Welcome! I write realistic contemporary fiction that’s usually considered “young adult” but is read by plenty of “older adults” as well. My newest novel, Not Like You (Clarion), is about first love, mother-daughter bonds, alcoholism, and the search for independence.

My previous books are The Secret of the Seal (Crown), an IRA Teacher's Choice, My Brother Has AIDS (a Jean Karl Book, Atheneum), which Publishers Weekly called “unusually believable” in a starred review, and You Look Too Young To Be A Mom: Teen Mothers Speak Out on Love, Learning, and Success (Perigee).

Browse this site to learn about my books, invite me to speak, arrange a phone-in visit for your book club, orinquire about my critiquing services (that’s manuscript critiquing. I don’t do clothing, home decorating, or table manners).

Check out the contests (free books!), photos (win a prize if you guess which musical I was in, in the last photo on this page), and enough biographical info to write a book report.

In addition to writing, I also:

• speak to groups, large and small
• teach writing workshops to teens, teen parents, and reluctant writers
• teach workshops for adults and teenagers on writing for teens
• recommend good books
• and consult with aspiring writers on their manuscripts.