Bat Jamboree, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, Wm. Morrow, 1996.

• Pick of the Lists, American Booksellers Association
• Best Book of 1996, Child Magazine.

 

Bats Around the Clock, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, Wm. Morrow, 2000.

• Children's Choice Award, International Reading Association/Children's Book Council.

 

Bats on Parade, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, Wm. Morrow, 1999.

• Selected for Book of the Month Club.

 

Bayou Lullaby, illustrated by Neil Waldman, Wm. Morrow, 1995.

• Starred review: School Library Journal.
• Best Book of 1995, School Library Journal.

 

Bubba and Beau, Best Friends, illustrated by Arthur Howard, Harcourt, 2002.

• Irma and Simon Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, Bank Street College of Education
• "Best Book of the Year," School Library Journal
• "Book of the Week," SLJ.org

 

Bubbles, Bubbles, illustrated by Fumi Kosaka, HarperCollins, 2001.

• Beginning With Books One of Ten Best Books for Babies
• Gold Award, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio

 

Cowboy Dreams, illustrated by Barry Root, HarperCollins, 1998.

• Nominated for the North Carolina Children's Book Award.
• Designated Bedtime Book by the National Center for Family Literacy for ages 3-5.

 

Down Cut Shin Creek: The Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky, co-author Jeanne Cannella Schmitzer. HarperCollins, 2001.

• Starred review,School Library Journal
• Pick of the Lists, American Booksellers Association.
• Nominated for the Lamplighter Award

 

Elephants Aloft, illustrated by Keith Baker, Harcourt Brace & Co., 1993.

• Pick of the Lists, American Booksellers Association
• Teachers Choice Award, International Reading Association

 

I See the Moon, illustrated by Debra Reid Jenkins, Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1997.

• Best Book for 1997, The Houston Chronicle.
• Selected for the Society of Illustrators Annual Exhibition.
• CCBC Choices.

 

Just People & Other Poems for Young Readers, Absey Publishing, 1997.

• Best Book for Young Adults, American Library Association
• Books for the Teen Age, 1998, The New York Public Library.

• Best Book for Young Adults, American Library Association
• Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, American Library Association
• Top Shelf Fiction for Middle Graders by Voya Magazine
• Nominee, Keystone State Young Adult Book Award
• Honor Award, Storytelling Magazine finalist
• Honor Award, Writers League of Texas
• Nominee, Lone Star Reading List

 

Miss Lady Bird's Wildflower's, illustrated by Joy Fisher Hein, HarperCollins, 2005

 

• Teddy Award, Writer's League of Texas
• Growing Good Kids Award

 

 

Oh My Baby, Little One, illustrated by Jane Dyer, Harcourt Brace, 2000.

• Parents Choice Approved Award.
• Named in 200 Books Every Child Should Know, Amercan Booksellers for Children, 2001;
• Choice Award, American Booksellers for for Children;
• Snuggletime.com Award for Best Bedtime Book, The National Center for Family Literacy.

 

POEMS FROM HOMEROOM: A Writer's Place to Start, Henry Holt & Company, 2002.

• Texas TAYSHAS List
• "Top Ten Books of Poetry," Booklist Magazine, April 2003

 

Rain Dance, HarperCollins, illustrated by Emilie Chollat, 2001.

• Chosen for the Book of the Month Club.

 

Red Wagon Year, illustrated by Laura Kvasnovsky, Harcourt Brace & Co. 1996.

• Pick of the Lists, American Booksellers Association.

 

Someone's Come to Our House, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter, Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1999.

• Selected as "Outstanding"by Parent Council Ltd.

 

Where, Where is Swamp Bear?, illustrated by by Megan Halsey, HarperCollins, 2002

• Starred review, PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY
• Texas Institute of Letters Award--Best Picture Book, 2002
• Starred review, School Library Journal

 

The Underneath

• Borders "Original New Voices"
• Book Sense "Pick of the Week"
• Starred review, Booklist Magazine
• Top Ten Bestsellers, Indie Bound
• Finalist, The National Book Awards
• John Newbery Honor Book, ALA
• Finalist, Heart of Hawick Children's Book Award
• PEN Center USA Award Children's Literature
• Winner, Writer's League of TX Award for Children's Literature
• New York Times Bestseller

 

Other Awards and Honors:

• Texas Distinguished Writer, Friends of Abilene Public Library, 2009
• C.K. Esten Award for outstanding student in Theater Arts, Texas A&M University, 1975.
• Sue German Award for Excellence in Teaching, Awarded by the New Jersey Writing Project in Texas, Houston, TX 1997.
• Women Who Make a Difference, Awarded by the Brazos Maternal and Child Health Clinic, Bryan+College Station, TX 2001.