Hi kids, what a thrill to be nominated for the Silver Birch again. And this time it is even more special, because the book "BRAVE DEEDS," is very special to me. It's about people who did something incredible: they stood up to the Nazis and saved others, especially kids. Their bravery started when they hid a wounded Canadian airman who was shot out of the sky. After that they took in more and more people and hid them at a children's camp. Life at the camp was dangerous and amazing. To think that this is about real people who actually did these things during a war still makes me shake my head in disbelief.

I was so lucky that I got to meet Frans and Mies Braal, the two heros, hear their story and get permission to write a book about it. For the last years of her life Mies was actually my neighbour here in the high mountains of the West Kootenays of British Columbia.

I love the idea that I will have a chance to go to Toronto again for the Award celebrations. I plan to drive across Canada in my Camper and bring my dog, Shira, (from another Silver Birch book, "Summer of Changes.") I look forward to meeting many of you. Or to chat with you when you go to my website: http://www.annalma.ca

On my website you will also find a page on Shira (the wonder dog), a page about my other five books, and more about me and how to contact me.