Receiving the Theodor S. Geisel Award

12:12 PM PDT, June 3, 2008

It is beginning to sink in. On May 17, 2008, my 2007 book, J.K. Rowling, won the San Diego Book Award for Best Young Adult Nonfiction. This was a surprise, because—as I mentioned in my previous post—the competition was stiff. Two of the other finalists in the category, Judith Pinkerton Josephson and Tina Kafka, had each won the award in previous years when I had been a finalist, leaving me as a runner up. The third finalist, Cynthia Jenson-Elliott had written a brilliant book about zombies. As we stood on stage together, waiting for the winner to be announced, I was fully prepared to leave with only my finalist certificate in hand but my head held high. I was stunned when Kate Gurney, the nonfiction judging chair, called my name.

Imagine my shock, then, a few minutes later when Steve Kowit, the San Diego poet who had received the 2006 Theodor S. Geisel Award for the best published book by a San Diego County author that year, called my name once again. This time it was to receive the 2007 Theodor S. Geisel Award. Seated in the back of the auditorium, I looked from one person to another in disbelief. They were smiling broadly but also encouraging me to stand up and go receive the award. When I made it to the stage, Steve Kowit greeted me enthusiastically and handed me a large, Plexiglas trophy engraved with my name and that of one of my heroes, Mr. Geisel himself. Martha Barnette, the host of public radio's "A Way with Words" and the emcee for the evening, handed the microphone to me, beaming. I looked at the audience. A few members were on their feet, applauding. I think I heard a cheer or two. I shook my head in disbelief and struggled for something to say.

I thanked the San Diego Book Awards Association and the judges—at least I hope I did. I continued: “My rational side knows the judges were responding as much to the subject matter of the book as to my writing of it. J.K. Rowling has led an extraordinary life, and I have no doubt that what makes this book stand out is her struggles, her words, and her artistic vision. In that sense, I share the award with her. There is another side, however, to receiving this award—an emotional side. When I see this trophy inscribed with the name of Theodor Geisel, I am deeply moved. His were the first books I came to love. My mother used to read them to me. She didn’t care for other children’s books, but when she read Dr. Seuss, she came alive. She read his poetry with an enthusiasm I had never seen her display before. It was at her knee that I fell in love with language. Mom has been gone since 1993, but one thing we have learned from the Harry Potter series is that our parents remain with us, even after they have left this world. So, in that spirit, I would like to dedicate this to award to my mother. This is for you, Mom.”

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