My life is mostly bibliocentric. My major area of reading interest is children's and young adult literature but I also read plent of adult books, too, particularly nonfiction. I am originally from New Jersey. I moved to Memphis in 1991 to attend graduate school. That is where I met my wonderful wife, Judy to whom I have been married since 1993. In my professional life I have taught high school English, undergraduate courses in composition and literature, graduate courses in children's and young adult literature, and worked as a librarian in public, school, and special libraries. At the momement, I devote my time to writing, teaching, and speaking. I have an extensive collection of Chuck Taylor hightop sneakers of various colors and I also collect PEZ dispensers. I live with my wife and two cats in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.