I have begun a rewrite of PLAYING BY THE NUMBERS. In my new version, Nate writes letters to Twig that he can never send. In this way, we see what he is going through as an exile in Canada, while his family still believes he is MIA.

Just got back from a wonderful school visit. The children at Brookside elementary in Beaumont, California, were all so enthusiastic and they made the visit so enjoyable! I spoke to K-5 and was then offered a tasty lunch by the PTA. Many thanks to Debra Rappelt, the school librarian. She put together a fantastic day for me and the kids!

I have been asked to speak at the California Reading Association Conference in November. It will be held at the Convention Center in Visalia. My presentation will cover the writing process, ins and outs of publishing, and lists of books that teachers and librarians can use with their students.