The best books come from someplace deep inside.... Become emotionally involved. If you don't care about your characters, your readers won't either.

Another thing all writers have in common is we're all observers. We pay attention to detail.

I was shy, but I stood up in front of the class and I gave my report.I was reporting on books that I didn't want to read. I was inventing books that I didn't want to read.

I don't really know exactly how it happened but I don't like the idea that I would ever have said I'm going to write about racism or puberty or bullying.

I loved to read, and I think any child who loves to read will read anything, including the back of the cereal box, which I did every morning.

I love picture books. I think some of the best people in children's books are the ones who create their own picture books. I wish I could say I'm one of them, but I'm not.

[I]t's not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written. The books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship. As always, young readers will be the real losers.