I am starting a new picture book manuscript entitled ZOMBERELLA. It's a zombie spoof on the Cinderella story. Should be fun!

I sent PLAYING BY THE NUMBERS to a new editor at Pushkin Publications, which is part of Bloomsbury Press. I also sent the manuscript to Christy Ottaviano at Henry Holt. Wish me luck!

Just finished my rewrite of PLAYING BY THE NUMBERS and I am quite happy with it. In this new version, Nate (the older brother who went off to Canada to avoid the draft) writes letters from Canada to his younger sister Twig, although he can never send them to her. His chapters alternate with the ones told from her point of view - as a person living in the U.S. during the Vietnam War conflict. In this way, I can tell the story from both sides and the readers can see the sacrifices that both of them have to make.

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.

Just sent PLAYING BY THE NUMBERS and EXTRA EXTRA to Bloomsbury for consideration. They worked with me on DESERT ROSE AND HER HIFALUTIN HOG, and the end product was fabulous! I am hoping for another collaboration with that wonderful house.