“Is it me, or is this ghost talking like the Fonz from Happy Days?” I wondered, the whole time I was reading GHOST BUDDY: ZERO TO HERO. When I spent a little time with Henry Winkler at a Scholastic dinner during the International Reading Association Convention recently, he assured me that I wasn’t imagining things.  [...]

When I’m speaking with another author at an event, I always try to read his or her work ahead of time if I can; it’s always more fun for me to meet fellow writers when I’m familiar with their work. So earlier this spring, when I saw on my IRA schedule that I was speaking [...]

This blog isn’t a place where I talk about politics.  And that’s not what I want to talk about today.  I want to talk about the language we use and the message it sends.  Specifically, I want to talk about the use of the word “prank” to describe what presidential candidate Mitt Romney is accused [...]

I can’t imagine there’s a children’s author or illustrator, or really anyone who loves children’s books, whose eyes didn’t tear up yesterday upon the news of Maurice Sendak’s death.  Sendak’s wild, brave imagination has had a huge influence of the world of picture books and the world of children. CNN’s sister site, HLN-TV asked me [...]

I’ve long been a fan of Jo Knowles’ YA novels, so a few months ago, when Candlewick offered me an early peek at SEE YOU AT HARRY’S, her first title for ages 10 and up, I jumped at the opportunity. Jo is a writer-friend and one of the kindest, most generous people I’ve ever met. [...]

Supermoon: A Poem in Photosby Kate Messner, copyright 2012 It looked a little bigger(14% if you ask the scientists)And 30% brighter, too,But the real powerOf last night’s moonWas the way it made us stopAnd pay attention.We waited all through dinnerFor it to edge up over the mountains.When it finally did,You almost knocked over your water glass.“Come [...]

I’ve had a busy spring so far, and so has my chapter book character, third grader Marty McGuire.Here’s a Marty update: The second book in the series, MARTY MCGUIRE DIGS WORMS, came out April 1st, and there have already been some super-nice reviews, including this one (that came with a star!) from Kirkus: Floca’s cheery [...]

Tuesday morning at the International Reading Association started bright and early for me. I don’t usually have trouble jumping out of bed in the morning, but I was especially excited for breakfast. Can you see why? The theme for the Scholastic Book Clubs breakfast, “My Favorite Teacher,”  made this an easy talk to write because [...]

After two whirlwind days at the International Reading Association Convention in Chicago this week, I have three conclusions to share: Even in this age of high-stakes testing, passion for real reading is alive and well. Teachers have amazing, resilient, indomitable spirits. People who love books are the absolute best people to hang out with. My [...]

Monday and Tuesday of next week, I’ll be in Chicago for the International Reading Association Convention with a wonderfully busy schedule, speaking and signing books. If you’re there, too, I hope you’ll find me and say hello!  Here’s where to look… Monday, April 30 10:00-11:00 – Book Signing – OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW and [...]