Happy Halloween

I love Halloween and all things creepy and weird. The main character in the book I’m working on now adores horror movies, which raises the question: why? According to Psychology Today, “When we get scared, we experience a rush of adrenaline and a release of endorphins and dopamine. The biochemical rush can result in a pleasure-filled,…Continue reading Happy Halloween

Working on a new book

I’m spending lots of time in Renaissance Italy (in my head) as I work on writing a new book. Here are some of my inspirations… I’m really excited! Scroll over the pictures for tidbits about them.  

Book review: Martin Luther King, The Peaceful Warrior

I am excited to once again participate in Multicultural Children’s Book Day! This year, I was delighted to receive Ed Clayton’s classic Martin Luther King, The Peaceful Warrior, updated with new illustrations by Donald Bermudez and a foreword by Xernona Clayton, published by Candlewick Press. See below for more info about tonight’s Twitter party; FREE BOOKS for teachers; FREE…Continue reading Book review: Martin Luther King, The Peaceful Warrior

Anthology ahoy!

It’s here!! Of Burgers & Barrooms, an anthology of poetry and prose about fast food joints and bars, arrived on my porch this morning! It’s a gorgeous collection, featuring one of my poems, “Valencia Street, Sunday Morning,” about Clooney’s, a dive bar on the corner near my apartment in San Francisco years ago. I was…Continue reading Anthology ahoy!

Review: In the Shadow of the Sun

North Korea has been in the news a lot lately, and although I’d rather not think about why, my kids have questions: Who are these people, and why are they targeting us? In the Shadow of the Sun by Anne Sibley O’Brien, an action-packed, middle-grade novel, offers a fascinating glimpse into the closed-off culture of North Korea,…Continue reading Review: In the Shadow of the Sun