Dear Michelle, Sharon, and Mindy:

I VOTED! (490 words) follows a young voter on election day as she explores the voting process at her school. There are many important choices on the ballot. Some are for the entire school—Pizza or bagels for Friday lunch? Some are just for Mrs. Greene’s class—hamster or Bearded Dragon for class companion? Some choices are easy—some are not. Not everyone agrees and not everyone’s choice will win.

In this warm-hearted story about social responsibility, the young narrator and her classmates discover the importance of having both a choice and a voice in shaping their world.

My young adult novel, DEVIN RHODES IS DEAD, was published by Charlesbridge and nominated to VOYA Magazine’s Top Shelf for Middle School Fiction. I am a five-time finalist for the Katherine Paterson Prize, and winner of the Writers’ League of Texas Manuscript Contest for Middle Grade Fiction. My short stories have appeared in the journal, Hunger Mountain. I’m a graduate of the Writing Barn Picture Book Intensive and earned my MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. I teach writing workshops to tweens and teens.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

I VOTED!

Today is Election Day at my school.
We have important choices on our ballot.

What should we play during Field Day?
Mat Ball or Pickle Ball?

Mila is the best Mat Ball player and she always picks me. Jae wins every game of Pickle Ball but I’ve been practicing.

Which will I choose?