Getting Locked In

I’m psyched. Tomorrow night, I’m getting locked in the gym at Windham High School with a hundred students for the 4th annual Lock-In for Literacy and Culture. I’ve been looking forward to this since I was first invited to attend last fall. Senior Rebecca Bowling asked me personally when we met at the Connecticut Children’s Book Fair, and she was impressively poised and earnest. What most appealed to me was the way the lock-in was organized by the students, for the students. It’s geared to celebrate reading, writing, and community, and the whole spirit of it is unbelievably positive and happy.

My fellow author for the event is Jason Reynolds, award-winning author of When I was the Greatest and The Boy in the Black Suit. I met him when we were on a panel together in January, and besides admiring his writing, I appreciated how thoughtful and down-to-earth he was. The lock-in will give us a chance to share our different perspectives, and I’m eager to meet up with him again.

Students will be locked in from 7 tomorrow night until 7 Saturday morning. They each read a book by Jason or me in order to attend the event, and they’re coming ready to talk books, write a bit, and celebrate, as in dance and get crafty. It’s the coolest idea. I’m so honored to be involved.

If you’re looking for me tomorrow night, check the gym!