We have a new president! It’s almost hard to believe given how long the election lasted. We’ve been watching two years of campaigning, stumping, interviewing, debating, and it’s now actually over. And, even more miraculous, our guy won! (Sorry, McCain supporters.) But when you live in Philly and you just watched the Eagles lose yet another NCF Championship (their fourth championship loss in eight years), you kinda get accustomed to disappointment.
I mean, please, we all remember the Bush-Gore fiasco—the hanging chads, the Florida recounts, and the Supreme Court rulings. Then when it was all said and done, we were left with WMDs, Katrina, Mission Accomplished banners, shooting people in the face, Abu Ghraib and our greeting as Iraqi liberators. Ah, memories.
This isn’t to say that all those problems have disappeared, magically resolved with the wave of an inauguration bible. But the country’s got a fresh start, a new leader with a new perspective and a new standard of what’s possible for school kids everywhere.
America’s got a clean slate, folks! And if you need any help wiping the last eight years from your memory, never fear. The Daily Show has stepped up to the plate with a little assistance:
But that’s not all that’s going on today. One of the GCC’s very own is sharing this day with President Obama. Everyone please welcome the amazing young adult author Teri Brown!
Her latest book, Read My Lips is on sale now through Simon Pulse.
Here’s a little bit about her book to get you hooked:
Popularity is as easy as a good secret.
Serena just wants to fly under the radar at her new school. But Serena is deaf, and she can read lips really well—even across the busy cafeteria. So when the popular girls discover her talent, there’s no turning back.
From skater chick to cookie-cutter prep, Serena’s identity has done a 180…almost. She still wants to date Miller, the school rebel, and she’s not ready to trade her hoodies for pink tees just yet. But she is rising through the ranks in the school’s most exclusive clique.
With each new secret she uncovers, Serena feels pressure to find out more. Reading lips has always been her greatest talent, but now Serena just feels like a gigantic snoop….
Here’s what Teri had to say:
Q: In AMOR AND SUMMER SECRETS, Mariana discovers a hidden family secret. Are you a good secret keeper?
Teri: I’m super good at keeping secrets. I think as a Mom you have to be if you want to keep your children’s trust. Especially when they are teenagers! When I was fifteen I discovered a family secret too, so I can empathize with your Main Character!
Q: What is the favorite place you ever traveled to, and what was the coolest thing you saw/did there?
Teri: My favorite place so far is Chicago. I can’t even pick what the coolest thing I did there was. Maybe sit in the House of Blues and listen to music? Go to the top of the Sears tower? Look at myself in the bean? It’s just an awesome town!
Q: I often tell the story of how a psychic once predicted that I would go on to write children’s books. Have you ever visited a psychic?
Teri: I have never been, and I don’t think I would. I like surprises and I totally want my life to be a surprise. 🙂
Q: My character Mariana spends her summer in Puerto Rico connecting with her father’s heritage. Have you ever researched your family tree?
Teri: My grandmother was a total europhile. We come from England, and she ferreted out our lineage and discovered that we are related to a line of rulers in England. And we have a town named after us… Peckham, I think it is. Other than that I am pretty much an American mongrel.
Q: Where were you when you found out that your book was going to be published?
Teri: I was sitting at my desk, and my agent sent me the email. I cried. A lot.
Thanks, Teri! Now, everyone go out and buy books, lots and lots of books!
