Like many authors, I am inspired by the books I read.

Some of my favorite novels come from my childhood. I was lucky to be able to read them again with my children and my students.

Below are my absolute favorites:

A Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

I’d love to hear what some of your favorites are. Just email them to me and I will add them to the page.

I am also inspired by animals and by the people who love those animals. Many of my stories include animals I have known and loved throughout my life. Some are just animals that I have shared a moment with while hiking or floating on a river.

Alex has been my horse and friend for over 17 years.

During Covid, these chickens would walk up from my neighbor’s house and visit me on my patio every day.

When camping on Assateague Island, my husband and I came across this newborn foal and his mama.

We felt so lucky to come upon this handsome moose on a float with our son and his family.