Whoever said adults shouldn't work with children or animals never met the kiddos and kitties in St. Louis. (Thanks to Lucas Peterson/St. Louis County Library for the photos.)
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We have a new picture book coming your way in October 2023! This one's based on a real-life stray cat who become a celebrity way back in 1947. If you like stories about underdogs or undercats, this one's for you.   Thank you, Pennsylvania, for selecting Mystery on Magnolia Circle to be on your 2023-2024 Young Reader's Choice Award List. Nobody loves the Keystone State more than I do!
I'm looking forward to connecting with many Pennsylvania young readers in the months ahead. Let's solve some mysteries together, shall we?  Reading is everything. Why? Because when you're a good reader, everything is easier and more fun: school, work, and life itself. So, of course, it breaks my heart when I read about kids who struggle with reading just because adults fail to teach it properly. (Note to fellow adults: Come on. Let's get our act together on this, shall we?)
In addition to making life easier and more fun, reading also builds empathy skills. (Goodness knows how much we need those lately.) Reading also helps to build leadership skills. I think I knew this intuitively, but I loved reading this cool article by Dr. Rose Reissman about how using *our* books can help middle schoolers be real leaders. Wow! The students at Dr. Reissman's school (Ditmas I.S. 62) in Brooklyn, New York, are lucky to have such an advocate in their corner. And I'm sure Principal Marielena Santiago is nothing like Principal Noah Memree in Don't Check Out This Book!
 I have a new mystery out that I hope will be perfect for the back-to-school season.
It's set in St. Louis, Missouri, and stars two best friends, Ivy and Teddy, plus their beloved dogs. If you happen to like mysteries, dogs, neighborhood drama, sad moments, and happy endings, check this one out. I started writing it pre-Covid, when lockdowns were unimaginable. It's strange to me how much Ivy's broken leg and recovery remind me a little bit of how we've all had to stay strong and busy during these long months. If you read it, lmk what you think! You can contact me right here. Someone just alerted me to the fact that our book Stay won first runner-up in Wyoming's Buckaroo Book Award. That has to be the best-named book contest in the USA! Thanks, Wyoming!  |
