Things change…things happen…things you can’t even imagine when you’re young and full of hope.

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.

Never give up! And remember, determination is as important as talent.

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

The creative process; I enjoy thinking up the stories and situations for my books.

If no one speaks out for [young readers], if they don’t speak out for themselves, all they’ll get for required reading will be the most bland books available. Instead of finding the information they need at the library, instead of finding novels that illuminate life, they will find only those materials to which nobody could possibly object... In this age of censorship I mourn the loss of books that will never be written, I mourn the voices that will be silenced — writers’ voices, teachers’ voices, students’ voices — and all because of fear.

Books opened up a whole new world to me. Through them I discovered new ideas, traveled to new places, and met new people. Books helped me learn to understand other people and they taught me a lot about myself. ... Some books you never forget. Some characters become your friends for life.