Check Out These Fabulous Fifth-Graders!

Ah, yes, I remember fifth grade well. It was one of my favorite years. Which is why I love
visiting with fifth graders, like the awesome ones at Pleasant Valley Elementary School 
in Schenectady, NY.

In full disclosure: I have a pro-Schenectady bias. My newest book, ROCKY ROAD,
is set in an ice cream shop in Schenectady. I enjoy walking along the Mohawk River and gazing
at the beauty of The Rose Garden at Central Park. And I live just a few miles from this place that used
 to be known as "The City That Lights & Hauls the World," in reference to the old General Electric company and the American Locomotive Company.

But that truly had nothing to do with my having a four-star day at Pleasant Valley last week. No,
it had more to do with the smiling, curious kids who were bursting with energy and enthusiasm about writing and life. We chatted, we laughed, we ate lunch together and we wrote. Who could ask for anything more?

Thanks to principal Joe DiCaprio, librarian Emily Dearstyne and teacher Jude McQueen for hosting me. And a shout-out to all the Pleasant Valley fifth-graders. Read, write, and rock on!

Woohoo, Cinco de Mayo!

Have you heard of Cinco de Mayo?

It's a festive, fun holiday, but also a day that gets misunderstood. I know because I was confused on Cinco de Mayo until I lived in San Antonio, Texas, and some local friends sat me down and set me straight. Before that I thought the holiday marked Mexico's independence, not unlike Fourth of July for the USA. (Mexico's true independence day was September 16, 1810.)

Actually, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the initial defeat of Napoleon III of France when he tried to conquer Mexico. Texas-born Genereal Zaragoza led Zapotec Indians and mestizos to deaf the French at the Battle of Batalla de Puebla. This victory was a big moral boost for Mexico, but it was short lived, as a French victory followed. (No worries, a Mexican victory followed that.)

Today Cinco de Mayo is mostly celebrated as a day in the U.S. that recognizes the value of Hispanic/Latino culture, traditions and contributions. Wonderful parades with mariachi music and dancing are held, and delicious Mexican foods like tamales and menudo soup are enjoyed.

Maybe you've heard of the book Rocky Road? Okay, I wrote it. In Rocky Road, Tess and her family pick May 5th as the day to open their ice cream shop and begin a Cinco de Mayo celebration. Thanks to my friends in San Antonio, this wonderful holiday will always be dear to my heart.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!