Starting Over

Hello,

I’m starting again—quietly and with intention.

Over the years, I’ve written eighteen books of fiction and nonfiction for young people. Some came from long research trails, others from questions that wouldn’t let me go. All of them were written with the same belief at their core: young readers deserve honesty, complexity, and respect.

This newsletter isn’t about announcements or algorithms. It’s a place to share the thinking behind the books—why certain stories mattered to write, how they’ve been used in classrooms and libraries, and what continues to shape my work as a writer for young people.

From time to time, I’ll write about:

• the real questions that sit underneath my stories

• the research and moments that led to particular books

• how teachers, librarians, and parents have brought these books into conversation with young readers

If you work with children—or care deeply about what they read—I hope you’ll find something useful or encouraging here.

I’m glad you’re reading, and I’m grateful for the time you give to books and to young people.

Warmly,
Larry Verstraete