A Love Letter to Neil Gaiman

I first heard Neil discuss The Ocean at the End of the Lane when I attended the 2012 Zena Sutherland Lecture at the Chicago Public Library. Amusingly titled "What the %$#& is a Children's Book?", Neil discussed how he delved into his childhood memories to write a story about a child for adults. In this story, a nameless protagonist revisits his childhood home after a funeral, and remembers the Hempstocks - a group of women with an "ocean"-pond in their backyard and ties to the mystical world. In the lecture, Neil discussed how we are protective of children's books, but that we rarely give children the credit they deserve for facing their fears through reading.

Right now, I am digesting Ocean.  I'll be honest and say it wasn't earthshattering, compared to my other favorites The Graveyard Book and the Shakespeare storyline in Sandman (the one that I could write a dissertation about). I don't really feel the need to pick it apart, but it has left me with a thoughtful note, as his work always does. The story's tone is elegiac, and the style reminded me strongly of American Gods. Neil's stories allow darkness to creep in through your nose like being underwater. He always reminds us that stories rarely contain flat "monsters" and "people." I felt it in Ocean - the characters are always a lot bigger on the inside than they appear. His child-characters are always so resilient too, which I love as a children's librarian. As a kid, I had to retreat into my imagination to deal with the things I couldn't understand to survive. My mind was a shelter from the things I couldn't deal with, and books were the bricks keeping me safe from the cold. As an adult, I sometimes forget the strength in my imagination. My library students are the ones who now bring me back home to that book-shelter whenever I need it. Great authors will always make you remember what's important to you, and give you the strength to fight for it. 

When I met Neil after the lecture, I was too starstruck to do anything other than to blurt, "MY FOURTH GRADERS LOVE GRAVEYARD, YOU HAVE MADE THEM READ." Even if it was awkward as hell, I'm glad I told him that one thing. (What else was I supposed to say? "Everything you write makes me love Humanity, Neil?") Because I love my students, and I always connect to the fact that they must be resilient, more than regular children, and we need more authors like Neil telling them it's okay to use your imagination and fight back against the strange monsters in this world.

We need you, Neil. Don't ever go away.

ETA: Did you know that Neil publicly confesses his love for librarians? SWOON.

ALA 2013!

You know where ALA's HQ is, right? :)

Yesterday was  my first ALA Convention, hosted at McCormick Place! For those of you who don't know what ALA is, it's the annual convention hosted by the American Library Association. Basically, it's San Diego Comic Con, but for librarian's best practices, and a celebration of the relationships between librarians and the literary world. My star-struck self had an awesome time, described below.





Cool Things I Saw

1. The ALA Store: Wanted to buy all of the things. Some librarians have credit card problems, okay?

2. Graphic Novels!: Jon Scieszka (who is a RIOT and one of my all-time favorites) moderated a session on kids' graphic novels with Raina Telgemeier, Jarrett Krosoczka, and Doug TenNapel. Ms. Telgemeier was gracious enough to personalize a copy of Drama for my student who adores her. A 7th grader is about to be very happy!

3. Edwards Luncheon: Best of all, I attended the Margaret Edwards Luncheon, to honor the body of work put out by the venerable Tamora Pierce. I say "venerable" because of the immense respect I have for this young adult giant. Ms. Pierce is known for her fictional realm Tortall, inhabited by heroines like Alanna of Trebond, Daine Sarassri, Kelandry of Mindelan, Beka Cooper. The Circle of Magic series saw her rise to even greater heights. She writes diverse stories about girls who face tyranny, war crimes, misogyny, changing bodies, sex, racism, and everything else women fight. For the past 25 years, she's destroyed gender roles with a smile. Without her work, YA wouldn't be the female-friendly zone it is today. I wouldn't be the warrior I am today.

My mother read me Alanna's Song of the Lioness series when I was in third grade, and I've reread it dozens of times into adulthood. At the time, I wrote her a letter and she wrote me back, saying I was one of the youngest people to ever write to her. I've held onto that letter since. Later, a fellow GSLIS student met Tamora and sign a book for me, saying "Hi Kristy, what are you doing now?" (Thank you again, Eti.)

I attended with two colleagues: the aforementioned GSLIS alum, and my mentor librarian who recommended me SoL back in the day. First, Tamora punked the audience by pretending to be a doddering old lady, but then laughed at us all and launched into a brilliant speech describing her frustrating childhood full of male heroes. In the spirit of "Write the book you want to read," Tamora decided to write fantasy books about heroines who weren't princesses, but knights and soldiers and policewomen. Her books resonate with me and other women who take on physical roles protecting others, and who mentor other women who want to make change. ALA, I need for you to put up a transcription of this speech ASAP!

Attending the session with my mentor librarian, Stephanie, was extra special. Steph pushed me up to meet her, despite the fact that I was already reduced to tears by her speech. Wordlessly handing her that letter seemed to be pretty overwhelming for the both of us. Because I was shamelessly bawling, Steph had to talk and tell her my story. Such a special moment for all three of us.

My experience with Tamora Pierce reinforced several things for me:
- Librarians and educators must help children build relationships with authors. Author studies should be a critical part of emergent literacy.
- Text-to-self connections are an instant win for readers.
- Seeking mentors is an important life skill. Becoming one is the way you repay the favor.

I wish you could see TP's pendant: a double-edged battle axe. WIN.

ETA: Here is School Library Journal's writeup of the event, summarizing some of the best points.