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                                         June 20th is World Refugee Day – a time when we acknowledge the overwhelming adversity faced by the more than 70 million displaced people worldwide.  It is our deepest belief that these vulnerable individuals should be protected, embraced, and empowered in a world of just and welcoming communities. Join us this week in celebrating the incredible resilience and contributions of refugees in America – and remembering those overseas who look to us for protection. In the [...]

Here's what the parent of one young fan has to say: Most recent favorite book. We’ve been making sand castles and writing G.R-E-G at the beach. Theora regularly asks to read ‘Gregory’. Floyd Cooper's illustrations added much to this book.  You can feel the sand! See the Kirkus review: Children will relate to this adventure, which pivots on the moment he realizes he has lost sight of his dad. But a winning combination of good memory and self-reliance lead to a most satisfactory ending. Scoop up this tale for its strength as a unique beach [...]

Yes!  Even during a pandemic, even in masks. Two weeks ago a bright spot for me. Pittsburgh school librarian, Carlton Heywood, one of my favorite fans   interviewed me about one of his favorite books, Galimoto, and about my writing. In one of my favorite places.  Frick Park. Good things can happen in difficult times. Stay safe and well everyone.  

I have so much respect for all the teachers doing  amazing jobs teaching on line. It is gratifying to be a small part of the effort reading and sharing my work, my life as a writer and the travels that has inspired my books. And a joy to be with students, involved, participating, preparing with enthusiasm and hope for the future. Thanks for the opportunity.

Amazing Teachers the world over are coping with teaching from home.  Look what one teacher and her students did in Ontario, Canada. The "class" watched my reading here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZE36anDI7Q&feature=youtu.be They planted for the future. Here's and idea! It was great!  I always like when the author reads their stories but I can not always find them doing so on you tube! As a follow to this activity we had the students plant seeds using toilet paper tubes as their planters, dirt from their yard and seeds from fruits and vegetables they had.  The [...]

At a time when we all need Hope, a number of teachers, librarians and other educators  in Ontario, Canada have requested that I produce a video reading of Circles of Hope.  the title is in the curriculum there for this week.  Reluctantly I obliged.  I am camera shy and technology is not my strong point.  The learning curve was steep.(I know this is a very simple project!) But with the help of my husband, Steven and with admiration for the teaching community, I did a reading.  Now I am sharing it with you. [...]