Hello!

I’m the author of middle grade novels, like Malcolm at Midnight, nonfiction picture books, like Glow: Animals with Their Own Night-Lights, regional biographies, like Dr. Kate: Angel on Snowshoes, and educational series, like Follow That Food Chain. Despite writing across genres and age levels, I like to think my books all include a sense of wonder for the natural world, a dose of mystery, and pinch of humor. My books have been honored by Junior Library Guild selection, state and regional awards, the National Science Teachers Association, and Bank Street Best Books of the Year, among others.

When I’m not writing, I’m a library media specialist in a high school in Wisconsin. And in between those two jobs, I love to read, make art, travel, and explore the outdoors with my husband, sons, and dog. 

Recent adventures

Today I got the ✅ from my editor for the manuscript I turned in last week. I’m proud of this one. It took me to every corner of Wisconsin and through thousands of years of history to write. I talked to scientists, anglers, Native tribal members
Today I got the ✅ from my editor for the manuscript I turned in last week. I’m proud of this one. It took me to every corner of Wisconsin and through thousands of years of history to write. I talked to scientists, anglers, Native tribal members, community organizers, conservationists, spearers, and sturgeon enthusiasts. But mostly, it brought me back to writing. I’m full of ideas for future projects when I was once empty. Long live the sturgeon. 🩶 Stay tuned for fall 2025 - Saving an Ancient Fish, Wisconsin Historical Society Press.
Currently buried in notes. May need more coffee. #writing #research #kidlit
It’s a 3-screen writing day. One to play my audio interview, one to show the written transcript, and one for taking notes. #writerlibrarian #kidlit #writingresearch #lakesturgeon #wisconsinhistoricalsocietypress
It’s a 3-screen writing day. One to play my audio interview, one to show the written transcript, and one for taking notes. #writerlibrarian #kidlit #writingresearch #lakesturgeon #wisconsinhistoricalsocietypress
A little hands-on writing research today! We helped to release sturgeon fingerlings into the Milwaukee River. #sturgeonfest #harborfest #nonfictionwriting #booksforkids
It was a beautiful day for a bike ride around town. Any guesses as to where we ended up, based on this pic? 🚲☀️🍂
It was a beautiful day for a bike ride around town. Any guesses as to where we ended up, based on this pic? 🚲☀️🍂
Honey harvest today! We’re so stinking proud of ourselves for keeping these girls alive and healthy. 🐝🍯💛 #honeybees #wisconsin #timewithdad
Honey harvest today! We’re so stinking proud of ourselves for keeping these girls alive and healthy. 🐝🍯💛 #honeybees #wisconsin #timewithdad
Spent my last week of summer in the woods with my sister, learning about Wisconsin plants, critters, geology, conservation, climate change, and so much more.🌳🐞🥾 #masternaturalist #wisconsin #naturalresources #hunthill
Spent my last week of summer in the woods with my sister, learning about Wisconsin plants, critters, geology, conservation, climate change, and so much more.🌳🐞🥾 #masternaturalist #wisconsin #naturalresources #hunthill
Lessons from the hive: 🐝If you smell bananas, it’s time to close things up. 🐝When bees link up in chains, it’s called festooning (bottom of the frame I’m holding). 🐝You can recognize different plants’ pollen by its color -
Lessons from the hive: 🐝If you smell bananas, it’s time to close things up. 🐝When bees link up in chains, it’s called festooning (bottom of the frame I’m holding). 🐝You can recognize different plants’ pollen by its color - dandelions are bright orange in the comb. #backyardbeekeeping #learnsomethingnew
We got “our” bees today! Kind Neighbor helped us get them set up. #hobbieswithdad #honeybees #beekeeping
We got “our” bees today! Kind Neighbor helped us get them set up. #hobbieswithdad #honeybees #beekeeping
“Beekeeping 102” class today as Dad and I prep for our new bees. 🐝
“Beekeeping 102” class today as Dad and I prep for our new bees. 🐝
A last minute trip to Shiocton to watch the lake sturgeon spawn this weekend. Did you know sturgeon don’t spawn until they’re 15-25 years old, but when they do, they return to the exact same waterway in which they hatched? #bigfish #writi
