Had a lovely time at Sara Lewis Holmes’s booksigning yesterday at Hooray for Books in Alexandria, Virginia. It was a gorgeous day — warm and sunny, in the 60’s, and lots of folks strolled in to meet and congratulate Sara on the publication of her second middle grade novel, Operation Yes (Scholastic, 2009), which, BTW, was just named one of Booklist’s Top Ten Art Books for Youth!
Sara signing books for my contest winners, Marjorie Light and Jeannine Atkins.
Of course Cornelius came along (he has a big crush on Sara). Happily, there were a lot of little green men about for him to play with.
Above is the awesome book Sara’s agent (Tina Wexler) made from LGM photos.
Sara gave an interesting presentation about the genesis of the book, referring to a tack board full of newspaper clippings, drawings, and notes. These bits and pieces of inspiration, along with high school memories of memorizing Shakespeare, a real-life incident of little green men, and of course, first-hand experience with the kinds of challenges kids in military families face, all served as fodder for her imagination.
Audience members were given lines to read at Sara’s cue.
She then read a chapter from the book, during which time something you don’t normally see in a bookstore happened — Sara dropped to the floor (in tight jeans and heels no less), effortlessly breezed through ten push-ups, then jumped back up and continued reading without missing a beat. She wasn’t even out of breath. Aren’t you impressed? Now there’s one beautifully toned, fit writer — a fine specimen of athletic prowess. Yes! I want her to be my bodyguard. ☺
Meanwhile, Cornelius was busy checking the bookshelves for more copies of Operation Yes.
Mmmmmm! Trish made brownies again!
And he got to meet Sara’s husband, the ever famous Mike Holmes. Cornelius was thrilled and proud to pose with a real-live Air Force fighter pilot!
As always, a nice event at this wonderful indie bookstore. With all the friendly people, loads of great books to read, and an endless supply of brownies, one could just about live there. Congratulations again, Sara. I’m sure your book is inspiring lots of readers to think about their lives a little differently, and to definitely say YES!
To Sara’s right is the board containing some of the things that inspired Operation Yes.
If you haven’t gotten your copy yet, order one from your nearest indie bookstore! ☺
Copyright © 2009 Jama Rattigan of jama rattigan’s alphabet soup. All rights reserved.
Jama's Alphabet Soup 
Tanita Says 🙂
This looks like it was a FABULOUS event, and I’m sure Sara appreciated the moral support!
Okay, and the push-ups? Just make me jealous!
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Tanita Says 🙂
This looks like it was a FABULOUS event, and I’m sure Sara appreciated the moral support!
Okay, and the push-ups? Just make me jealous!
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ten-hut!
WOW! cool event.
BRAVO Sara on your fine form push-up (with style no less—heels!)!!!
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ten-hut!
WOW! cool event.
BRAVO Sara on your fine form push-up (with style no less—heels!)!!!
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What a fun event! I’m so glad you were able to meet with Sara at her signing! I just started reading her fab book! (and I am impressed with her push ups!)
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What a fun event! I’m so glad you were able to meet with Sara at her signing! I just started reading her fab book! (and I am impressed with her push ups!)
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Thank you for these great pictures, Jama, and all your support for OPERATION YES. I would like to promote you to a fabulously high rank and position in the Friends who Rock Unit!
I really love the picture of Mike with Cornelius. Did you know his nickname in high school was Bear? 🙂
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Thank you for these great pictures, Jama, and all your support for OPERATION YES. I would like to promote you to a fabulously high rank and position in the Friends who Rock Unit!
I really love the picture of Mike with Cornelius. Did you know his nickname in high school was Bear? 🙂
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Re: Tanita Says 🙂
It’s always a treat to see Sara. I was happy to be able to meet Mike this time :). As for the push-ups, I keep telling myself she’s able to do them cause she’s younger than me . . . clearly she’s been to boot camp and I haven’t!
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Re: Tanita Says 🙂
It’s always a treat to see Sara. I was happy to be able to meet Mike this time :). As for the push-ups, I keep telling myself she’s able to do them cause she’s younger than me . . . clearly she’s been to boot camp and I haven’t!
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Re: ten-hut!
Quite amazing! Sara’s the shoe queen. 🙂
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Re: ten-hut!
Quite amazing! Sara’s the shoe queen. 🙂
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We were all impressed with those push-ups! So fun!
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We were all impressed with those push-ups! So fun!
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OH, thanks for the promotion!
Mike did mention that he enjoys my bears :). But “Bear” as a nickname? You clearly married the perfect man!!
