Editor of hundreds of nonfiction books for children, teens, and adults on a wide variety of topics including self-help, mental health, giftedness, school success, special needs, business, biography, and art history.

Selected titles (click on any cover or link FMI):

The How Rude! Handbooks for Teens. By Alex J. Packer, Ph.D. Free Spirit Publishing, 2004. Backpack-sized, subject-specific, wry and witty etiquette advice for teens. Includes The How Rude! Handbook of Family Manners for Teens,  The How Rude! Handbook of Friendship & Dating Manners for Teens, and The How Rude! Handbook of School Manners for Teens. “Teens—and parents who want their teens to learn good manners—will enjoy these books…. Strongly recommended”—Voice of Youth Advocates.

When Gifted Kids Don’t Have All the Answers: How to Meet Their Social and Emotional Needs. By Jim Delisle, Ph.D., and Judy Galbraith, M.A. Free Spirit Publishing, 2002. “A valuable resource for anyone involved in the lives or education of gifted children”—Gifted Child Quarterly.

Carver: A Life in Poems. By Marilyn Nelson. Front Street Books, 2001. Forty-four poems celebrate the life, character, and achievements of George Washington Carver. Finalist for the 2001 National Book Award. Winner of the 2001 Boston Globe—Horn Book Award, 2002 Newbery Honor Award, 2002 Coretta Scott King Honor Award, and more; named a 2002 ALA Notable Children’s Book.

Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom: Strategies and Techniques Every Teacher Can Use to Meet the Academic Needs of the Gifted and Talented. By Susan Winebrenner. Free Spirit Publishing, 1992, revised 2000. “Almost from the day it was published, Susan Winebrenner’s book has been a classic in the field”—Gifted Education Communicator.

Wise Highs: How to Thrill, Chill, & Get Away from It All Without Alcohol or Other Drugs. By Alex J. Packer, Ph.D. Free Spirit Publishing, 2000. National Parenting Publication Award.

The Bully Free Classroom: Over 100 Tips and Strategies for Teachers K–8.  By Allan L. Beane, Ph.D. Free Spirit Publishing, 1999. Teacher’s Choice Award, Learning magazine.

What Do You Stand For? For Teens: A Guide to Building Character. By Barbara A. Lewis. Free Spirit Publishing, 1998; reissued as “For Teens” in 2005. “A marvelous approach to character development”—Voice of Youth Advocates.

The Fields of Praise: New and Selected Poems. By Marilyn Nelson. Louisiana State University Press, 1997. Finalist for the 1997 National Book Award, finalist for the 1998 Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize, winner of the 1999 Poet’s Prize.

How Rude! The Teenagers’ Guide to Good Manners, Proper Behavior, and Not Grossing People Out. By Alex J. Packer, Ph.D. Free Spirit Publishing, 1997. The big (472-page) book on which the How Rude! handbooks are based.

Teaching Kids with Learning Difficulties in the Regular Classroom: Strategies and Techniques Every Teacher Can Use to Challenge & Motivate Struggling Students. By Susan Winebrenner. Free Spirit Publishing, 1996; revised and updated, 2006. Teacher’s Choice Award.

The Gifted Kids’ Survival Guide: A Teen Handbook. By Judy Galbraith, M.A., and Jim Delisle, Ph.D. Free Spirit Publishing, 1996. “A superior resource that provides so many fine ideas and fresh insights that it clearly has the potential to transform lives”—School Library Journal.