Bellissimo, come si vede in un film di fantascienza!

This sure beats the windows on the Apollo modules. It’s the new cupola on the International Space Station, built by the Italians, installed last week, “the largest window ever built for space,” says NASA. An article and slide show at the New York Times is here. The design made the Times think of Monticello and the Millennium Falcon. “TIE fighter!” was my first reaction, but to each his own.

Image is from NASA, via the Times.

Edit: Title edited to correct my Italian. Or perhaps to introduce new errors. I’m never sure, but I keep trying.

The Flora Stieglitz Straus Award

Each year the Children’s Book Committee at the Bank Street College of Education gives the Flora Stieglitz Straus Award “for a nonfiction book that serves as an inspiration to young readers.” Usually one award is given, but two books written for different ages can also both receive the award. This year, I’m happy to say, Moonshot has received the award for younger readers, with Almost Astronauts, by Tanya Lee Stone, receiving the award for older readers. That’s great news! Thank you to the Children’s Book Committee at Bank Street!

More about the award and Bank Street is here.

PEN panel

I’m glad to have been asked to appear on a panel this coming Monday on the theme “Crafting a Career as a Children’s or Young Adult Author—Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.” The panel is sponsored by PEN and includes Richard Peck, Jane O’Connor, and Marilyn Singer. The conversation will be moderated by David Levithan. I will answer questions to the best of my ability. Come by! Monday, February 8, 7:00 PM, at the Cervantes Institute, 211 East 49th St., New York City. Free, with book signing to follow.

More information at PEN’s site, here.

Addendum: Publishers Weekly’s coverage of the panel is here. Thanks to PEN and everyone who came!