American children's book author. Her more than 100 young adult titles include Marty the Maniac, The Swamp Monster in Third Grade, and Bobby and the Great, Green Booger.
Before pursuing a full-time career as a writer, she worked as both a librarian and an elementary school teacher. She published her first solo-written children's book, Buffalo Bill and the Pony Express, in 1994.
She co-wrote a popular children's book series, The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids, with Marcia Jones.
She grew up in Morganfield, Kentucky.
She and Judy Moody series writer Megan McDonald, born in the same year, both had successful careers as authors of children's literature.
