When you read with your child, you show them that reading is important, but you also show them they're important - that they are so important to you that you will spend 20 minutes a day with your arm around them.

Any criticism of someone you love is hard to take.

I also want to encourage anybody who was affected by Hurricane Corina to make sure their children are in school.

Nothing attracts attention like a red dress.

I'm inspired by my faith of course, and all the different people around me.

There's nothing political about American literature.

Women have a better chance to secure freedom and protect themselves from violence, from abuse, from injustice, if they are well-educated and know their rights.