ALA Annual 2016

Pura Belpré – Twenty Years of Conceptual Continuity

My wife was born in the same town, Cidra, the town of eternal springtime, in the east central mountains of Puerto Rico.  I remember her delight when she learned of Pura, years later, when she was studying for her MLIS, and her joy at knowing of her connection with this legendary woman, that they had the same hometown.  I am sorry, New York, though Pura called New York her home, like so many Nuyoricans, Puerto Rico will always be their spiritual home, even if they were born en la gran manzana.

ALA Annual 2016

#alaac16 Holly Robinson Peete with twins RJ and Ryan speaking on the autism journey

I attended the auditorium speaker series program with  actress, author, and amazing autism advocate Holly Robinson Peete. Talking about their family’s journey with autism since their son RJ was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3, Holly and her family have been such an inspiration to many families. Be sure to add their picture book My Brother Charlie and their latest book geared to teens on the autism spectrum Same but Different to your collections if you haven’t already! I will definitely be looking up their reality show For Peete’s Sake on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

ALA Annual 2016

Farewell #alaac16

My bags are packed. They are lined up by the door while I wait for a taxi. Leaving this conference is always bittersweet. I am tired and ready to be home, back to the old routine, yet, there is so much that I gain from attending that it feels a bit sad that the conference is already over. I love catching up with colleagues I only see at the conference, and having an opportunity to spend time with some of my favorite authors.