It’s been a busy spring for me and quite a while since I’ve had a chance to update my blog. In the past few months I have traveled to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, British Columbia, and parts of Ontario. I’ve spoken in dozens of schools and libraries, and met hundreds of young people who have read some or all of my books. Here I am in the photo speaking to a large groups of students in Oxford, N.S.

One of the most exciting things to happen was that my book, Hiding Edith, won the Hackmatack Children’s Choice Award in the Maritimes. Unfortunately, I couldn’t be there for the ceremony in April. But I was able to pick up my award the following month when I was in Moncton, N.B. I am grateful to the many young people who read Hiding Edith and voted for it, and the teacher/librarians and volunteers who organized Hackmatack reading clubs in their schools and libraries. As writers we are always grateful for the work you do to promote our books.

I hope everyone has a great summer, one that is filled with fun, relaxation, and definitely some good books!

What a fabulous booklaunch I had! Friends, family members, and many others were out in full force to hear me speak about my new book, The Diary of Laura’s Twin. Thanks to all of you who came to the Simon Wiesenthal Centre; thanks to the staff there for hosting the event and the reception afterwards; thanks as always to Margie Wolfe and the staff of Second Story Press, www.secondstorypress.ca, especially Emma Rogers (pictured above with me and Margie), who did all of the organizing of this event.

I was really happy that Dexter Glied-Beliak and his mom were present at the launch. Dexter is one of the young people who I profile at the back of the book. The other young person that I write about, Gabby Samra, was unable to make the booklaunch from her home in Montreal. But she was in my thoughts the whole time.

I was also delighted that Edith Gelbard was there. Edith will be traveling to Halifax and other cities out east in the spring to talk about Hiding Edith. Edith will be speaking in nine different schools in the region! Perhaps some of you will have a chance to see her.

Stay tuned. I’ll let you know about my own travels in upcoming blog entries!

I promised I would bring you news of the launch of The Diary of Laura’s Twin and here it is. On March 19 @ 6:30 p.m. I will be speaking at the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre, at 5075 Yonge St., Suite 902. This event is free but it is suggested that you register in advance by going to their website www.fswc.ca/events and clicking on March 19.

I hope to see many of you there. At the event, I will also be talking about my book, Hiding Edith, and my friend, Edith Gelbard (who is the “Edith” of the story), will also be there that evening.

Please stay for the reception afterwards. I’d love to meet you all!

The last two months have been BUSY! Here’s a short list of the talks and author visits that I have done: Associated Hebrew School (thanks to a terrific librarian, Marlene March), Cedarbrook P.S. (despite a very snowy day, Jodi Rees organized a wonderful visit for me), Simcoe County District School Board (my thanks once again to Carolyn Maloy who has invited me up to Barrie several times), Athabasca P.S. (Jen McPhee organized this visit for me), and St. Marks School (my friend, Shelley Macbeth coordinated this Family Reading Night, along with principal, Gerry O’Reilly). I also spoke at the OLA Superconference and Reading for the Love of It. Thank you to all those who helped coordinate my visits and talks. And thank you to the students who came prepared with their many thoughtful questions and comments about my books. And now, its enough with the snow already! The next time I drive to Barrie, or Oshawa, or Whitby, or downtown Toronto, I want the streets to be dry and easy to manoeuvre. Don’t we all!

My big news for this month is that in a couple of weeks, I will have a copy of my new book, The Diary of Laura’s Twin. I can’t wait! It will be thrilling to hold my brand new book in my hands. Stay tuned. In the next few weeks, I will provide information about the launch of this new book. I’d love you all to come.

Hi everyone!

Welcome to 2008. I hope all of you had a restful and fun holiday. Mine was wonderful and included a family vacation in the sun - lucky me! I’m looking forward to lots of school visits in the coming months beginning with a visit to the Toronto French School next week. This is the 8th year that I’ve spoken at TFS, thanks in large part to Jean Fitzgerald, a fantastic teacher who invites me every year. I can’t wait to meet this year’s students.

I recently came across a wonderful website which I’d like to pass on to teachers. It’s called Facing History and Ourselves (www.facinghistory.org). In their words, the group responsible is dedicated to “helping teachers around the world lead their students in a critical examination of history, with particular focus on genocide and mass violence.” The material on the website is geared to middle and high school teachers and includes publications and teacher guidelines that can be downloaded or purchased on line. It’s worth taking a look at this valuable resource.

I appreciate the positive feedback I’ve received about my website, and look forward to hearing from students and educators in the coming months.

A few people have written me asking about a book I have listed here called The Diary of Laura’s Twin. This is my brand new, upcoming book that will be out in the spring. I’m so excited about this book and the story that I have written. I know you are all going to love it as well. I’m not going to tell you any more right now; there is a little blurb in the “Books” section. But stay tuned. I’ll give you more information as I get closer to the publication date. Thanks for asking!

Today I braved the winter roads to visit a school in Goodwood, Ontario, north and east of Toronto. I thought I would be fine; I’m not usually intimidated by winter conditions. Everything was going well until I came to a police barricade preventing me from driving on the road that I needed to travel on to get to the school! Frantically, I called the school and managed to speak to someone in the office who helped me find another route to get there. It was worth the white knuckle trip. The kids at Goodwood Public School were terrific. They asked thoughtful questions and had some interesting comments to make about my books. I enjoyed every minute. My friend, Shelley Macbeth from Blue Heron Bookstore (62 Uxbridge, Ontario, www.blueheronbooks.com), was also there selling my books. Thanks to Nel Marshall and all the students for hosting me on this snowy day!

It’s great to have this website up and running. Thanks to my friend, Ben Hammond, who has done a fabulous job pulling all of this together.

I’m hoping to update all of you on school visits, travels, and any interesting things that are happening in my writing world. Write to me with your questions and comments.

Kathy