Newbery Honor Author Lauren Wolk

Hooray! I have not stopped smiling for Kelly Barnhill, Ashley Bryan, Adam Gidwitz, and Lauren Wolf since the ALA Youth Media Awards press conference on Monday. It is an EXCITING week for children's literature. 

Click here to watch the ALA Youth Media Awards Webcast. 

I asked Kelly Barnhill, Ashley Bryan, Adam Gidwitz, and Lauren Wolk to answer two questions and finish two sentence starters. 

Adam Gidwitz's responses

Today is Lauren Wolk's turn to shine! Thank you, Lauren!

Congratulations, Lauren! Everyone loves hearing about THE CALL. What ran through your head when the phone rang? What were you thinking about when the Newbery committee was clapping and cheering for you? 

Lauren Wolk: Boy, oh boy. What a rollercoaster. I tried so hard to ignore all the build-up, but friends kept telling me of mock wins around the country, and I found myself beginning to hope that Wolf Hollow would be in contention. Just the possibility was the stuff of fantasy! And then I got up very early on that Monday morning, as on most mornings, and I did take the precaution to have my cell nearby, just in case, though saying out loud: “It won’t ring.” And then it did and I nearly fell out of my chair. When I answered, and it was Newbery Selection Committee Chair Thom Barthelmess, I almost said, “No, who is this, really?” But I didn’t. When he said, “How are you this morning?” I said something like “Great, now!” and everyone in the background laughed, and a pig flew past my window, and snowballs started melting in hell (though I was in Heaven at the time, so I didn’t see that with my own eyes), and he told me that Wolf Hollow had been selected as an Honor Book, and, well, I learned how to fly in that moment. And I haven’t come back to Earth since.

What does the Newbery mean to you?

Lauren Wolk: The Newbery means many things to me. First and foremost, as a tradition ... a wick for a flame that burns bright for literature and its power to transform, inform, illuminate, inspire, and connect people across the world ... it is a mighty thing. I grew up reading Newbery books. They were my food and drink. And—along with my amazing parents, world-class teachers, and stellar librarians—they were my best teachers. They helped me learn the craft of writing. What does a Newbery Honor mean to me, personally?  It means that Wolf Hollow has the opportunity to be such a teacher. And companion. And inspiration. And I am to-my-bones grateful for that.

Please finish these sentence starters:

Reading is the best road to a meaningful, personalized, interactive education.

School libraries are treasure-filled vaults to which everyone has a key.

Borrow Wolf Hollow from your school or public library. Whenever possible, please support independent bookshops.