Anybody who puts a book into someone else's hands inspires me - teachers, librarians, booksellers, parents.

Everything I write comes from my childhood in one way or another. I am forever drawing on the sense of mystery and wonder and possibility that pervaded that time of my life.

Mercy Watson was a character that had been in my head for a long time.

When we read together, we connect. Together, we see the world. Together, we see one another.

Once there was a princess who was very beautiful. She shone bright as the stars on a moonless night. But what difference did it make that she was beautiful? None. No difference." Why did it make no difference?" asked Abilene. Because," said Pellegrina, "She was a princess who loved no one and cared nothing for love, even though there were many who loved her.

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

I think that that's part of how people have responded to The Tiger Rising. It's what I call my dark child. It's gotten sandwiched in between two overachieving, tap-dance-performing kids - Winn-Dixie and Despereaux.