Welcome!
Originally from Massachusetts, for over twenty years I've lived, worked, and raised a family in Japan. My books reflect this bilingual, insider-outsider, cross-cultural life.
I sometimes tackle difficult topics in my books--bullying, grief, displacement, loss . . . and, because I studied biology, wildlife and nature often meander through my stories. I write poetry, prose, fiction, nonfiction, and I'm always stirring up some new stories.
Lately I'm at work on picture book biographies and translations, a dual narrative YA novel, and a middle grade historical fantasy, and...
Listening to Trees: The Woodworking Ways of George Nakashima, a picture book biography written in haibun form (a combination of haiku and prose) that celebrates the life and work of this visionary Japanese American craftsman. Written by Holly Thompson, illustrated by Toshiki Nakamura, to be published by Neal Porter Books/Holiday House in 2023.
One Wave at a Time is a lyrical story about grief and healing, for anyone encountering loss.
Download the One Wave at a Time Teacher's Guide HERE.
Twilight Chant is a lyrical evocation of the transition between day and night and an exploration of the animals who thrive during this time.
Download the Twilight Chant Teacher's Guide HERE.
Watch the Twilight Chant Book Trailer HERE.
Falling into the Dragon's Mouth confronts school bullying in Japan. In this NCTAsia Freeman Book Award title, Jason--a sixth grader, orange belt in aikido, and big brother--struggles to cope with escalating aggression at school and thinks aikido will help him.
Teaching Resources
View this Falling into the Dragon's Mouth Video Read-Aloud and Writing Activity .
Watch the NCTAsia/FCCEAS Falling into the Dragon's Mouth Webinar.
Read 30 companion #NoticePoems on my hatbooks blog .
Orchards won the APALA Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature. Bicultural Kana is a Japanese and Jewish/American girl sent from her home in New York to spend the summer with relatives in Japan after the death by suicide of a classmate. As Kana is immersed in the mikan orchards of the tiny village of Kohama, she tries to make sense of what happened.
Download the Orchards Book Group Discussion Guide HERE.
The Language Inside is about displacement, poetry, noodles, love and language. A YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults title and a Notable Books for the Language Arts selection, this verse novel is full of poetry. Read the story behind the story here,.
Download the Discussion, Writing, Activity and Service Guide for The Language Inside HERE.
The Wakame Gatherers features bicultural Nanami going seaweed gathering with her Japanese and American grandmothers. While translating for the two women, she comes to understand they were at war when they were her age. A Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People. Included after the story are an author’s note about wakame, a glossary of Japanese words used, and recipes for wakame by Nanami and each of her grandmothers.
Teaching Resources
View The Wakame Gatherers Read-Aloud Video with info about wakame cultivation and harvesting.
Download the Teacher's Guide for The Wakame Gatherers.
And visit Texts and Contexts: Teaching Japan Through Children's Literature online curriculum, a collection of teacher-developed, standards-based, cross-curricular K-6 lessons, featuring The Wakame Gatherers.
Visit BOOKS for all titles.