One of the highlights of this year’s Texas Library Association conference for me was my panel on Tough Issues – Deep Impact: How Middle Grade Books Can Inspire Empathy and Empower Young Readers. The topic is important to me, but the reason why this panel was a highlight is that the issue came up time…
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The Texas Library Association convention was in my home town of Austin this year, and I was absolutely thrilled to attend as a speaker — and published author for the first time — speaking on topics that are dear to my heart: local authors and tough issues. Last year, I was on a panel for…
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This month, I’ve been lucky enough to visit schools and talk to students about THE BOY, THE BOAT, AND THE BEAST, and each visit has been wonderful! But as much as I enjoyed talking to the hundreds of kids in each group about my book, the most precious moments have been the ones where kids…
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It’s Banned Books Week, and while it’s sad that we need a Banned Books Week, I’m so glad we have it. In case you’re new to Banned Books Week, it started in 1982 after the number of books being challenged in schools, bookstores and libraries swelled. Challenged books are ones that have received requests for…
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Yes, today is National Read a Book Day. The special day and extra spotlight is always welcome, but personally, I think reading a book should be celebrated every day. Books are amazing things and reading them has even more amazing benefits. (I’m biased, of course, seeing as I write books, but before I was a…
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