My Books

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I was delighted to cowrite this book with voting rights activists and veterans, Eddie Hailes and Jennifer Lai-Peterson.

The kids of the E-Squad afterschool troop are working on their newest project: voting. But as they conduct a survey in their neighborhood, they realize that voting isn’t easy for everyone, and that many are still fighting for the right to vote. Guided by Mama Cheryl, a seasoned voting rights advocate, the kids learn about the importance of voting and its impact on their community. Determined to help, the E-Squad mobilizes people to vote and discovers how their collective action can make a difference.

Calling All Future Voters! explores the history of voting rights and highlights our country's ongoing struggle for a more inclusive democracy. Blending narrative and educational content, this book is a call to action encouraging readers (young and old) to understand their rights and responsibilities in a democracy.

“This is amazing. Too often discussions about civic engagement for kids are limited to oversimplified if not condescending admonitions. Calling All Future Voters candidly addresses not only the checkered history of voting rights in this country, but also the enduring and newly erected barriers to participation today. And most importantly, how we can fight for a better future. Not just a call to vote, but a call to action.”

—Innosanto Nagara, author and illustrator of A is for Activist and Oh, the Things We’re For!

Stan Yogi and I cowrote this first book in the Fighting for Justice series. 

• Winner, Carter G. Woodson Book Award
• Winner, New-York Historical Society Children’s Book Prize
• Winner, Social Justice Literature Award
• Honor Title, Jane Addams Children’s Book Award
• Finalist, 2017 Cybils Awards
• Nominee, Georgia Children’s Book Award
• Nominee, Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award
• Nominee, South Carolina Junior Book Award
• A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
• An ACL Outstanding Title

Fred Korematsu liked listening to music on the radio, playing tennis, and hanging around with his friends—just like lots of other Americans. But everything changed when the United States went to war with Japan in 1941 and the government forced all people of Japanese ancestry to leave their homes on the West Coast and move to distant prison camps. This included Fred, whose parents had immigrated to the United States from Japan many years before. But Fred refused to go. He knew that what the government was doing was unfair. And when he got put in jail for resisting, he knew he couldn’t give up.

Inspired by the award-winning book for adults Wherever There’s a Fight, the Fighting for Justice series introduces young readers to real-life heroes and heroines of social progress. The story of Fred Korematsu’s fight against discrimination explores the life of one courageous person who made the United States a fairer place for all Americans, and it encourages all of us to speak up for justice.

Arisa White and I cowrote this second book in the Fighting for Justice series.

• Winner of the Nautilus Book Award
• Winner of the 2021 FOCAL Award
• Silver Award Winner, 2020 Independent Publisher Book Awards
• Winner of the Book Award for Young People’s Literature, 2020 Maine Literary Awards

Building on the brilliance of Fred Korematsu Speaks Up, the newest installment in the Fighting for Justice series introduces young readers to another real-life champion for civil rights: Bridget “Biddy” Mason, an African American philanthropist, healer, and midwife who was born into slavery. When Biddy arrived in California, where slavery was technically illegal, she was kept captive by her owners and forced to work without pay. But when Biddy learned that she was going to be taken to a slave state, she launched a plan to win her freedom. She refused to be defined by her enslavement, and coauthors Arisa White and Laura Atkins devote much of their narrative to Biddy Mason’s later life as a business and civic leader in the fledgling city of Los Angeles.

Biddy Mason Speaks Up is an age-appropriate yet unflinching examination of slavery, racism, and community healing in the United States. Each chapter begins with lyrical verse and full-color illustrations that draw readers into the narrative, and is followed by visually engaging sections filled with keyword definitions, historical context, timelines, and primary sources. Throughout the book, the authors pose questions to the reader, such as “How do you see power at work in your community?”, making Biddy Mason’s story all the more relatable to the present day.

When Jasper the dachshund hears about the world’s biggest dog sled race in Alaska, he just knows he can win. And when his family goes to watch the race, he decides to enter. Jasper tries every position, but he’s too little and doesn’t fit into the sled’s harness. That doesn’t stop him. Jasper sneaks aboard a team sled and finds a way to become a part of the team. His yappy enthusiasm keeps them moving, and Jasper learns how much energy it takes to pull the sled. In the final stretch of the race, his team is neck-and-neck with another sled. Can Jasper help lead his team to victory? Will they win by a (long, pointy) nose?

“Illustrated with vibrant scenes depicting the snowy action, this title is sure to inspire little ones with the idea that sometimes enthusiasm and courage can be as important as size. . . . VERDICT Perfect for one-on-one shares or as a winning storytime offering that will hold listeners’ attention until the last page.”
—Mary Jennings, Camano Island Library, WA, School Library Journal

“This is a perfect bedtime story for kids, ages 5 to 7. . . . This puny little guy with a strong bark, good intentions, and a big heart won’t stand down and does his part to inspire the team to greatness in the world’s biggest sled race.”
—Judith M. Gallman, Editor, BayWoof, the free monthly newspaper for San Francisco Bay Area dog lovers

10 Unique Gifts for Dachshunds and Dachshund Lovers! “The illustrations are great and both share valuable life lessons.. . .the Sled Dog Dachshund book about a pup from Alaska that doesn’t let others discourage him. . . .”
—Jessica Rhae Williams, YouDidWhatWithYourWiener.com