My Redroom URL

• http://www.redroom.com/member/mdkwasney

About Me

• .A teacher and author, I write novels for young people. My first book, Baby Blue (Henry Holt, 2004) was named a New York Public Library Best Book for the Teen Age. My second novel, Itch, for middle-grade readers (Henry Holt, April 2008) was praised by Booklist as a "moving, believable story" with "sympathetic, well-drawn characters" and will be soon be available as an audio book (Recorded Books, July 2008).  My third, Blue Plate Special, a novel for young adults, is under contract with Chronicle Books and scheduled for fall 2009 publication. Visit my website to read more about my work, print discussion guides for classroom and library use, receive writing advice for your own projects, watch a book trailer, connect to my blog, and much more! www.michelledkwasney.com.

Interests & Hobbies

• Reading, walking, listening to music, playing pool, taking photographs, attending antique car shows.

Favorite Books

• She's Come Undone, Dancing on the Edge, Because of Winn-Dixie

Favorite Authors

• Alex Flinn, E. R. Frank, Han Nolan, Joan Bauer, Laurie Halse Anderson, Jacqueline Woodson, James Howe, Wally Lamb, Alice Sebold, Edna O'Brien, David Sedaris

What I'm Reading

• Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher and Odd Girl Out by Rachel Simmons

WORK

• I've taught art in the public schools for over twenty years - first in New York, and now in western Massachusetts. I began writing for kids and teens over ten years ago. Since then I've published two novels for young readers: Baby Blue (Henry Holt, 2004) and Itch (Henry Holt, 2008). Itch will soon be available as an audio book (Recorded Books, July 2008). My third novel, Blue Plate Special (Chronicle Books) is scheduled for fall 2009 publication.

Web Links

• http://www.michelledkwasney.com

EDUCATION