I kill the joy? I hope not. ;>

    Congratulations again, Poet Master.

    -Pamela Ross

    1. You are the one, Pamela! And of course you didn’t kill the joy. I awoke eager to see all the Cybils news, but didn’t expect BOOKSPEAK to have won. So I was just putzing along, doing my normal routine. Morning Pages. Email. FB. Then I saw your post and thought, Does this mean…? And I was so excited that it DID mean! And really, what better way to get good news? Thank you for starting my day with so much joy and enthusiasm!

  22. Oh my.
    Am I the one that tipped you off to the win?!
    Did you not know yesterday morning when you woke to my goofy message?!
    Did you find out when We, the Fans, did?

    Did I kill the joy? I hope not. ;>

    Congratulations again, Poet Master.

    -Pamela Ross

    1. You are the one, Pamela! And of course you didn’t kill the joy. I awoke eager to see all the Cybils news, but didn’t expect BOOKSPEAK to have won. So I was just putzing along, doing my normal routine. Morning Pages. Email. FB. Then I saw your post and thought, Does this mean…? And I was so excited that it DID mean! And really, what better way to get good news? Thank you for starting my day with so much joy and enthusiasm!

  27. Congratulations, Laura! And yes, wow! you were up against some tough competition. Good work, and I can’t wait to add your book to my collection 🙂

  28. Congratulations, Laura! And yes, wow! you were up against some tough competition. Good work, and I can’t wait to add your book to my collection 🙂

  33. Congratulations, Laura.…and thank you for the gift of your poetry. BookSpeak is much beloved in our classroom.

    1. Oh, thank you so much, Tara. I’m always amazed to think there are classrooms reading BookSpeak. I love that, and it feels a bit like a miracle that someone who doesn’t even know me would read and connect with my book:>) Thanks for sharing poetry with kids!

  34. Congratulations, Laura.…and thank you for the gift of your poetry. BookSpeak is much beloved in our classroom.

    1. Oh, thank you so much, Tara. I’m always amazed to think there are classrooms reading BookSpeak. I love that, and it feels a bit like a miracle that someone who doesn’t even know me would read and connect with my book:>) Thanks for sharing poetry with kids!

  35. It is great to discuss poetry with like-minded people. I know poetry discussions almost never happen in “real” life, so it was really fun to be part of the judging team. You should be proud of your achievement! I’m proud to have played a part in choosing BookSpeak! for the award.

    1. Oh to have been a fly on the wall. So many fabulous books, but I love the variety and feel of what Laura achieved in BookSpeak! So happy she was awarded the Cybil!

    2. Thanks, Diane. I missed being a judge this year, but maybe next year. Boy, Round 2 is an especially tough job! Thanks for being part of it (and I would think that even if BookSpeak didn’t win:>)

  36. It is great to discuss poetry with like-minded people. I know poetry discussions almost never happen in “real” life, so it was really fun to be part of the judging team. You should be proud of your achievement! I’m proud to have played a part in choosing BookSpeak! for the award.

    1. Oh to have been a fly on the wall. So many fabulous books, but I love the variety and feel of what Laura achieved in BookSpeak! So happy she was awarded the Cybil!

    2. Thanks, Diane. I missed being a judge this year, but maybe next year. Boy, Round 2 is an especially tough job! Thanks for being part of it (and I would think that even if BookSpeak didn’t win:>)

  37. Oh Laura, I send you warm congratulatory hugs all the way from Singapore. Much much deserved! And as you very well know, Skywriting happens to be one of my favorite poems from BookSpeak! Our books-about-books theme was inspired by your award-winning-book — that just rolled off so beautifully from my tongue! Congratulations again, dear Laura!

    1. Thank you, Myra! The love shown to BookSpeak by you and Gathering Books was so much appreciated! And the idea that it has fans in other countries blows my mind. I always think of books as wonderful ambassadors for joy and humanity, so it’s wonderful to hope to BookSpeak can join those ranks.

  38. Oh Laura, I send you warm congratulatory hugs all the way from Singapore. Much much deserved! And as you very well know, Skywriting happens to be one of my favorite poems from BookSpeak! Our books-about-books theme was inspired by your award-winning-book — that just rolled off so beautifully from my tongue! Congratulations again, dear Laura!

