Sherman Alexie Wins National Book Awards

Congratulations to Sherman Alexie for winning the YA section of the National Book Awards! While missing Rick Riordan at the Texas Book Festival a few weeks ago, I unknowingly stopped by Sherman’s panel. It was held in a packed Methodist church — and for a Young Adult book, I couldn’t spot a single Young Adult in the crowd! I didn’t even know who he was. Now I’m so glad I stopped by.

He was hilarious, and even though I planned to leave early, he kept me standing in the back all the way to the end with his stories of growing up on a reservation and all the unusual and funny happenings in his life. So congratulations to Sherman.