Dudley Carlson

Photo: John Halpern. Thank you, American Library Association, for honoring my work with this incredible award. But, just to be clear, the Children’s Literature Legacy Award is for my previous body of work — correct? Because I’m not done yet! I have plans, ideas, and contracts, so, God willing, I plan to be around a lot longer. Now that we’ve cleared that up, I’d like to proceed with my thank-yous. And my first goes to my family. Lesa Cline-Ransome, my wife and my collaborator in all things.

"Book Friends Forever": Alvina and Grace as kids (left) and as roommates (right). Photos courtesy of Alvina Ling. In Grace Lin’s first novel, the semiautobiographical The Year of the Dog, Pacy first meets the new girl, Melody, in the school cafeteria after the lunch lady confuses them (they’re the only two Asian girls in school). As some of you may know, Melody is a character based on me, and Grace and I really did meet as children — I was the new girl.

by Grace Lin Jul 05, 2022 | Filed in Book Awards First, the thank yous. Thank you to: My agent, Rebecca ­Sherman, whom I have forgotten to mention in the past, so your name goes first this time! My family — my parents, my sisters, and of course my husband, Alex, and our wonderful daughter, Hazel. Children's Literature Legacy Award winner Grace Lin in her studio. Photo: Danielle Tait. First, the thank yous.