Avi, writer
@avi-writer.bsky.social
Author of 80+ books for young readers. Speaker. Newbery Award. Newbery Honors. Poppy book series. Latest books: Lost in the Empire City; The Secret Sisters. Rocky Mountain writer.
https://www.avi-writer.com
https://www.avi-writer.com
MG readers looking for an unexpected book? How about The Christmas Rat? Starred review, SLJ: “For readers who want a different kind of holiday (or anytime) novel, fast paced and mystifying, with juicy moral dilemmas underpinning the unique plot, this is a surefire selection.” bit.ly/41hCLFT
December 11, 2025 at 1:14 PM
MG readers looking for an unexpected book? How about The Christmas Rat? Starred review, SLJ: “For readers who want a different kind of holiday (or anytime) novel, fast paced and mystifying, with juicy moral dilemmas underpinning the unique plot, this is a surefire selection.” bit.ly/41hCLFT
Not long ago, a publisher with whom I have happily worked asked me to submit a list of ideas for future books I might write ... Read on: bit.ly/4iP1FFJ
December 9, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Not long ago, a publisher with whom I have happily worked asked me to submit a list of ideas for future books I might write ... Read on: bit.ly/4iP1FFJ
Starred review, SLJ, Marybeth Kozikowski reviewed The Road to Nowhere: "Avi is a master of historical fiction, addressing universal issues that transcend his novel’s setting and timeline. A first purchase." Thank you, Ms. Kozikowski! Available for pre-order, published Jan 6. Full rvw: bit.ly/3Mbfv9d
December 6, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Starred review, SLJ, Marybeth Kozikowski reviewed The Road to Nowhere: "Avi is a master of historical fiction, addressing universal issues that transcend his novel’s setting and timeline. A first purchase." Thank you, Ms. Kozikowski! Available for pre-order, published Jan 6. Full rvw: bit.ly/3Mbfv9d
“This rousing historical novel highlights the Silver Crash of 1893, a consequential moment in American history,” says Publishers Weekly of my newest middle grade novel—The Road from Nowhere—publishing on Jan 6. Find the longer description (and the rest of the review) on my website! bit.ly/3Mbfv9d
December 4, 2025 at 1:19 PM
“This rousing historical novel highlights the Silver Crash of 1893, a consequential moment in American history,” says Publishers Weekly of my newest middle grade novel—The Road from Nowhere—publishing on Jan 6. Find the longer description (and the rest of the review) on my website! bit.ly/3Mbfv9d
I find all this Colorado history quite fascinating, so it has — no surprise — led me to write a number of works of fiction. The newest book, The Road from Nowhere, will be available on 4 Jan 2026. Writing about Colorado history: bit.ly/4pARR48
December 2, 2025 at 1:25 PM
I find all this Colorado history quite fascinating, so it has — no surprise — led me to write a number of works of fiction. The newest book, The Road from Nowhere, will be available on 4 Jan 2026. Writing about Colorado history: bit.ly/4pARR48
I’m looking back through my past blogs as I reflect on “why I write for children.” Here’s how I answered that question way back in 2012. Thanks for asking, Iva and Mary Rose, who are 13 years older now. I hope they continue to read enthusiastically.
Why I write for children: bit.ly/48k9eiD
Why I write for children: bit.ly/48k9eiD
November 27, 2025 at 3:01 PM
I’m looking back through my past blogs as I reflect on “why I write for children.” Here’s how I answered that question way back in 2012. Thanks for asking, Iva and Mary Rose, who are 13 years older now. I hope they continue to read enthusiastically.
