For Teachers and Librarians

I write fiction and nonfiction for young people with a simple belief: students think more deeply when we trust them with honest books.

That belief comes from two places—writing and teaching. I spent 33 years as a middle-grade classroom teacher, and I’ve seen how students respond when books invite real curiosity, careful thinking, and meaningful discussion. My work includes fiction, history, and science nonfiction, often centered on discovery, invention, moral choice, and lived experience. Rather than delivering a single message, the books are designed to open conversations. Students are encouraged to ask questions, test ideas, and draw their own conclusions.

My books are used in classrooms and libraries as:

• whole-class or read-aloud texts

• independent and small-group reading

• companion texts in science, history, and social studies

• starting points for inquiry, discussion, and reflective writing

A number of my books have accompanying Teacher and Reader Guides with additional insights and questions. These downloadable pdf guides are accessible them here.

School Visits and Talks

Educators and librarians do essential, often unseen work. You are the ones who place books in the right hands at the right moment, who frame conversations, and who make space for reading to matter.

I’m grateful to everyone who has shared my books with young readers, and I’m always interested in hearing how they are used, questioned, or challenged in real classrooms.

Some titles address challenging material—loss, conflict, ethical choices, historical injustice, or high-risk scientific work. These topics are handled with care and context, and I trust educators’ professional judgment about what fits their students and communities.

Several earlier titles are now out of print but still used in schools and libraries. These books reflect the same values and may remain useful resources.

If you’d like occasional reflections on writing for young people, classroom use, or the thinking behind particular books, you’re welcome to subscribe to my low-volume newsletter.

A Note of Thanks

I’m available for school and library visits, both in person and virtual, depending on location and scheduling. My presentations are shaped by the same values that guide my books—curiosity, respect for young readers, and an honest look at how stories are researched and written. Sessions can focus on a specific book, the writing process, nonfiction research, or the role of questions in shaping both fiction and history.

I’m always happy to work with educators and librarians to design a visit that fits the needs and interests of their students.