I pointedly avoid doing sequels, since for the most part I find that a sequel rarely stands up to the original. Jerry Spinelli avoidfindoriginal Change image and share on social
I have a curious background for someone who turns out to be a writer. Jerry Spinelli backgroundcuriousturn Change image and share on social
I spend more time being what I am: a writer, not the visiting celebrity. Jerry Spinelli celebrityspendtime Change image and share on social
Actually, between books is precisely when I do give myself vacations. Jerry Spinelli bookgiveprecisely Change image and share on social
I don't really write for adults or kids - I don't write for kids, I write about them. I think you need to do that; otherwise, you end up preaching down. You need to listen not so much to the audience but to the story itself. Jerry Spinelli adultaudienceend share on social
When I was growing up, the first thing I wanted to be was a cowboy. That lasted till I was about ten. Then I wanted to be a baseball player. Preferably shortstop for the New York Yankees. Jerry Spinelli baseballcowboygrow Change image and share on social
I became a children's author by accident. Jerry Spinelli accidentauthorchild Change image and share on social
Sometimes I'm asked if I do research for my stories. The answer is yes and no. No, in the sense that I seldom plow through books at the library to gather material. Yes, in the sense that the first fifteen years of my life turned out to be one big research project. Jerry Spinelli answeraskbig share on social
When people hear I have six kids and 16 grandkids, they think, 'Oh, boy, you must get a lot of stories from them.' I don't. It's not like I'm behind the sofa in the living room taking notes while the grandkids carry on. Jerry Spinelli boycarrygrandkid share on social
Just because so many conforming kids wake up every morning asking, 'What is everybody else going to wear today?' doesn't mean that they don't wish it were different. Peer pressure is just that: pressure. Jerry Spinelli conformkidmorning share on social
