Coming to a Conference Near You! (If You’re in the Twin Cities, That Is)
My three presentations at the NCTE conference and ALAN workshop in Minneapolis, all focusing on aspects of diversity in books for young readers.
A Texas-Size Welcome at Hamilton Middle School
My inspiring experience as the author of Rogue, the "One Book, One School" read at Hamilton Middle School in Houston, Texas.
The Fall 2015 Young Adult Scavenger Hunt Wrap Up
The past week has been a busy time for my blog, with my participation in the the 2015 Young Adult Scavenger Hunt as part of Team Red. While we wait…
Collaborative Storytelling with Lego
Ten days ago I spoke to groups of sixth through eighth graders at Hommocks Middle School in Mamaroneck, New York. Sponsored by the PTA for Autism Awareness Month, I talked…
What Makes a Book Fun to Write?
The arrival of my ARCs of Surviving Santiago from my publisher, Running Press Kids, leads me to think about what made that novel so much fun to write.
How to Make Friends with the New Kid: Advice for Kiara from the New Kids
My presentation to ELL students at Manchester, CT's high school and middle school explored insights gained from being a newcomer from a different culture.
The Perils of First-Hand Research
An illness likely contracted in the course of researching my next book prompts me to reflect on how realistic writers take risks in the service of authenticity.
Patricio Has Writer’s Block, But I Don’t: My Writing Process Blog Tour
My contribution to the My Writing Process Blog Tour, where I talk about the fun of revision and why I write about social and political struggles.
Put Out of the Pack
An injury due to black ice leads me to reflect on the instinct to put laggards and misfits out of the pack and its implications for persons with disabilities.
Bricksters have a lot of time to party, but they need to work too. Let's have them work for you!
An Economic Development Plan for Little Brick Township: The LEGO Book Launch
I can help you use the people of Little Brick Township, as well as the rest of my LEGO collection, to liven up your next book launch.