Nonfiction Honor Awards / 2007 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards

When I visit schools, I always introduce myself as a scientist and a writer; a surprising number of kids have trouble with the scientist part. I go on to ask what they know about scientists, the work scientists do, and the tools with which they do that work. The image that emerges from their answers is amazingly similar to the image I held of scientists when I was growing up: a man, a white coat, and a laboratory. I take great pleasure in challenging that image.

Curt Ebbesmeyer is a man, to be sure, but he has never worn a white coat, his laboratory is the entire world ocean, and his tools include things like sneakers and plastic ducks. But what he does with those tools in that laboratory is science, and it follows (I think) that science can be quirky, fun, and solid all at the same time. That is the part of Curt’s story that most appealed to me, and I hope it is at least part of why Tracking Trash appeals to readers.

My writing life began in a storefront library just down the road and across the bridge from here, in Everett. I wrote girl detective novels on the tippy metal table that lived in that library, and I dreamed big Carolyn Keene dreams. The road from the East Everett branch library to this ceremony was not anywhere near as direct as it could have been. But it was a heck of a good ride, and there are loads of people I should thank for helping me on the way. Lucky for you, I only have time to mention a few:

I’d like to thank my husband, Gerry, who never, ever criticized the route I chose to get here, even when his highly-tuned male sense of direction told him I was heading in the exact opposite direction of my alleged destination.

I’d like to thank Mr. James Micarelli, to whom I dedicated Tracking Trash and from whom I learned much about science and integrity.

I’d like to thank Erica Zappy, my editor at Houghton, who found my manuscript and helped me to turn it into a book we can both be proud of.

Finally, I am grateful to the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award committee for this honor, and to all of you. This is a special moment in my life, and I thank you for being part of it.

— Loree Griffin Burns

Escape!: The Story of the Great Houdini written by Sid Fleischman,
published by Greenwillow Books

Virginia Duncan’s introduction:
Sid Fleischman is never ill. As if to notably mark this occasion, he fell sick as hell. He regrets having to miss all the fun and champagne tonight. If he were vertical, this is what he would say:

I want to thank the Horn Book and the Boston Globe for honoring my knock-about life of Harry Houdini, the greatest magician since Merlin.

It was the surprise of my life when I discovered myself writing a biography. As a busy novelist, I regarded the scratching out of nonfiction as a pushover. Those lazy biographers were getting away with murder. We fiction writers had to poke around for fresh plots for each novel. The nonfiction gentry were delivered their plots, gift-wrapped like boxes of chocolates. We imaginative wretches had to conceive reams of original and witty dialogue. The fact mavens were delivered entire casts of characters, all chattering away like stage actors. What a swindle.

But wait. I got no further than the second chapter of Escape! when I discovered a major nightmare looming. In fiction, I could make up my own story facts and dramatic scenes. In the Houdini epic, I had to check with Harry first.

But the magician wasn’t to be trusted. He proclaimed the date and place of his birth. The trouble was he got his dates all wrong — and even his place of birth.

Having to double- and triple-check each fact in Houdini’s life, I gained enormous respect for the patient biographers mud-wrestling their subjects for the confounded truth.

All is forgiven. Who knows? I might even write another biography one of these days. Thank you again.

— Sid Fleischman
(comments read by Virginia Duncan, Greenwillow Books)

About the Awards | Current Winners and Honor Books
Past Winners and Honor Books | Audio of ceremony