It is a jarring thing to look up and see 500 young faces looking back. I enjoyed it. They have lots of ideas, lots of questions. Watching the teachers talk to the kids – the school faces Draconian budget cuts – I wondered how it was that teachers came to be blamed for civic problems rather than praised. I was in awe of the ones I see every day on the book tour – their dedication, drive, compassion, concern. A society that demonizes teachers and librarians is drifting towards a dark space.