about

Photo by Carter Hasegawa
I write middle grade fiction and have a not-so-secret fondness for fantasy with a dark twist...
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Growing up, I was a voracious reader and books always took me to places where my imagination thrived. I love writing stories that spark that same wonder in others.

I'm also a teacher and have taught Language Arts and technology for over 27 years. Being around middle school kids all day, I've developed patience, creativity, flexibility, and an abundant sense of humor! Visit my teaching portfolio to learn more about my classroom.

I participate in writing communities through Inked Voices, GrubStreet, and The Writers' Loft. I am a member of KidLit in Color, Black Creators in Kidlit, and #22Debuts, as well as SCBWI (The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators), where I am active in the New England regional chapter.

​I'm represented by Lindsay Davis Auld of Writers House.
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fun facts

  • My favorite book in elementary school was Mysteries, Monsters, and Untold Secrets. I picked it up at a school book fair. I read it from cover to cover many times, fascinated by stories about The Loch Ness Monster, the "lost" colony at Roanoke, and the ghost ship Mary Celeste.​
  • What was my second favorite book in elementary school? Charlotte's Web, of course. I still have a copy given to me by my third grade teacher.
  • When I was a junior in high school, I challenged myself to read 100 books in a year... and I did!
  • Even though I like scary books, I CANNOT watch scary movies any more (If I do, my fingers are over my eyes). If I'm really curious about a film, I'll just read the plot synopsis on Wikipedia.
  • Sometimes a book cover can creep me out. In high school I read It by Stephen King and only got a quarter of the way through. The cover with the monster's hand coming out of the sewer kept me up and I couldn't sleep with the book in my room. It went back to the library (But I DID watch the movie later).
  • I once went through a phase when I read every novel on King Arthur and Arthurian legend that I could find. Favorite book? The Once and Future King by T.H. White.
  • I love stories with magic and am a huge Harry Potter fan. I once taught a Harry Potter-themed summer camp. My favorite activity was planning the Horcrux scavenger hunt.
  • Fairy tale retellings are some of my favorite stories (That's why I love TV shows like Once Upon a Time). I WILL write one at some point.
  • I love animals and have two very bossy cats named Leah and Tabitha. Tabby is a tortoiseshell and they are known for their "tortitude" but Leah doesn't let being a calico stop her from expressing her wants, mostly about food.
5th grade Me
Leah & Tabitha
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not-so-fun facts (aka...the boring stuff)

I write middle grade fiction, sometimes with a touch of creepiness, ​but always filled with magic and heart.​
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A teacher for over 27 years, I am passionate about engaging students in their learning through authentic writing experiences and innovative practices, exploring the intersection of literacy and technology, and deepening my own professional learning as a connected educator.

I currently teach fifth & sixth grade English at an independent school in Boston, Massachusetts, where I also serve as an educational technology facilitator. I graduated from Dartmouth College with a BA in English and have a Master of Arts in Education with concentrations in Literacy and Technology & Learning from Michigan State University.
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