One of the most exciting projects of my writing career was A Young People’s History of the United States. It was a chance to bring the work of a great scholar to a new audience of young readers.

Famed historian Howard Zinn published A People’s History of the United States in 1980, then updated it over the years. He focused on the “ordinary people” who are often left out of official history books–including young people who helped shape history. Zinn was especially interested in people and ideas that challenged the  forces of oppressive government and big business. His probing look at American history, with its emphasis on stories that are often neglected, became a bestseller. I’m honored to have been chosen to adapt the 2003 edition of this important work into an American history for younger readers.

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Stephen King is one of the most famous modern writers in the world–and he’s written more books than most of the others. I love good horror fiction, so it was a blast to research and write this 2011 biography for teens–and a true pleasure to receive this glowing starred review from Booklist. The book not only covers King’s life and career but also offers critical interpretations of the King stories and books most often found on school reading lists.

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In 2009 and 2010 I published nine books about adventures in forensic science, from exploring the mysteries of history to solving some of the world’s most notorious crimes.

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Speaking of mysteries, one of the most fascinating puzzles we have ever tried to solve is our own origins. From fossil fingerbones to DNA discoveries, I surveyed the latest news about human origins in my four-book 2010 series called Humans: An Evolutionary History. Two noted experts in the field–paleoanthropologist Ian Tattersall and molecular biologist Rob DeSalle of the American Museum of Natural History–contributed their scientific expertise.

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Do paranormal powers exist? What about ghosts, magic, and vampires? I examined the evidence in the five-book series Secrets of the Supernatural.

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Last updated December 8, 2011.

Thanks to Marshall Cavendish Corporation for the use of photographs from the company’s online catalog.

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