I spent my youth in Lackawanna, NY trying to figure out a way to dream my way out of the poverty I grew up in. I've spent a good portion of my adult life dreaming my way back into that life. No matter what characters I have written about from All-Bright Court to the Addy series, I have used the voice I have to give a voice to characters who I feel did not, or would not have had a voice within the circumstances of their worlds. Quirky Facts About Me:I'm a science geek.I listen to old time radio shows.I love okra. I survived the Jheri Curl wars.I've been known to listen to Broadway show tunes--and sing along. When I was younger I would kiss the cover of books I loved.If I could have married these men, I would have--Sam Cooke, Groucho Marx, Muhammad Ali.