Stop Pretending, my first novel-in-verse, is autobiographical. It tells the story of what happened when I was thirteen years old and my big sister, who was nineteen at the time, had a nervous breakdown and had to be hospitalized.  

While I was working on Stop Pretending , I never really thought it was going to be published. So I didn't even tell my sister I was writing it. Then, when HarperCollins bought my manuscript, I knew I'd need to ask my sister how she felt about it. I was worried about what her reaction would be. I was even prepared to use a pen name if she didn't want her privacy invaded.

But when I told my sister about the book, she was thrilled. She said, "A book like this could be used in schools to open up discussions about mental illness." My sister and I are hopeful that the people who read Stop Pretending will come away from the experience feeling more compassion for the victims of mental illness.  

And in case you are wondering how my sister is doing, I'm happy to report that she's great! She was diagnosed as a manic-depressive, but, as long as she stays on her medication, she's fine. She got married and worked as a librarian for over twenty years. Now she's retired and does volunteer work. 

Click here if you are a teacher who would like to help obliterate the stigma against mental illness by teaching your students about it.  

Click here to see a list of places you can contact to get help if you are worried about your own mental health or the mental health of a family member or friend.  

Click here to read some poems from the book.  

Click here to find out about the photo on the cover of the book.  

Click here to read some reviews. 

Click here to see a list of awards and honors that Stop Pretending has received.