Why I write for children: bit.ly/48k9eiD
Why I write for children: bit.ly/48k9eiD
As a writer, among those I need to give my deepest thanks are folks I don’t know and rarely meet: my readers. My thank you: bit.ly/44gyFR4
November 25, 2025 at 12:46 PM
As a writer, among those I need to give my deepest thanks are folks I don’t know and rarely meet: my readers. My thank you: bit.ly/44gyFR4
I will be signing advance readers copies of The Road from Nowhere in the Scholastic booth at NCTE on Saturday, November 22nd, at 2:30 pm. Please stop by and say hello ... and take home my newest book. bit.ly/49uwYmx
November 20, 2025 at 1:55 PM
I will be signing advance readers copies of The Road from Nowhere in the Scholastic booth at NCTE on Saturday, November 22nd, at 2:30 pm. Please stop by and say hello ... and take home my newest book. bit.ly/49uwYmx
When asked, “What kind of books do you write?” I’ll say, “I write books for young people.” “Oh, that’s fun.” As in, “That’s easy.” Full essay: bit.ly/3LLdQXJ
November 18, 2025 at 2:37 PM
When asked, “What kind of books do you write?” I’ll say, “I write books for young people.” “Oh, that’s fun.” As in, “That’s easy.” Full essay: bit.ly/3LLdQXJ
My most recent novel, Lost in the Empire City, is an immigrant story set in New York City in 1911. How amazing, then, to come across this resource featuring photos from New York in that exact year! Film: bit.ly/47PnArg Book: bit.ly/47f1Jsz
November 13, 2025 at 1:24 PM
My most recent novel, Lost in the Empire City, is an immigrant story set in New York City in 1911. How amazing, then, to come across this resource featuring photos from New York in that exact year! Film: bit.ly/47PnArg Book: bit.ly/47f1Jsz
The truth is, no book goes from first written word to printed word as the work of one person. A major publisher once told me it takes 40 people to produce a book. But after the writer, the key player should be an editor. bit.ly/3WP048Q
November 11, 2025 at 1:55 PM
The truth is, no book goes from first written word to printed word as the work of one person. A major publisher once told me it takes 40 people to produce a book. But after the writer, the key player should be an editor. bit.ly/3WP048Q
Check out “Six Secrets to Good Writing” on my website so you can share these tips with young writers in your classroom! From Tip #4: “Rewrite! No one ever writes anything well the first time. The first draft cannot be the last draft. (I rewrite my work fifty-sixty times—or more).” bit.ly/3JFX9fo
November 6, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Check out “Six Secrets to Good Writing” on my website so you can share these tips with young writers in your classroom! From Tip #4: “Rewrite! No one ever writes anything well the first time. The first draft cannot be the last draft. (I rewrite my work fifty-sixty times—or more).” bit.ly/3JFX9fo
Radio serials. I adored these shows, and I firmly believe that in some fashion they influenced my writing, long before I ever thought of becoming a writer. #JackArmstrong #SkyKing #Superman
Read the article: bit.ly/4nGrCrZ
About the book: bit.ly/3WEcXlX
Read the article: bit.ly/4nGrCrZ
About the book: bit.ly/3WEcXlX
November 4, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Radio serials. I adored these shows, and I firmly believe that in some fashion they influenced my writing, long before I ever thought of becoming a writer. #JackArmstrong #SkyKing #Superman
Read the article: bit.ly/4nGrCrZ
About the book: bit.ly/3WEcXlX
Read the article: bit.ly/4nGrCrZ
About the book: bit.ly/3WEcXlX
HarperCollins is offering POPPY (the e-book edition) at the reduced price of $2.99 at all retailers during the month of November 2025. PW starred review: "An engaging blend of romance, suspense, and parody, this fantasy is well-nigh irresistible.” bit.ly/3Zm1tnm
November 1, 2025 at 2:23 PM
HarperCollins is offering POPPY (the e-book edition) at the reduced price of $2.99 at all retailers during the month of November 2025. PW starred review: "An engaging blend of romance, suspense, and parody, this fantasy is well-nigh irresistible.” bit.ly/3Zm1tnm
Halloween week is the perfect time to urge young readers to find some additional chills and thrills by diving into spooky books and ghost stories. If you’re looking for some suggestions along those lines, Ghost Stories: avi-writer.com/book-categor...
October 30, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Halloween week is the perfect time to urge young readers to find some additional chills and thrills by diving into spooky books and ghost stories. If you’re looking for some suggestions along those lines, Ghost Stories: avi-writer.com/book-categor...
