"This book requires a little bit of explanation. When I was in sixth grade, I was already a voracious reader - something I've kept up through the years. (I think the statistic is that on average, people read 17 books a year. I typically average about 75.) In Vermont, where I grew up, there is an award called (and I'm quoting from Wikipedia)..."

'The Dorothy Canfield Fisher [which] is an annual award for new American children's books, given in Vermont and named after Vermont author Dorothy Canfield Fisher. The winning book is chosen by the vote of Vermont schoolchildren. Each spring, a committee of eight adult judges carefully selects 30 books originally published in the previous year to comprise the shortlist for the award. Vermont schoolchildren who have read at least 5 books from the list then vote for their favorite titles the following spring. The winning author is invited to visit Vermont to speak with the children about the experience of writing literature for young people.'

"...So, in my sixth grade year, I said I wasn't going to read just five of them. NO. I was far too precocious for that. I was going to read ALL 30 books on the list before the voting started. And, somehow, I did. This book was the winner that year, and every librarian in the state can take two students with them to the awards ceremony / author speaking. I went, and met the author, and got my first ever signed book signed. I can still remember everything about that trip, and it was over 16 years ago. This book will always be near and dear to my heart- and it's a great story to boot!" -Secret Santa