Off tomorrow to my, what, 35th? ALA annual conference, and hope to see some of you there. Our booth is #1416, but I'll be wandering the exhibit halls, mainly, drumming up business with Al Berman while Martha P. scouts the programming (she's at the Caldecott pre-conference today, lucky girl). One non-work event I'm looking forward to is dinner tomorrow night with Richard and Hazel and Hymie Rochman in Hyde Park. Hazel and I became friends as members of the Best Books for Young Adults committee back when it was still a blood sport.

Magazine subscribers: Your July/August issue will be a little late, as it won't be published until next Monday to avoid spoiling the Newbery/Caldecott/Wilder CSK speeches being given on Sunday (and printed in the issue). I have an advance copy in my hot little hands, though, and I think you will find it worth the wait. If you're at ALA, you can pick up a free copy at our booth on Monday by handing over your email address to one of the sales staff (I've talked them out of that first-born child stuff).

The photo to the left is a tribute to one of my favorite Chicago landmarks and a key image in one of my favorite Chicago movies:  Source Code.