1. I wrote my first book for kids in 1991, and it was first published in 1995, by Philomel. One Night – a story from the desert is set in Niger and is about how a Tuareg boy earns his turban. It’s my favorite book of the 8 I have written, and now is only available in the UK, published by Puffin UK under the title of Muhamad’s Desert Night.  I love the voice, the gentleness of the text, the gorgeous illustrations by Ian Schoenherr, and the connection I developed with Muhamad, a real Tuareg boy that I based the story on.

2. My favorite author, and book, as a kid was Anne of Green Gables by L.H. Montgomery.  My favorite authors now are Andre Brink, Barbara Kingsolver and Judy Blume.