January 2006

It is Adria's high school senior year. This fall and winter are a whirlwind of college-related events, tasks, and deadlines: open houses, exams, information fairs, interviews, applications, essays, scholarships.

In the second grade, Louisa is conducting science experiments about gas, alphabetizing spelling words (and using them in sentences), and learning to add and subtract.

Joey and I are doing our best to keep up with the girls' (and our own) schedules :o)

Papertigers.org has reprinted Cynthia Leitich Smith's interview with me (with Cynthia's permission). Warm thanks to both Cynthia and Papertigers.org for featuring my work!

June 2005

Our nephew James has officially moved into our virtual home. Yay!

Adria has been creative with her photo album this spring. Be sure to check out her book review column, too. She's worked hard on it (and it's been generating good buzz in the online children's lit community - thanks to mentions and links from Cynthia Leitich Smith, Debbi Michiko Florence, Kids Lit, and various newsgroups).

The winners of the winter student writing contest have been announced. Prizes were mailed the second week of May. We received address confirmations from most (but not all) of the winners. If your name is on the winners list, and you have not received your prize by the end of May, please send an e-mail to peacebound@gmail.com (please put "gift to remember" in the subject line).

Peacebound Trains is now available in a Korean edition. Special thanks to translator Sang Ho Shin (I think it's a very cool coincidence that he has the same first name as my grandfather, the inspiration for the grandfather character in Peacebound Trains).

2004

These days find me the busy mom of an even busier 6-year-old and a 16-year-old. I'm treasuring every second, though, for I know how fleeting these years are. Teaching a children's writing course also keeps me on the go.

In between the umpteenth read-aloud of Corduroy and Wemberly Worried, editing my students' manuscripts, and giggling and sympathizing over high school happenings, I am working on new writing projects.

Writing related stuff:

• To help commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Korean War and encourage young people to read, U.S. House Representative Jim McGovern presented Peacebound Trains to every elementary school in the Third Congressional District (Massachusetts).

  Sincere thanks to Congressman McGovern and other government officials who are helping to raise awareness of the Korean War anniversary among young readers throughout the country.

  To read the press release, click here.

• My novel, Tae's Sonata, was voted the winner of the Lamplighter Classic Award, presented by the National Christian Schools Association.

  I extend my heartfelt thanks to the National Christian Schools Association... especially the students in the Christian schools across the country who read and voted for Tae's Sonata.

• My picture chapter book, Peacebound Trains, is featured on the official United States Government's Korean War 50th Anniversary Commemoration site. Peacebound Trains is the only children's book to receive this honor.

  To read the book online, click here. You can also go directly to the government's main entry page, then click on For Teachers.

• Peacebound Trains recently made its paperback debut.

• Teachers: Click here for printable ideas on how to use Peacebound Trains in the classroom.

• Click here to read my interview with author Debbi Michiko Florence.

• Click here to read my interview with author Cynthia Leitich Smith.

• Click here for my interview with Commitment, "The #1 Woman's Magazine on the Internet."

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