I think of Mercy Watson like a superball; there's a bouncy kind of optimism to her stories. She allows me to play, and she makes me laugh. Hopefully readers feel the same way.

I was born in Philadelphia and currently live in Minneapolis. I write for both children and adults.

There ain't no way you can hold onto something that wants to go, you understand? You can only love what you got while you got it.

Once upon a time," he said out loud to the darkness. He said these words because they were the best, the most powerful words that he knew and just the saying of them comforted him.

There is nothing sweeter in this sad world than the sound of someone you love calling your name.

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

Reading should not be presented to children as a chore or duty. It should be offered to them as a precious gift.

The undoing is almost always more difficult than the doing.

You must be filled with expectancy. You must be awash in hope. You must wonder who will love you, whom you will love next.

It is important that you say what you mean to say. Time is too short. You must speak the words that matter.

The world is dark, and light is precious. Come closer, dear reader. You must trust me. I am telling you a story.

To live in peace, love peace.

And makes us rather bear those ills we have Than fly to others that we know not of?

Silence is not always tact and it is tact that is golden not silence.

The best thing you can probably do is keep a low profile, keep your eyes and ears open, your mouth shut, and you will learn a ton.

Rock's always been the devil's music.

If future generations ask us what we are fighting for [in World War Two], we shall tell them the story of Lidice.

He didn't care whose league Jordan was in. All that mattered was that she was his.

Thank you guys for believing in my ability and supporting me in my Olympic journey.

True, as unwisdom is the worst of ills

Everything we do is motivated by love. Even fear and hate are born of love. So be careful what you love.