On this day when I’m celebrating a new book deal, I just wanted to take a moment of gratitude for the youth leaders of Saturday’s March For Our Lives. Of course I’m very proud of the young leaders from Parkland, Florida–as proud as I have been of the young leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement for many a long year. But today I wanted to express my particular gratitude for youth leaders in the small towns of the American west. They organized marches too. They marched in towns who have voted republican for decades and where gun owners count for 90% of the community. It takes particular courage to stand up in that environment without the presence of national media or the outpouring of community and celebrity support.

I just want to say to those youth who organized marches whose numbers were counted not in thousands but in dozens–I hear you. The youth literature community hears you. And we are right beside you, as close as your school or public library. I want you to know that you can be true to the values your communities hold dear and still stand up for your rights. You can be good sons and daughters and also good citizens. If your town doesn’t understand or appreciate you now, don’t give up. You are not alone. A principled life courageously lived is powerful witness. And you have more allies than you may realize in this moment. And if you’re discouraged, reach out to your favorite author, whoever it is. We’re here for you. And most of all, thank you! Thank you for your courage, and your vision of a better, safer, kinder future.