January, 2003

If you're reading this, then you've found my 'new' website. It may not look new, but the URL has changed to www.lspark.com

This is because my old domain name was recently hijacked by Ultimate Search, Inc. I am currently investigating the possibility of getting the name back (hey! it's MY name after all). In the meantime, I would greatly appreciate help in spreading the word about the new URL. Especially important are links: If you have a link to this site, I would be most grateful if you would update it! I will let folks know if and when I'm able to get the old domain back and will then arrange for both URLs to point to this site.

On to much nicer news! I'm delighted to report that When My Name Was Keoko has received several honors:

School Library Journal Best Books of the Year

Publishers Weekly Best Books of the year

Child Magazine 50 Best Books of the year

New York Public Library's "100 Titles for Reading and Sharing"

The Mitten Award from the children's services division of the Michigan Library Association. For this award a committee of librarians chooses one title a year. Previous winners include Bud, Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis; Because of Winn-Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo; and Love That Dog, by Sharon Creech. I'm thrilled to be in such fine company!

Check out this brief interview with me now posted on the Borders Bookstore site

Below, two very exciting photos! The first was taken on the steps of the White House with First Lady Laura Bush, as part of the National Book Festival in October.

Do you see me? No? OK, I'm right there-behind Mrs. Bush, on her left.

The next photo was taken in November, after my audience with First Lady Lee Hee-ho (right) at the Blue House, Korea's presidential residence.

Two First Ladies in one month-and really, it was three, because I also met Mrs. Lyudmila Putin, Russia's First Lady, who was a surprise guest at the Book Festival in Washington. Whodathunkit!?

I had a wonderful fall visiting schools in Minneapolis/St. Paul and Boston, as well as in Korea and in my local area of Rochester, NY. Other travels included conferences in Pennsylvania and the Adirondacks, and bookstores everywhere! I hope to put together a journal of my amazing trip to Korea, but for now here are a few photos: Korea Trip

For the rest of the winter and on into spring, I'm continuing my busy schedule of travel and speaking engagements, including a two-part book tour to promote the Random House/Dell paperback of A Single Shard. Check my Appearance Schedule to see if I'll be in your neck of the woods.

BEST WISHES TO ALL FOR A GREAT YEAR OF READING AND WRITING!

Previous 'What's New' pages:

September, 2002	January 28th, 2002
July, 2002	January, 2002
June, 2002	December, 2001
May, 2002	November, 2001
April, 2002	October, 2001
March 1st, 2002	August, 2001