Which of your books do you like the best?
After I wrote Mick Harte Was Here, I knew that this book would always have a special place in my heart. The story is fictional, but I would have loved to have known both Mick and his sister, Phoebe. Also, the bike helmet issue discussed in that book is extraordinarily important to me. For similar reasons, I also enjoyed the challenge of writing The Graduation of Jake Moon. As I developed Jake’s relationship with his grandfather, I found myself dealing with intense emotions that I could never have predicted.

Do you have a hero?
To me, heroes are everyday people who reach out to others in extraordinary ways with no expectation of payback or recognition. I am in awe of people like that.

Who is your favorite character?
I don’t have a single favorite character, but Mick and Phoebe Harte, and Jake and Skelly Moon, have been the characters that have been most meaningful to me. The characters I’ve had the most fun with include: Molly Vera Thompson (in The Kid in the Red Jacket), Thomas Russo (in My Mother Got Married and Other Disasters), and (of course!) Junie B. Jones. Actually, Junie B. was based on Thomas and Molly from those earlier two novels.

What kind of computer do you use?
I’ve got both kinds… a Mac and a netbook. How fair is that?

Do you finish every book you start to read? Or—if you don’t like a book— do you stop in the middle?
I used to have a policy that, no matter what, I would finish reading every book I started. Recently, I have readjusted my position on this issue. These days, I give a book about 100 pages to catch my interest. If I don’t like it by then, I happily put it back on the shelf, and move on. (Word of warning: Do not do this with school assignments… and I MEAN it!)

What do you like doing when you are not writing?
I like to eat frozen M&M’s.

When is your birthday?
April 21st, 1812. On the 20th anniversary of the Junie B. series I will be 200 years old. I don’t want to brag, but I think I’ve held up well.

What is your favorite thing to do after completing one of the Junie B. Jones books as a reward for yourself?
Okay… now I’m back to eating the frozen M&M’s answer.

Do you write any books for adults?
Nope. I’m not actually sure I’m grownup enough for grownup books.

You’re my favorite author! Are Skinnybones and Almost Starring Skinnybones the only two books in the Skinnybones series?
Yes, Skinnybones and the sequel are the only two books about Alex Frankovitch. But I have to say, I really had a good time writing those stories.

Do you enjoy writing Junie B. Jones books more than other books you write?
Writing about Junie B. is a lot of fun, but I know her so well now, it’s like writing about an old friend. The truth is, I usually end up liking almost all the characters in my books. So a lot of my characters feel just as special to me as Junie B. Jones does.

Does it take patience to write a book?
Sure. But, then again, I can’t really think of a job that doesn’t take patience.

Do you always keep a notebook in case a good idea pops into your head and you don’t want to forget it?
I don’t keep a notebook, but I do keep a paper and pencil on my nightstand in case I get an idea in the middle of the night.

What would you say if someone asked you, “How can I become an author?”
I would say, 1) read, read, read, read; 2) write, write, write, write; 3) rewrite, rewrite, rewrite, rewrite; 4) and love what you’re doing.

Do you like being an author, and who influences your writing?
Like any job, being an author has its frustrations, but I definitely love what I do. As far as “influences,” the people who help make my life so happy (family and special friends) have the most effect on my writing.

How do you feel after reading one of your own books?
The truth is—because I read my stories so many times while I’m working on them—I usually don’t read them again for a while. Sometimes, by the time I do, I’ve forgotten things I’ve written. If I find myself smiling, that’s a good feeling.

You make kids want to read. How does that make you feel?
It makes me smile.

I just wanted to tell you that you inspired me to write books. How does it feel to inspire people?
That’s simply one of the nicest compliments I’ve ever received.

Do you think I can be a writer? I get straight As in school.
If you keep getting straight A’s, there are no limits to what you can be.