I like the idea of a world, even within a big giant city, where you're not anonymous. You have an identity, and that's an identity that's known just sort of by shopkeepers. I felt that as a kid, and I loved it. Rebecca Stead anonymousbigcity share on social
My kids really like food, and they like to cook, so it's a lot of fun to shop with them. Rebecca Stead cookfoodfun Change image and share on social
'Middle school' is used as shorthand for a time when things change. It's a time a lot of kids feel like they don't even have one good friend. Rebecca Stead changefeelfriend Change image and share on social
During the week,I'm really focused on writing and output. Sunday is a day when I really try not to write at all. Rebecca Stead dayfocusoutput Change image and share on social
My books tend to have a lot of questions in them, and they tend to avoid black and white, for lack of a better metaphor. Rebecca Stead avoidblackbook Change image and share on social
From age nine, my friends and I were on the streets, walking home, going to each other's houses, going to the store. I really wanted to write about that: the independence that's a little bit scary but also a really positive thing in a lot of ways. Rebecca Stead agebitefriend share on social
I have nothing like a writing routine. I sometimes have trouble buckling down to write at home. Rebecca Stead bucklehomeroutine Change image and share on social
I read a whole lot as a child, and, of course, I still read children's books. Rebecca Stead bookchildlot Change image and share on social
I grew up mostly an only child. My dad remarried when I was a teenager. And then I had two stepbrothers. And then my dad had a second child. So I have a brother from the time I was 15. But I really grew up feeling like an only child. Rebecca Stead brotherchilddad share on social
I try to remember what it was like to be a kid in New York. I lived in different parts of my childhood in Manhattan on the Upper West Side, where 'When You Reach Me' is set, and also in the Midwood section of Brooklyn. Rebecca Stead brooklynchildhoodkid share on social