I graduated from Syracuse University in 1988, with dual degrees in journalism and English, and promptly moved to Los Angeles, where I got a job as a beat reporter for a community newspaper. Before long I got sucked into the vortex of the entertainment industry, and I wrote for TV Guide, The Hollywood Reporter, and other entertainment publications.

After taking a break (!) to have children, I moved into writing non-fiction children's books once my own kids were old enough to reach the peanut butter and crackers for themselves. Now I write mainly for children and teens, but occasionally for adults as well. I've written about 75 books, on everything from sports to science, but my very favorite topics are history and the people who made it, and how people are trying to change the world today.

I'm also a developmental editor for novels, primarily middle grade and young adult, working with both established and new authors.

When I'm not working, I like to cook (especially dessert), plant flowers (and hope they don't die), and watch scary movies (as long as they come out okay at the end). Once in awhile I pretend to do yoga, especially the kind that involves sitting on the deck with a book and an ice tea. I have two grown sons, and I live in Lawrence, Kansas, where I'm a big fan of Jayhawks basketball.