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OH, thanks for the promotion!
Mike did mention that he enjoys my bears :). But “Bear” as a nickname? You clearly married the perfect man!!
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Elaine M.
Jama,
Sounds like a perfect day. I hope Sara travels to my neck of the woods some day. I’d love to meet her.
BTW, we had the fall dinner meeting of our reading council last Wednesday. Melissa Sweet was our featured speaker. She made a fantastic presentation. I could have listened to her speak for hours.
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Elaine M.
Jama,
Sounds like a perfect day. I hope Sara travels to my neck of the woods some day. I’d love to meet her.
BTW, we had the fall dinner meeting of our reading council last Wednesday. Melissa Sweet was our featured speaker. She made a fantastic presentation. I could have listened to her speak for hours.
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Elaine M.
Sorry about posting my comment twice. I’m using my husband’s laptop. I think must have pressed something on the keyboard without knowing it.
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Elaine M.
Sorry about posting my comment twice. I’m using my husband’s laptop. I think must have pressed something on the keyboard without knowing it.
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I’m sure you and Sara would enjoy talking poetry :).
I’m so jealous you got to meet Melissa and hear her speak! She’s one of my fave author/illustrators. Lucky you!!
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I’m sure you and Sara would enjoy talking poetry :).
I’m so jealous you got to meet Melissa and hear her speak! She’s one of my fave author/illustrators. Lucky you!!
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Thank you for a peek at a great day.
I’d probably be at the brownie table while the pushups were happening. Maybe hanging with Cornelius.
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Thank you for a peek at a great day.
I’d probably be at the brownie table while the pushups were happening. Maybe hanging with Cornelius.
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Wish I could have been there.
And, yay! It’s Sara’s husband!
Thanks for taking pics.
jules
7-Imp
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Wish I could have been there.
And, yay! It’s Sara’s husband!
Thanks for taking pics.
jules
7-Imp
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I’d be at the brownie table right with you! After seeing Sara’s push-ups, I refrained from eating any (hard to believe, I know)!
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I’d be at the brownie table right with you! After seeing Sara’s push-ups, I refrained from eating any (hard to believe, I know)!
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We missed you!
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We missed you!
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What a fun afternoon it obviously was!
So sorry I missed it; between your posting and Sara’s I almost feel like I was there! Thank you!
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What a fun afternoon it obviously was!
So sorry I missed it; between your posting and Sara’s I almost feel like I was there! Thank you!
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Re: What a fun afternoon it obviously was!
Sorry you weren’t there, Carol. Hope to meet you at another event in the near future!
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Re: What a fun afternoon it obviously was!
Sorry you weren’t there, Carol. Hope to meet you at another event in the near future!
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Well, dang, those pushups are impressive. Remind me not to mess with her!
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Well, dang, those pushups are impressive. Remind me not to mess with her!
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Leave it to Cornelius to find the brownies! I’m glad he’s making the rounds this fall. Thanks for introducing me to this bookstore–I’ll be sure to visit it the next time I’m in the area!
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Leave it to Cornelius to find the brownies! I’m glad he’s making the rounds this fall. Thanks for introducing me to this bookstore–I’ll be sure to visit it the next time I’m in the area!
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LOL! That’s why I want her for my bodyguard . . .
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LOL! That’s why I want her for my bodyguard . . .
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Cornelius said he ate some extra brownies for you (good excuse eh?). Hooray for Books used to be A Likely Story on King Street (you’ve probably already been there).
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Cornelius said he ate some extra brownies for you (good excuse eh?). Hooray for Books used to be A Likely Story on King Street (you’ve probably already been there).
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Thanks for the push up pics! I was hoping we’d get VIDEO of them, or at least Cornelius joining in!!!
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Thanks for the push up pics! I was hoping we’d get VIDEO of them, or at least Cornelius joining in!!!
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Cornelius doesn’t do push-ups. At least not while he’s eating brownies :D!
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Cornelius doesn’t do push-ups. At least not while he’s eating brownies :D!
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Holy crow. Would you look at the muscle power on that author??? It’s the longer format, I guess. Us picture book writers don’t have to do the same heavy lifting.
Oh, and the real point of my comment, I deeply truly love Operation Yes.
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Holy crow. Would you look at the muscle power on that author??? It’s the longer format, I guess. Us picture book writers don’t have to do the same heavy lifting.
Oh, and the real point of my comment, I deeply truly love Operation Yes.
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Muscle power indeed! I’m with you on the deep, true love for this book :).
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Muscle power indeed! I’m with you on the deep, true love for this book :).
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