It’s almost spring, which means some pretty big, fun book festivals — and who does big and fun better than Texas librarians? I’ll be at the North Texas Teen Book Festival Saturday, March 1 and the Texas Library Association conference April 1-2. I’ll be on a bunch of really great panels and doing some signings. Hope to see all you Dallas-area readers and librarians (who are inherently readers) in Texas!
It all comes back to the OG.
It’s so funny; writing this story started as one thing and kinda morphed into something else toward the end. It was going to be a lighthearted offshoot campground story filled with fireside antics. After all, it co-stars mischievous Joe Lungo. What could be more fun and drama-filled?
But it also re-stars Emmie who – for all her evolution – remains a shy, sensitive soul. So, of course, this story is layered.
Like most of my books (see previous blog posts), I had a great time writing EE. Without spoiling the story: after a promising school year filled with new friends and some newfound confidence, Emmie becomes suddenly alienated during an end-of-year weekend class trip. Consequently, she is thrusted back to her insecure, awkward self. At the same time, perpetual prankster Joe finds himself a third wheel on the same trip. Not pleased.
Guess who gets partnered up?
That’s the fun premise of the story. But ultimately it dips into some more serious topics, like (re)finding self-confidence, friendship communication, and body autonomy and personal boundaries (don’t worry, grown-ups, very innocently!). The latter is something I think is soooo important for young people to learn about early on, and I hope these characters inspire that.
I think this one is truly a fun mix of wonderful themes as well as a great summer read. I really hope young readers love this tale of unlikely friendship. Joe was a total kick to write for and Emmie – who is my spirit animal – remains the voice of my inner thirteen-year-old.
Oh, yes, and there are old (and new) crushes. Can’t forget those.
Click here to pre-order ENTIRELY EMMIE!
Always love chatting with Zibby Owens on her prolific podcast, and this time I had the pleasure of joining funny and talented Alan Silberberg (double the fun). We discussed THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS, the awesome recent middle grade Hanukkah anthology we were honored to be a part of.
You can find the episode on Apple Podcasts (as well as on Spotify and Acast!) here.
You can order THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS here.
Coming to stores May 6, 2025: ENTIRELY EMMIE! It’s the return of our hero Emmie along with an unlikely sidekick…Joe Lungo! Talk about a mash-up of polar opposites. Readers will totally enjoy this story of a (seemingly) more self-assured Emmie and get a peek into what makes that awful prankster Joe tick!
Aaaand, as you can see, the book has a new look! We’ve refreshed the Emmie & Friends cover designs for the next generation of readers. Hope you enjoy these eye-catching covers!
Synopsis of ENTIRELY EMMIE:
These days, a more confident Emmie doesn’t feel so invisible. At least not around her best friends, Brianna and Sarah, and her crush, Tyler.
Then there’s class clown Joe. His jokes aren’t landing the way they used to. I mean, who doesn’t love a good prank? Apparently not his so-called friends, who don’t even seem to care if he’s around.
When their class goes on an end-of-the-year camping trip, Emmie and Joe find themselves stuck together—and expect the worst. But what happens instead turns out to be entirely unexpected.
Pre-order ENTIRELY EMMIE here!
Well, here’s something different: Fifteen notable authors and I have a new anthology out now, THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS: 16 HANNUKKAH STORIES. It’s for young and old, and it’s fantastic!
My story is a cheeky illustrated fantasy fiction about a miraculous, empathetic tree and the girl who cares deeply for it. I hope you’ll check out all the great stories. You definitely do not have to be Jewish to enjoy the book!
You can order here or through your local bookstore. Get it in time for the holidays!
I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by Barbara Bietz of the truly wonderful website/blog, Jewish Books for Kids. As a Jewish author, this was a meaningful one for me. As you may or may not know, Leah, one of the main characters in ALWAYS ANTHONY, is Jewish and sometimes discusses her family traditions. There is also an important lesson in the book focusing on “teshuvah” (Hebrew for “repentance” and “return”), which is central to the story’s theme of bullying and forgiveness. The interview doesn’t just focus on Leah’s background — it discusses so much more. I hope you enjoy!
Click here for the interview.