A day I won't soon forget!

Wednesday was the big day—the Red Maple Award ceremony down at Harbourfront and I had the BEST DAY EVER!

The calm before the chaos.

Green balloons for the Green Room!

I absolutely support school libraries!!!

But my story actually begins the night before. Superstition has it that shards of glass are good luck (Opa!) and that must be true because the night before the big event my back windshield shattered, (not to worry, the car was in the driveway and there were no injuries—except to my husband’s wallet :D), and as it turned out, I had the most amazing stroke of good luck as Ghost Ride was announced as one of the finalists! Huge congratulations to Kelley Armstrong, the other finalist, and certainly to Vicky Grant for taking the Red Maple with her awesome novel, Not Suitable for Family Viewing! Yay Vicky!

Lining up...

Sitting down...

Red Maple readers rock!

Ghost Ride?!! A finalist???!!!

The awesome crowd!

Afua Cooper and Vicky Grant (notice Vicky's huge smile?)

Richard Scarsbrook--White Pine winner. (His smile is pretty big too!)

My wonderful editor and publicists at Dundurn Press!

I’d heard from other authors that the Forest of Reading Awards were beyond amazing and the day so very exciting. They didn’t exaggerate. I really was treated like a rock star by the enthusiastic and incredible readers and I want to thank each and every one of them for making my day so special.

You want a picture with me? I want a picture with YOU?!

The readers made my day!

Tons of fun on the artificial turf!

Spontaneous dancing breaks out!

The Ontario Library Association hosted an awesome event and they certainly lead by example for their exuberance and enthusiasm for books and reading is truly infectious! Thank you OLA! Thank you readers! It was the best day ever!

The energy and enthusiasm of OLA!

Best hat ever! (can you find Ghost Ride?

Amazing Shadows!

Thanks again everyone!

A Wonderful Ride...

As the date of the Red Maple event at Harbour Front closes in, I’ve been reflecting on the past few months. Wow. What an incredible ride it’s been—and I have the Ontario Library Association to thank. I have visited many schools and libraries where the audience was filled with enthusiastic readers—many of which had read Ghost Ride. I was treated to skits and media presentations based on my novel, given all sorts of student art work, and was even sent fan mail.

When I wrote Ghost Ride, now a few years ago, I had no idea it would find its way into so many welcoming hands. I’m so grateful for this experience and can’t wait to meet as many of the Red Maple participants as possible this coming week. It will certainly be a day to remember!