She was working to remind herself of who she was. She was working to remember that somewhere in another place entirely she was known and loved.

In my stories for children, I sometimes show a hard, harsh, dangerous world. I'm going to show you the way it is, but I'm going to also tell you that there's every reason to hope.

I am single and childless, but I have lots of friends and I am an aunt to three lovely children.

So many miracles have not yet happened.

I'm grateful for every teacher or librarian who reads a book and says, "This is exactly the book that so-and-so needs to read; I'll get it in his hands." I'm amazed at the network of adults who make sure that kids get books.

My goal is two pages a day, five days a week. I never want to write, but I'm always glad that I have done it. After I write, I go to work at the bookstore.

Nobody ever learns anything.