Why I write for young people

   When I was an education writer for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette in Massachusetts, I often wrote about young people who needed a teacher or mentor to step forward and offer a helping hand - just as I needed at that age.

   And I'm still writing about kids like that.

   I'm grateful to the Boston Authors Club for interviewing me this month about why I write for children and for naming CHASING AUGUSTUS a finalist for the Julia Ward Howe Award last fall.  I got to attend the ceremony at the beautiful  Boston Public Library and share the honor with some incredible writers whose work I really admire - Cynthia Levinson (award), Lauren Wolk (finalist), and Mira Bartok (finalist).