I grew up in a small town in the Sierra foothills, just outside of Yosemite National Park. I spent a great deal of my childhood reading, writing, and climbing trees. I was unschooled until high school, so I had plenty of time for these pursuits, as well as many others. My brother and I founded a monthly newsletter (“Homeschoolers for Peace and Justice”) in which we wrote research articles along with other homeschooled contributors across the country. I also wrote a lot of fictional stories and dreamed of writing children’s books when I grew up.

After attending University of California Santa Cruz for a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, I earned a teaching credential from California State University Monterey Bay. Somewhat ironically, I became an elementary school teacher. I later obtained a master’s degree in education from San Jose State University with a research project detailing the benefits of daily Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) for K-5 students. For ten years I taught K-3 and I was lucky enough to get to read picture books aloud to eager children every day.

These days, I read aloud to only two children each day. Our mornings begin with stories and no one even thinks about going to sleep before we’ve read several books. I also still love reading to myself: particularly mysteries and historical fiction. I don’t climb trees anymore–I’ve traded that for climbing rocks. I boulder (climb short rocks that don’t require use of a rope) whenever I can with my husband and our children.

I’m an active member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

I’m currently seeking representation.

If you want to learn more about my life, check out my blog.

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