My first book, 'Running Loose', was censored back in 1983 or '84. Every book I've written since has been censored somewhere.

It's the scene in the book that probably gets the most attention, ... The biggest problem is that she is yelling, and in the book it's in big font. This is what happens all the time: They read the language and don't read the context. It's meant to let you know how awful her life is.

I have been writing poetry since 1975. My first poetry book was published in 1986.

Censors can make a case for zero tolerance in language. They can make the argument that since we don't allow our children to use that language in schools, we also shouldn't give them stories in which it is used.

He never takes any shortcuts. If there's a loose ball to be had, he'll be first to the floor. He figures out all the ways to help a team besides shooting and scoring.

The value of a story like 'Deadline' is kids get to look at death at the perfect distance. They can put the book down. They can experience the story, rub up against it, but it's not real life.