By day (and night and weekends) I’m an English Professor at the University of Arizona. In the spaces between teaching, parenting, community engagement, and other obligations, I’m an author. My household – me, my husband, two kids, two dogs, two rats, and one snake – is always bustling as we travel, dance, run, swim, sing, work, entertain, and play.
I grew up in a tiny mountain town, then a tropical island, and now reside in the Sonoran Desert. I’ve loved reading and been called to writing and teaching ever since I can remember. In 7th grade I did my “dream career report” on writing. I interviewed three of my favorite writers at the time – the most famous being Stephen King. Mr. King kindly put my short questionnaire in his typewriter and responded to my questions. (I still have that letter!)
My high school bio stated, “I hope to one day be an English teacher, actor, and world traveler.” Travel, like a book, opens up the world and provides new perspectives. I’ve been lucky enough to visit many U.S. states and other countries. There’s a lot of performance in teaching, so I feel like I reached those goals!
As an English Professor, I spend my time editing, teaching (children's and YA literature), and overseeing Pine Reads Review, an online YA literature publication run by an incredible team of undergraduate interns at the University of Arizona. In addition to the work we publish online, our mission includes local outreach engaging our community through writing contests, volunteer work, and hosting events...including Saturday morning story time at The Littlest Bookshop!
I enjoy visiting schools and empowering children to love and interact with books and writing in customized presentations that showcase the rich diversity of children's literature. From university teaching to talking with children, I love opening the world of kidlit to students of all ages!
Official Bio and list of Honors & Awards
I grew up in a tiny mountain town, then a tropical island, and now reside in the Sonoran Desert. I’ve loved reading and been called to writing and teaching ever since I can remember. In 7th grade I did my “dream career report” on writing. I interviewed three of my favorite writers at the time – the most famous being Stephen King. Mr. King kindly put my short questionnaire in his typewriter and responded to my questions. (I still have that letter!)
My high school bio stated, “I hope to one day be an English teacher, actor, and world traveler.” Travel, like a book, opens up the world and provides new perspectives. I’ve been lucky enough to visit many U.S. states and other countries. There’s a lot of performance in teaching, so I feel like I reached those goals!
As an English Professor, I spend my time editing, teaching (children's and YA literature), and overseeing Pine Reads Review, an online YA literature publication run by an incredible team of undergraduate interns at the University of Arizona. In addition to the work we publish online, our mission includes local outreach engaging our community through writing contests, volunteer work, and hosting events...including Saturday morning story time at The Littlest Bookshop!
I enjoy visiting schools and empowering children to love and interact with books and writing in customized presentations that showcase the rich diversity of children's literature. From university teaching to talking with children, I love opening the world of kidlit to students of all ages!
Official Bio and list of Honors & Awards
So excited to share this AZ Public Media Piece on my long running class collaboration with Make Way For Books!
New Book Announcement! Coming in 2026!
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November Interview by the UA
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Available now from Hewitt Learning!
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Read about the 389Literary "Pop Up Editorial Literary Agency" Project UA Students participated in 2020-21
Pine Reads Review - an online literary publication showcasing new & established writers!
Students made Animal BFF bookmarks at the Book Fair!
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Little Free Library Project
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Our little library is up and running!!
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