Dinner with Penguin Group

If you ever get a chance to join a selection committee for ALA, DO IT! But first you have to become an ALA member. Plan on spending around $200 for ALA membership and YALSA membership + more if you want to be a member of AASL too! Turn in a volunteer form to serve on a committee. If you are not sure about reading all those books, try to be an Administrative Assistant, which is what I did for 2 years before becoming a full voting member on Quick Picks For Reluctant Readers. I have met so many amazing librarians, and also learned a ton about the publishing business. Plus, you get invited to some great events and meet terrific authors. The Penguin Group put on an author dinner that was amazing! They made sure that each table had a representative from Penguin and an author. I sat at a table with David Levithan!!! For those of you who don't know, he was a co-author on Nick and Norah's Infinite Play List, and just co-wrote Will Grayson, Will Grayson with John Green (Paper Towns). He is amazingly talented and funny! These events are also great for networking. I met Lisa Morris Wilkey from the International Reading Association and sat next to our own YALSABK and CALIBK12 list member from "Richie's Picks." Also speaking there was Nancy Werlin, Jacqueline Woodson, Laurie Halse Anderson, and Rosemary Wells!!! The Penguin Group Rep at my table was kind enough to introduce me to Rosemary Wells (sorry I can't even remember her name because I was so excited to meet ROSEMARY WELLS!!!). I was nearly in tears as I explained how wonderful it was to meet her and hear her speak because the very first book my daughter read by herself was Max's Breakfast. We love Max and Ruby!! I got her book signed and got a picture taken. That was the highlight of my evening. Oh, and the food was fantastic too.