© K. Woodard Photography
I'm a children's author who grew up with books and daydreams. I spin stories inspired by nature, cool science, and the intricacies of family and friendship. I write middle grade novels and picture books.
My books include Stealing the Score (Scholastic 2026); Near and Deer (Scholastic 2024); Hana Hsu and the Ghost Crab Nation (Razorbill, 2022); Manatee's Best Friend (Scholastic, 2021); and A Morning with Grandpa, illustrated by Christina Forshay (Lee & Low Books 2016, New Voices Award winner). My next book, a friendship story with meddling dogs, Now That We Don't Talk, will be out in October 2026.
My poems are in picture book anthologies, If I Could Choose a Best Day, illustrated by Olivia Sua (Candlewick Press 2025) and Thanku: Poems of Gratitude, illustrated by Marlena Myles (Lerner Books 2019). My sci-fi short story, "Life 2.0" is found in Don't Touch That!: A Sci-Fi and Fantasy Parenting Anthology (2022), and my art was featured in the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art New Waves 2012 exhibit, Huffington Post, Oceana, and World Wildlife Fund.
I co-run the kid lit resource website Kidlit411, which connects and supports children's writer and illustrators.
I'm represented by Jennifer March Soloway at Starling Literary + Media.