We're trying to have the old school and new school combined in this location. Some might want to come here read more

We're trying to have the old school and new school combined in this location. Some might want to come here for recreational needs, to listen to artists, listen to musicians. We're going to have that, too.

This proves to the world that Iraqis are writing their own constitution. We want to be sure to write something read more

This proves to the world that Iraqis are writing their own constitution. We want to be sure to write something that keeps Iraq intact, in land and in people.

I'm worried that a number of these deals will not get done now. A lot of people get caught in read more

I'm worried that a number of these deals will not get done now. A lot of people get caught in the changing markets when they only see the upside of things going in.

I think it's kind of been the plan to take it slow, make sure there's no setbacks. Make sure nothing read more

I think it's kind of been the plan to take it slow, make sure there's no setbacks. Make sure nothing bad happens. Be smart about it. But I definitely feel like I could have played, and I don't think it would've been an issue.

The paper burns, but the words fly away.

The paper burns, but the words fly away.

The Polar Express was the easiest of my picture book manuscripts to write... Once I realized the train was going read more

The Polar Express was the easiest of my picture book manuscripts to write... Once I realized the train was going to the North Pole, finding the story seemed less like a creative effort than an act of recollection. I felt, like the story's narrator, that I was remembering something, not making it up.

The only person I had any trouble with was Gloria Swanson, and her objections were completely off the wall. She read more

The only person I had any trouble with was Gloria Swanson, and her objections were completely off the wall. She didn't have any legal leg to stand on. And she took me to court, saying that I libeled her. There's absolutely no libel in the chapter on her. She was the mistress of Joe Kennedy.

She also won the gold medal in the Super Quiz and essay components. I've done essay judging since I began read more

She also won the gold medal in the Super Quiz and essay components. I've done essay judging since I began serving as coordinator in 2000, and Emma's essay was one of the best I've seen.

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up read more

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.