Sometimes, librarians have adventures too

Some of you may have noticed I was gone for a week. This is because I was lucky enough to go to the American Library Association Annual Conference. This year, it was held in Washington, D.C. So, for an entire week, I hung out with librarians from all over the country, chatted up award-winning authors, attending banquets honoring authors for their achievements in children's and young adult literature, and explored the city. Here are some of the highlights:


This is me with Phyllis Reynolds Naylor! My hero! She's signing some Alice books for me and my friend.


Sometimes coworkers make you do things and then take pictures of it. Thus, me, riding waves at ALA.


Me and Marcus Zusak at breakfast.


John Green!


Laurie Halse Anderson and her editor.


Lots of award-winning young adult authors. Can you spot your favorites?


My fancy place-setting at the Newbery/Caldecott banquet. I quickly learned that this award ceremony is basically the Oscars of the children's publishing industry. Every author and publisher was there, dressed to the nines!


A view of the exhibit halls. So many freebies!


Nick Hornby reading from his forthcoming young adult novel debut, Slam!


Carolyn Mackler, author of The Earth, My Butt, And Other Big Round Things, reading from her forthcoming book


Cecil Castellucci, who read from both P.L.A.I.N. Janes and her new book Beige


There were 700 people in attendance at the Printz awards! Each award winner (M.T. Anderson, John Green, Sonya Hartnett, Marcus Zusak, and Gene Luen Yang) gave a fantastic speech.


On my last day there (when it was 95 degrees) I finally had the chance to do some sightseeing. Finally, I saw the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial.


We also went to the Smithsonian Museum, you know, for the air conditioning, the gift shops, the dinos, the gemstones, and the delicious greasy pizza.


The reflecting pool and the Washington monument.