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Books allow you to see the world through the eyes of others.

Literature seems to offer lessons in human nature that help us decode the world around us and be better friends.

While books expand horizons by exposing us to worlds outside our own, children also need to see themselves, their experiences and their cultures reflected in books they read. Unfortunately, for too many children, this is not the norm.

I want to see children curled up with books, finding an awareness of themselves as they discover other people's thoughts. I want them to make the connection that books are people's stories, that writing is talking on paper, and I want them to write their own stories. I'd like my books to provide that connection for them.

Books that kids read should be about what is going on in the world.

A good book written for children can be read by adults.

My books always focus on the response of the characters to extreme events. As dark as they get, they are ultimately positive, uplifting books about children who take control of their lives and overcome great adversaries. I think that is why they have been so popular.

I think my books talk about kids learning to like and respect themselves and each other. You can't write a message book; you just tell the best story you know how to tell.

There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all.

Everyone has a book within them. Everyone has to write it thinking, 'How will I help other people? What will the book do to touch lives?'