I never read a horse book in my life. But I thought that's what my friends were reading and that's what I should be reading. And this was "Dobbin Does This" and "Dobbin Does That."

The best books come from someplace inside. You don't write because you want to, but because you have to.

I never read the "Bobbsey Twins" or "Boxcar Children."But I did remember being downtown, at the bookstore by myself and having an allowance and spending it on a Nancy Drew mysteries. And I was probably eleven, twelve.

I kept a diary as a teenager but I never would have shared it with anyone. Still, I think it's very good practice to write things down.

Do not tell me what to do and do not tell me what I can't do.

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.

Having the freedom to read and the freedom to choose is one of the best gifts my parents ever gave me.