Photo by Chris Reynolds 

The short version ...

I was born in Tokyo, Japan and divided my childhood between there and Ohio. I received a BA in English from the University of Chicago. I am the author of the YA novels B*Witch and its sequel Witch Rising (co-authored with Paige McKenzie; Little, Brown); Consent; Beauty; and Always, Forever (all Simon Pulse) as well as the Blast Off! early-grade history series (Little Bee). I've collaborated with Quvenzhane Wallis, Chloe Lukasiak, and other celebrities, and I've written or ghostwritten over a hundred books for children, teens, and adults.  I live in Ithaca, NY.  

The long version, with ramblings about life and writing ...

I was born in Tokyo and spent the first part of my childhood there. When I was six, my parents sent me to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio to spend the summer with my American grandparents, my father's parents, and learn English. When I was nine, my parents split up and switched countries - that is, my (Japanese) mom moved my little brother and me to the U.S., and my (American) dad stayed in Japan.  

Being Japanese American in a predominantly white community, I spent much of my childhood feeling like an outsider.  It didn't help that I didn't have a "normal" family, whatever that is.  Mine felt particularly abnormal, on top of which we had very little money, sometimes not enough for rent or even groceries.  

Despite the not-great home environment, I did manage to find an identity of sorts.  Being smart.  Getting good grades.  And reading constantly.  I went from Betsy, Tacy, and Nancy Drew to the Bronte sisters to Sartre and Camus.  Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, the inspiration for Always, Forever, quickly became one of my favorite novels of all time.  I loved curling up with a book in front of my face and being able to tune out people, problems, and drama.

During my teens, I contemplated all sorts of things I wanted to be when I grew up (besides glamorous, sophisticated, and rich).  I thought about becoming a private detective, a ballerina, an FBI agent, a concert pianist, a teacher, and a truck driver (free travel!).  But I eventually discovered writing.  I loved having the ability - the sheer, awesome power - to spin characters out of gossamer and watch them blossom, self-destruct, and blossom again.  

After graduating from Firestone High in Akron, Ohio, I went to Northwestern for a year.  Even though it was a stellar college, Northwestern (ironically) felt too normal, so I transferred to the University of Chicago, which felt quirkier and more welcoming of oddballs like me.  I graduated with a B.A. with honors in English.

After college, I moved around a lot.  I had a few "real jobs" that required wearing nice clothes and showing up at an office.  But mostly, I've been a writer. 

These days, I live in Ithaca, NY, home of Cornell University (where my husband Jens is a law professor and dean). I'm a mom to Christopher (28) and Clara (15).  As a family, we love to travel and have adventures.  We're also way into classical music.  (Christopher is a professional pianist currently working with the Stuttgart Opera.)

I have a home office where I like to write with my cat muses.  Sometimes, I meet up with other writers at a coffee shop in town.  There, we take over a big table with our laptops and cups of coffee and inspire each other to write brilliant chapters.