When Everything Shut Down
Remembering the Covid shutdowns on the sixth anniversary, and looking at two outstanding books for teens that portray those difficult months.
Graphic Novels Won Me Over
My history of reading graphic novels and why I've come to appreciate them.
Wrapping Up 2025’s Resolutions
Checking out last year's New Year's resolutions and unusual success in achieving them.
A map of states with school book bans, part of the 2023 World Voices Festival.
Banned Books Week 2025
People and organizations working for the freedom to read and why it's important.
Has the Constitution Failed?
In honor of the third edition of Fault Lines in the Constitution, some reforms I'd like to see in a new constitution.
Eyes Open Audiobook Promotion!
Announcing a 50% discount on the audiobook of Eyes Open and why it's a great choice for beach or road trip listening.
Animals to the Slaughter
Connecting an illustration of animals at a county fair with anthropomorphic picture books and George Orwell's Animal Farm.
Scenes: The Building Blocks of the Novel
Examining the individual scene in the novel, the structure of which needs to be a microcosm of the novel's structure as a whole.
The Grief Narrative in Books for Young Readers
Advice for writers of grief narratives for young readers, and broadening the definition of the genre.
Now More Than Ever: A Workshop on Writing Disabled Characters
Announcing a Highlights workshop on writing books for kids and teens that center disability and neurodiversity, and why this matters.