FAQs

Because of learning struggles, I didn’t read books as a kid. So I never imagined writing books for kids. My dream was to become a newspaper reporter. I couldn’t get a newspaper job. The closest I could get was, at the age of 24, getting hired as a writer for a high school current events magazine called Scholastic Update. It was one of many magazines that were—and still are—published by Scholastic, Inc., where I still work. And what an incredible stroke of magical good luck this was!
 
I loved writing about current events and history. But even more, I loved that my stories were being used in classrooms and that I was able to connect with teachers and kids across the country. This job led to other roles in what is today known as Scholastic Magazines+. I eventually wound up as the editor-in-chief and publisher of all 32 magazines.
 
But my most prized role there was becoming the editor of Storyworks, a multi-genre language arts magazine for kids in grades 3–6. The magazine was in its second year of publication, and it was the last job I wanted. But it turned out to be the biggest stroke of magical job luck ever. I worked closely with a small team of incredible humans, some of whom are my best friends today.
 
We evolved Storyworks into a true gem, a multi-genre magazine with a treasure trove of videos and other teaching resources that is still beloved by teachers and kids. I also forged close relationships with teachers across the country, many of whom are still in my life.  It was while I was working as the editor of Storyworks that I became inspired to try writing novels for kids. I Survived grew out of our mission at Storyworks: to create stories that build knowledge and that kids will (hopefully) love reading.

When I began the series, I was thinking of Dylan — remember he wanted character that was “a boy like him.” I didn’t imagine that the series would go beyond a few books. But to my amazement, more and more kids started reading I Survived. And soon I was hearing from girls who were rightfully dismayed that there were no girl characters (and unmoved when I told my Dylan story). There are now five I Survived books with girl main characters: Mt. St. Helens, Grizzly Attack, Molasses Flood, Wellington Avalanche and Black Death. The California Wildfires book has both a boy and a girl front and center. And even when I write about a boy main character, there are always strong girls and women supporting him.