A last minute trip to Shiocton to watch the lake sturgeon spawn this weekend. Did you know sturgeon don’t spawn until they’re 15-25 years old, but when they do, they return to the exact same waterway in which they hatched? #bigfish #writingresearch
Two moods of Christmas. Which one are you? 😄
Two moods of Christmas. Which one are you? 😄
Hanging out on the North Coast.
I’m stretching my wings (sorry) and taking an illustration class this summer. No big plans, just want to start making stuff again. #juvenilecardinal #backyard #papercut #paperscraps #cutpaper #collage #dailyart #draweveryday
I’m stretching my wings (sorry) and taking an illustration class this summer. No big plans, just want to start making stuff again. #juvenilecardinal #backyard #papercut #paperscraps #cutpaper #collage #dailyart #draweveryday
@oldabeslibrary 👈 new Instagram account! Follow us to see what a busy high school library is up to these days. Because #booksarejustthebeginning. . . . #librariesofinstagram #hslibrary #schoollibraries #futurereadylibs #oldabelibrarylife
@oldabeslibrary 👈 new Instagram account! Follow us to see what a busy high school library is up to these days. Because #booksarejustthebeginning. . . . #librariesofinstagram #hslibrary #schoollibraries #futurereadylibs #oldabelibrarylife
At the river again. He fishes; I draw.
At the river again. He fishes; I draw.
The view from here.
The view from here.
I’m celebrating FDOS (first day of summer) over here, librarian-style. But my to-read pile may be bigger than my summer! . . . . #bookstack #yalit #teacherlibrarian #wemtabattleofthebooks
I’m celebrating FDOS (first day of summer) over here, librarian-style. But my to-read pile may be bigger than my summer! . . . . #bookstack #yalit #teacherlibrarian #wemtabattleofthebooks
Today I got the ✅ from my editor for the manuscript I turned in last week. I’m proud of this one. It took me to every corner of Wisconsin and through thousands of years of history to write. I talked to scientists, anglers, Native tribal members
Currently buried in notes. May need more coffee. #writing #research #kidlit
It’s a 3-screen writing day. One to play my audio interview, one to show the written transcript, and one for taking notes. #writerlibrarian #kidlit #writingresearch #lakesturgeon #wisconsinhistoricalsocietypress
A little hands-on writing research today! We helped to release sturgeon fingerlings into the Milwaukee River. #sturgeonfest #harborfest #nonfictionwriting #booksforkids
It was a beautiful day for a bike ride around town. Any guesses as to where we ended up, based on this pic? 🚲☀️🍂 Honey harvest today! We’re so stinking proud of ourselves for keeping these girls alive and healthy. 🐝🍯💛 #honeybees #wisconsin #timewithdad Spent my last week of summer in the woods with my sister, learning about Wisconsin plants, critters, geology, conservation, climate change, and so much more.🌳🐞🥾 #masternaturalist #wisconsin #naturalresources #hunthill Lessons from the hive: 🐝If you smell bananas, it’s time to close things up. 🐝When bees link up in chains, it’s called festooning (bottom of the frame I’m holding). 🐝You can recognize different plants’ pollen by its color - We got “our” bees today! Kind Neighbor helped us get them set up. #hobbieswithdad #honeybees #beekeeping “Beekeeping 102” class today as Dad and I prep for our new bees. 🐝 A last minute trip to Shiocton to watch the lake sturgeon spawn this weekend. Did you know sturgeon don’t spawn until they’re 15-25 years old, but when they do, they return to the exact same waterway in which they hatched? #bigfish #writi Two moods of Christmas. Which one are you? 😄
Hanging out on the North Coast.
I’m stretching my wings (sorry) and taking an illustration class this summer. No big plans, just want to start making stuff again. #juvenilecardinal #backyard #papercut #paperscraps #cutpaper #collage #dailyart #draweveryday @oldabeslibrary 👈 new Instagram account! Follow us to see what a busy high school library is up to these days. Because #booksarejustthebeginning. . . . #librariesofinstagram #hslibrary #schoollibraries #futurereadylibs #oldabelibrarylife At the river again. He fishes; I draw. The view from here. I’m celebrating FDOS (first day of summer) over here, librarian-style. But my to-read pile may be bigger than my summer! . . . . #bookstack #yalit #teacherlibrarian #wemtabattleofthebooks
W.H. Beck