Jako dítě trávil autor mnoho času čtením a psaním, vytvářel hry a romány pro své sourozence a sousední děti. Tato raná vášeň pro literaturu vyústila ve studium angličtiny a evropských dějin na vysoké škole a následně v magisterské studium tvůrčího psaní pro děti. Autor v současnosti střídavě pobývá v Massachusetts a New Yorku a věnuje se psaní, čtení a cvičení. Preferuje psaní v domácím prostředí, často v pyžamu, ale občas vyhledává inspiraci v knihovně.
Mathilde escapes war-torn Sofarende and reunites with Megs and the other children who are working for the army to retake Sofarende from the enemy, but Mathilde must come to terms with her past treasonous actions and determine what she must do in order to prove her friendship to Megs.
Beautiful Blue World is a thrilling and moving story of children who become the key to winning a war. Sofarende is at war. For twelve-year-old Mathilde, it means food shortages, feuding neighbors, and bombings. Even so, as long as she and her best friend, Megs, are together, they’ll be all right. But the army is recruiting children, and paying families well for their service. If Megs takes the test, Mathilde knows she will pass. Megs hopes the army is the way to save her family. Mathilde fears it might separate them forever. This touching and suspenseful novel is a brilliant reimagining of war, where even kindness can be a weapon, and children have the power to see what adults cannot. Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, Outstanding Merit ILA-CBC Choices Reading Lists, Teacher’s Choice Junior Library Guild Selection Nominated for multiple state awards
From the author of Eight Keys comes a loving story of sisters who are trying to find their way back to each other. Cassie, competitive swimmer and rising seventh grader, plans to spend her summer at the pool with her friends. That way she won't be stuck at home with her sister and her sister's baby. Julia used to be the perfect big sister: she played great games and took good care of Cassie. Now life at home revolves around Julia and her daughter, Addie. No one pays much attention to Cassie--not to her swimming, and not to what's gone wrong with her friends. When Julia confides in Cassie that she'll be leaving with Addie--without telling their parents--Cassie jumps in the car, too. As the days of lumberjack breakfasts and hotel pools start to add up, Cassie has to wonder: Could the sister who seems to be the source of all her problems also be the friend she's missed the most?
Something terrible has happened. Eleven-year-old Aubrey is on her own. She's determined to hide away and take care of herself, because facing the truth is too much to bear. But with the love of her grandmother and the letters she writes, can Aubrey begin to see that even though she's lost everything - all is not lost?
Eleven-year-old Elise feels stuck. Her school locker-buddy squashes her lunch and laughs at her, every day. She doesn't want to go to school - and her best friend Franklin just makes things worse. One day Elise discovers an incredible secret. A secret that might just help her unlock her past, and take a chance on the future.
'We're moving to your house - the one from your dream'. Siena sees what isn't there; collects what's left behind. 'Lucca led me to his room, and then just stood in the middle, waiting for me to notice something'. Her brother Lucca is three and hasn't spoken for over a year.