Why does it seem like a lot of my favorite YA authors seem to be leaving Earth this year? I just found out that Madeleine L’Engle died last September 6, at the age of 88. Of the books she wrote, the ones I read and loved were her Kairos books, principally the ones with the Murrys. (Of the O’Keefes, I’ve only been able to read An Acceptable Time).

Lenneth posted a wonderful interview with her: Allegorical Fantasy: Mortal Dealings with Cosmic Questions. I practically couldn’t tear my eyes away from the interview — I felt it had great meaning to me personally, both as a writer and a Catholic.

I’d like to highlight some lines that I felt were very meaningful for me:

I was shocked when I opened my email a few days ago and read that Lloyd Alexander died last May 17 in his home in Drexel Hill, just two weeks after his wife Janine died. He was eighty-three.

He was one of my favorite authors as an adolescent, and his Chronicles of Prydain continue to be an important part of my bookshelf. I find myself always going back and reading them, for the adventure and the sheer wonder of it, and for the thought-provoking themes and quotes one can gather from the rich writing.