Pura Belpre Award Ceremony in San Diego

I had a terrific time celebrating Benita y las criaturas nocturnas at ALA in San Diego. It's an honor to receive this award alongside authors I deeply admire.

Receiving a call by the Pura Belpre Committee to inform me that my book Benita y las criaturas nocturnas had received an HONOR, was an unforgettable experience. Actually, let me tell you about it. It was a Sunday morning. I was drinking coffee at my dinning table, and I was very sad about one person who had disappointed me. Then, my phone rang (it never does). It was a New York number. I almost didn't pick up since I thought it was a spam call (and also, remember? I was sobbing because I was sad!!), but I did, and immediately I heard someone announcing that she was calling from the American Library Association and the Pura Belpre Committee-- Benita was a Honor winner and I was invited to the ceremony in SAN DIEGO! All of the sudden I forgot who I was crying for, and boy, I was glad that I picked up the phone!

Is there a lesson to this story? Yes! Never cry too hard that your tears won't let you cee the caller ID.

ENJOY THE PICTURES!