Wimpy Kid Book 12!

Nation, mark your calendars: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway comes out November 7, 2017. Aiyeeee!!!!!!  

One amazing 12-year-old

I’m in total awe of Marley Dias, the 12-year-old behind the #1000blackgirlbooks campaign and a leading voice in the push to diversify #kidlit. This PW article about Marley’s talk with Suzanna Hermans of

13 Reasons Why

I’m halfway through 13 Reasons Why, the Netflix series based on the novel by Jay Asher. The show is hard to resist — high emotions and drama, with a mystery that keeps

The fantastic April #mglitchallenge

I blog over at From The Mixed-Up Files of Middle Grade Authors, and we’re doing an April #MG challenge. Follow us on Instagram (@mixedupfilesmg) and post a pic that corresponds

March trilogy for upper MG readers

I just finished the final book in John Lewis’ powerful March trilogy, graphic representation of the civil rights era and the role Lewis and others played. It was inspiring, heartbreaking,

The embarrassment of food allergies

Recently, Anthony Maruca, a 23-year-old, died from an allergic reaction to his severe food allergies. It’s a tragic story of a wonderful young person dying much, much, much too soon. Anthony’s

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Need craft and dessert ideas to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Here’s my roundup for RetailMeNot on 15 easy DIY ideas for March 17 (or anytime you’re feeling lucky).

Get out the vote!

You don’t have to be 18 to vote in the 10th annual Children’s and Teen Choice Book Awards. Starting Friday, March 3 through Sunday, May 7,  you can vote online

Sensitivity Readers

This is a fantastic trend, and one that’s helpful to any author trying to get it right when portraying a range of voices and backgrounds in their work. Publishers and

A Valentine to Middle Grade Books

  This week, I’m over at From The Mixed-Up Files of Middle Grade Authors to share what books the MUF team loves the most. Check ’em out!Â