Share Your Gratitude, Let's Celebrate Together!

My 9-year-old self is squealing with glee!

My book PURE GRIT appears in this month's Scholastic Reading Club form in schools across the country. This may be the most exciting thing yet in my writing career. 

When my elementary school teachers passed out those book club flyers, I couldn't wait to look through and see what books were available. I usually could only afford one book each month, so sometimes the decision was rough going.

Nothing compared to seeing the box arrive, my teacher slitting the tape, the books coming out and one getting passed into my hands. Maybe my dream of writing books for kids started right there. 


Scholastic buys the rights to publish cheaper paperback editions of books for the reading club, to make it easier for kids to own their own books. Teachers pass out the order forms and students can bring money to school or their parents can purchase the books online.

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Scholastic awards points to teachers for all the books their students purchase. Teachers can use these points to buy books for their classrooms.

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I'll take this opportunity to acknowledge that a book is a team effort, and to thank the team that produced PURE GRIT. 
From the moment I discovered these amazing WWII Nurses through to the book hitting the shelves, I had continual, generous, aid and support from many other people.

Since the advent of e-mail, going to the mailbox has lost most of its excitement and gravitas. So it was a red letter day when I received the envelope from my publisher containing a strip of silver stickers. I had know that PURE GRIT had been named a 2014 Eureka! honor book, but it really hit home when I stuck that sticker on the cover.

The California Reading Association established the Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award to celebrate and honor nonfiction children’s books and to assist teachers, librarians, and parents in identifying outstanding nonfiction books for their students and children. Click here to see all the books on the list.

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Also, thank you to readers, librarians, teachers, and Veteran's organizations--I am humbled by your response to the book.
I'm appreciative of so much love and support for PURE GRIT.
You are all helping to bring these WWII Nurses the honor and attention they so greatly deserve.