I guess I write four or five hours a day, but I do it seven days a week. It's very disciplined, yes, but it's joy for me.

I don't believe in lecturing people. It's much more effective to present reading as a fun, rewarding pastime.

You looove me. You love me this much.

And Max, I've put some scraps in a bowl for your dog," Mom said. "It's on the floor, by the back door." The flock and I went still. Uh-oh, I thought. Total stomped up to me, his glare accusing. "A bowl on the floor!" he seethed. "Why don't you just chain me to a stake in the yard and throw me a bone!

It was the building from the drawing in my brain. And if you don’t think that’s a weird sentence, maybe you should reread it.

Max-I'm not going to die today.

Dr. Martinez: "I take it you don't want me to call your parent?" Max: "Uh, no." Hello, lab? May I speak to the test tube please?