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Debbie’s Blog

Welcome to my new blog, which now includes content from many of the blogs I’ve created over the years. You can now also access content via category from this one page instead of having to search for my individual blogs, which were scattered over various platforms and websites.



Hopeful messages for young people from the kidlit community

EDITED: Please note that Jarrett has asked the kidlit community use #hugsfromkidlit instead of the safety pin hashtag. Let’s stay organized w/ #kidlitsafetypins hashtag. https://t.co/xPB9lYScJx— Jarrett J. Krosoczka (@StudioJJK) November 11, 2016 I am so moved, browsing through all the #kidlitsafetypins posts on Twitter. I’ve created some as well; click on any image below for a . . .





Quarks, Aerospace Engineering & Advice For Young Writers: Three Questions with children’s book author Ruth Spiro

Ruth Spiro is the author of the Baby Loves Science series, published by Charlesbridge. Her debut picture book, Lester Fizz, Bubble-Gum Artist won awards from Writer’s Digest and Willamette Writers, and was a Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year. Ruth’s articles and stories have appeared in FamilyFun, CHILD, and The Writer, and also in popular . . .



THE SECRET LIFE OF LINCOLN JONES by Wendelin Van Draanen (Knopf)

I recently read THE SECRET LIFE OF LINCOLN JONES by Wendelin Van Draanen, which launches today from Knopf Books For Young Readers. Thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrator is 11-year-old Lincoln, who keeps secrets in his notebook. His voice is fresh, funny and I love how he sees the world.  One of his . . .




I’m on the faculty at the SCBWI Winter Conference in 2017!

When I attended my first regular SCBWI conference back in 2009, I was super-nervous about meeting people. Would anyone talk to me? Would they like me? Would the costs of the flight and hotel and meals etc. be worth it? Would I ever get published? If I could tell my . . .