Do We KidLit Bloggers Rock, Or What?
This morning Amanda from A Patchwork of Books nominated me for a Rockin' Girl Blogger award, as shown below. 
How cool is that? Amanda totally made my day. I especially liked that she said: "I have ordered a ton of books for the library based on her musings and my TBR pile has grown considerably thanks to her." I love to think that my reviews make a difference for people. That's really what made my day, though the "rockin' girl" thing is fun, too. And delightfully pink. Amanda clearly rocks herself (though she made me feel old when she said that 10 years ago she was babysitting and riding her bike around).
I didn't see any rules, but I'm sure that I'm supposed to identify other Rockin' Girl Bloggers. However, I simply can't limit this to a couple of people right now. My Summer Blog Blast Tour friends (chaired by the indomitable Colleen) rock. My Postergirlz and Readergirlz cohorts rock. And really, the whole Cybils team (especially our tireless leaders Kelly and Anne, and the still-active young adult fiction nominating committee), also rock. (Though a few of the Cybils participants are not "girl bloggers" of course.) These people have all been unbelievably great to work with.
One other person who I'll mention specifically is Robin Brande, who rocks because she is hosting a party for kidlit bloggers. She recently started encouraging the bloggers and writers who visit her site to invite others. She wants to give us all a chance to meet each other, in a safe, friendly, non-exclusionary environment. So, if you can swing a trip to Chicago on October 6th, you can attend the party. I'll be there. I've already purchased a plane ticket.
So, all of you rockin' bloggers (you don't have to be 'girls', though many of you are female), I hope that I'll have a chance to meet you at Robin's party. But even if you can't make it, if you're here reading this post, and wanting to come, or you know that I read your blog, then you rock, too. Happy Thursday! And thanks again to Amanda.
Jen, what excellent timing this post is. First of all, congratulations on your award! What a badge of honor!
Second, you have no idea how much I needed to read what you wrote about the party. Because today I've been enjoying a big crisis of faith about it, thinking, "Is anyone really coming? What am I doing? Am I just totally nuts?"
So I might be totally nuts, but I'm still going to throw this party. And I'm so happy you've already bought your ticket, Jen! At least I know you and I will be there.
As for all the rest of you reading this, even though I'm sure Jen and I and a few other people I know are coming can have a good time no matter what, it sure would be nice to include as many of the rest of you as possible. So cash in your frequent flyer miles, pack something comfortable because there'll be no dress code, and come hang out with us in Chicago.
Posted by: Robin Brande | June 28, 2007 at 11:30 AM
Rock on, Jen. You rock.
Posted by: Little Willow | June 28, 2007 at 12:06 PM
This is so well deserved. Congrats!
Posted by: Vivian | June 28, 2007 at 12:25 PM
You are definitely one rockin' bloggin' girl!
Posted by: Justina | June 28, 2007 at 12:26 PM
Great news!
Put on your dancing shoes and Rock On Jen.
Posted by: Janet | June 28, 2007 at 12:40 PM
Congrats, Jen, for being recognized for making a difference! Well done!
And thanks for sharing the honor. You are so important to all of us readergirlz!
~Lorie Ann, readergirlz diva
Posted by: readergirlz | June 28, 2007 at 01:16 PM
Thanks so much, guys! I know that if I was just writing book reviews in a vacuum, even though I would still be enjoying the books, I wouldn't still be blogging. It's a bigger thing for me, encompassing books and encouraging reading, but also the whole community. Thanks for being here!
And Robin, I do think that we'll get more people to come. Maybe this will be the first step in what becomes the Kidlitosphere's own conference or workshop down the road. Kind of a mini BlogHer, but with writers and other kidlit lovers, too. Maybe parents, who would want to meet the writers. Who knows?
OK, I'm just brainstorming, with far-fetched thoughts. The point is, someone has to take the first step for anything new. The Cybils started out as an informal discussion about book awards. I'm guessing that the Newbery awards started in some similar way. When MotherReader started the 48 hour book challenge it was just a little idea - she didn't know if anyone would show up. You have an idea, you act on it, and great things can happen.
Posted by: Jen Robinson | June 28, 2007 at 02:11 PM
Great post and comments Jen. You're my guru of blog enthusiasm.
Posted by: Nancy | June 29, 2007 at 03:30 PM