One million. There are now one million copies in print of Sy’s books for children and young adults. That’s a world of snakes in a pit, kangaroos climbing trees, cheetahs on the run, pink dolphins in the Amazon, mischievous kakapos, invisible but ever-present snow leopards, shape-shifting octopuses, condors making a comeback, matriarchal hyenas, migrating wildebeest, elusive snorkel-snouted tapirs, mysterious great white sharks, man-eating tigers, and at the head of the parade, one small girl and her loyal Scottie, Molly. Sy thanks all these animals, the scientists studying and protecting them, her fabulous editor Kate O’Sullivan, and most of all, her critter-loving readers.
Robert Frost was the first and Sy is the latest. Sy is honored to be counted among the great writers, starting with Robert Frost in 1956, to receive the Sarah Josepha Hale award at the beautiful Richards Free Library in Newport, New Hampshire. She thanks her hosts, including Richards library director Justine Fafara (seen here with Sy on the porch of the library), the trustees, and judges for a spectacular evening.
Long live the Octo. Following Sy’s talk with Ezra Klein, The Soul of an Octopus swims back to the August 1 New York Times paperback nonfiction bestseller list at #13.
Becoming a Good Creature is a finalist for the 2021 New England Book Awards.
The Hummingbird’s Gift has landed on The Boston Globe’s bestseller list.