I loved summers when my siblings and I picked strawberries and went fishing at a nearby lake. In school, my grade-school teachers read aloud Newbery books all year, which introduced me to A Wrinkle in Time, my favorite. Alas, my family moved, but I was ecstatic to be assigned a homeroom in the school library. Back then I was known for my elegant handwriting that has since devolved into an illegible font.

My middle-school classmates were so zany that some became lifelong friends. With them, I sang tone deaf in the school choir, served on student council, and drove teachers insane. I liked hanging out at the fabulous public library, churning out assignments for the high school newspaper. The article I’m most proud of? I gave a shoutout to a grade-school friend whose nimble ball-handling earned him a starting role on varsity basketball.

I live with my family and an especially brainy dog who, well, understands counting to ten in Italian. When not writing, I like swimming, travel, and spectator sports.