Excerpt from 'Will'

I promised to share excerpts from my newest middle grade novel; here is one. My heart breaks whenever I read parts like this. 

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The only thing I remember about my dad is his tattoo. It was barbed wire and wrapped around his bicep. When I was little, I’d sit on his lap and trace the tattoo with my pudgy fingers. I remember the day as clear as ice he told me about the tattoo.  

“You like that, Will?” he said. He took another sip of beer. “Got that when I was in the Marines. Something to do. When you’re older, maybe you can get one just like it. Then we’ll match.”

Will, Middle Name Trouble newest MG

I love when characters make me laugh. This new middle grade – Will, Middle Name Trouble – has me in stitches. And, believe me I needed to be in stitches. My last book contained some brutal stuff and while there is redemption, it was heartbreaking getting there.

And then Will came into my life. Will’s dad walked out when Will was 6. He’s now 10 and the man of the house. He watches his 4-year-old twin sisters while his mom cleans office buildings at night. He cleans and cooks and does the laundry. And despite doing what no 10-year-old should be charged with doing Will survives. He’s clever and funny, and I can’t help but love his silly self.