NEWS & EVENTS

This page includes updates about my work and upcoming events, mostly in my writing & teaching life!

Current Projects!

A new Step into Reading, Frederick Douglass: Voice for Justice, Voice for Freedom, will be released by Random House in December 2019. Writing across cultural and racial lines is something I take seriously, thus I am incredibly careful (probably more than usual) to ensure that I have written an accurate and vetted piece.  I use a diverse group of authenticity/sensitivity readers to ensure that pieces like this one will do no harm and ring true and accurate. The illustrator is Nicole Tadgell.  Her site can be found by clicking her name!

Brave Clara Barton released on February 27th, 2018!  It is illustrated by Sarah Green!  I LOVE her art!  Her style is perfect for capturing Clara's verve & grit & grace!  Here is a link to Sarah's site: 

I am currently working on several picture book manuscripts about some familiar historical icons: MLK, George Washington Carver, and (for the third time!) Teddy Roosevelt AND a picture book about growth mindset and another about the power of poems and the words we choose.

In July 2019, I have a picture book that will be released by Sleeping Bear Press. It is tentatively titled A Boy Like You. I believe it is the most important book I have written. It will be illustrated by Kayla Harren. Her site can be found by clicking her name, below!

​

​

​

On March 22–24, 2017 I attended the

2017 National Writing Project Spring Meeting

I joined fellow colleagues in the nation's capital on March 22–24, 2017 for the NWP Spring Meeting. Along with other Writing Project teachers, we had an opportunity to share our classroom successes with members of Congress and with each other. I'm honored to have participated in this event!

October 27th, 2016 Mount St. Mary's University

(Emmitsburg, Maryland)

I presented to students in the School of Education & Human Services! Carolyn Cook, Ph.D. hosted me for a full day of conversation about writing and publishing and teaching with mentor texts!  I loved every moment!!!