I grew up reading the classics - Little Women, Alice in Wonderland, Heidi, Girl of the Limberlost, Anne of Green Gables.  I probably read each of these books a dozen times.  I loved the use of language and the images I could see as I read.

As I got older, I discovered young adult historical fiction novelist Ann Rinaldi, and it was like a light bulb went off in my head. I realized that writing historical fiction was what I most wanted to do.  What an amazing way to share history - through a story.