I believe that stories lift us, heal us, and connect us.
Check out my books at your local library or buy on Bookshop, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your local independent bookseller.
See also List of Book Awards, Resources Index.
 Guitar Notes (Egmont USA, 2012; Carolrhoda Lab, 2015) Two teens discover a powerful connection through music and songwriting. The unique graphics in this novel show the songwriting process from draft to completion and readers can hear the original songs that accompany the book. Best for ages 12 and up. No violence, profanity, or explicit content. Find out more at the book page. Winner of the Utah Beehive Book Award; Kentucky Bluegrass Award, South Carolina Junior Book Award, and Connecticut’s Nutmeg Award nominations. |
 Open Mic Night at Westminster Cemetery (Carolrhoda Lab, 2018) Sixteen-year-old slam-poet Lacy Brink wakes up dead—and confused—in Westminster Cemetery. It’s the job of Sam, a young soldier who died in 1865, to help her adjust to the strict rules of the afterlife. Lacy proposes hosting an open mic; and when Sam and the other ghosts finally express themselves, surprising emotions emerge in this darkly hilarious tale about truth, forgiveness, and love. Warning: this work contains explicit language and mature themes. Best for ages 15 and up. More info. |
 Get Happy (Egmont USA, 2014; Carolrhoda Lab, 2015) Sixteen-year-old Minerva wants a ukulele for her birthday. What she gets instead is a letter from her long-lost father asking to reconnect. A novel about music, love, friends, and the search for identity. The novel includes six original songs, which readers can listen to on the website. Best for ages 12 and up. More info on the book and music. No violence, profanity, or explicit content. |
   The Good Crooks Book Series (Egmont USA, 2014; Darby Creek, 2015) Billy and Jillian Crook have a big problem. Their parents are crooks, but they want to do good deeds! Publishers Weekly says: “the book’s many gags and sweetly absurd resolutions to the outlandish problems that arise will have beginning readers eager for more chaotic misadventures from these well-meaning Crooks.”. Best for ages 7-10A Book of the Month Club selection. See Teaching Guides, Readers Theater Script, and Downloadable Stick Puppets. |
    The Lucy McGee Series (Holiday House, 2020) Fourth grader Lucy makes lots of music and lots of mistakes as she stumbles and sings her way through the ups and downs of school and family life. Each book includes the songs Lucy and her friends write and sing. Best for ages 7-10. Hear the songs from the book and more! Starred review School Library Journal. |
    The Riot Brothers Series (Holiday House, special re-release 2017) Meet the Riot Brothers—Orville and Wilbur Riot. Sometimes they are undercover detectives. Other times they challenge each other to see who can get the most underwear on his head in exactly thirty seconds. Best for ages 5-10. Pick of the Decade for 4th grade, NJ State Library; Sequoyah award nominee 2008 masterlist; Sasquatch award nominee 2008 masterlist; Danish, Korean, Turkish, and Lithuanian editions available! Riot Brothers Fun Page. |
 Our Teacher is a Vampire and Other (Not) True Stories (Holiday House, 2016) The fifth graders in Mrs. Penrose’s class desperately want to write a story together in their secret journal. But getting a great idea for a story is hard and collaborating is even harder—especially when you throw a perfectionist, a new kid, a class clown, a schemer, and a ghoul-lover into the mix. When their beloved teacher has to take a leave of absence, they have to rely on each other and what they learn from a special author to write their masterpiece. Best for ages 7-11. Activity Guide,Teaching Packet to Show the Publishing Process. |
 The Naked Mole-Rat Letters (Holiday House, 2005) When her father begins a long-distance romance with a zookeeper from Washington, D.C., twelve-year-old Frankie attempts to sabotage the relationship. Best for ages 10-14. Mark Twain Award 2008 masterlist;William Allen White Award 2008 masterlist; Sequoyah Award 2008 masterlist; Charlotte Award 2008 masterlist; Land of Enchantment Award 2008 masterlist; Rebecca Caudill 2010 masterlist; German edition (DTV, 2007);Japanese edition (Tokuma Shoten, 2011)Reading guide; More on The Naked Mole-Rat Letters |
 Edgar Allan’s Official Crime Investigation Notebook (Holiday House, 2010) In this humorous and touching mystery, fifth grader Edgar Allan tries to catch a thief who leaves poetry instead of fingerprints at the crime scenes. Best for ages 8-12. Bluestem Award (IL) nominee 2014; Tennessee Volunteer State Award nominee 2013; Sunshine State Award nominee 2013 Interdisciplinary Exploration with Discussion Questions,Readers Theater Script Vocabulary List, Poetry Activities, More on Edgar Allan |
   The Star Striker Trilogy (Holiday House, 2023) In this thrilling series, an ordinary seventh grader named Albert is abducted to play in an interplanetary soccer tournament that becomes a life and death mission. Best for ages 9-12. Series resources here. |
 Good Crooks Book Four: The fourth book, Quackily Ever After, is the grand finale and is being currently offered exclusively as a free audio book from the author. Find out more here. |
 Perfect Partners (Reycraft Books 2022) Cat has a passion for painting. When she sees an advertisement to join an art class, she jumps at the chance to find painting partners―other cats like her. However when she arrives, the room is filled with barking dogs. What will panicked Cat do to find her perfect painting partners? Illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh. Activity page for young readers. |
 The Word Eater (Holiday House, 2000) A sixth-grade loner finds a magic worm that has the power to make things disappear. Will she use this power wisely or get revenge at her new school? Best for ages 8-12. Winner of the AZLA Young Readers Award (2004); Maud Hart Lovelace 2007 masterlist;Sasquatch 2003 masterlist;Sunshine 2004 masterlist;Land of Enchantment 2003 masterlist;GCBA 2004 masterlist; Korean editions, (Design House, 2001) (JDM Joongang,2008) Reading guide;More on The Word Eater |
 Please Write in This Book (Holiday House, 2006) When a teacher leaves a blank book in the Writer’s Corner for her students to find, with the instructions to “Please Write in This Book,” a great clash ensues. Best for ages 6-10. Winner of the Maud Hart Lovelace Award 2011-2012; Book of the Month Club edition, 2007; November pick for Read On! Wisconsin. Reading guide; An interview with Eric Brace More on Please Write in This Book |
 Traveling Tales (audiobook, 2020) Three timeless, original stories specifically written for audio. Each story features an engaging character who takes an unexpected journey. Lovingly-crafted long-form stories with rich language and imagery, The Chair, The Umbrella Maker and her Son, and Goose Child are meant for young children and adults to enjoy together. Perfect for bedtime snuggles. Best for ages 4-7. Listen to a sample and purchase here. |
  The Chicken of the Family Collection (audiobook, 2020) and picture book When you’re little, even an ordinary day is filled with big troubles and triumphs—especially when you have two older sisters who win trophies, play tricks, and seem so brave. Four-year-old Henrietta struggles with her jealousies and fears as she finds her place in her funny and loving family. This audio collection, narrated by the author, includes five new stories plus The Chicken of the Family, the beloved picture book in which Henrietta was first hatched. The Chicken of the Family Reader’s Theater Script The Chicken of the Family Musical More on The Chicken of the Family |
 Invisible Lines (Egmont USA, 2009; Carolrhoda Books, 2015) A funny and poignant book about a talented and struggling 7th grade boy with grit named Trevor whofinds inspiration in the unlikely study of mushrooms. Best for ages 10-14. California Young Readers Medal nominee for grades 6-9 2012-2013; Truman (Missouri) Master list 2011-2012; German edition (Carlsen, 2012) Interdisciplinary Exploration UnitDiscussion GuideMore on Invisible Lines |