I have had the great pleasure of getting to know a precious handful of Newbery Award winning authors. I care deeply about each of them and we do stay in touch to the best of our ability. Those of you who cherish these authors because of their work are wise. Please know they can be cherished, as well, for their pure selves. They are human beings of profound generosity and compassion. (photo of Katherine Paterson from the Washington Post, photo of Kate DiCamillo from the internet, photos of Jerry Spinelli and his lovely and talented wife Eileen, and of Sharon Creech are my own)
I love them all, too, and I would, of course, substitute Karen Hesse for that last lovely one.
All these are among my favorite writers. I am glad to know there are connections.