FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2019
I'll be giving author assemblies at Compton Junior High in Bakersfield.

FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 6:30PM YOUNG AUTHORS' DINNER
That evening I'll be appearing at Kern Reading Association's Annual Young Authors' Fair Dinner at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in Bakersfield at 6:30pm. Reservation forms are here: http://www.kernreadingassociation.org/young-authors-fair.html
Scroll down to Authors Dinner Reservation Form. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019, 7:30am to noon YOUNG AUTHORS' FAIR
I'll be presenting and signing books as part of Kern Reading Association's Annual Young Authors' Fair at the Larry Reider Center (20th & K Street) in Bakersfield. Bring your children to hear break out sessions with me, Sneed Collard, Marcie Colleen, Kristine O'Connell George, Reyna Grande, & Myron Uhlberg. It's free and KRA will have books for purchase and signing.  You can find all the details here: http://www.kernreadingassociation.org/young-authors-fair.html
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My newest book, The Women's Rights Movement: Then and Now is out this month in time for the Women's March. This book is dedicated to my sister Nancy who successfully fought against gender discrimination in law enforcement.  Geared toward children in grades 5-7, it examines the issues behind both the second and third waves of feminism. If you and your daughter marched together this would be a good resource for continuing the discussion of women's rights. 

I'll be giving a free workshop on student writing Thursday, October 20, 2017 at 4:30 for Kern Reading Association.  It will be held at the Kern County Superintendent of School's Office in room 1B. Come and learn how to get students excited about writing.  My newest book, Orphan Trains: Taking the Rails to a New Life will be for sale.  

Although my newest book, Orphan Trains, Taking the Rails to a New Life, won't be released until fall, advanced reader copies are now available for book reviewers through Net Galley.  

Yay!  The cover for For the Right to Learn Malala Yousafzai's Story has been released.  I wish I could show you some of the interior spreads because the illustrator, Janna Bock, did such a lovely job! But you can tell from the cover how very talented she is. I'm just delighted!  Look for the book on shelves in late summer and stay tuned for a book release party!   

I'm currently writing my sixth work-for-hire book.  Want to find out how to apply for work-for-hire book assignments?  Pop over to my guest post on Mandy Wallace's blog and learn how you can break into publishing through children's work-for-hire. 

I'm honored to announce my picture book manuscript Bovinella was awarded the SCBWI Promising Picture Book Award for 2014.  

Here's the link:  
http://www.scbwi.org/congrats-to-manuscript-critique-award-winners/

My manuscript critique at the 2014  SCBWI International Conference in Los Angeles resulted in my manuscript being nominated for the SCBWI Picture Book Award by the lovely Karen Grencik of Red Fox Literary.  And to top it off I got word yesterday that Bovinella won.  At first I thought there was a mis-steak as I'd just gotten an email telling me I didn't win the Sue Alexander award.  It turns out I was nominated for both awards and won the picture book one.  Holy Cow! I'm udderly delighted!  Thank you SCBWI!  Thank you writing friends at the Cen-Cal January retreat who prodded me in the right direction to keep at this manuscript.  Thank you, Karen, for the encouragement.  And thank you, funny cows everywhere, for inspiration.