Kids: there’s nothing wrong with you reading these, but the truth is, you’ll probably find them boring!
Teachers and Librarians: these are mostly for you. So often I speak at conventions and conferences and it is always a treat to meet so many of you there. But I know there are countless others of you, dedicated and hard-working, who never make it to a convention. So I’ve included here some copies of speeches that I’ve given over the years.
Click the title of the speech you would like to read.
Unleaving: The Staying Power of Gold.Arbuthnot Committee: Association for Library Service for Children. 2011.
How Everything Turns AwayUniversity of Richmond 'Quest' Series. March 2005.
The Beginning of Sadness.Ohio Library Educational Media Association Annual Convention. November 2001.
The Remembered Gate and the Unopened Door. Sutherland Lecture.Chicago Public Library. April 2001.
Bright Streets and Dark Paths.Brown University. March 2001.
The Village of Childhood. Children's Literature New England.Vermont. August 1997.
Wondering Where Everything Went. National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention.Chicago. November 1996.
Newbery Acceptance Speech: The Giver.June, 1994
Newbery Acceptance Speech: Number The Stars1990