Lily Sinclair is a little bit picky for a ten-year-old. When she has her daily conversation with her pet gecko, Weemis, she must have her cup of coffee, and be wearing her favorite pair of sneakers with the green glow-in-the-dark laces. Lately though, it seems as if Weemis – who understands Lily better than anyone – isn’t doing much to help her feel better about moving to a new town, having to find a whole new set of friends, and starting at a new school that she hates.

Just when fifth grade seems to be doomed for the year, Lily meets a new and very unexpected friend at the local pet store. Nate is almost as picky as Lily – and just as funny. But when Lily discovers a scary secret about Nate, things change. And when the unthinkable happens, leaving Lily to deal with a situation she alone knows about, she has to decide how far she will go to save her friend – and herself.

Willowood will be published in hard cover this March, 2010 by Simon & Schuster. Stay tuned!!