This is me. No surprises there. Photo by Sarah Hampton.

Here’s the situation.  The ALA Youth Media Awards are going to air this coming Monday, January 27th.  If you’re anything like me, you’ve been waiting for them for quite a long time.  You’ve read the Mock Newberys and Caldecotts.  You’ve read some of the contenders and thought things through.  Now’s the time to find out what the committees were thinking.

You know that at 8:00 a.m. on 1/27 the awards will air live at this address: http://live.webcastinc.com/ala/2014/live/

And if you have ever watched the live online feed before, then you know that prior to the announcements you will be listening to muzak of the finest order.  Muzak that has stood the test of time.  And that’s all well and good but wouldn’t you like a little something more?  A little commentary?  A little wit?  Something with, oh let’s say, handmade signs and witty banter?

This Lori. She is charming. You’ll love her.

Introducing the first ever SLJ Pre-Game and Post-Game Show!  Join me, Betsy Bird, and my partner-in-crime the ineffable Lori Ess as we provide you with a little show before and after the award announcements.  Starting at 7:30 a.m. just before the awards (at this location here) instead of indulging in mind numbing music, head on over the SLJ Google Hangout site and join Lori and myself for a little banter.  We’ll talk about the Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, Pura Belpre, Sibert, Coretta Scott King, and more.  We’ll make wildly incorrect predictions, bicker over what is and is not good (Lori and I have VERY different opinions on some of these matters) and generally brighten your morning before the big announcements.  We’ll even have input on the awards from such luminaries in the field as Jennifer Hubert Swan (giving her thoughts on the Printz), Betty Carter (on the Sibert), and Offilia Berrera (on the Pura Belpre).

Then, once you’ve finished watching the real ALA Awards show, you can head BACK over to us to listed to us kvetch/praise the winners.  It’s all in good fun and you’ll even be able to follow us at Twitter.  Our hashtag will be : #sljpregame (and that’ll stand for the post-game show too, I’d wager).

So come watch Lori and I debate and talk and generally amuse you.  The Today Show may not interview the winners anymore, but insofar as we can tell this is the next best thing.  Remember we’ll be at the following address: http://www.slj.com/slj-hangouts-live/

See you soon!