According to SmarterStats, traffic to my official author website should run just over 60,000 unique visitors this month.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays have been the busiest. Midnight to 3 a.m. is the most popular time to stop by (hello, night owls!), followed by 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.–it sort of moves in waves.

Other than the front page, those most active are: Exploring Diversity in Children’s & Young Adult Books, followed by Gothic Fantasy & Suspense for Teens & Tweens; Young Adult Books; Picture Books; Native American Themes in Children’s and Young Adult Literature; and Interview with Author Judy Blume.

This month, most of the traffic comes from the United States, followed by Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and India. Within the U.S., the most represented states are California, Virginia, Washington, Georgia, Texas, New Jersey, Colorado, Illinois, and Ohio.

Thanks to everyone who surfed by!

More News & Links

The Children’s Choices 2006 list has been posted by the International Reading Association (PDF). Highlighted books include: How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Mark Teague (Blue Sky)(author interview); Not Norman: A Goldfish Story by Kelly Bennett, illustrated by Jonah Z. Jones III (Candlewick)(author interview); The Liberation of Gabriel King by K.L. Going (Putnam)(author interview); Walter the Giant Storyteller’s Giant Book of Giant Stories by Walter M. Mayes, illustrated by Kevin O’Malley (Walker)(author-illustrator interview); Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles (Harcourt); Wild Dogs: Past & Present by Kelly Milner Halls (Darby Creek)(author interview). YA honorees included: Contents Under Pressure by Lara Zeises (Delacorte, 2004)(author interview); Midnighters: The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfeld (EOS, 2004)(author interview); and Nothing to Lose by Alex Flinn (HarperCollins, 2004)(author interview).

Terri Fields: official author site includes book and event information. Teri’s books include Danger in the Desert (Rising Moon, 1997); Counting Arizona’s Treasures, illustrated by Tony Marinella (Kiva); After the Death of Anna Gonzales (Henry Holt, 2002); and Holdup (Roaring Brook, 2007)(scroll).

Cynthia Hughes Literary Management offers publicity coordination and consultation to authors, publishers, and event planners. Cynthia is based in Austin; many of you may know her as the former director of the Texas Book Festival.

“National reading program helps Native communities increase literacy skills, preserve culture” from the University of Texas. Highlights “If I Can Read, I Can Do Anything,” a national reading program for Native American children and interviews Loriene Roy, the new American Library Association president. Note: I highly endorse this program and encourage you all to visit the official website to learn more about how you can help. See requested items, donors (including many children’s/YA authors, and participating schools.

The New Atlantic Independent Bookseller’s Association has announced its 2006 award winners, recognizing an author who was born or lived in the region, and/or a book wherein the story takes place in the region. Winners included: Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser (HarperCollins, 2005) and Rebel Angels by Libba Bray (Delacorte, 2005)(excerpt)(author interview).

From Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic: “The Chinese American Librarians Association has cast their votes and the news is in–Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time by Lisa Yee (Arthur A. Levine, 2005)(author interview) has received a Best Book Award for Youth. The Association writes, ‘Through Stanford Wong’s sensitive and funny diary entries, Yee defies stereotypes about Chinese Americans as well as gender stereotypes.'”

“Speaking in Voices: Writing a Multiple Viewpoint Novel” with Deborah Lynn Jacobs: a chat scheduled for tonight from the Institute of Children’s Literature. Deborah is the author of Powers (Roaring Brook, 2006) and Choices (Roaring Brook, 2007). Read Deborah’s LJ.

“Stars” by Roger Sutton from The Horn Book Magazine. Lots of fodder for thought here. What stood out most to me as a Harper author: “Mimi Kayden of HarperCollins says that ‘if a book gets three or more stars, then we will probably advertise it. Two is still iffy. One doesn’t cut it anymore.'”

Tara is “A Rat” Spelled Backwards: The online musings of Tara McCarthy Altebrando. A new LJ from the author of The Pursuit of Happiness (MTV Books, 2006)(excerpt).

Three Silly Chicks: Readers, Writers, and Reviewers of Funny Books for Kids. The chicks in question are authors Andrea Beaty, Carolyn Crimi, and Julia Durango (LJ syndication). See In the Coop with Lisa Wheeler.