    1. Thank you, Myra! The love shown to BookSpeak by you and Gathering Books was so much appreciated! And the idea that it has fans in other countries blows my mind. I always think of books as wonderful ambassadors for joy and humanity, so it’s wonderful to hope to BookSpeak can join those ranks.

  39. Laura, this is so fantastic! I am at a conference (sans laptop), so I’m writing this on the hotel computer–I’m just so excited, and somehow a bit smug that I reviewed BookSpeak at Book Aunt just a few weeks ago. Congratulations!

    1. Thank you, Kate! I’m so happy that WATER SINGS BLUE is a Finalist–I hope it brings even more fans to your beautiful collection!

  40. Laura, this is so fantastic! I am at a conference (sans laptop), so I’m writing this on the hotel computer–I’m just so excited, and somehow a bit smug that I reviewed BookSpeak at Book Aunt just a few weeks ago. Congratulations!

    1. Thank you, Kate! I’m so happy that WATER SINGS BLUE is a Finalist–I hope it brings even more fans to your beautiful collection!

  41. Congratulations again! Definitely some tough competition, and likely a tough decision for the judges. I’m very smug too, since I featured BookSpeak on its Pub Day :).

    1. Jama, thank you. Your amazing support and enthusiasm is a real joy. I put books on my tbr list all the time as a result of you. I just reserved one or two Julia Childs books because of you, and I would never gravitate toward that topic usually. You spread book love like almost nobody else I know!

  42. Congratulations again! Definitely some tough competition, and likely a tough decision for the judges. I’m very smug too, since I featured BookSpeak on its Pub Day :).

    1. Jama, thank you. Your amazing support and enthusiasm is a real joy. I put books on my tbr list all the time as a result of you. I just reserved one or two Julia Childs books because of you, and I would never gravitate toward that topic usually. You spread book love like almost nobody else I know!

    1. Thanks, Andi! I am waiting for you to sell a collection of your beautiful haiku, by the way. I know life is hectic, but I hope you find time to market your lovely words eventually!

    1. Thanks, Andi! I am waiting for you to sell a collection of your beautiful haiku, by the way. I know life is hectic, but I hope you find time to market your lovely words eventually!

    2. OK, just went and found your blog post about this (I am still so behind in blog reading–how does this happen?). Love your approach to 2013. My word is COURAGE, but I might have to try a concrete noun next year:>) My words all tend to be action words, so I deviated a little this year, but it’s still definitely a self-command…

    2. OK, just went and found your blog post about this (I am still so behind in blog reading–how does this happen?). Love your approach to 2013. My word is COURAGE, but I might have to try a concrete noun next year:>) My words all tend to be action words, so I deviated a little this year, but it’s still definitely a self-command…

  53. Big congratulations, Laura! Your book sounds creative and generally fabulous (the reviews I’ve read of it and the bits of poems I’ve seen here and there). And it couldn’t have happened to a nicer person. I’ve been so impressed with your generosity, especially on your 15-word prompt posts, as you answer each comment with lively and thoughtful encouragement. Again, the hugest congratulations!!

  54. Big congratulations, Laura! Your book sounds creative and generally fabulous (the reviews I’ve read of it and the bits of poems I’ve seen here and there). And it couldn’t have happened to a nicer person. I’ve been so impressed with your generosity, especially on your 15-word prompt posts, as you answer each comment with lively and thoughtful encouragement. Again, the hugest congratulations!!

    1. Thank you, Mary Lee! I’m glad you had a part in it, too! I love seeing the names of all you thoughtful readers and writers among the judges. And your poetry lately makes me think maybe one day we’ll see a Mary Lee Hahn book in the running for the Cybils!

    1. Thank you, Mary Lee! I’m glad you had a part in it, too! I love seeing the names of all you thoughtful readers and writers among the judges. And your poetry lately makes me think maybe one day we’ll see a Mary Lee Hahn book in the running for the Cybils!

  59. I can feel the excitement in this virtual room! Congratulations! I love Skywriting and want to read more. What is the best way to get a copy?

  60. I can feel the excitement in this virtual room! Congratulations! I love Skywriting and want to read more. What is the best way to get a copy?

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