Okay, so . . . whew! What a fun week. The Oxford Conference for the book was great, and we heard some wonderful speakers and programs.
One of the highlights was Trenton Lee Stewart the author of The Mysterious Benedict Society. The Jr. Auxiliary
of Oxford, the Lafayette County Literacy Council, and the University of Mississippi paid for his visit--and paid for every fifth grader in the city to have a free copy of his book
(that is over 500 kids!!). The students read and study the book in school before they come to see him in person. All of the fifth graders came to hear him speak on Friday morning wearing Mysterious Benedict Society t shirts.
He has such a somber, dry wit--he could deliver the funniest statements with such a deadpan expression.
The kids absolutely ate it up.
Here are the fifth graders.
Here I am with a group of conference organizers and writers eating on the porch of . . .
Rowan Oak--William Faulkner's home.
And, here is Mr. Stewart signing books after school.
Whew. Now, I need to sit around and rest for a bit. Oh, but I can't. I'm going to see JUDY BLUME in Hattiesburg this week!!! My brain just might explode.
sf
