I’m the author of several books, including SOLD, an account of sex trafficking based on research I did in the brothels of India; Never Fall Down, the true story of a boy who survived the Killing Fields of Cambodia, and Cut, a portrait of a girl struggling with self-injury. I’m also the co-author of the young readers’ edition of I am Malala, the story of Malala Yousafzai, the girl who was shot by the Taliban in her fight for education. I’ve also written The Plot to Kill Hitler, a true account of a pastor who signed on to be an assassin and Sgt. Reckless, the story of little horse who became a hero.

My books have won a number of awards – SOLD and Never Fall Down were named National Book Award finalists. They’ve been named to the New York Times Notable Books list, Publishers Weekly Best Books list and NPR’s Best Books list. SOLD, featuring Gillian Anderson, was released as a feature film – and is one of the most banned books in the United States. My picture book about Sgt. Reckless won the prestigious Texas Bluebonnet award. 

 

My journalism has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, AARP and Oldster, among other publications, and I’ve performed live at The Moth.  My piece for the Washington Post Magazine told the story of Mary Ann Vecchio, the young woman who is pictured in the famous Kent State photo. 

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I live in Sag Harbor, NY where I swim, practice yoga and ride horses. I live here with my cat, Sasha.