When it comes to writing, "flow" is a state of mind and work that I strive to achieve. I am not always successful, but when I do, my work is much better. Why? bit.ly/4nnflbt
October 28, 2025 at 12:30 PM
When it comes to writing, "flow" is a state of mind and work that I strive to achieve. I am not always successful, but when I do, my work is much better. Why? bit.ly/4nnflbt
Children’s Book Week is coming up November 3-9. This year’s theme is “An Ocean of Stories”—so in honor of that, I’ve pictured a few of my titles where important action takes place aboard a ship. Downloadable poster: bit.ly/4oColuD My historical novels: bit.ly/49fUJ1p
October 23, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Children’s Book Week is coming up November 3-9. This year’s theme is “An Ocean of Stories”—so in honor of that, I’ve pictured a few of my titles where important action takes place aboard a ship. Downloadable poster: bit.ly/4oColuD My historical novels: bit.ly/49fUJ1p
"As a writer of stories, I’m deeply invested in plot flow, trying to create energy that keeps the tale moving, while always (trying) to take the reader along." Read this week's essay, "When Less is Better than More." My essay: bit.ly/4hluIQg #writing #editing
October 21, 2025 at 12:21 PM
"As a writer of stories, I’m deeply invested in plot flow, trying to create energy that keeps the tale moving, while always (trying) to take the reader along." Read this week's essay, "When Less is Better than More." My essay: bit.ly/4hluIQg #writing #editing
How wonderful to find these “7 Activities for The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle” — prepared by an educator at the Obsessed with Learning blog who confesses she loved the book as fifth grader herself, and who is now teaching it in her own classroom! bit.ly/3J6E3yX and bit.ly/3F0SuCK
October 16, 2025 at 11:59 AM
How wonderful to find these “7 Activities for The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle” — prepared by an educator at the Obsessed with Learning blog who confesses she loved the book as fifth grader herself, and who is now teaching it in her own classroom! bit.ly/3J6E3yX and bit.ly/3F0SuCK
As a writer, words are what I use. My tools. My ideas. Once I learn them, all I have to do is to put them down in good order.
Read my essay: bit.ly/4hfMrJe
Read my essay: bit.ly/4hfMrJe
October 14, 2025 at 12:40 PM
As a writer, words are what I use. My tools. My ideas. Once I learn them, all I have to do is to put them down in good order.
Read my essay: bit.ly/4hfMrJe
Read my essay: bit.ly/4hfMrJe
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, which has personal relevance for me since I have dysgraphia, a learning ability that affects my ability to write. I share my challenges during school visits, hoping it provides encouragement for kids who have a similar challenge. Resources: bit.ly/42oET0m
October 9, 2025 at 1:18 PM
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, which has personal relevance for me since I have dysgraphia, a learning ability that affects my ability to write. I share my challenges during school visits, hoping it provides encouragement for kids who have a similar challenge. Resources: bit.ly/42oET0m
We are approaching the celebration of 250 years of American Independence. Hurrah, but … bit.ly/3J1PtE1
(photo: Jlabouyrie/Dreamstime)
(photo: Jlabouyrie/Dreamstime)
October 7, 2025 at 12:44 PM
We are approaching the celebration of 250 years of American Independence. Hurrah, but … bit.ly/3J1PtE1
(photo: Jlabouyrie/Dreamstime)
(photo: Jlabouyrie/Dreamstime)
Do you have plans for Banned Books Week in your library or classroom? It’s coming up October 5-11. I hope you’ll check out the helpful resources at this website and talk about the issues discussed there with the young readers in your life.
Banned Book Week resources: bannedbooksweek.org
Banned Book Week resources: bannedbooksweek.org
October 2, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Do you have plans for Banned Books Week in your library or classroom? It’s coming up October 5-11. I hope you’ll check out the helpful resources at this website and talk about the issues discussed there with the young readers in your life.
Banned Book Week resources: bannedbooksweek.org
Banned Book Week resources: bannedbooksweek.org
Time and again, children’s books are the books that adults remember most. My article: avi-writer.com/blog/2025/09...
September 30, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Time and again, children’s books are the books that adults remember most. My article: avi-writer.com/blog/2025/09...
Have I had the chance to post this thoughtful review of my newest novel from the Ms. Yingling Reads blog? She says, in part: “Young readers should know about this period of history, and Lost in the Empire City is a great choice for making this an engaging topic.” Thanks Mrs. Yingling! bit.ly/3VUia8Z
September 25, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Have I had the chance to post this thoughtful review of my newest novel from the Ms. Yingling Reads blog? She says, in part: “Young readers should know about this period of history, and Lost in the Empire City is a great choice for making this an engaging topic.” Thanks Mrs. Yingling! bit.ly/3VUia8Z