Describe your new book.
The Garden of Eve is a story about a young girl who is trying to figure out whether magic still has a place in her life. She's grieving the loss of her mom, who was her companion in story telling and imagining. Now she's left to forge a relationship with her practical, realist father who believes only in what he sees. Together they move to an old, abandoned apple orchard in upstate NY that is rumored to be cursed, and Evie meets a boy who claims to be dead. She also receives a mysterious gift for her eleventh birthday. Everything in her life is challenging her to decide if she can believe again or not. Evie must make her decision, and the reader must also make theirs.

This is a story that is as much about the mood as it is about the plot. The plot twists and turns, and the mood is twisted and dark, occasionally illuminated with brilliant light. There's a haunting quality, especially in the beginning, that was very fun to write. I hope readers will find themselves immersed in a world that makes them shiver and gasp and tingle with anticipation.

What fictional character would you like to be your friend, and why?
Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings. I'd love it if he came knocking on my door when I least expected it, ready to lead me away on an adventure.

If you could choose any story to live in, which story would it be? Why?
Honestly, I wouldn't want to live in most stories. What makes a great story is usually conflict, so the idea of living in even my favorite stories isn't too appealing. If I had to choose one, I think Anne of Green Gables would be nice. There's something so happy about the early books in that series. Even when Anne has troubles, she's surrounded by beauty, love, and laughter. It was easy to like all of those characters and Prince Edward Island would be a wonderful place to live.

Introduce one other author/illustrator you think people should read, and suggest a good book by him/her.
I loved reading Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising series. They're now making a movie based on these books, and I am on a mission to get people to read the books before they see the movie. I can already tell the story has been changed a lot to make it more commercial, and that's such a shame because the books are spectacular. They create the most amazing mood that swallows you whole as you read.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Depending on my age, an ice skater, a scientist, a vendor at Shea Stadium, and a life-long Peace Corps volunteer.

Why do you write books for kids?
As a child I read everything I could get my hands on. Some of my fondest memories from my childhood involve reading. My family read out loud together, so I remember reading The Island of the Blue Dolphins out on the porch beside a camping lantern, and The Lord of the Rings on cold winter days... The idea that I could write a book that would be read by kids, and shared by families is a wonderful thought.

Share an interesting experience you've had with one of your readers.
A teenage girl who was a huge fan of Fat Kid Rules the World made me some pottery by hand. It's beautiful! She sent me a plate and a mug. They're a gorgeous deep purple and so well crafted. I am continually amazed by her artistry, and I use them only on special occasions. They always make me smile.

Make a question of your own, then answer it.

Who do you consider a hero and why?

I have a lot of heroes. I think it's really important to do good things in life. Not only for others but also for ourselves. When people have a chance to do good, it improves both their mental and physical health, yet we often forget how great it can feel. My heroes are the people who haven't forgotten but instead put doing good at the center of their lives. They not only improve the world we live in, but they remind me to follow in their footsteps.

A few of my heroes are: Jimmy Carter because he has done so much to promote peace, Al Gore because of the way he is teaching people to take care of the Earth, and Angelina Jolie because she is using her celebrity to adopt children and help people in need.

I'm a big supporter of unsung heroes as well. One of my favorite features on my web site is the Very Cool Person of the Month where readers send in nominations for people they think deserve recognition. People have nominated their friends, teachers, children, political figures... you name it! I always love reading about and, in some small way, rewarding people who make the world a better place. (If you have someone to nominate, you can send me an e-mail at kl@klgoing.com. I'd love to hear from you!)